New Zealand’s involvement in World War I and the repercussions it had on the country and its people would become more focused as a new project becomes a reality over the next three years.
The project was launched at a ceremony held at the Wellington Museum Building on December 15, 2011, as a joint effort of Massey University, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association’ (NZRSA).
Defence Force Chief Lieutenant General Rhys Jones, Colonel John McLeod, Massey University Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey and NZRSA President Lieutenant General (Rtd) Don McIver and other officials and guests were present at the ceremony.
Among the highlights of the event were the presence of piper and the great grandson of Victoria Cross recipient Sergeant Reginald Stanley Judson, and a performance of ‘Passchendaele’ by composers and staff members Craig Pritchard and Paul Turner.
Called the Centenary History of New Zealand and the First World War, the Project would account for nine volumes focusing on different aspects of the war.
The first volume would be released on Anzac Day 2015.
Traumatic event
Former Military Studies Institute Commanding Officer and former Massey University Centre for Defence & Security Studies director Professor Glyn Harper is the leader of the definitive history project.
He said the First World War has been a pivotal point in world history, creating much of the hostilities and problems that have persisted until now.
“It changed all those countries that were involved and New Zealand was no exception. In terms of human suffering, the First World War is the most traumatic event that New Zealand has experienced,” he said.
The population of New Zealand at that time was about one million and the country had deployed more than 102,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen to support the allied troops overseas. About 18,000 persons were killed.
Professor Harper said it has been nearly 100 years since the beginning of the War but the full story has never been told.
“There is a risk that if we do not capture the stories now, they may never be heard,” he said.
Country at War
“This will be the most complete account yet of New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War. It will be the first history to fully cover the role of the navy and the air force in the conflict. We believe it will become the reference text for the next 10 years, but it will also be accessible so that it has appeal to families whose forefathers fought in the war,” Professor Harper said.
He will write the first volume on ‘The New Zealand Soldier at War 1914-1918,’ while NZDF historian John Crawford would produce the second volume, on ‘The New Zealand Expeditionary Force.’
Mr Crawford has written on many aspects of the history of the New Zealand Armed Forces and defence policy. His most recent publication was ‘The Territorials, a history of the territorial and volunteer forces of New Zealand.
Massey University and the NZDF will finance the cost of the first two volumes.
Rising interest
Professor Harper said there growing interest among many people over the part that New Zealanders played in the First World War.
“There is a natural curiosity for several reasons: the time is right, there is a lack of understanding because we do not teach it in schools, and because military history is our family history. For a small nation we made a huge contribution,” he said.
He hoped that the growing interest in New Zealand’s military history and in an event that helped shape the country would encourage individuals and families to contribute to the project and fund the production of future volumes.
“We want to ensure we can faithfully produce a history worthy of those who served and suffered in this most terrible of wars,” he said.
Lt Gen Jones said the centenary of the First World War is an important milestone for New Zealand and its Defence Force.
“The Centenary History provides a great opportunity to provide the most comprehensive picture of our country’s involvement in one of the most pivotal events of the twentieth century,” he said.
