Overview
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.
Amongst these everyday reminders of the conflict are objects associated with the frenzy of patriotic fundraising, and the production of comforts for soldiers. There are also medals that were struck to commemorate events, and sheet music used for morale-boosting songs.
The museum also has a number of delicately embroidered souvenir handkerchiefs sent home from the Front by servicemen. These colourful and flimsy objects expressed the feelings of those parted from each other – husbands and wives, fathers, sons, friends, and lovers. They are a complete contrast from the khaki, mud, and munitions of the trenches.