The declaration of war
Ena Ryan was born in the upper-middle class Wellington suburb of Kelburn in 1908. In this interview she recalls going with her mother to hear the declaration of war being read outside Parliament buildings on 5 August 1914 – and the ensuing patriotic fervour which swept the country.
Year:1914 (Recorded 1985)
Location:Wellington, New Zealand
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The declaration of war
Ena Ryan was born in the upper-middle class Wellington suburb of Kelburn in 1908. In this interview she recalls going with her mother to hear the declaration of war being read outside Parliament buildings on 5 August 1914 – and the ensuing patriotic fervour which swept the country.
Year: 1914 (Recorded 1985)
Length: 02:47
Production Company: Radio New Zealand
Credits: Produced by: Jack Perkins
Source: Radio New Zealand Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Catalogue Reference: 18285 Spectrum. 510/511: Views from under the parasol
People: Ena Ryan
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Image Title: Politicians and a crowd, outside Parliament Buildings, upon the declaration of war with Germany. Smith, Sydney Charles, 1888-1972 :Photographs of New Zealand. Ref: 1/2-045239-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
Image Source: http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22472392
The official declaration that New Zealand was joining the war, came after a week of ominous developments in Europe: armies were mobilising and Germany declared war on France and Russia on the 2nd of August and Britain’s navy also mobilised.
The final straw came when German troops marched into Belgium, prompting Britain to declare war on Germany on 4 August.
It was already 1pm on the 5th of August on the other side of the world, when Wellington received Britain's news.
The governor, Lord Liverpool, announced the news from the steps of Parliament at 3pm to a crowd of more than 12,000 people – including little Ena Ryan and her mother.
Most New Zealanders at this time still regarded themselves as British, so there was little hesitation in supporting the Mother Country in its moment of crisis. As Ena recalls, everyone was convinced Britain would have no trouble winning the war, and enlistment fervour was intense.