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Recollections of war

(24 March 2010)

This meeting was an 'Anzac' meeting and members were invited to relate a story or recollection regarding wartime. With seventeen members present this provided an amazing variety of stories and memories.

These ranged from the story of the first New Zealand soldier to be killed in WW1, local man William Ham aged 22 yrs, to mementos sent to a member by her brothers who served in the Pacific in WW2. A collection of Regimental pennants provided another interesting memento. Members also read letters and postcards written from the battle fronts in WW1 and WW2 which were interesting and moving.

There were stories of survivors of naval sinkings and torpedo attacks, along with memories of listening to the 'BBC war news'. Some recalled the days of labour shortages and rationing while others remembered the depth of feeling shown toward pacifists and conscientious objectors and their children. A member who grew up in Christchurch recalled sense of adventure of the air raid shelters at schools and in public parks.

Locally, members recalled the fundraising for the 'war effort', fathers serving in the Home Guard, and community 'sings' - another fundraiser. Many present also recalled the 'food parcels' and the work which went into making these up - fruit cakes which would last, preserved eggs and many other items which were sent both to troops and to civilian families overseas.

Others spoke of family members who travelled to Motueka during wartime to help with the hop harvesting, and of the Army camps around the district where the soldiers also helped with the seasonal harvesting.

Earlier combat was also referred to, with one member's father having served in 5 wars - including the Boer conflict and the Spanish Civil War. Another spoke of the many local families whose ancestors were Indian Army veterans and took part in the NZ Land Wars.

A member who experienced WW2 in England expressed gratitude for the support from New Zealand at that time and mention was made of other countries which retain warm feelings towards New Zealand because of the soldiers who served there. One member had visited the memorial site at Gallipoli and spoke of the emotions that evoked.

The sharing of memories, photographs and memorabilia was an interesting and moving way to commemorate and remember the service of New Zealanders in the field of war.

 
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