World War 1 - 1914 - 1918

Edward Herbert Aubrey: Soldier’s diary

World War I diary kept by Edward Herbert Aubrey (1891-1963) from May 1917 to November 1917, with brief notes from 1918 and 1919. Some pages were removed and sent to relatives.

The Canterbury (N.Z.) Aviation Co.: the first hundred pilots

A brief history by Henry Wigram recounting the beginnings of the Canterbury Aviation Company. Notes on training pilots for defence purposes during World War I, and prospects for future. Includes a list of the first hundred pilots trained by the company.

The Canterbury (New Zealand) Aviation Co. Limited

Details of services and training offered by the company following World War I.

Christchurch War Memorial: Bridge of Remembrance

The history and symbolic features of the Bridge of Remembrance opened By Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa, on Armistice Day, November 11, 1924. Extracts from the address of J. Wyn Irwin, of the Bridge of Remembrance Committee.

City of Christchurch, N.Z. : peace celebrations

Programme of Christchurch peace celebrations, held on 19-21 July 1919 to mark the end of World War I. Programme includes list of committees, military, school and civilian processions, fireworks displays and Peace Thanksgiving Service.

Cecil Malthus: World War I papers [letters, telegrams, documents]

A collection of Malthus letters has been digitised and made available online by Christchurch City Libraries. The letters are penned to his future wife, Hazel Watters. Malthus died on 25 July 1976. The letters follow Malthus’ progress from training in New Zealand to his experiences throughout the war, including time in Egypt preparing for Gallipoli, and his time in France. Malthus was injured in September 1916 and returned to New Zealand in March 1917.

Diggers’ poems

A small collection of poems by returned soldiers published after World War I.

Ephemera

A selection of public notices.

Gallipoli papers

Gallipoli campaign : operation and transport orders, memoranda and other papers issued to the Canterbury Infantry Battalion at Lemnos, January-September 1915. Copies of official orders issued to the Battalion during the Gallipoli landings.

H.H. Stephens War Diary

The World War I diary of Herbert Harold Stephens, of Sydenham, Christchurch. Entries in the diary by Herbert Stephens cover the period from August 13, 1915 to November 16th, 1916. The later entries are in the first part of the diary.

The Kiwi

A troopship magazine from World War I. Front four pages are headed Shipmates O’ Mine and contain signatures and names.

Memorial Service held on Anzac Day, 1916

The first annual commemoration of the landing of the men of New Zealand on the Gallipoli Peninsula, April 25th, 1915, and of the lives laid down on that day and during the ensuing campaign. Service held in Christchurch Cathedral.

The New Zealand Division in France and Flanders, May 1916 to November 1918

A contemporary diary of pilgrimages in their footsteps April 2002 and July 2005 by John H. Gray.

O’Sullivan collection : First World War memorabilia, letters, diaries

A selection of material from the collection of Barry O’Sullivan relating to the first World War. The digital collection includes personal effects of enlisted men from Christchurch, regimental badges, diaries, letters, letterhead paper, newspapers, photographs and postcards.

Portraits, First World War

A collection of portraits of those who served during the First World War.

Arthur Francis Lester Priest : Diary 1915

A diary kept by Arthur Francis Lester Priest (1893-1915) from late 1914 to August 1915. The diary documents his experience in the first World War. The collection includes some memorabilia kept with the diary: a letter, newspaper clippings, postcard and photograph.

Public service queen: her book

Fundraising booklet includes short stories, poems, sketches and cartoons etc. Canterbury Queen Carnival, 1916. Civil Service Section.

Seditious prisoners and conscientious objectors fund

By Edwin Howard. A history and accounting of the fund, which was set up in December 1916, to provide for objectors arrested under the War Regulations.

War letter and cards, 1915-1916

A small collection of material related to the World War I experience of William Brown.

Winning through from war to peace: New Zealand, 1919 edited by L.S. Fanning

Cover subtitle: this illustrated book, edited by L. S. Fanning, shows the wide range of help given to discharged soldiers by the New Zealand Government in the re-establishment of the men in civilian life.

World War One memorabilia, 1914-1924

A small collection of material, published and unpublished, relating to World War 1, collected by Oswald Norris and his family.