National Army Museum Newsletter

The Tiki Times

WWII Souvenir Booklet of the Tiki Times.

During his time at Stalag E535 in Poland, Bdr H W McCowan helped produce a secret, uncensored camp newspaper called the 'Tiki Times'. McCowan was one of several columnists for the paper, which was produced under the noses of the German guards.

The Tiki Times was first published in August 1944 and was published weekly for around 6 months, with 24 issues being produced in total. Pte Gallichan, its editor said, "It relieved, in some way, the monotony and the weariness in the lives of all of us."

The paper was hand printed in pen and ink and hung on boards in the passage outside the door of Barrack One. According to Gallichan, it was always safely hidden when the Gestapo made their rounds and in case it was discovered it wore the mark of a fake German censor-stamp made within the camp.

Read the full story.

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Artefact of the Month – The Bust of Mussolini

WWII bust of Mussolini.

This bust of the Italian dictator Mussolini was donated to the National Army Museum along with an amusing history.

During World War II's North Africa campaign Brigadier Jack Conolly was amongst the officers of the 24th Battalion who set up their HQ in the captured Governor's Palace in Tripoli. As the story goes, there were two busts in the palace, one of which was of Mussolini, and Conolly commented that he preferred it better than the other.

When night fell Conolly went up to his room to discover the bust of Mussolini comfortably tucked up in his bed, resting his head on the pillow. Conolly came up with a creative solution as to what to do with the very heavy piece of artwork; he wrapped it up, marked the package 'War Papers, Top Secret' and sent it home to his wife in New Zealand.

Read the full story.

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A Rugby Hero

Hardham VC medal group.

Victoria Cross Group of 1251 Farrier Major William James Hardham, VC, 4th Contingent, New Zealand Mounted Rifles

William Hardham was a tough, strong, burly man with a passion for rugby and was captain of the Petone Rugby Club's senior team as well as running out with the Wellington Provincial side, 53 times between 1897 and 1910.

At the outbreak of the Boer War (1899 - 1902), Bill Hardham enlisted with the 4th New Zealand Contingent. He served as a farrier, shoeing horses for the Mounted troopers. On 28 January 1901, Hardham rode out with a sweeping operation in the Transvaal. Near Naauwpoort on the Witwatersberg Hills, their mounted squadron was ambushed by a party of about twenty Boers who had been concealed in rocks. One of the New Zealanders, Trooper McRae, was wounded and had his horse shot from under him. Hardham immediately turned and galloped back through heavy fire to the wounded man. He dismounted, lifted McRae onto his horse and ran beside the horse holding McRae in the saddle until they reached the safety of an outcrop of rocks.

For this action Farrier Sergeant Hardham was awarded the Victoria Cross, the only New Zealand serviceman to receive the gallantry award during the Boer War.

Read more about Farrier Sergeant William Hardham.

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New Medal Repository

Plans for new National Army Museum Medal Repository.

The National Army Museum has almost finished the construction of a new Medal Repository which it plans to open before Christmas.

The new repository will house ALL medals the museum has in its collection and will also contain the Valour Alcove, which houses Victoria Crosses, New Zealand Crosses and George Crosses.

Learn more about the Medal Repository.

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Museum Tanks Support Battle of Cambrai Anniversary

Parade of National Army Museum armoured vehicles.

The National Army Museum supported the 94th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Cambrai on Saturday 19th November with a parade of 13 armoured vehicles from its collection.

This battle was fought during the First World War near the town of Cambrai in France on 20th November 1917 and was the first occasion that the newly developed weapon of the time, the tank, was deployed in battle en mass. Each year the "tankies" gather on the weekend nearest 20th November to honour Cambrai and to catch-up with old comrades.

Read more about the Battle of Cambrai Anniversary.

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Behind the Scenes Visits

The National Army Museum's Valentine tank.

The National Army Museum is now offering guided 'behind the scenes visits' for groups to our vehicle collection.

The museum has an extensive collection of military vehicles that are simply too large to house in the current museum building. It includes tanks such as the M41 Walker Bulldog, Scorpion, Honey tank, Valentine, Centurion and the M113 APC variants. It also has several Land Rovers, large recovery vehicles, the interesting looking Loyd Carrier, Half Track, and Universal Scout Car as well as several others.

Visits are for groups and include entry into the museum which houses further vehicles including New Zealand's only Sherman tank which still runs. There are also optional add-ons including lunch and a ride on our M548 Armoured Personnel Carrier.

Please contact the museum for further details.

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