A look back

The last few weeks have seen a resurgence of New Zealanders’ nostalgia; ANZAC Day, followed closely by the pomp and ceremony of a royal wedding – have dominated the discourse. Thread went to War Brides and LATE at the Museum…

The last few weeks have seen a small resurgence of New Zealanders’ nostalgia for the past – ANZAC Day, followed closely by the pomp and ceremony of a royal wedding – have dominated the discourse, whether in tea room at work or on social networking sites.

While much of this discussion focuses on the more superficial questions – what would Kate wear? Did we like the Princesses’ hats? Do we have to work on ANZAC Day, and if so, do we get double time and a half since it’s a double statutory holiday? – the deeper discussions have been noticeable.

New Zealanders, as has become common in the last few years, attended ANZAC services in increasing numbers. A small child proudly wearing granddad’s or great-granddad’s medals has become a familiar tug on the heart.

People took the royal wedding seriously here in Aotearoa/New Zealand too – not in a royalist way – but in a kind-hearted belief that Will, who we recall playing with a buzzy bee on Government House’s lawn, is a different kind of chap, who loves his Kate in an ordinary, human, familiar way. The public delight in the lip-readers’ renditions of their private moments during that huge public ceremony seem to indicate that.

Celebrating this sense of respect for the past, this renewed link to countries whose history is intertwined with ours in ways that we cannot dissect or remove, are a series of exhibitions and events at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

‘Mr. Jones’ Wives: War Brides of New Zealand Servicemen’ is a quietly heart-rending exhibition which is currently showing in the Pictorial Gallery, next to the Armory. Through domestic and personal artifacts – letters, photographs, suitcases and veils – the stories of the over 3700 women who met and married New Zealand servicemen serving overseas and then left home and loved ones to travel to an unknown country unfold. It is a must-see – it commemorates and celebrates love, courage and perseverance – ANZAC values, to be sure.

Also commemoratory was the May LATE at the Museum – eminent Yale Professor Jay Winter spoke eloquently about his area of expertise – the over 15 million servicemen and women who lost their lives in the First World War, the war that gave New Zealand the gauntlet of nationhood, passed through at ANZAC Cove and Chunuk Bair. Winter, one of the most prolific experts in the impact of World War I on society, culture and the twentieth century, gave a tour-de-force talk which referenced his work on memorial sites, such as the museum he was located within.

Followed by a floor talk by war brides historian Gabrielle Fortune, and delightfully suitable music from Beyondsemble, who are influenced by Gypsy and Eastern European music, amongst other genres, this May LATE, once again, evoked the power of story-telling in understanding what it is to be New Zealanders in a post-ANZAC context.

Below: a war brides photo of William (Bill) George Edmunds and Jeanne Gordon Carrie married in 1919. Bill is wearing his RSA badge.

So polish off granddad’s medals, take them along to the armory so you can get an understanding of what stories they tell you about his service, let the kids check out the planes and tanks and guns – and wander through ‘Mr. Jones’ Wives’ – for a better insight into the past.

By Kate Hannah 11 May 2011.