Public School Cadets N.Z. sword

item details

NamePublic School Cadets N.Z. sword

ProductionRobert Mole & Sons; manufacturer(s); 1902-1910; Birmingham

Classificationceremonial swords, scabbards, dress swords

Materialssteel, wood, leather

Materials Summaryplated steel, wood, fish skin, silver wire

DimensionsOverall: 135mm (width), 980mm (length), 110mm (depth)

Registration NumberS000064

Credit lineGift of the New Zealand Army, 1946

Overview

This sword is on display at Te Papa in Gallipoli: The scale of our war.

It is a slightly shortened verson of the 1898 Pattern Infantry Officer's sword and was made for ceremonial use by an officer of the Public School Cadets, New Zealand.

In the early 1900s, most boys' schools throughout New Zealand had cadet units, which gave basic military training to their pupils. By 1908 there were over 15,000 cadets enrolled and the next year, cadet training became compulsory for all boys. The aim was to ensure that young men reached the age of eighteen and became liable for compulsory military training were used to military discipline.

This sword was formerly owned by Major-General Sir Charles Melvill (1878- 1925) a successful commander of New Zealand troops in the First World War. It was donated by the New Zealand Army in 1946 along with his uniforms and other memorabilia.