Touching tributes

I've been doing some research through papers past and found some incredibly touching, heartfelt tributes to my Great Uncle George Keymer. Tear-jerking stuff. 

Hokianga Arch of Remembrance

Yesterday I visited the Hokianga Arch of Remembrance in the small town of Kohukohu on the northern edge of the Hokianga Harbour in Northland. More than 100 names are engraved on the archway including the name of my Great Uncle George E Keymer who was killed in the battle of Passchendaele on 12 October, 1917.

Uncle George never lived in the Hokianga vacinity as far as we know, but he is remembered there are his family moved to Waimamaku just after he left for the war.

It was a special moment to be in a place where so many brave young soldiers are forever remembered.

The Anzacs 100 Years On: In Story and Song

I highly recommend this book & and accompanying CD of war songs.



The Anzacs 100 Years On: In Story and Song: This publication is a unique and highly readable contribution to the commemoration of the centenary of the Anzacs in World War 1. Ted Egan presents an historical documentation of the Anzacs and the ordinary men, women and children of the two young nations of Australia and New Zealand, forever affected by this tragic episode in world history. Set against the political background of the day, succinctly revealed, Egan brings a clarity and immediacy to this period by his interweaving of personal stories, deeply moving songs, a collection of public and personal photos and an historical narrative that speaks directly to the reader, engaging our hearts as well as our heads. It is a story of the loss of innocence of two young nations, for a generation and beyond. Amusing anecdotes and stories of great courage and ingenuity leaven, to some extent, the brutal truth behind the personal stories.

Armistice Day 2014

Today, Armistice Day, a day to commemorate the end of World War 1 - 96 years ago. Time to reflect on all those who died and were affected by war. 

Remembering ...

Remembrance Day is coming up this week...

So I'm remembering.

For the Fallen - sung by Hayley Westenra 2010

Remembrance Day - sung by Bryan Adams

The indispensable sandbag

I've just been reading History of the New Zealand Engineers 1914-1919. On page 71 the topic of sandbags is discussed.  This is what I have learnt...

During World War 1, soldiers were issued with sandbags. They were used for many things.  We mostly associate them with being filled with diggings and hurled up onto the sides of the trenches to provide extra protection for soldiers, but sandbags were part of every soldier's kit.  They were used as blankets, mattresses and carry bags.  If a soldier advanced and had to hunker down, the sandbags came out, filled, and quickly employed as an extra barrier of protection, a personal parapet.

It's hard to imagine the humble sandbag as being on the list of most important items in a survival kit.

Every Man Remembered

What a lovely idea, to remember every one of the soldiers that died during WW1 in a special way. The website 'Every Man Remembered' is designed to be a forum for remembering the sacrifice of Commonwealth soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War 1. On this website you are able to lay a commemorative 'poppy' for a relative or for someone that has not yet been remembered.

Today I placed a poppy for Uncle Lynch.

And one for Great Uncle Jack. 

One for Great Uncle George. 

Here is a poppy for Great Uncle Robert. 

A poppy for Great Uncle James. 

Oh, and one for Great Uncle Bert too. 

I would have made one for Great Uncle Fred too, but he survived the war. The website only records commemorations for those who died during it. 

Hill 60

After watching this movie I have a better understanding of how scary a tunneller's job was during WW1. 

The New Zealand Expeditionary Force sets forth | WW100 New Zealand

The New Zealand Expeditionary Force sets forth | WW100 New Zealand

100 years

It is 100 years to the day since my great uncle John Cobb and his comrades boarded the troopships in Wellington Harbour and sailed off to The Great War. Uncle John never made it home. Lest we forget. 

War/No more trouble

True, true...

Digging up info

My mother dug out her old photos and records tonight. I was fascinated by this original postcard from Uncle John Wesley Cobb. 

There was a copy of an earlier photo of John looking very relaxed. Perhaps this one was taken by his mother Harriet, who was a professional photographer. 

I also found this old brooch today which belonged to my great grandmother Louie. I can't help wondering if her brother, my great Uncle George Keymer, gave it to her before he left for the war. 

Arras Tunnels

Today I've been researching the New Zealand tunnelers. Another of my great uncles served with the NZE Tunneling Company. It is a coincidence that the 'Arras Tunnel' in Wellington was open for the public to walk through today.

Click here to read the online article 'Arras Tunnel opened in honour of little-known wartime heroes.'

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Children of Gallipoli

Walking With an Anzac — Children of Gallipoli gave NZ viewers, for the...

I want to know more

The more I learn about my uncles and their World War 1 involvement, the more I want to know. These books should help!

WW100 - New Zealand’s First World War Centenary 2014-2019

Battle of Passchendaele

Click the link below to see a picture of troupes, including those from New Zealand arriving by train in Poperinghe, Belgium just prior to the Battle of Passchendaele.  Perhaps Uncle George is one of the soldiers pictured.



BATTLE PASSCHENDAELE JULY-NOVEMBER 1917 (Q 3965)

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.

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. 

WW100 badge

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

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.

Poppy badge

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

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.