Anzac Day Commemorations in Rotorua over the years

In Papers Past it is revealed that about a thousand people gathered in the Government Garden in Rotorua on 25 April 1916, for a united commemoration service. Many returned soldiers, cadets and Boy and Girl Scouts were present. The article does not mention a parade at this point, but it was a half-day holiday ("Observances in other centres," 1916). At this point the war was still on, and it was one year since the landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli. 

   Anzac Cove. (1915). Hamilton City Libraries: HCL_08494.

As the next few years unfolded, what was the mood? The First World War finished in November 1918, with many men not returning home for many months to come. New Zealand had a population of 1.5 million in 1918, and had just lost 18,000 men (and women) in the conflict. 41,000 were wounded, 501 were prisoners of war (New Zealand History, 2020). Every family in New Zealand had been touched by this global conflict and the nation needed a way to remember those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice in this "war to end all wars".

According to the New Zealand Herald, Returned Soldiers with at least 20 Anzacs among them were on parade for the 1918 Anzac Service, attended by nearly 2000 people ("Anzac Day celebrated," 1918).

A newspaper article for 10 April, 1920 reported a meeting that was held with commemoration proposals outlined. These included only 1 or 2 speakers, preferably chaplains who had been at the front, with church choirs leading the singing accompanied by the orchestra, and the town band leading the military-like procession. A bier was to be erected for the placement of flowers and wreaths.

Celebration of Anzac day. (1920, April 10). Rotorua Chronicle 

The Anzac Day parade on the afternoon of the 25 April, 1920 was headed by a car driven by Mr Roger Delamere Dansey who had been the Postmaster at the time of the Tarawera Eruption. His 3 sons, Harry, Roger and George all served with the Pioneer Maori Battalion. Major Roger Dansey served at Gallipoli and the Western Front. (Lyall, 2015).

Anzac Day Parade, 1920, photographer unknown,
Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (CP-3136)

The parade included soldiers who had fought in South Africa in the Boer War. The parade proceeded down Arawa Street (at that time the main street of Rotorua) to the Government Gardens where nearly 3000 people gathered for the memorial service. After the wreaths and flowers were placed on the bier, soldiers fired 3 volleys, and the Last Post was sounded by the buglers. Later the wreaths and flowers were placed on soldiers' graves in the cemetery.

Earlier that morning a memorial service, presided over by Rev. F. A. Bennett, had been held in the Maori settlement, with nearly 4000 attending ("Observance in province," 1920).

Anzac Day Parade, 1920. Photographer unknown,
Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (OP-769)

In August of 1920 the Anzac Day Bill had its second reading, promoting a day to commemorate the memory of our soldiers, one day dedicated to them, with the Prime Minister hoping it would be observed as a holy day, rather than a holiday (" Anzac Day," 1920). July 1924 saw the unveiling of the WW1 memorial in the Government Gardens. In 1929, the Arawa Returned Soldiers established the Soldiers Cemetery for Arawa soldiers of the Pioneer Maori Battalion at Muruika Point. Dawn Services have been held there from that time ("Local and general news," 1928)

The Rotorua papers of the 1930s record the national and international Anzac memorial services. In 1932 there were accounts of telegrams from the King, messages to our fellow Anzacs in Australia and the account of the opening of the Roll of Honour and Hall of Memories in the Auckland War Memorial Museum ("Message from the King," 1932). However, by 1933, concern was being expressed of some becoming indifferent to Anzac day. In 1934, the memorial service was held in the Majestic Theatre owing to bad weather, and this became the pattern for the civic services ("Anzac Day tribute," 1934).  After the service the parade would then continue down to the Government Gardens for the laying of wreaths and Last Post. 1936 was the 21st anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, and the parade was led by Major Roger Dansey ("Anzac Day Rotorua ceremony," 1936). The paper of 1938 gave no account of the Anzac day services but the letters to the editor reveal disgust by former soldiers at the political input by local MP, Mr Moncur! ("Anzac Day service," 1938).

At the 1939 dawn service at Ohinemutu, the epitaph that was to be inscribed on the gravestone for Major Dansey, who had died in August 1938, was read out. The service in the Majestic Theatre had the biggest attendance since services began, with many not able to be admitted to the building, as the world once again was faced with a world war ("A dawn parade," 1939).

In 1942 there was" an impressive parade of ex-servicemen of the 1914-18 and present wars, territorial forces, Air Force personnel, school children and many other organisations on Saturday morning providing the largest parade yet seen in Rotorua for the solemn observations of Anzac Day." ("Anzac Day Parade," 1942). About 2000 took part in the outside event. In 1944 American Army and Navy personnel who were in Rotorua on leave took part in the parade ("Anzac day services at Rotorua," 1944). The first peacetime service to take place in many years, in 1946, was attended by about 3000 people ("Anzac day services at Rotorua," 1946).

Anzac Day Parade in Rotorua, 1942, photographer Panora Studio (Moore & Thompson),
 R.S.A. Collection, Rotorua Museum Te Whare o Te Arawa. (2016.17.235)

1955 marked the 40th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. For the first time there was mention of the Korean War, and in 1956 Korean veterans marched for the first time as three aeroplanes did a fly-over ("Short ceremony at Cenotaph," 1956).

The Photo News contained photos of the Anzac commemorations each year. A tradition of Anzac day was for RSA members to visit any comrades who were in hospital, for breakfast ("Anzac," 1965). In 1968 one woman marched. Her name was  Sister M. Crooks, and she had been a nurse at Gallipoli ("Remembering the fallen," 1968).

Remembering the Fallen. (1986, May 11, No. 56)
Rotorua Photo News, p.6

During the 1970s, the soldiers from the Korean, Malaysia and Vietnam conflicts joined those from the first and second world wars. By 1974 there were no longer any Boer War veterans alive. In 1978, 5 WW1 veterans headed the parade. As the final parade came to a halt, parade commander Lieutenant-Colonel McLeod called the men forward, which resulted in applause from the gathered crowd. The day before, 24 April at the RSA section of the lawn cemetery, a third generation seedling from the Lone Pine of Gallipoli was planted ("Applause showers veterans heading parade," 1978).

Lone Pine at Sala Street Cemetery

Attendance numbers began rising in the 1990s, with the Rotorua civic service in 1994 attended by about 700 ("Johnson," 1994). By the end of the decade around a thousand would be attending the services. 1993 was the year that the RSA memorial wall by Queen Elizabeth Hospital was rebuild and remodelled (Team effort to rebuild memorial, 1993). Doug Dibley, the last surviving Gallipoli veteran was interviewed in 1997, saying he hoped that people would always remember Gallipoli and the Anzacs ("Never forget us, says last Anzac," 1997). That was to be the final year he attended. Below is an account of the next Anzac day service (1998) when the Anzacs were no more:

Parker, S. (1998, April 25). Rotorua Daily Post, p.1 

The new millennium's Anzac Day began with a dawn service at Ohinemutu, followed by a parade to the cenotaph in the Government Gardens for wreath laying and then the civic service at the Convention Centre. The dawn service at Whakarewarewa, which for 50 years had been held at 4.30 am, was changed to 8am ("Gearing up for Anzac Day," 2000).

2005 marked 90 years from that first landing at Gallipoli. There were big write-ups in the local paper: accounts of pilgrimages to Gallipoli in honour of great-great uncles and grandfathers, revelations of diaries that survived WW1 and WW2 and poetry grieving those who died.

In 2014, WW100 was established as a nationwide venture to create events and programmes to commemorate 100 years since World War 1. This programme continued through till 2018. In Rotorua the Field of Remembrance was created in the Government Gardens with the first service being held on the 23 April 2015 to commemorate and mark Rotorua soldiers who died as a result of World War 1.

Consecration ceremony of the Rotorua District Field of Remembrance programme.
( 2015, April 23).  Rotorua Lakes Council

In those years following the marking of 100 years since the Anzacs first landed at Gallipoli, the numbers attending dawn services, parades and civic services have grown steadily. The pilgrimages to Gallipoli by descendants of the Anzacs, the knowledge gained through books and digital mediums which have poured into people's hands have all helped to keep alive the promise "To honour the dead and inspire the living".

Lewis, J. (2018). Untitled. [Painting]. Education Team,
 Rotorua Museum  Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

ANZAC references

1.      Observances in other centres. (1916, April 25). Dominion, p.6

2.      New Zealand History. (2020). First World War by the numbers. New Zealand History. https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/first-world-war-by-numbers#

3.      Anzac Day Celebrated. (1918, April 27) New Zealand Herald, p. 6

4.      Lyall, K. (2015). The Empress’s plume: Rotorua’s First High School. Advocateprint

5.      Observance in province.  (1920, April 26). New Zealand Herald, p.9

6.      Anzac day: Mr Mitchell’s Bill. (1920, August 12). New Zealand Herald, p.6

7.      Local and general news. (1928, September 18). New Zealand Herald, p.8

8.      Message from the King. Imperishable bond. Their claim on us. (1932, 26 April) Rotorua Morning Post, p.?

9.      Anzac Day Tribute. (1934, 26 April). Rotorua Morning Post,  p.6

10.  Anzac Day Rotorua ceremony. (1936, April 27). Rotorua Morning Post, p.4

11.  Anzac Day service. (1938, April 26). Rotorua Morning Post, p.4

12.  A dawn parade: Maori tribute to comrades. (1939, April 26). Rotorua Morning Post, p.6

13.  Short ceremony at Cenotaph. (1956, April 26). Rotorua Post, p.7

14.  Anzac. (1965, May 8, No 20). Rotorua Photo News, p.4

15.  Remembering the fallen. (1968, May 11, No. 56) Rotorua Photo News, p.6

16.  Applause showers veterans heading parade. (1978, 26 April). Rotorua Daily Post, p.1

17.  Johnson, Ann-Marie. (1994, April 26) Rotorua Daily Post, p.2

18.  Team effort to rebuild memorial. (1993, April 26). Rotorua Daily Post, p.1

19.   Never forget us, says last Anzac. (1997, October 6). Rotorua Daily Post, p.1

20.  Parker, S. (1998, April 25). Rotorua Daily Post, p.1

21.  Gearing up for Anzac Day. (2000, April 20). Rotorua Daily Post, p.1

22.  Anzac day Parade. (1942, April 27). Rotorua Morning Post, p.4

23.  Anzac Day services at Rotorua. (1944, April 26). Rotorua Morning Post, p. 2

24.  Anzac Day Services at Rotorua. (1946, April 26). Rotorua Morning Post, p. 5

Food in Wartime

Col. Lord Glanusk, C.B., D.S.O published a poem in the Wanganui Chronicle on 12 January 1916. His poem not only stressed the need to be frugal, but also cautions soldiers on what it was they should be frugal with:

                “To a soldier on service these tips I explain,

                Should carry you through e’en the longest campaign,

                A very sound rule is, wherever your beat,

                Don’t part with a “biscuit” without a receipt.

                But if you take charge of it, surely it’s sound too,

                Don’t give a receipt, then, unless you are bound to.

                Care there should be, if your life you’d preserve,

                Ammunition, food, men, keep a bit in reserve.

                Don’t waste any food, and throw nothing away,

                Or perhaps you’ll go hungry the very next day.”

            (The Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 50248, 12 January 1916)

World War One

New Zealand newspapers during wartime published many articles about food production, contingency plans and how New Zealanders could help out.

The Colonist: 6 August 1914 – Sir Joseph Ward (leader of the opposition) suggested that the government have the power to appoint a board of control to, “regulate the price of foodstuffs”.

The Colonist: 19 June 1915 – news from London stated that discussions were being held around preparing for food production if the war extended beyond the “1916 harvest”.

The Evening Post: 17 September 1915 – a group of businesses from Sydney, Australia send war-food gifts to England.

The Evening Post: 18 January 1917 – the retail prices are 87% over the pre-war prices in England. Principal increases are in potatoes, fish, flour, butter and cheese.

Marlborough Express: 21 February 1918 – the National Economy League formed in Palmerston North adopts the slogan, “Food wins the War – Save It!” The slogan was approved by the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward. The league proposed that people could save in small ways. If New Zealanders reduced their waste in approximately 200,000 households, then the country would, “save sufficient to feed the whole of our New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, whether in camps, hospitals, on transports or at the front”.

A Wellington regiment’s field kitchen near the front line. Photograph taken at Grevillers, France. 24 August 1918 by Henry Armytage Sanders.                                                                     

(A Wellington Regiment's field kitchen near the front line, World War I. Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association :New Zealand official negatives, World War 1914-1918. Ref: 1/2-013518-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22696605)

Soldiers preparing a meal near a damaged German tank, possibly at Pont-a-Pierre, France, late 1918 by Henry Armytage Sanders.

(World War I soldiers preparing a meal near a damaged German tank, France. Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association :New Zealand official negatives, World War 1914-1918. Ref: 1/1-002081-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22909970)

Post World War One

The Evening Post: 30 April 1919 - The cost of food after the war was very high, especially with the basics:

                “In France 1 pound of butter cost the equivalent of 42NZ dollars,

                1 pound of lamb cost the equivalent of 22NZ dollars and 1 pound

                of tea cost the equivalent of 15NZ dollars”. Throughout the world

                there was a shortage of commodities, including butter.

Traders were asking to get rid of government control of price enforcement of commodities. This included bread, meat, butter, lard, dried fruits, eggs, tea and alcohol.

World War Two

Evening Post: 1 April 1943 - New Zealand representatives took part in a conference where delegates explored the long-range effects of war-food problems.

Ellesmere Guardian: 19 April 1940 – the Auckland district Council of Primary Production looked at three areas to explore the production of pig and butter production and heavier wool clips. R.B Tennant, director of Primary Production said that increasing production in farming should focus on farmers who were already farming as opposed to breaking in new land. Employment options were recruiting men from the Public Works Department and youths leaving school. However, a drawback was housing conditions on farms.

               

                Tennant stated, “to be effective, it would be necessary to provide a maximum

                number of houses on farms at the cheapest rate in the shortest time. If good

                conditions were provided, working an eight hour day over 5 days would be

                acceptable for recruits”.

Farmers were also urged to save more heifer calves to build up dairy production. Tennant called these measures, “common-sense lines for advancing production.”

Ration books were first issued in April 1942 through the Post Office to the head of each household. The coupons were cut from the book by retailers. Each household were given 52 clothing coupons per year. These books highlighted the need for New Zealanders to be frugal during wartime.

Cover of a World War Two Ration Book

Ration Book, October 1943, New Zealand, by New Zealand Government. Gift of Alison Hutton, 2008. Te Papa (GH012052)

Sugar Coupons

Ration Book, October 1943, New Zealand, by New Zealand Government. Gift of Alison Hutton, 2008. Te Papa (GH012052)

Tea Coupons

Ration Book, October 1943, New Zealand, by New Zealand Government. Gift of Alison Hutton, 2008. Te Papa (GH012052)

Post World War Two

Evening Post: 24 November 1945 – Mr R. H. Buchanan, President of the fielding Branch of Federated Farmers said that, “the total value of meat, butter, cheese etc., shipped overseas during the war period was £417,130,000, which did not take into account the amount consumed locally. 

Food & Goods Shipped During Wartime
Processed Milk	3,400,000 tons	Cabbages	25,900 tons
Meat	over 2,000,000 tons	Canned Vegetables	23,625 tons
Butter	over 700,000 tons	Dehydrated Vegetables	16,785 tons
Cheese	625,000 tons	Other Fresh Vegetables	15,075 tons
Fruit	154,285 tons	Carrots	11,565 tons
Potatoes	55,800 tons	Onions	5,535 tons
Wool Produced 5,400,000 bales equal to 825,000 tons (4,150,000 bales shipped overseas and the balance held in New Zealand)

Written by Ani Sharland with thanks to images from Alexander Turnbull Library, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and newspaper articles from Papers Past.

Anzac Biscuits

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that recognises all New Zealanders and Australians who have served during wars, conflict and peacekeeping operations. Anzac Day originally honoured those who served in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) and fought at Gallipoli during World War I.

The Anzac Biscuit has long been attached to Anzac Day and is seen as a symbol of national identity in both New Zealand and Australia.

But there is much debate over the origins of the biscuits and whether they were eaten by soldiers during the First World War.

In her book Anzac Biscuits: the power and spirit of an everyday national icon, Allison Reynolds reviewed research into the history of Anzac biscuits.

In 1999 University of Otago Emeritus Professor Helen Leach asserted that there was 'no evidence' that Anzac biscuits were included in parcels sent to soldiers in World War I. Australian food historian Barbara Santich agrees with this writing 'there is no evidence that Australian women packed tins of homemade biscuits and dispatched them off to loved ones in the trenches.'

Dr Sian Supski on the other hand argues that it seems likely that a biscuit resembling an Anzac biscuit was sent. Supski references The Australian Comforts Fund, which requested that biscuits and cakes be packed in sealed tins.

In 1994 the New Zealand Listener shared an anecdote that a reader's mother remembered helping her own mother pack Anzac biscuits into large golden syrup tins during World War I to send to the front.

The New Zealand National Army Museum argues that Anzac biscuits being sent to the troops is a myth but does acknowledge that there is some evidence that a rolled oats biscuit was sent to troops on the Western Front but this 'was not widespread'.

Reynolds was unable to determine a definitive answer. She was also unable to determine when the name Anzac biscuit came into place despite extensive research. Reynolds asserts that not long after the 1915 Gallipoli campaign foods such as biscuits, cakes, and puddings had patriotic terms like Anzac or Gallipoli in them.

It is agreed that Anzac biscuits were largely sold at public events to raise funds to support the war effort. Today Anzac biscuits are still used as a fundraising effort for both Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association (RSA) and the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL).

Below are some Anzac biscuit recipes from the 1930s and a modern recipe to try yourself!

Anzac Biscuit recipe, Patea Mail, 20 October 1930. Courtesy of Papers Past. Note the spelling of coconut.

Anzac Biscuit recipe, Northern Advocate, 4 July 1939. Courtesy of Papers Past.

Simple modern Anzac Biscuit recipe

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
125 g butter
2 Tbsp golden syrup
1 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp boiling water

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan bake). Lightly grease 1-2 baking trays or line with baking paper.

2. In a large bowl, sift the flour. Stir in the rolled oats, coconut and sugar to combine. Make a well in the centre.

3. In a saucepan, melt the butter and golden syrup together.

4. Dissolve the baking soda in boiling water and then add to butter mixture.

5. Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredient and mix to combine.

6. Roll spoonfuls of the mixture into balls and place on the oven tray, allowing enough room for biscuits to spread while cooking. Press biscuits down lightly with a fork.

7. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 - 15 minutes, cooking one tray at a time. Remove to a wire rack to cool, and enjoy!

This recipe is simple because for the dry ingredients it follows the one cup rule - 1 cup rolled oats, one cup desiccated coconut, 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar. You may wish to get creative and add other ingredients, such as vanilla essence, almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, dried fruits (sultanas, cranberries etc).

This blog was written by Graeme. Thanks to Papers Past, The New Zealand Army Museum, Anzac Biscuits: the power and spirit of an everyday national icon by Allison Reynolds. Anzac Biscuit photographs taken by Graeme Cash.

Book Reviews : History made readable

Books from our Rotorua and New Zealand collections. 

The Aro Street Girls (Lyndsay Campbell, 2018) - Rotorua Author

Read about the author here

The story begins with a look forward to the next generation, Uncle Walter and niece Rose. Rose found a jewellery case in her mother’s things when she was having a clean out, it turns out it holds a locket with photos in it of Aunty Kathleen and a soldier. Uncle Walter tells her the story about the soldier and his part in the life of Kathleen… we take up the story in the Spring of 1916.

Kathleen a young lady from a family of means living in Aro Street, Wellington is very smitten with a young man from a very different walk of life, a young man her mother disapproves of.  Freddie Watkins is a personable young man and very reluctant to sign up to the army, he has pacifist ideals and would rather not go, but when a woman in black confronts him with a white feather, a symbol of cowardice, he gives in and enlists. 

Neither of them knows just what lies ahead, but they promise to write to each other. The letters take a long time to arrive, he tries to write once at the battlefield, but it’s very difficult because at the front in Passchendaele, it is wet and muddy, and the noise of the guns and the screams of the injured, are his constant companion. When his letters do arrive, they have blacked out words and phrases due to censorship, and no-one really knows what the lads went through.

Meanwhile back in Wellington Kathy wants to go to university, her dream is to be a teacher. Then one day her father Oscar dies and turns her world upside down, her mother Violet cannot cope and both girls need to get a job.  

And the war continues on and on... and more families are losing their boys and injured soldiers are invalided out of the army, conscription begins. Life will never be the same again for either of the girls, nor for their family.

A well written fictional story based on fact, which illustrates life during WWI, for those left behind and those who lost their loved ones to the Spanish flu, that returned with the soldiers at the end of the war.  

CAM - Borrow from Adult Fiction, Ground Floor. Reference only copy in Rotorua Heritage, Heritage & Research Area, 2nd Floor.

Filming the Colonial Past: The New Zealand Wars on Screen (Annabel Cooper, 2018)

University of Otago Associate Professor Annabel Cooper's book explores the depiction of the New Zealand wars in New Zealand film and television over the past 90 years.

Cooper also discusses new forms of media and innovative platforms, such as digital and online media. She pays particular attention to the rise of Māori creative control in filmmaking and the importance of this in telling our stories.

From a local perspective there is a discussion of Rotorua's role in early filmmaking. Rotorua was a popular film location largely due to its scenery, but also because the Te Arawa people at that time were active in the tourism industry as experienced guides and performers, and these skills adapted well to film acting. There is also a very brief discussion of the film adaptations of the local love story - Hinemoa and Tutanekai.

The book draws on over 40 interviews that Cooper has conducted with those in the film industry. Also throughout there are many coloured photographs highlighting New Zealand's cinematic history.

Filming the colonial cast: the New Zealand wars on screen would appeal to those interested in New Zealand history, particularly the New Zealand wars, and those with an interest cinema and the local New Zealand filmmaking scene.

791.43 COO NZ - Reference only copy in New Zealand Heritage, Heritage and Research Area, 2nd Floor.

Historic houses: a visitor's guide to 65 early New Zealand homes (Linda Burgess, 2007)

Linda Burgess makes you feel like you can step into one of these houses and feel at home. From Northland to Otago, the reader is taken on a journey of seeing New Zealand's history through the lens of hearth and home. Cob houses, stone houses and houses made from native timber where innovative, hard-working and entrepreneurial people lived. This is also a history of strong, gracious and friendly hosts who raised large families while making a living from the land and business interests.

Dwellings like 'Sayers Slab Whare' and 'Rai Valley Pioneer Cottage' pretty
much stand as they were built. Some unusual features of two houses such as, a cave and a square concrete structure with 24 gun placement were especially intriguing. Apart from the differences in design, materials and location the gardens of these houses link them. The gardens feature a mix of local native and exotic plants and remain largely intact today. The reader will enjoy Burgess's style of writing.


728 BUR NZ - Borrow from New Zealand History/Travel, 1st Floor. Reference only copy in New Zealand Heritage, Heritage & Research Area, 2nd Floor.

Second Time Lucky: one man's journey the length of New Zealand (Erik Westra, 2018)

Erik Westra had been crazy about cycling from the time he was a child. After one cycling tour in the States, he was excited to read about the Tour Aotearoa cycle ride, a ride of 3,000 kilometres from Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairia to Bluff, to be completed in 30 days!. Along with other cyclist, Erik made it as far as Marlborough Sounds before a spectacular fall from his bike resulted in a badly broken wrist and withdrawal from the tour.
Once recovered from surgery and therapy, Erik began to plan completing the Tour. Then he decides, this time he wants to start from the beginning again, but take a different approach. As Erik says in his book "I'd be more observant: sensitive to this country's people, history and spirit...I would stop more often and talk to people, listen to them, pay attention and pay my respects as I went."

This book is an interesting account of Erik's two attempts at riding the length of New Zealand, the second of which is successful. He tells of meeting different people along the way, and out-of-the-way places that he passes through. And often of memories that are triggered as he finds himself again in places he's visited as a child with his mum, Ans Westra, the photographer. Whether a cyclist or an armchair traveller, this is a fascinating look at Aotearoa, New Zealand.

993 WES NZ - Borrow from New Zealand History/Travel, 1st Floor. Reference only copies in New Zealand Heritage and Rotorua Heritage, Heritage & Research Area, 2nd Floor.

Book Reviews for new & related to World War 1 items

Kiwis at War series: This series of Teen books, written by popular New Zealand authors, gives a fictionalised overview of the First World War and the involvement in all aspects of it by Kiwis. Although each book is written by a separate author, characters slip seamlessly between the different books, bringing the characters to life. Don’t let the Teen label put you off – these are a great read!

1914: Riding into war by Susan Brocker, follows Billy and his best mate Jack as they join the Mounted Rifles Regiment along with their horses. The story begins with the difficulties encountered in keeping their horses alive and healthy during the sea voyage from New Zealand to Egypt, and then the eventual move minus their horses to Gallipoli.

1915: Wounds of war by Diana Menefy, is the story of Mel and her cousin Harriet, who join the NZ Army Nursing Corps. They set sail for Egypt then serve on Hospital ships involved in caring for wounded soldiers from Gallipoli. Letters flow between home and the ships, nurses on the different ships, giving insights into conditions, workloads and even shore leave.

1916: Dig for victory by David Hair. When Leith from Otago learns that the Mounted Rifles are to be combined with the Maori soldiers into the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, he’s not happy, especially as they’re to be digging trenches! As well as dealing with a bullying Sergeant, Leith becomes friends with a young Maori soldier, Tamati, and we get to meet some famous names. Together they deal with the dangers and horrors of building trenches in France, and then with a treasonous officer.

1917: Machines of war by Brian Falkner. New Zealander Bob Sunday's story opens in La Bellevue, France, where he is bring driven to the RAF aerodrome to begin his posting as an observer/gunner. Disturbed by a strange throbbing sound, he and his fellow recruit realise German bombers are headed to the aerodrome. The story unfolds, revealing life as part of a flying squadron, where young men fought in the air, often with a short flying career.   

1918: Broken poppies by Des Hunt. Henry Hunt, a Kiwi soldier is close to enemy lines in the trenches on the battlefields of France. When he rescues a little terrier dog, Henry faces a disciplinary hearing. To his relief, Poppy is allowed to stay, for along with comfort for the soldiers (and a belief in their safety while with them), she’s a good ratter and hunter.  Once again, we are exposed to descriptions and emotions of a hellish time where many were broken.

An ANZAC in the family: Private McAlpine of the 4th reinforcements by Sherryl Abarahart 940.412 MCA, Reference only

Expat New Zealander Sherryl Abrahart has extensively researched the story of her uncle Private Leslie McAlpine, who served in the 4^th reinforcements during the First World War. He survived the battlefields of Gallipoli and the sinking of the Marquette, but was tragically killed in action on the Western Front on the 8th July 1916, aged 19. He is buried at Cite Bonjean Cemetery, just outside of Armentieres.

The softcover book also features over 60 black and white photographs, as well as maps, digitised newspapers clippings, military records and other ephemera from the time.  

Listener, 10 November 2018

An article on page 28 mentions lack of understanding for medical personnel on their return to New Zealand and the ignorant attitudes of the public to their work as stretcher bearers.

Closer to home, on page 35, there is a fascinating article by Sally Blundell concerning a young Te Arawa soldier, Winiata Rewi Taphiana (Tapsell), and his part at Le Quesnoy, the place of New Zealand's famous victory.

Other recommended World War One titles

Broken branches: New Zealand families who lost three or more children in the Great War by Josh Scadden 940.467 SCA, DSR Reference only

The Bulford Kiwi: the kiwi we left behind by Colleen Brown 940.393 BRO, NZ Lending

Facing the front: New Zealand’s enduring first World War by Gavin McLean 940.393 McL, NZ Lending

Gallipoli to the Somme: recollections of a NZ infantryman by A Aitken 940.48193 AIT, NZ Lending

HMAS A.E.I’s Kiwi soldier: John Reardon – one of the first 2 New Zealanders to become submariners in 1914 by Gerry Wright 359.93 REA, DSR Reference only

Heroes of Gallipoli: gallantry of New Zealanders on Gallipoli by Richard Stowers 940.426 STO, DSR Reference only

Jack's journey: a soldier's experience of the First World War by Jack Pryce 940.48193 PRY, Lending

Make her praises heard afar: New Zealand women overseas in WWI by Anne Tolerton 940.3 TOL, NZ Lending and DSR Reference

New Zealand Methodist Chaplains and Ministers at war: the First World War through their eyes by Allan K. Davidson 940.478 DAV, NZ Lending

100 years New Zealand Military Nursing: New Zealand Nursing Service - Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps, 1915-2015 by Sherayl McNabb 940.475 McN, NZ Lending and DSR Reference

Recovery: Women's Overseas Service in World War 1 by Kay Morris Matthews 940.3082 MOR, NZ Lending and  DSR Reference

The Western Front: a guide to New Zealand battlefields and memorials by Ian McGibbon 940.427 McG, Genealogy Reference only