National Army Museum Newsletter

Christmas Comes Early at the National Army Museum

We are running a Christmas weekday special "buy one, get one free" on all individual admission ticket prices between now and Christmas Day (does not include already discounted family and group rates).

It's the perfect time to visit with our M548 Armoured Personnel Carrier giving rides during the same period. Please contact us for confirmation of ride availability or if you have any queries. Phone 0800 369 999 or email info@armymuseum.co.nz.

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Serve: A New Recipe for Sacrifice

Serve: a new recipe for sacrifice, source: Guy Robinson

A new contemporary art exhibition exploring the concept of sacrifice has opened at the National Army Museum and it is a timely examination, according to the exhibit's artist Kingsley Baird:

"As SAS troops are redeployed in Afghanistan to join coalition allies – including our ANZAC 'brothers-in-arms' – questions of sacrifice should be foremost in the New Zealand public's mind."

As part of the exhibition visitors will be able to buy biscuits in the shape of New Zealand 'Diggers' which mirrors the Christian Eucharist and serves to remind visitors of their responsibility for the lives of those charged to defend their interests.

National Army Museum Curator, Windsor Jones said the importance of the National Army Museum as a 'memorial' was never far from the museum's mind and the opportunity to work with Kingsley Baird was exciting.

'Serve: A New Recipe for Sacrifice' runs from 26th November 2010 until 27th February 2011 in the Freyberg Gallery.

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Remembrance and the WOW Awards

The World of Wearable Art (WOW) phenomenon has arrived at the National Army Museum with the display of 'The Long Shadow' which was an entrant in the 2009 competition.

For the artist Lucy Jerram Moore the work represents 15 years of personal interest in the ongoing effect of New Zealand's war history and the inspiration of previous WOW shows.

The end result intends to resemble the aged marble of memorial statues, and is modelled on a World War I uniform and rifle. The soldier is wearing an amazing cloak of bright red 3-dimensional poppies.

Jerram Moore said World War I and subsequent conflicts have cast a long shadow over New Zealand and New Zealanders:

"This living memorial aims to honour not only those who died during these wars, but also those who survived or who were left behind. It includes copies of letters written during WW1 in the 'wound stripe' at the head of the cloak, and white feathers representing those who stand for a peaceful resolution of conflict. I hope this costume conveys that 'man unleashed' can mean violence and grief, but can also express compassion, love and a passionate commitment to a peaceful future."

This exhibition is on now in the Kippenberger Walkway.

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World War II Prisoner of War Visits Museum

A new signature has been added to the National Army Museum's wall in the museum's popular Prisoner of War exhibition. The wall contains signatures of NZ POWs from all services, including those of Charles Upham VC & Bar and Jack Hinton VC. Last week the National Army Museum was lucky enough to have added that of Ross Lynneberg (#OSAKA14/619).

Ninety-two-year old Ross served in the Pacific with the Royal NZ Navy before being transferred to the Royal Navy. Like many others Lynneberg was captured by the Japanese in Hong Kong on Christmas Day, 1941.

Lynneberg spent the remainder of the war in POW camps, serving 1374 days in captivity. He suffered malnutrition, beriberi, malaria, and was subject to cruel and unusual punishment. He also witnessed the bombing of Hiroshima and remembers seeing the B29 fly overhead and the huge mushroom cloud explosion.

He is a living piece of history and the National Army Museum gives its heart felt thanks to Mr Lynneberg for sharing his story and adding his signature to the POW wall.

Read the full story.

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Remembering a Local Hero

A new display at the National Army Museum remembers the heartbreaking story of the Tangiwai Disaster, New Zealand's most tragic railway disaster on Christmas Eve 1953, when one hundred and fifty men, women and children lost their lives.

The display tells the story and showcases the medal Cyril Ellis was awarded for his actions the night of the Tangiwai disaster. That night local postal worker Cyril Ellis became a hero as he first tried to avert the disaster and then bravely saved train passengers. For his courageous efforts he was awarded the George medal which is awarded for civilian acts of great bravery.

Read the full story.

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