New Zealand. Army. Canterbury Regiment

Date: 1916-1918

By: Preston, Thomas Reginald, 1896-1918

Reference: MS-Papers-5629

Description: Comprises diary kept by Preston in an Agent Bijou diary from Oct 1917 (brief notes until the end of 1917) and from 1 January to 22 August 1918. Preston recorded daily, noting the weather, mail received or sent, army duties such as digging trenches, aerial operations and other military engagements. He describes a visit to the United Kingdom, for 14 days in May, which included London and Edinburgh. Source of title - Supplied Accompanying material - Documentation relating to Preston's time in the army including his active service casualty form, attestation form, history sheets, will, photocopy of his medals, copy of photograph transferred to Photographic Archive, field service report of his death and list of commonly used abbreviations in WWI personal files Preston served in the 2nd Battalion of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment (1916-1918); he died 24 Aug 1918 (the last entry being 22 Aug 1918) Quantity: 2 folder(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs, mss and typescripts (some photocopies) Transfers: To Photographic Archive - Photograph of Preston in military uniform.

Date: 26 Apr 1917-22 Apr 1918, [ca 1937], 2014

By: Harcourt, John Gordon, 1890-1963

Reference: MS-Group-2384

Description: The diary covers the period 26 April 1917-22 April 1918 and provides a day by day account of Harcourt's experiences while on active service. The 2015 accession includes the originals of the photocopied diaries, a letter to his father, speech notes on Anzac Day and a typed transcript of his diaries. Source of title - Supplied by Library Harcourt entered camp in June 1916 and sailed from New Zealand on the ship 'Tofua' with reinforcements for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 26 April 1917. He landed at Plymouth on 19 July and undertook training at Sling Camp. He left for France on 18 October and in mid November arrived at the Front where he saw action with 13 Company, 1st Canterbury Battalion. Quantity: 6 folder(s). 0.06 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs, photocopies, typescript, photos Transfers: To Photographic Archive - Photographs - Photographs taken by Harcourt while on troopship Tofua are with the Photographic Archive..

Date: [2001]

By: O'Leary, Francis James, 1921-

Reference: MS-Papers-7258

Description: A biographical account of the life of Arthur Patrick O'Leary from his birth to his mid-20s describing his family life, the hardship following his father's death, his time in orphanages and later in Burnham borstal, working on the Holly family farm at Leeston under a Burnham scheme and their help in allowing him to escape from it, his various jobs and some war service experiences. Source of title - Transcribed The account was written by Frank O'Leary, the donor, compiled by Tony and Denise Craft and edited by Diane Latter, all descendants of Arthur Patrick O'Leary. Quantity: 1 folder(s) (34 pages). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Printed matter Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Mrs N Orr, Auckland, Oct 2001

Date: 1911-1912, 5 December 1917-14 Jan 1919, [ca 1986]

By: Spencer, Henry Gordon, 1896-1962

Reference: MS-Papers-9081

Description: Letters from Spencer, mainly to his mother, commence on 5 December 1917 from Featherston Military Camp and describe his departure for Europe, his training in England and France and action in the trenches in the last months of the War. Also includes introductory notes by Spencer's daughter, Valerie Rhodes, photographs of Spencer, newspaper cutting re anniversary of Webb Street Primitive Methodist Sunday School, 1911 and two testamonials written for Spencer in 1912 by the headmaster of Mt Cook Boys' School and by William S Potter, Primitive Methodist Minister (Wellington) Spencer saw action in France with Canterbury Infantry Regiment from May to Oct 1918 when he was wounded. Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescripts, printed matter and photographs

Date: 1915-1917

By: Weenink, Robert Frank - 1896-1916

Reference: MS-Papers-2170

Description: 12 letters from Frank cover encampment in Egypt, and period at the Front. 3 letters from Harry from England and France before reaching the Front. Also telegrams and letters of condolence Frank Weenink enlisted 1915, and served with 2nd Battalion Canterbury Infantry Regiment in France; he was killed in action on the Somme. Harry Weenink enlisted 1916, served with 1st Battalion 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade, and was killed in action in Belgium. Quantity: 2 folder(s) (21 pieces). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs

Date: 1916-1918

By: Harcourt, John Gordon, 1890-1963; Harcourt, Elizabeth Gordon, active 2014

Reference: PAColl-10341

Description: Photographs relating to John Gordon Harcourt's service during World War I taken between 1916 and 1918, probably taken by Harcourt. The donor believes they accompanied his letters home and describes the set as "Troops en route to England - via Islands? S Africa. Cape Town. Disembarking." Most do not have captions or dates. Includes images of soldiers on board a boat [Tofua] and on land [in South Africa and England]. Views from the boat show other ships and a sunset. There are also images of Table Mountain, a wharf, a town with houses and a book stall, group portraits of soldiers in uniform, at camp, and picnicking and walking in a tree lined park Source of title - Title supplied by Library Harcourt entered camp in June 1916 and sailed from New Zealand on the ship 'Tofua' with reinforcements for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 26 April 1917. He landed at Plymouth on 19 July and undertook training at Sling Camp. He left for France on 18 October and in mid November arrived at the Front where he saw action with 13 Company, 1st Canterbury Battalion. Quantity: 23 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Photographic prints Provenance: Donor is daughter of Edward Millais Harcourt and grand daughter of John Gordon Harcourt. Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-2384.

Date: 1914-1924, 1998-2014

From: French family: Collection relating to the history of French family descendants

Reference: MS-Papers-11903

Description: Comprises papers relating to the World War One service of brothers Archibald, Robert McLeod, and Norman McLeod French. Includes two letters from Robert to his mother Ann French dated 24 and 28 June [1916] written while serving at the front. Among other matters, the letters describe the constant shellfire, the skilful manoeuvres of allied pilots, the task of taking supplies to the trenches, and regimental bands visiting the troop billets. Also soldier's pay books for Archibald and Robert; and field service post card from Robert to his mother on which minimal information is entered. Also includes family research papers, including copies of military service records for all three brothers; printouts of records from the Auckland Museum Cenotaph and Commonwealth War Graves Commission websites; legal papers relating to the estate of Archibald French; and genealogical information. The brothers Archibald, Robert McLeod, and Norman McLeod French all served in the New Zealand Army during World War One. Archibald was killed in action at Daisy Patch, Gallipoli, in May 1915. Robert was killed near Armentieres, France, in July 1916. Norman enlisted in 1917 and became a member of the Diggers concert party; he survived the War and went on to perform with various theatre groups. Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss and typescripts (some photocopies)

Date: 1914-1917, 1992

By: Kitson family

Reference: MS-Group-2082

Description: Contains original letters and diary of Henry Kitson from WW1. The letters and diary both include accounts of the sea voyage from New Zealand and mililitary duties and conditions, the Gallipoli landing of April 1915 and subsequent fighting and his experiences of his recuperation in military hospitals. Also includes annotated original photographic prints, and postcards relating to WW1, and a spiral bound book of the letters and diary transcribed and edited by Helen, daughter in law of Henry in 1992. This spiral bound book is probably the same as MS-Papers-4540. Henry Kitson left New Zealand in February 1915 aboard the Tahiti, he saw action in the Gallipolli Campaign with the 1st Canterbury Regiment before being injured in June 1915 and transported, first to Floriana Hospital in Malta, then to various military hospitals in England including Woodcote Camp in Epsom, Hyde Park Hospital in Plymouth and Walton on Thames. He was discharged from hospital in February 1917 and joined the 37th Reinforcement in 1918, he served as a Warrant Officer at the battles of Bapaume, Biefrillers, Cambrai and Le Quesnoy. Quantity: 6 folder(s). 0.05 Linear Metres. Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Mrs H M Kitson, daughter in law of Henry Kitson, Christchurch, 2012

Date: 1900-1959

From: [Ephemera of quarto size relating to the New Zealand Army, volunteers, soldiers of regular forces]

Reference: Eph-B-ARMY-1900/1959

Description: Includes: 1913: Under the Defence Amendment Act, 1912. Warrant of commitment on conviction of an offence for escaping from or failing to return to Military Custody. Form B. 8,000/4/13-6180 [1913?] (2 copies) 1923: Compulsory tactical course for Territorial Officers. Circular dated 8 October 1923, sent from Headquarters, 7th W.E.C.M.R., Dannevirke 1931: 1st Battalion, the Wellington Regiment. Men of military age (18-32 years) are invited to join a Civil Service Company which it is proposed to raise as part of the wellington Regiment. [Flier dated] 21 November 1931. 1936: Presentation of colours by His Excellency the Governor-General Viscount Galway to the 1st Battalion The Waikato Regiment at the Hamilton High School Grounds, 24 May 1836. Booklet 1941: New Zealand's Gestapo. This fair country now has its Himmler and its SS men [re Major Kenneth Folkes. 1941] (2 copies) 1950: King's Empire Veteran jubilee 1900-1950. [Photocopy from original lent by Mr H K Lower in November 1976] 1959: The Canterbury Regiment 1859-1959. Lancaster Park Christchurch, 15 November 1959. Small programme (Folded card) The Canterbury Regiment 1859-1959. Order for service in the Christchurch Cathedral, 15 November 1959 Canterbury Regimental centennial. Smake concert. King Edward Barracks [15 November 1959?]. Flier / programme Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Offset prints, size varying up to 330 mm.

Date: 1914-1919

By: Free family

Reference: MS-Papers-4387

Description: Letters written to family members cover period 24 September 1914-19 Dec 1919 and describe his activities during this period Source of title - Supplied Relationship complexity - See also MS-Group-0177 Free saw service with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles and the Canterbury Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli and France before transferring to the Indian Army in 1917 Quantity: 4 folder(s). 0.05 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript (photocopy)

Date: Apr-Aug 1915 (1916)

By: Baker, Raymond Danvers, 1892-1969

Reference: MS-Papers-1560

Description: Baker describes military life with Canterbury Infantry Battalion in Middle East, including Gallipoli; and his return voyage to New Zealand in 1915 Source of title - Transcribed Quantity: 1 folder(s) (72 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript (photocopy)

Date: 13 Aug 1915-17 Mar 1919, Aug 1997

By: Coxhead, Cyril Henderson, 1895-1968

Reference: MS-Group-1536

Description: Diary kept by Cyril Henderson Coxhead while on active service during World War One, 15 August 1915-17 March 1919. He left New Zealand on 14 Aug 1915 and spent from 19 Sep 1915-7 Apr 1916 in Egypt when he embarked for France. Coxhead saw action on the Western Front with the Canterbury Infantry Regiment and later the New Zealand Entrenching Battalion. He also spent several periods in military hospitals. He returned to New Zealand on 29 March 1919. Also a transcript of the diary made by his daughter Ruth Gerson in 1997 which includes a copy of his war record supplied by the Ministry of Defence and a brief outline of the service in the First World War of Coxhead's two brothers, Edward Frederick and Norman Soward Coxhead. Quantity: 2 volume(s). 0.03 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph and typescript Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Mrs R Gerson (daughter), Waikanae, 2006

Date: Jan-Oct 1917

By: Millen, Roy Gipson, 1890-1962

Reference: MS-Papers-2257

Description: Diary contains brief daily entries with gaps Source of title - Supplied title Millen a bank officer left New Zealand in November 1915 with reinforcements for Canterbury Infantry Battalion. Saw action in France, wounded at Battle of Messines, Jun 1917 and hospitalised in England. Quantity: 1 folder(s) (11 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typed transcript (photocopy)

Date: 1918-1919

By: Wakelin family

Reference: MS-Papers-11236

Description: Collection comprises material relating to the brothers Bertram Raphael and William Richard Wakelin. Includes postcards sent home from Samoa, Gallipoli and Egypt to their sister and mother in Blenheim, New Zealand. Also a `Standing orders' booklet with ration stamps and a NZEF soldier's leave pass allocated to B R Wakelin. Black & white photograph of Captain W R Wakelin's grave (132). Includes a printed sheet `Songs of the singers from Samoa" which includes the songs "The Wireless walls", "Sandy" and "Tofa Mai Feleni". Also a hand drawn sketch map of Samoa indicating "Battery Barracks', "Battery Headquarters", "Cemetry", "Sentry" "Taro Swamp". Source of title - Supplied by Library Brothers Bertram and William Wakelin enlisted for service during World War I. Bertram Wakelin enlisted with the Samoan Advance Party in 1914 then joined the 5th Reinforcements. Captain William Wakelin embarked with the 7th Reinforcements in 1915, died from disease 5 February 1919. Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typsecript, photograph and printed material Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Purchase, Cordy's Auction, Dec 2011 Transfers: Collection as a whole taken into the Manuscripts Collection, transfers made from there. - To Curios: World War One Samoan Advance Party cap badge, 1914 (pressed gilt brass), Curios-043-013..

Date: 1917

By: Hocking, William Moyse, 1891-

Reference: MS-Papers-2411

Description: Reminiscences cover the period Apr 1916-Mar 1917 and describe his activities during this period Hocking enlisted in 1914, served as a private and later a 2nd lieutenant in Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He saw action at Gallipoli and in France where he took part in the Battle of the Somme in Sep 1916 Quantity: 1 folder(s) (32 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph (photocopy)

Date: 1917

By: Nuttall, George William, 1890-1966

Reference: MS-Papers-2192

Description: Diary gives day-to-day account of activities through the years Nuttall served in Flanders with c Company, Canterbury Infantry Batalion, 1916-Jun 1917. He was wounded at Messines, and visited various parts of Britain while convalescing Quantity: 1 folder(s) (51, 27 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph (photocopy), typed transcript (cyclostyled)

Date: 1915 [transcribed, ca 2008]

By: Tuckwell family

Reference: MS-Papers-10245

Description: Transcript of a letter to his parents, written in the form of a diary, by Private George Thomas Tuckwell. Letter describes his voyage to Egypt aboard Troopship `Itonus', camp life in Egypt, and his participation in the Gallipoli campaign between 16th and 26th April 1915 Transcript includes an introduction, a photograph of George Tuckwell, a postscript and a photograph of his medals. The name of the transcriber is not given. Letter is accompanied by a photograph of members of the Tuckwell family, whose names are given. Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by John Tuckwell, England, 2011

Date: 1912-1942

By: Free family

Reference: MS-Group-0177

Description: The collection includes letters to his family prior to and during World War One and records of his military service with the Indian Army (1912-1937) and subsequent arrangements for transferring back from his post with the Fiji Defence Force (1941-1942) Source of title - Supplied Cuthbert William Free was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and partly completed a law degree at Canterbury College. He left New Zealand as a lieutenant with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles in Sep 1914 and later transferred to the Canterbury Infantry Battalion. He saw service in Egypt, Gallipoli, France and Belgium. In Dec 1917 he transferred to the Indian Army and served in it until 1937. In 1941 he arranged to transfer back to the Indian Army from his post as a staff officer with the Fijian Defence Force. Quantity: 10 folder(s). 0.13 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter Transfers: To Photographic Archive - Five group photographs taken in India containing C W Free (PAColl-2746).

Date: 21 Oct 1988

From: World War I Oral History Archive

By: Reston, Oscar Glen, 1894-1990

Reference: OHInt-0006/69

Description: Describes family background (grandfather and father warders at Lyttelton Gaol), move to Whangarata, health, education as an engineer, work as farm labourer, Territorials, Ponsonby Naval Cadets, enlistment, family reaction, transport on 'Pakeha' with 24th Reinforcements, account of troop ship, food, Capetown, life and food at Sling Camp, Maori troops, training as signaller, arrival at Etaples in 1917, recalls Etaples mutiny. Recalls arriving at Ypres after Battle of Passchendaele, frozen mud, Dead Mule Gully, shelling, concussion, fighting over Christmas 1917, Second Battle of the Somme, Bapaume, German pill boxes and dug-outs, being wounded by a shell, casualty clearing station, conditions in Cambridge Hospital, Armistice, Codford, gambling, estaminets, singing, death of brother, effect on family, rats, relations between officers and men, officer shot by own men, field punishment, self-inflicted wounds, morale after Passchendaele, rum rations, Brigadier Braithwaite, Ettie Rout, return to New Zealand on 'Port Melbourne', post-war career. Venue - Auckland Interviewer(s) - Jane Tolerton Interviewer(s) - Nicholas Boyack Venue - Mr Reston's daughter's home in Remuera, Auckland Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002744 - OHC-002747 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 3.45 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual file Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 511, OHDL-000349. Black and white photograph of Oscar Reston and wife Margaret, 1988

Date: 9 Oct 1989 - 09 Oct 1989

From: World War I Oral History Archive

By: Lawrence, Charles George, 1897-1991

Reference: OHInt-0006/47

Description: Family background, death of father in 1901, life with grandmother on West Coast, how he became shellshocked, work on West Coast, attitude on West Coast to territorials, military. Enlistment, training at Trentham and Featherston, left with 17th Reinforcements in 1916, Sling Camp, attitude to British instructors, impression of United Kingdom, food at Sling Camp and training, Etaples, One Blanket Hill, Messines, Ploegsteert Wood, Passchendaele, experience as a sniper, refusal to kill German, infantry hit by own artillery shelling at Passchendaele, sniping incidents, Nimot, General Godley, Braithwaite, fighting during Second Battle of the Somme, German pill boxes and wounded by shell in 1918. Recalls American hospital at Le Havre, pleurisy, trench feet, Brockenhurst Hospital, convalescent home at Torquay, food in France, views on French, prostitutes, venereal disease, Ettie Rout, entertainment companies, two-up, YMCA, relationship with officers, lice, self inflicted wounds, executions, suicides, conscription, gas attacks, return to New Zealand, war brides, career since war, health, rehabilitation, opinion of RSA, drunkeness, job as a frameworker, territorials, bringing German rifles back to New Zealand, home guard (Fort Dorset during World War II). Interviewer(s) - Jane Tolerton Interviewer(s) - Nicholas Boyack Venue - Mr Lawrence's home at 45 Britannia street, Petone Accompanying material - Copy of newspaper article 'No regrets - 65 years together', Evening Post, 21/4/1988 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002684 - OHC-002686 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textual files Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 489, OHDL-000334. Black and white photograph of Charlie Lawrence, 1989