National Army Museum Newsletter

The Kiwis' Talisman

Gozo Boat

Tucked in amongst the National Army Museum's displays there is a small model that symbolises the crucial part the Kiwi Concert Party played during the hardship and tragedy that was World War II.

The beautifully crafted silver model is of a boat and was gifted to the concert party after they performed for the besieged children of the strategic island of Malta in April 1943.

The Kiwi Concert Party was formed when the commander of the New Zealand forces, Major-General Freyberg, saw the morale impact of entertainment for his soldiers.

The concert party, which was soon nicknamed Freyberg's Circus, was comprised of about 30 men, including a variety of singers, comedians and a small orchestra. The party performed a programme of songs, comedy skits, and serious music that won them fans throughout the North Africa and Italy campaigns.

In 1943 the performers travelled to the island of Malta which, because of its strategic value, had suffered greatly during the course of the war. The people of Malta had withstood 3500 air raids and in recognition of their bravery the island had been awarded the George Cross- Britain's highest award for civilian bravery.

The Kiwi Concert Party toured the embattled outpost, doing 25 shows in 23 days, but for their last show they gave a special performance for the children of the island who had endured so much. The show was a raging success and children gave the party a special gift; a silver model of a type of boat used by the people of Gozo, an island to the north of Malta.

The small model became a talisman of the group; a symbol of their camaraderie, their performances, and, of course, their highly valued efforts of bringing some laughter and joy to those who needed it so much.

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New Exhibition – "The Gunners"

A History of Highlights of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery

'to support other arms and services by establishing such fire supremacy in the battle area that the enemy can neither interfere with our operations nor develop his own effectively'
(The Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery: The Gunners Handbook).

This new exhibition portraying the illustrious story of the Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) opened on October 15 in the newly named Thornton Gallery.

The exhibition follows the history of the RNZA, from its early links to the Royal Artillery during the New Zealand Wars to its formation as Volunteer Artillery in the 1860's, and its further development as part of the Permanent Force in the early twentieth century. And then the story continues as the now Royal New Zealand Artillery embarked overseas to World War I, World II, Korea, Vietnam; and, in more recent times, as part of
multi-national peacekeeping forces in places such as East Timor and Afghanistan.

The exhibition also tells the story of a number of artillery officers who have achieved high honours in times of war and peace, including Brigadier Reggie Miles, Brigadier John 'Blackie' Burns and Lieutenant-General Sir Leonard 'Bill' Thornton. Medals and other artefacts of Lieutenant-General Thornton have been kindly gifted to the museum by the Thornton family.

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New Acquisitions

An Insight Into An Important Time In History

Source: Christchurch Press Selection

A chance discovery of 63 large glass-plate negatives at The Press newspaper illustration storeroom in Christchurch has given a new view on the First World War.

The negatives show New Zealand troops and civilians preparing for and deploying to the First World War. This image from a glass-plate negative shows Infantry and Mounted Regiment troops waiting to embark the troop transport ships at Lyttelton before heading to World War One. The quality, clarity and composition of the image is excellent and allows us to view in detail the facial expressions of the soldiers and leaves us pondering what they might have been thinking at the time.

The National Army Museum was delighted to receive in person the donation of these glass-plate negatives, which are in excellent condition and wish to thank The Press for also digitising all the negatives. All the negatives have now been individually repackaged and wrapped in acid free folders and archived.

We have also been told that these precious negatives would not have survived Christchurch's recent earthquake which left the 110 year old Christchurch Press building badly damaged.

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A Perfect Day Spent by Army-Mad Kids

Being awarded a medal bar, cooking and eating a 'ration' pack, throwing grenades at a target, and a ride on a real armoured tracked vehicle were amongst the highlights of the National Army Museum's annual 'Kidz Headquarters Family Fun Day'.

Kidz HQ members particularly enjoyed a spectacular ride on our awesome M548 Armoured Personnel Carrier around a specially designed track through Ngamatea Swamp at the back of the Museum. The vehicle can take 12 passengers at a time and children were kitted-out in appropriate military attire to add to their experience.

Next year's Kidz HQ Family Day is scheduled for October 2011. Contact our Education team on 0800 369 999 or info@armymuseum.co.nz for more details.

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Family Friendly Research

The National Army Museum's military research library has become a popular facility with those seeking out information on family members who served with the armed forces. Staff can assist in locating information from nominal rolls necessary when requesting copies of a soldier's service record. The library also investigate rolls of honour, medal rolls, official histories and a wide range of publications to assist people in their genealogical journey.

Visitors can request a memorial certificate as a keepsake to remember a special soldier and we now also offer the ability to have a soldier's image displayed with honour on our special memorial wall within the Museum's Tears on Greenstone memorial. Please contact our library staff for more details Ph 0800 369 999 (within NZ) or email info@armymuseum.co.nz.

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Book of the Month

Promised New Zealand: Fleeing Nazi Persecution

The universal appeal of Anne Frank and the quality of the recent travelling exhibition focussing on her brave story has reminded us all of the suffering endured by millions at the hands of the Nazis. The exhibition- which is due to close soon- has been a real success, with many visitors travelling especially to see the compelling story of Anne and her family told together with the chronological rise of Nazi Germany.

Considering the appeal of Anne's story this month we recommend this book to you, Promised New Zealand: Fleeing Nazi Persecution by Freya Klier.

Freya Klier provides the interesting stories of 24 European Jews who have found refuge in New Zealand. Each person has a different story, including two people who survived Auschwitz, another who arrived in Auckland in 1938 while the German synagogues were being burnt, some who were stuck in London awaiting permits to New Zealand, and others who escaped at the last minute. The author interweaves these stories with the historical background on the politics of the period.

Available for sale at the National Army Museum Gift Shop ph 0800 369 999.

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