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  • In Memory of the Unreturning Brave

    Video

    Otago Boys’ High School celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in August 1923 – the 75th anniversary was a huge celebration over several days. Activities included rugby matches, a parade, a ball and, most importantly, the dedication of the memorial gates commemorating ex-pupils who fought and died in World War One.

    The Otago Daily Times reported that the “school gave freely of her best sons in that great conflict, and of these nearly 200 are numbered with ‘the unreturning brave’. It was fitting, therefore, that first of all the functions at this Diamond Jubilee should be the dedication of the beautiful memorial archway, which records in letters of brass the glorious roll call of those who thus gave their all”.

    Watch as the Mayor, Mr HL Tapley and officials lead a parade of guests through the archway and into the college grounds, cadets then form a guard of honour and the flag blows patriotically! A parade of cadets march into the school.

  • March-past

    Video

    King George V inspects 7,000 New Zealand troops at Bulford Field on 1 May 1917. New Zealand’s high command did not miss the opportunity and also present were Generals, Brigadiers, the Prime Minister William Massey, Joseph Ward – Leader of the Opposition and their wives and daughters and other dignitaries.

    The 7,000 New Zealand troops on parade included: 4,000 from 4th Brigade; 1,500 from Sling Camp; 1,000 from Codford Command along with Engineers, ASC, Cadets and a few mounted rifles. After inspecting the troops, the King took the march-past and presented medals.

  • Training NZ’s first fighter pilots

    Audio

    George Bolt, Howard Coverdale and Mr Ross share their experiences as engineers, trainees and flight trainers at the Walsh brothers’ New Zealand Flying School in Auckland, 1915. The school, New Zealand’s first, graduated over 80 pilots during the war, with about one-third of them arriving overseas in time to see action in the air with the Royal Flying Corps or the Royal Naval Air Service.

  • Flower power

    Video

    It was the most spectacular parade that the South Island town of Nelson had ever seen. Daffodil Week, a fundraising campaign to provide comforts to troops serving overseas, took place in September 1916, and the highlight was the grand parade and crowning of the Flower Queen. The streets were decorated with flags and from early morning children were selling buttonholes (small posies of flowers), while stallholders sold cut flowers, ferns, plants, seedlings, sweets and produce.

    In this short film the impact of World War One is evident. The floats and organizations are marshalled by uniformed soldiers, and the streets are lined with members of the local Territorial infantry battalion. The Rt. Rev. William Sadlier, the Bishop of Nelson, can be seen in a frock-coat in the crowd. The annual Flower Queen, elected by popular vote, was Miss Hazel Win. Altogether £780 (or NZ$100,000 today) was raised for Christmas presents for the boys at the front.

  • The naming of the capital

    Video

    Australia’s federal capital was purpose-built from 1909, since neither Sydney nor Melbourne would agree to the other city becoming the capital. The new capital was named ‘Canberra’, apparently from the name of the indigenous people of the area. The capital’s name was kept a secret until it was read out by the Governor-General’s wife, Lady Gertrude Denman.

    This film shows the ceremony on 12 March 1913 when the new-born federal capital was formally named. Governor-General Lord Denman and PM Andrew Fisher are seen proceeding to the saluting base where the Australian Light Horse, field battery and lance regiments and Royal Cadets are lined up for inspection. Many of the men in this footage would not return from Gallipoli, the Western Front and other battlefields.

  • Turning boys into soldiers

    Video

    Compulsory military training was established in New Zealand in 1909, and by 1912 all boys aged 14 and over were required to undertake military drills as Senior Cadets. From the age of 18 to 21 they were required to serve in the Territorial Forces. In the process boys were turned into soldiers, since the Territorials formed the recruiting basis of the NZ Expeditionary Force.

    This film shows just how young this element of the Expeditionary Force was. Some very youthful-looking members of the Canterbury Territorials, and possibly Cadets as well, are seen marching into Christchurch around 1914.