Cenotaph Stories

View by topic:

John Bethune McCaw: Artist-Technician
Victoria Passau
Online Cenotaph & Enquiry Services Manager
Leading Aircraftsman John Bethune McCaw (1924–2010) served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II before pursuing a long career as Artist-Technician at Auckland Museum.
Read more
From Hastings to Hollywood: Nola Luxford
Sophie Elborough
Collection Technician - Research Support
Nola Luxford was a New Zealand-born actress who built a remarkable career as a writer and pioneering broadcaster before founding the Anzac Club in New York City during World War II. Her fundraising and wartime radio broadcasts earned her the title "Angel of the Anzacs".
Read more
Eyes in the Sky: New Zealanders in the Photographic Reconnaissance Units
Matthew Nickless
Collection Technician - Research Support
The pilots of the Photographic Reconnaissance Units flew into enemy territory, often unarmed, in pursuit of intelligence to aid the war effort. These are the stories of two New Zealanders who flew these missions with the RAF, and the danger they met with.
Read more
A message home: Connecting whānau through Online Cenotaph
Victoria Passau, Online Cenotaph & Enquiry Service Manager
In 2024, sound history researcher Sarah Johnston shared a poignant story about a World War II sound disc that reconnected the family of Daniel Joseph Clifford, a young New Zealand airman, with the voice of their long-lost loved one.
Read more
From Service to Sports: The journeys of New Zealand's Veteran Olympians
Madeleine Williamson
Collection Access Librarian
From military service to the world stage, New Zealand's veteran Olympians exemplify resilience and dedication. Fifteen New Zealand military veterans have had the privilege of representing New Zealand at the Olympics. Let’s celebrate their stories as we reignite the Olympic flame.
Read more
David Daniel and the 14 Squadron
Victoria Passau, Online Cenotaph & Enquiry Service Manager
David Daniel's journey from joining the Air Training Corps in New Zealand to his service in Japan's post-war efforts reflects a noteworthy yet relatable experience. Initially drawn to flying, his path led to essential ground roles during WWII and Japan's rebuilding, illustrating the valuable contributions of service personnel during this pivotal period.
Read more
Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park – Officially One of The Few!
Dilip Sarkar (MBE FRHistS)
Historian Dilip Sarkar has spent his career researching the Battle of Britain. In this piece he shares with us the new stories he has uncovered about the service of Auckland’s Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park and his involvement in the defence of Britain.
Read more
Stories from Singapore: the RNZAF in World War II
Matthew Nickless
Collection Technician - Research Support
Despite the proximity of Singapore and the Pacific to New Zealand, most New Zealand forces were concentrated in North Africa in 1942. Matthew Nickless looks at two RNZAF servicemen who served close to home, and their experiences during the Fall of Singapore.
Read more
'ATA-Girls': The Fab Five of New Zealand Aviation
Dr Gabrielle Fortune
Historian
They were called 'ATA-girls' (attagirls) female pilots who served with the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during the Second World War. During the war 168 women served with the ATA, including five New Zealand Women who paid their own way to England for a chance to fly.
Read more
A Kiwi in Canada
Nelson Bennett
Collection Technician - Research Support
Lawrence Don Bennett was one of 7000 kiwis who shipped off to Canada to take part in the Air Training Scheme. The program was massive, and it affected so many New Zealand service people, but is often overlooked in the history of the Second World War.
Read more

1 2 3