The names of those killed in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War were not originally included in the Roll of Honour. This was because they were never officially members of the armed services, despite the fact they risked their lives ensuring food convoys reached Great Britain and our official armed forces serving overseas. Their names were added in 1996.
Rolls of Honour for the Korean, Vietnam and Malaya-Borneo campaigns were later added to the World War II Hall of Memory, so that no soldiers would be forgotten.
The altar in the World War II Hall depicts a victorious figure on top of a globe, representing the global theatre of war. Three stained glass windows behind the altar represent the insignia of those who fell in units not represented elsewhere, including the nurses, WAAFS, WAACs and WRNZNs. The women, elderly and children who remained at home are also included.
In the World War II Hall of Memory the ironwork supporting the Roll of Honour books are formed in the shape of poppies, reinforcing the symbolism used in the original brasswork. It re-emphasises the loss of a second generation of Auckland's youth.
The names of men and women of Auckland lost during the Second World War are recorded in the marble Hall of Memories. Panels commemorating New Zealand's loss in Korea, the Malaya-Borneo conflict and Vietnam, are also enshrined here.