World War I

World War I began in August 1914 and officially ended in June 1919. However, by that date many people around the world had already celebrated the declaration of peace on Armistice Day, 11 November 1918.

These Collection Online themes commemorate the 90th anniversary of this event. Click on them to view objects and photographs held in Te Papa’s collections, and to find out how they are linked to this major conflict of the 20th century.

Departing shots: Berry & Co portraits of World War I soldiers

Te Papa’s William Berry Collection contains around 3,000 glass plate negatives. These were found in the 1990s in a cupboard by one of the tenants of 147 Cuba Street, Wellington. This was the former premises of Berry & Co, well-known Wellington portrait photographers, established in 1897 by William Berry. more>

Medals from the Great War

Te Papa holds a small collection of medals awarded to soldiers who served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces during World War I (1914-1918). more>

November 1918: Peace in Europe and influenza worldwide

In popular memory, the war with Germany ended in November 1918 (although it did not officially end until June 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles was signed). Coinciding with this long-awaited event was an influenza pandemic that swept across the world and through New Zealand. more>

The after care of disabled soldiers

World War I saw the mutilation of men’s bodies on an unprecedented scale: around 1,000 New Zealand servicemen had limbs amputated due to the horrendous effects of shellfire and ‘gas gangrene’. more>

Herman Rolfes’s personal effects

Towards the end of 1918, Mrs Frances Rolfes, a widow living at Kaikoura, received a package containing the ‘personal effects’ of her only son, Herman. A little canvas bag contained all that the Army could send back of her son; his body had been buried with four of his comrades near more>

Everyday reminders of World War I

There are many types of artefacts related to World War I besides the uniforms of servicemen, their medals, and military hardware. In fact, World War I also influenced the objects that New Zealanders made or used in their day-to-day lives, and exchanged as gifts. Te Papa holds a range of examples of these types of items in its collections. more>

Ephemeral mementoes of the Great War

World War I generated its own specific ephemera. This ranged from official military-related material such as enlistment orders, forms, notices, recruitment posters, and propaganda, to more sentimental items, such as postcards that servicemen collected or sent back as mementoes. more>

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This electronic record was created from historic documentation. It may not necessarily reflect the best available knowledge about the collection item. Some collection images are created for identification purposes only and therefore may not be of reproduction quality. Some images are not available due to copyright restrictions. If you have additional information or questions about objects in the collection, we encourage you to contact us at mail@tepapa.govt.nz