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Cenotaph Stories

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Cenotaph Stories

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Army

  • Man of Mystery: Who was John Henry Bennett?

    Matthew Nickless
    Collection Information Technician

    Nearly 100,000 New Zealanders served in World War I. Among those called to service were many conscientous objectors, men and women who were avowed pacifists. One of those was John Henry Bennett, but who was he?

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  • A vow kept: The Stewart whānau’s journey of remembrance

    Victoria Passau, Online Cenotaph & Enquiry Service Manager

    In 2009, Noelene Hughes travelled with her whānau from Australia to Gallipoli and Lemnos to fulfil a vow to visit the grave of her uncle, Private Pareiha Tuati (David Apanui Stewart). Their journey reconnects whakapapa, wartime diaries, and family memory, honouring the Stewart brothers and their enduring legacy across generations.

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  • Wikitoria Te Huruhuru Whatu: "My Māori Florence"

    Sophie Elborough (Collection Information Technician) and Anjuli Selvadurai (Wikimedian in Residence)

    Wikitoria Te Huruhuru Whatu (1912–2006) of Ngāti Toarangatira was the first Māori Red Cross WAAC member to serve overseas during World War II. Serving in the Middle East and Europe, she cared for wounded soldiers, especially the 28 Māori Battalion. After the war she continued community welfare work and was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal. In collaboration with Wikitoria’s whanau, and drawing on letters, diaries, and family memories, we share her story in honour of International Women’s Day 2026.

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  • Female Impersonation in WWI

    Sophie Elborough
    Collection Technician, Research Support

    Part I of our series on female impersonation traces the origins of female impersonation in military life, from ancient traditions to World War I. It highlights the success of the Digger Pierrots and Stanley Lawson, before examining how interwar conservatism reshaped perceptions of gender, sexuality, and performance.

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  • Female Impersonation in WWII and beyond

    Sophie Elborough & Victoria Passau
    Online Cenotaph Team

    Part II of our series on female impersonation in the military looks at its revival in World War II with the Kiwi Concert Party, its decline, and changing roles. It highlights queer resilience, Māori performance, and Carmen Rupe’s legacy.

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  • Leave No One Behind: Walter von Schramm and the Graves Registration Unit

    Matthew Nickless
    Collection Technician - Research Support

    The Graves Registration Unit is one of the lesser known units of World War II. Through the war diary of its commanding officer, Walter von Schramm, we look at the role of that unit, and how it fit into the wider New Zealand war effort.

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  • Medals returned home: The Blanks family

    Sophie Elborough (Collection Technician, Research Support) & Scott Blanks

    After 45 years abroad, one set of World War I medals will be returning to Auckland in time for Anzac Day 2025. This story was recently shared with the Online Cenotaph team by Scott Blanks, whose grandfather’s medals made their way across the Tasman and are now in the care of Scott’s son, Nicholas.

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  • Upholding Māoritanga: Stories of Māori Prisoners of War in WWII

    Sophie Elborough
    Collection Technician, Research Support

    While stories of New Zealand’s prisoners of war during WWII are plentiful, there has been little focus on the experiences of Māori POW. Their stories reveal that despite hardship, significant displays of Māoritanga broke through the mundanity and hopelessness of their time as prisoners and demonstrate the importance of their experiences in New Zealand’s history.

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  • The Kokoda Legacy: New Zealanders among the ranks

    Matthew Nickless
    Collection Technician - Research Support

    New Zealand has always had a close military connection with Australia. This is the story of two New Zealanders who served with the Second Australian Imperial Force in one of Australia's most famous campaigns - the Kokoda Trail.

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  • Life after Armistice: William Osborne Liggins

    Sophie Elborough
    COLLECTION TECHNICIAN - RESEARCH SUPPORT

    While Armistice Day was not an official end to World War I, it did mark a vital turning point in the conflict. For the approximately 52,000 New Zealand service personnel overseas, including William Osborne Liggins, the news meant leaving behind muddy trenches and starting a long journey back home.

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