Events In History
New Zealand’s most-decorated soldier, Charles Upham, received the first of his two VCs – for outstanding gallantry and leadership during the Battle of Crete in 1941 – from King George VI at Buckingham Palace.
Southlander Jack Hinton was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the night of 28 April 1941 at Kalamata during the evacuation from Greece.
British-born but New Zealand-raised, Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg was a charismatic and popular military leader who later served as governor-general.
William Sanders received the Victoria Cross (VC) for bravery during a German U-boat (submarine) attack on his ship. He became the first – and only – New Zealander to win the British Empire’s highest military decoration in a naval action.
Wellington blacksmith William Hardham served in South Africa with the fourth New Zealand contingent. He was the only New Zealander awarded a Victoria Cross during the South African War.
This medal was created because members of New Zealand's colonial armed forces were not eligible for the Victoria Cross. Only 23 were awarded, making it one of the world‘s rarest military honours.
Recommended for a Victoria Cross after rescuing a soldier under fire at Waiari, near Pirongia, Charles Heaphy was given the decoration in 1867.
Articles
New Zealand's 19th-century wars
War changed the face of New Zealand in the 19th century. Many thousands of Māori died in the intertribal Musket Wars between the 1810s and the 1830s. There were more deaths during the New Zealand Wars of the 1840s to 1870s between some Māori and the Crown, which for many tribes had dire consequences.Read the full article
Page 7 - The Victoria Cross and the NZ Wars
There were 15 recipients of the Victoria Cross and 23 of the New Zealand Cross for action during New Zealand’s 19th-century
New Zealand and Le Quesnoy
It was the New Zealand Division's final action of the First World War. On 4 November 1918, just a week before the Armistice was signed, New Zealand troops stormed the walled French town of Le Quesnoy. The 90 men killed were among the last of the 12,483 who fell on the Western Front.Read the full article
Page 2 - The liberation of Le Quesnoy
The capture of the French town of Le Quesnoy by the New Zealand Division on 4 November 1918 has special significance in New Zealand's military
Passchendaele: fighting for Belgium
Ever since 1917 Passchendaele has been a byword for the horror of the First World War. The assault on this tiny Belgian village cost the lives of thousands of New Zealand soldiers. But its impact reached far beyond the battlefield, leaving deep scars on many New Zealand communities and families.Read the full article
Page 4 - After Passchendaele
Military events in Belgium after the Passchendaele offensive of October 1917, including the failed attack at
Māori and the Second World War
Despite some opposition, nearly 16,000 Māori enlisted for service during the Second World War. By 1945, 28 (Maori) Battalion had became one of New Zealand's most celebrated and decorated units. But Māori contributed to the war effort in many different ways, at home and overseas.Read the full article
Page 3 - Achievements
The 28th (Maori) Battalion established a formidable reputation as one of New Zealand’s finest fighting
British Empire
Key information and statistics about countries who fought as part of the British Empire during the First World WarRead the full article
Page 3 - Commonwealth of Australia
Key information and statistics about the Commonwealth of Australia during the First World
Page 4 - Dominion of Canada
Key information and statistics about Canada during the First World
Page 5 - British India
Facts and statistics about India during the First World
Page 6 - Dominion of Newfoundland
Key information and statistics about the Dominion of Newfoundland during the First World
Page 8 - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Key information and statistics about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland during the First World
War in Taranaki 1860-63
In March 1860 war broke out between Europeans and Māori in Taranaki following a dispute over the sale of land at Waitara. It was the beginning of a series of conflicts that would dog Taranaki for 21 years, claiming the lives of hundreds of people and leaving deep scars that persist to the present day.Read the full article
Page 4 - Fighting begins
The opening shots of the Taranaki War were fired at Kīngi's new pā, Te Kohia – also known as the ‘L’ pa because of its shape – on 17 March
Merchant marine
On 3 September New Zealand honours Merchant Navy Day. Here we explore the little-known but vital role played by the merchant marine during the First World War, when these civilian seafarers often found themselves in the front line of the war at sea.Read the full article
Page 3 - TheOtaki's epic battle
Many Home boats were lost, especially in 1917-18 when Germany stepped up its submarine warfare against Allied commerce. One action stood out, an epic battle between the New
New Zealand and the Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for ‘valour in the face of the enemy’ to members of the armed forces of Commonwealth countries. A total of 22 VCs have been awarded to New Zealand military personnel, including two won by Charles Upham.Read the full article
Page 1 - New Zealand and the Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for ‘valour in the face of the enemy’ to members of the armed forces of Commonwealth countries. A total of 22
Page 2 - NZ Victoria Cross recipients
List of the 21 New Zealand Victoria Cross recipients, with links to
Page 3 - Victoria Cross recipients with NZ connection
List of New Zealand-born servicemen and those with New Zealand connections who served in other
Page 4 - Further information
List of information sources on New Zealand's Victoria Cross
1918: Spring Offensive and Advance to Victory
In 1918, a series of major German and Allied offensives broke the stalemate of trench warfare on the Western Front, resulting in the collapse of the German Army and the end of the war within the year. New Zealand units played an important part in the Allies' final push for victory.Read the full article
Page 1 - 1918: spring offensive and advance to victory
In 1918, a series of major German and Allied offensives broke the stalemate of trench warfare on the Western Front, resulting in the collapse of the German Army and the end of the
Biographies
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