National Army Museum Newsletter

ANZAC Day - We Will Remember Them

Solders' graves at Gallipoli

Sergeant Harry Barlow, DCM, Canterbury Infantry Battalion

Kiwi soldier Harry Barlow landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, the day that is now remembered as ANZAC Day. Almost two months later while fighting at Quinn's Post, one of the most dangerous ANZAC posts in Gallipoli, Barlow was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions.

Quinn's Post was subjected to repeated Turkish bombardment and was witness to some of the bloodiest hand-to-hand combat encounters between the ANZACs and the Turks - whose posts were just a stone's throw away.

Barlow's citation reads:

For great gallantry and ability on the night of the 21st - 22nd June 1915, at Quinn's Post (Dardanelles). On his own initiative he crawled from the trench to reconnoitre an enemy bombproof shelter some distance away. He was successful in dropping two bombs into it, and returned with two Turkish bombs which he found outside. Throughout the operations, he has distinguished himself as a most courageous and skilful bomb thrower.

Read more about Sergeant Harry Barlow.

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ANZAC Day Civic Service

Northern Parade Ground, National Army Museum, 25 April at 11.00am.

To remember New Zealand's stories and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice the National Army Museum will be holding an ANZAC Day Civic Service at 11am. Please gather on the parade ground at the northern end of the Museum in front of the flag station by 10.45am.

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Bible Lost in WWI Trenches Returns Home

Private Richard Cook's bible, generously donated to the National Army Museum.

A small bible lost by a Kiwi soldier killed in World War I has finally come home in a moving ceremony at the National Army Museum.

On the Western Front on 12 April 1918 a British soldier, Herbert Hodgson, found a mud encrusted bible when he fell into a shell hole during an attack. His diary says: "There was no name inside it but the army service number 34816 had been written across the top outer edges of the pages."

His family later tried to trace the army service number without success. But in June 2010, using the internet, Geoffrey Hodgson (the publisher of Herbert Hodgson's memoirs) identified the original owner of the Bible as Private Richard Cook from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Herbert Hodgson's family generously donated the bible to the National Army Museum in Waiouru at a special ceremony on 23 March 2011. David Hodgson, Herbert's son, travelled all the way from the UK to deliver the bible and meet some of Richard Cook's relatives.

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Care of the Museum's Collection

The Museum's Collections Technician Marie processes soldiers' embroidered souvenirs.

Have you ever wondered what happens to all the treasures that are not on display at the National Army Museum? The Museum has a vast collection of military artefacts and it is the staff's job to ensure these treasures are looked after for the benefit of future generations.

Marie Rapley is the Museum's Collections Technician and she has a crucial role in ensuring the Museum's artefacts are well cared for and stored safely. Currently she is working with the Museum's collection of embroidered souvenirs.

The Museum has a diverse collection of over 200 embroidered souvenirs, mostly from WWI and WWII. Many were purchased by soldiers overseas as gifts to send home. Some were made to order and often have personal messages and military themes, such as unit badges or colours.

Find out more about how Marie recorded and prepared the embroidered souvenir collection for storage.

Support the National Army Museum's Collection

As a Registered Charitable Trust, we depend on your generosity to provide valuable help towards:

• Conservation, preservation & archiving of our Collection
• Development of new exhibitions and displays
• Provision of the Roll of Honour database and memorial services
• Acquisition of important artefacts
• Education services
• Other projects

If you are interested in making a donation and becoming a Friend of the Museum please contact Nicola Bennett at nicola.bennett@nzdf.mil.nz or 06 387 6911.

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Kiwi Gunners Help Turn the Battle at Kap'yong

New Zealand artillery firing during the Battle of Kap'yong.

The story of how Kiwi gunners proved their worth in the Korean War during the hard fought battle of Kap'yong is one of the stories currently being told at the National Army Museum.

Artillery fire from the 'Kiwi' gunners was instrumental in beating back repeated Chinese attacks on the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade during the struggle for Kap'yong.

This story of the New Zealand Artillery, along with many others, forms part of our current temporary exhibition, The Gunners - A History of Highlights of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery now showing in the Thornton Gallery. The story of 16 Field Regiment and a 25 pounder like those used at Kap'yong also forms the basis of the life-like scene in our Korean War display.

Read more about Kiwi Gunners At The Battle Of Kap'yong.

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Fashion At War Exhibition

The impact of World War Two on fashion is explored in Fashion At War, an exciting new exhibition currently on display at the National Army Museum.

With the threat of Japanese invasion and importing difficult, shortages took hold and rationing of many items, including clothing, became necessary on the Home Front.

This travelling exhibition, developed by the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, is on display in the Freyberg Gallery until June.

Read the full story.

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