Description: Postcard forwarded to Malcolm by his mother. Postcard depicts Stirling Terrace, Albany, Australia.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Postcard forwarded to Malcolm by his mother. Postcard depicts Stirling Terrace, Albany, Australia.

Description: Letter expressing His Majesty's gratitude for Donald Brown's bravery and sacrifice during the Great War. It reads, "I join with my people in sending you this memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War."

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Letter expressing His Majesty's gratitude for Donald Brown's bravery and sacrifice during the Great War. It reads, "I join with my people in sending you this memorial of a…

Description: Letter enclosing Private Donald Browns short-form Will that was removed from his pay book following his death on 15 September 1916, at the Somme. The Officer in Charge of War Expenses goes on to inform Mrs Brown that it would be a considerable time before a statement of her son's pay account could be prepared due to the delay of information being received from the front line. He also encourages her to forward any letters in her possession that indicate how her son wishes his estate to be distributed.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Letter enclosing Private Donald Browns short-form Will that was removed from his pay book following his death on 15 September 1916, at the Somme. The Officer in Charge of War…

Description: Two letters from Frank S. Newbold to Alice Brown regarding the funeral allowance of 30 pounds, payable upon the death of her son, Private Donald Brown. Newbold also passes on the heartfelt sympathies of the Officers and Members of the Wynyard Lodge.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Two letters from Frank S. Newbold to Alice Brown regarding the funeral allowance of 30 pounds, payable upon the death of her son, Private Donald Brown. Newbold also passes on…

Description: Condolence letter from [Annie Terry] written on behalf of herself and her son, to express their deepest sympathies following the death of Private Donald Brown on 15 September 1916 during the first day of the renewed offensive at the Somme. Annie also lost a son during the conflict.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Condolence letter from [Annie Terry] written on behalf of herself and her son, to express their deepest sympathies following the death of Private Donald Brown on 15 September…

Description: Condolence letter from [C.W. Matheson] offering his sympathies for the death of Private Donald Brown, who Matheson praised as "not only a soldier of the King but also a soldier serving his Lord and Master Jesus Christ."

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Condolence letter from [C.W. Matheson] offering his sympathies for the death of Private Donald Brown, who Matheson praised as "not only a soldier of the King but also a…

Description: Condolence letter informing Alice Brown that her son, Private Donald Melville Wood Brown, had died during the advance on 15 September 1916. He was buried at a cemetery between Delville Wood and Flers Village.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Condolence letter informing Alice Brown that her son, Private Donald Melville Wood Brown, had died during the advance on 15 September 1916. He was buried at a cemetery between…

Description: Field postcard sent two weeks before Browns death at the Somme. Includes envelope.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Field postcard sent two weeks before Browns death at the Somme. Includes envelope.

Description: Includes details such as the circumference of Brown's head and his mental-motive temperament. The report goes on to describe Brown's character as follows: "You have a large head, the circumference measurement being considerably above the average. You are possessed of great force of character, energy, and self reliance. You are firm and tenacious of your opinions. You are ambitious, fond of praise, and rather sensitive. The organ of caution is large. You have splendid constructive and artistic talent. As a mechanician you would excel. You should be taught designing and draughtsmanship. Your business capacity is good, You would prove highly successful as a mathematician and accountant. The musical faculties are large, and worthy of cultivation. You have a keen sense of humour, good [illegible], and a decided talent for calculation."

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Includes details such as the circumference of Brown's head and his mental-motive temperament. The report goes on to describe Brown's character as follows: "You have a large…

Description: Condolence letter regarding the death of Alice Brown's son, Private Donald Brown, on 15 September 1916, at the Somme, France.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Condolence letter regarding the death of Alice Brown's son, Private Donald Brown, on 15 September 1916, at the Somme, France.

Description: In Brown's own words, "...but anyway mother which ever way things go the allies have the Germans in a trap. We have 8 mean to their 1 and our superiority in Artillery is enormous so I am looking to a speedy return."

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: In Brown's own words, "...but anyway mother which ever way things go the allies have the Germans in a trap. We have 8 mean to their 1 and our superiority in Artillery is…

Description: Letter describing the conditions aboard the HMNZT 'Maunganui', sailing through tropical waters, past the Australian Bight on his way to Egypt. Brown reports on the HMNZT 'Tahiti' and 'Warrimoo', which had left New Zealand in convoy with the 'Maunganui'. Brown writes, "On Tahiti the boys rushed the guard and two men were bayoneted." He then goes on to report that they had been vaccinated and were receiving training on field dressing. Next, he asks after his family, and shares with them his intention to apply for land upon his return. He also enquires as to whether they were receiving the stipend he had established on their behalf.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Letter describing the conditions aboard the HMNZT 'Maunganui', sailing through tropical waters, past the Australian Bight on his way to Egypt. Brown reports on the HMNZT…

Description: Condolence letter conveying Essie's deepest sympathies following Donald Brown's death on 15 September 1916, at the Somme. A printed poem on the front reads as follows:

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Condolence letter conveying Essie's deepest sympathies following Donald Brown's death on 15 September 1916, at the Somme. A printed poem on the front reads as follows:

Description: Card from the 'New Zealand Herald' newspaper, requesting particulars of Private Donald Brown's military career, personal life, parentage, volunteer or territorial record, rank in Expeditionary Force, and any other facts considered to be of interest. Brown's portrait printed in the 'Auckland Star' newspaper is attached.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Card from the 'New Zealand Herald' newspaper, requesting particulars of Private Donald Brown's military career, personal life, parentage, volunteer or territorial record, rank…

Description: Condolence card along with a request from the 'Auckland Star' newspaper asking for a photograph and other personal information regarding Donald Brown to be published without charge in the paper's news columns.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Condolence card along with a request from the 'Auckland Star' newspaper asking for a photograph and other personal information regarding Donald Brown to be published without…

Description: Brown writes of his engagement with German and Prussian forces, and declares himself a fool for participating in such an event. In his own words, "We take no prisoners bayonet them all the same as they do us. I am thinking what a damn fool I was to leave home, no more wars for me after this, a soldier is treated like dirt. Our chaps are advancing on the Somme. I think the end will not be till another year. Our guns are firing all the time...You are not allowed to say much here. One chap wrote home and just said 'Dear Mother this war is a buggar and I echo his words." Brown also writes of his various correspondents and informs his mother that although he had joined the 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy his address had not changed.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Brown writes of his engagement with German and Prussian forces, and declares himself a fool for participating in such an event. In his own words, "We take no prisoners…

Description: Brown thanks his brother for the letters he received and encourages him to write more often. He asks after Malcolm's school work and reminds him to leave the knives he sent at home with their mum. He briefly shares a few details of his own situation, such as his tan and the scarcity of fresh water for washing. Finally, he asks his brother to pass on a message to a woman named Hope, and to show their brother his new address.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Brown thanks his brother for the letters he received and encourages him to write more often. He asks after Malcolm's school work and reminds him to leave the knives he sent at…

Description: Collection of correspondence, embroidered and photographic postcards, plus items of ephemera relating to the war service of 12/3565 Private Donald Melville Wood Brown, 3 Company, 2nd Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment, 1NZEF. This collection offers a number of insights in addition to those of the battle and its significance to New Zealand, there are questions of recruitment and screening, and opportunities to examine individual motivation, and the impact of war.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Collection of correspondence, embroidered and photographic postcards, plus items of ephemera relating to the war service of 12/3565 Private Donald Melville Wood Brown, 3…

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE

Description: Contains photocopied material. Mostly letters and postcards sent by QM Sergeant Henry Thomas Norton (known as Harry Norton) to his wife Florence, son Leonard and daughter Jean during World War I. Letters were written whilst he was training in New Zealand, at sea en route to Europe, in Egypt and in the trenches in France between 1915 and 1916. Folder 1 contains some letters from Charles H. Matthews, brother of Florence Norton, written whilst serving in South Africa during the South African War. Many letters included flowers or seeds collected from the battlefield in France and other ephemera. Folder 7 contains official letters about Norton's gravesite written during the 1920s. All items, with the exception of the typed transcripts, are photocopies of photocopies.

Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: Contains photocopied material. Mostly letters and postcards sent by QM Sergeant Henry Thomas Norton (known as Harry Norton) to his wife Florence, son Leonard and daughter Jean…