During the Second World War marriage in New Zealand continuously rose, reaching a record high in 1946. Here, we have shared some of the stories of New Zealand servicemen and women and their whirlwind romances.

They were called 'ATA-girls' (attagirls) female pilots who served with the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during the Second World War. During the war 168 women served with the ATA, including five New Zealand Women who paid their own way to England for a chance to fly.

Many women who signed up to ‘do their bit’ in World War Two were also looking for excitement, a career move, a chance to go overseas or wanted to join other family members who were also serving. Muriel Isabella Moss Borthwick (Anderson) achieved all these wishes.

Over this summer, Auckland War Memorial Museum welcomed seven students as part of our inaugural Sheldon Werner Summer Studentship programme. Online Cenotaph welcomed Angus Drumm, who reflects on his experience researching Prisoner of War Camps.

To mark seventy five years since the arrival of Jayforce in Japan. Gail Romano, shares some of the stories of those who served in Japan in recognition of their service.

During the Second World War the National Broadcasting Service Mobile Unit recorded interviews and reports about the fighting and the day-to-day business of war, as well as thousands of simple messages home from servicemen – and a few women. Sound History Researcher, Sarah Johnston explores their stories.

This page is to commemorate those New Zealanders who did not make the journey home after serving their country overseas. It also serves as a focus of remembrance for the sacrifice made by all New Zealand servicemen and women in times of war.

This page is to acknowledge the war animals who served and died during times of war. Please feel free to leave a message or lay a purple poppy to commemorate those war animals who served and supported our military personnel.

We acknowledge the passing of Merchant Navy man John Arthur Ross (15 May 1925-5 February 2021). John volunteered at Auckland War Memorial Museum since the opening of the Armoury Information Centre in 1996 until his retirement in 2017. He was a stalwart of the Swanson RSA and will be sorely missed.

Frederick Tucker enlisted with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and joined the Wellington Mounted Rifles, saying goodbye to his 13 year old daughter Mollie. It is in the archived fragments – an unfinished diary, a two-page letter to Mollie, a brief note scrawled on a souvenir – that we glimpse something more of this man.

Like many good ideas, this one started small. It was a casual discussion, conceived with a throw away remark over a beer. Chris Traill, a New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography Inc (NZIPP) member from Auckland, happened to mention how good it would be if NZIPP photographed returned service personnel and the rest is history.

'The Style for you is Air Force Blue' was the recruitment tag-line for the New Zealand Women's Auxiliary Air Force, established on the 16th January 1941. In this article Angela Wanhalla and Stacey Fraser from University of Otago look at the formation of the WAAFs and Wāhine Māori who served in the Air Force during the Second World War, who's history has largely been invisible.