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Cenotaph Stories

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Cenotaph Stories

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  • Peter Gallacher: Documentarian of D Company

    Victoria Passau
    Collection Manager Online Cenotaph

    We recently interviewed Malayan Emergency Veteran Private Peter Gallacher who served in 10 Platoon D Company 2 New Zealand Regiment. The avid photographer has kindly shared his collection of images taken throughout his Malayan service.

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  • Uncle Bambi and the mystery of the travelling guitar

    Victoria Passau
    Collection Manager, Online Cenotaph

    Many Online Cenotaph staff have had an ongoing fascination with a series of photos of a guitar that have been attached to nearly 150 personnel records. This is the story Peter Utanga's guitar.

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  • Murray Watene

    By Madison Pine
    Collection Technician, Research Support

    "I wasn't a good scholar, but I was a good rugby player" recalls Murray Watene, playing rugby led him to joining and touring with the New Zealand Police rugby team and eventually to joining the New Zealand Defence Force for service in Malaya, Vietnam and Antarctica.

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  • World War Voices

    By Sarah Johnston
    Sound History Researcher (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rākaipaaka)

    During the Second World War the National Broadcasting Service Mobile Unit recorded interviews and reports about the fighting and the day-to-day business of war, as well as thousands of simple messages home from servicemen – and a few women. Sound History Researcher, Sarah Johnston explores their stories.

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  • May Palmer

    By Georgina White
    Curator, Cenotaph Galleries

    Determined to offer her services during the First World War, Nurse May Palmer travelled from Wellington to France, where she joined the French Red Cross, nursing in Hospitals in Northern France and Belgium. Here is the story of May Palmer a truly remarkable nurse.

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  • Harold Winstone Butterworth

    By Georgina White
    Curator, Cenotaph Galleries

    'It is great sport up on a bumpy day & as you first overcome one bump & then another you have a great feeling of joy over your imitation of the bird & the freeness of the air.' Harold Butterworth, a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps describes his experiences flying during the First World War.

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  • Honouring outstanding gallantry

    Victoria Passau
    Collection Manager, Online Cenotaph

    On Sunday 16 May 2021 a private ceremony was held in the World War II Hall of Memories. The ceremony marked the end of a 50-year campaign, by Norman Fry and Brian Monks, to gain recognition for their comrades.

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  • Bo Goldie - Called home to rest among his people

    Evelyn Kawiti (Ngatiporou)
    Visitor Host, Visitor Services

    Evelyn Kawiti remembers her cousin Bo Goldsmith (1950-2021) as a kind and generous man with a big heart.

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  • Unknown Warrior

    This page is to commemorate those New Zealanders who did not make the journey home after serving their country overseas. It also serves as a focus of remembrance for the sacrifice made by all New Zealand servicemen and women in times of war.

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  • NZIPP - RSA WWII Veteran Portrait Project

    Tony Stewart, NZIPP Project Co-ordinator

    Like many good ideas, this one started small. It was a casual discussion, conceived with a throw away remark over a beer. Chris Traill, a New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography Inc (NZIPP) member from Auckland, happened to mention how good it would be if NZIPP photographed returned service personnel and the rest is history.

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