A national initiative, Online Cenotaph is a biographical database that allows researchers, enthusiasts, and veterans and their families to explore, contribute to, and share the records and stories of those who served for Aotearoa New Zealand.
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For years, Pou Maumahara volunteer Judy Owen had known of an extensive family archive of letters penned by May Officer, Judy’s great aunt,. With the assistance of the Online Cenotaph team, Judy has been able to share small pieces of this extensive family archive, allowing us insight into the life and World War II service of May in her own words.
For Merchant Navy Day, Grace Penlain remembers Leslie Francis Yates, the first known New Zealand seafarer to lose his life through enemy action during World War II, and reflects on the often overlooked service and sacrifice of New Zealand’s merchant seafarers.
Mike Mendonça MBE served with the New Zealand Supply Detachment in Mogadishu during New Zealand's contribution to the United Nations Operation in Somalia in 1993. Adapted from his published reflections, this article recounts the experiences of New Zealand personnel serving on a United Nations humanitarian and peacekeeping mission.
Nearly 100,000 New Zealanders served in World War I. Among those called to service were many conscientous objectors, men and women who were avowed pacifists. One of those was John Henry Bennett, but who was he?
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Sir Robert Nairn Gillies, KNZM (1925–2024) Haere rā e te Rangatira o Te Arawa. Te Toa o Tumatauenga – Te Ope Taua Māori Te Rua Tekau mā Waru. I te hekenga atu o te Rā – tae noa ki tōna aranga mai anō - ka maumahara tonu mātou ki a koe. At the going down of the Sun – and in the morning - we will remember you.User submitted story about Sir Robert Nairn Gillies