Cenotaph Stories

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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.
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A Family Affair: Intergenerational Service in the Merchant Navy during WWII
Sophie Elborough
COLLECTION TECHNICIAN - RESEARCH SUPPORT
These are the stories of two families whose lives were inseparable from the Merchant Navy. As these siblings, children, and parents served alongside each other during World War II they demonstrated incredible perseverance and their experiences highlight a surprising sense of continuity despite global conflict.
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New Zealand Nurses in Samoa
Sophie Elborough
COLLECTION TECHNICIAN - RESEARCH SUPPORT
When the Expeditionary Force Advance Party set sail from Wellington to Samoa on 12 August 1914, they became some of the first New Zealand troops to see active service. Among them were six, soon to be seven, New Zealand nurses whose unusual service fundamentally shaped New Zealand's contribution to the war effort.
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Return from War: The Impact of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic on First World War Veterans
Matthew Nickless
Collection Technician - Research Support
As New Zealand's servicepeople returned home from the First World War they were faced with the rise of an influenza pandemic. It killed thousands of New Zealanders, and many soldiers. These are the stories of two of those men.
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The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Contingent
Matthew Nickless
Collection Technician - Research Support
In 1918, twenty five members of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Native Police Force travelled to New Zealand to enlist for war. This is their odyssey.
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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.
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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.
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Aghan Brothers
Georgina White
Curator, Cenotaph Galleries
At the outbreak of the First World War, there were approximately 2500 people of Chinese descent living in New Zealand. Nearly 40 Chinese service personnel have been identified, this is the story of the Aghan brothers; Alfred and David who moved from Australia to serve for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
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'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.
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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.
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