Saturday 30 August 2014

Whereabouts of NZ forces during WW1

Here is a link to a lengthy article entitled 'The New Zealand Division in France and Flanders - May 1916 to November 1918.' This article gives insight into where New Zealand troupes were stationed along the Western Front during WW1.

Wednesday 27 August 2014

There's more

After meeting family last evening I discover that another relative served during World War 1. I look forward to doing some research about him- Frederick James Smith. 

I also discovered that two and potentially more men from my father's ancestors served in World War 2 with the Australian forces. What fascinates me is that this branch of the family have German roots. 

Friday 22 August 2014

WW100 badge

Yay! Someone thoughtful sent me a WW100 badge!  Just what I wanted.


Saturday 16 August 2014

True Dedication

I've  been reading the blog of an Auckland woman who has been researching World War 1 servicemen she comes across on memorials all over New Zealand.  She has written an article about two of my great uncles.  The blog is called 100 NZ World War One Memorials 1914-2014 and can be found at http://100nzmemorials.blogspot.co.nz/



Uncle George L D Cobb
http://100nzmemorials.blogspot.co.nz/2011/07/private-george-lynch-palmerston-north.html

Uncle John W Cobb
http://100nzmemorials.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/killed-in-action-7-june-1917-eketahuna.html

War casualties remembered

My mind is boggling...

There are more than 23 000 locations around the world where Commonwealth soldiers from both world wars are buried or commemorated. 

I was interested in seeing how many cemeteries or memorials are in the Mesen area of Belgium. Each spot in the photo below represents one cemetery or memorial and each is within a 10 mile radius of Mesen. One of those spots near the centre marks the location of the Messines Ridge Cemetery where my Great Uncle John is remembered. 



In New Zealand alone, there are 444 locations where World War 1 and 2 servicemen are buried and/or remembered, ranging from the Far North District, to Bluff, in Southland.

See the CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) website to find a commemorative location near you.




Tuesday 12 August 2014

Poppy badge

The mother of a student I taught two years ago dropped this cute poppy badge to me in class. 






Sunday 10 August 2014

Great War Stories

This week, New Zealand's TV3 has broadcast some short films about World War 1.  Visit Great War Stories here to view these.

What caused WW1?

What caused World War 1?  Well, this video may shed some light on it.  (Offensive language and signs used.)


Medals

My parents have no idea what has happened to my great-uncle's war medals so I ordered replicas to be made for each of them.  It was very special to open the package last week and see them.



Four of my great uncles received The British Medal and The Victory Medal, but uncle John served during the period 1914-1915 so he was also awarded the 1914-15 Star.  Because my uncles died before the war ended the medals were awarded to their next of kin.


The 1914-15 Star
The 1914-15 Star was established in December 1918.  Just over 2.3 million of them were issued to soldiers who served between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915.  The medals are made of bronze and feature two swords that are crossed, an oak wreath, and the crown of King George V.  The ribbon reflects the colours of the British Empire.

The British Medal
The British Medal was awarded to soldiers who served between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.  Almost 6.5 million of these medals were issued.  Some were made of silver and others were bronze.  The medal bears the side profile of King George V and the reverse shows him riding a horse trampling the Prussian shield and a skull and cross-bones.  This represents victory of the foe.

The Victory Medal
The Victory Medal was awarded to soldiers who served during the war, women who served in hospitals or performed other services, as well as those who were involved in clearing mines after the war.  The medal was copper, overlaid with bronze.  On it is lady Victory (or Victoria) holding a palm branch.  5.7 million Victory Medals were issued.

The three medals were sometimes referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.



Marking the declaration of war

On 4 August, 1914 Britain declared war on Germany and it's allies.  By August 5, New Zealand was also involved.  To mark that occasion I watched the 100 gun salute marking the declaration of World War 1 in New Zealand with my class.


Later in the evening I attended a concert at the Auckland War Memorial Museum's 'World War 1 Sanctuary'.  The music was performed by The Graduate Choir NZ with supporting artist Dame Malvina Major.  It was a beautiful way to remember how war has affected the world, and a poignant place too.  On the walls of this sanctuary are the names of three of my great-uncles who served with forces from the Auckland region.


The Auckland War Memorial Museum lit up for the WW1 centennial commemorations.

The Graduate Choir NZ perform in the WW1 Sanctuary.





How should we remember?

I am a teacher.  Each ANZAC Day I make sure I read stories to my classes about the sacrifices made for us during times of war.  I believe it is important for children to be taught that there was a price paid for the freedom we have.  It came with a heavy price.

With 2014 being the centenary since the start of World War 1 I decided to create a school-wide project that would both teach our students about the war but also remind them to live lives of peace.

Our whole school participated in created an outdoor artwork to recognise the sacrifice of the 91 soldiers who left for The Great War from our suburb.  It was unveiled on 28th July 2014, the 100 year anniversary of Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia.





I choose to remember

2014 marks the 100th year anniversary of the start of World War 1.  My family sent five brave men off to Europe to serve with the allied forces and lost all of them.  

New Zealand had a population of just one million back then and ten percent of our population went off to war.  That's a massive contribution.  Unfortunately, around 18 000 of the approximately 100 000 servicemen who left for the war from New Zealand were killed in action or died as a result of wounds.  This blog is my way of honouring the sacrifice that was made by all soldiers, and in particular, acknowledging what my great-uncles did to ensure I live in peace and safety.  

I choose to remember.