The War at Home
Example of a telegram sent to loved ones at home
informing them of a soldiers death
News from the battle reached New Zealanders by newspaper articles and illustrations. These illustrations often romanticised the battle, showing New Zealand soldiers fighting a heroic battle against Turks wearing fezzes and other traditional garb – often accompanied by captions such as “New Zealanders Win Undying Glory by their Heroic Fighting”. These images created an idea in the public’s mind that Gallipoli was a place of glory, and it covered up the true state of the battlefield; which has been discussed in other parts of this website. Cartoons depicting shirtless New Zealand soldiers in the sun were also sent home. Pictures like these were misleading, not showing the dirty conditions; and injuries and death the soldiers really faced.
New Zealand society’s perception of the battle changed as telegrams reporting the injuries and deaths of New Zealand soldiers reached home. News of a loved one’s death had a devastating impact on family at home, and in turn society. In some towns, a whole generation of men was wiped out because of the Gallipoli campaign and other battles in World War One New Zealand were involved in. Slowly, the true nature of the battle was revealed and its impacts began to be stronger felt at home. An example of the impact the loss of life had on New Zealand can be found in the small town of Waimate. Waimate Hospital lost three nurses, and a nurse working at a private hospital, as well as the son of its owner also lost their lives. Lastly, two Privates from Waimate in the New Zealand Medical Corps died in battle. In total, seven people from Waimate with medical training lost their lives at Gallipoli. While this number may seem small today, Waimate was a small town and these losses would have had a large impact on services available in the area.
New Zealand society’s perception of the battle changed as telegrams reporting the injuries and deaths of New Zealand soldiers reached home. News of a loved one’s death had a devastating impact on family at home, and in turn society. In some towns, a whole generation of men was wiped out because of the Gallipoli campaign and other battles in World War One New Zealand were involved in. Slowly, the true nature of the battle was revealed and its impacts began to be stronger felt at home. An example of the impact the loss of life had on New Zealand can be found in the small town of Waimate. Waimate Hospital lost three nurses, and a nurse working at a private hospital, as well as the son of its owner also lost their lives. Lastly, two Privates from Waimate in the New Zealand Medical Corps died in battle. In total, seven people from Waimate with medical training lost their lives at Gallipoli. While this number may seem small today, Waimate was a small town and these losses would have had a large impact on services available in the area.
Commemoration & National Identity
Auckland Museum Dawn Service -
Photo courtesy of RSA
Traditionally, the Battle of Gallipoli is commemorated on the 25th of April every year in both in Australia and New Zealand. Now known as ANZAC day, it marks the anniversary of the landings at Anzac cove in 1915. The day is marked with a dawn services and parades from local RSA's all over the country. Other features are the performing of The Last Post and a minute's silence. Perhaps the most notable ANZAC Day commemoration is the dawn service held at the Cenotaph on the steps of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, often attended by prominent members of the New Zealand government. In previous decades, the parades and services were attended by surviving veterans of the battle. As the years have gone by and the last veterans have died, family members march in their place, often proudly wearing their loved one's medals. ANZAC Day has also expanded to include the commemoration of veterans of the other 20th century conflicts New Zealand was involved in, most notably World War Two. This demonstrates the inclusive nature of New Zealand war commemoration.
As the Battle of Gallipoli becomes a more distant part of New Zealand history (the 100th anniversary will be in 2015), the commemoration of ANZAC day, and the public opinion regarding it has evolved. In latter times, ANZAC Day has been used as a platform by many people, including peace activists as a platform for the discussion of the validity and/or futility of war. Other groups have used it to protest against both current and past wars. This shows that ANZAC Day itself, and the act of commemoration, has become just as significant as the battle itself in New Zealand society. Regardless of the differing attitudes now surrounding New Zealand's involvement in the Battle of Gallipoli, it's role in the development of our national identity is indubitable. It was on the bloody battlefields of the Gallipoli Peninsula that what has developed in a distinct 'kiwi' national identity began. New Zealand troops fought alongside other Allied troops of British, Australian, Indian, French and Newfoundland (Canada) origin, and it was here that they began to see themselves as a separate part of the the British Empire with their own culture. Part of this can be attributed to the Maori battalion, who brought their own unique customs and culture to the battlefield. Indeed, today Maori culture has become intertwined with more western ways to form a unique aspect of New Zealand identity.
World War One and the Battle of Gallipoli wasn't the last war to have an influence on New Zealand either. Opposition to New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam war in the 1970's led to an increased public awareness of New Zealand foreign policy and our place as a nation on the world stage. Whereas the Battle of Gallipoli had more of an effect on our internal identity and who we are as people, later wars had a strong impact on our identity in relation of the rest of the world. What is sad however, is that it has taken such tragic events where New Zealand has suffered immense loss of life for this identity to be formed. This shows the clear link that exists between national identity and war.
As the Battle of Gallipoli becomes a more distant part of New Zealand history (the 100th anniversary will be in 2015), the commemoration of ANZAC day, and the public opinion regarding it has evolved. In latter times, ANZAC Day has been used as a platform by many people, including peace activists as a platform for the discussion of the validity and/or futility of war. Other groups have used it to protest against both current and past wars. This shows that ANZAC Day itself, and the act of commemoration, has become just as significant as the battle itself in New Zealand society. Regardless of the differing attitudes now surrounding New Zealand's involvement in the Battle of Gallipoli, it's role in the development of our national identity is indubitable. It was on the bloody battlefields of the Gallipoli Peninsula that what has developed in a distinct 'kiwi' national identity began. New Zealand troops fought alongside other Allied troops of British, Australian, Indian, French and Newfoundland (Canada) origin, and it was here that they began to see themselves as a separate part of the the British Empire with their own culture. Part of this can be attributed to the Maori battalion, who brought their own unique customs and culture to the battlefield. Indeed, today Maori culture has become intertwined with more western ways to form a unique aspect of New Zealand identity.
World War One and the Battle of Gallipoli wasn't the last war to have an influence on New Zealand either. Opposition to New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam war in the 1970's led to an increased public awareness of New Zealand foreign policy and our place as a nation on the world stage. Whereas the Battle of Gallipoli had more of an effect on our internal identity and who we are as people, later wars had a strong impact on our identity in relation of the rest of the world. What is sad however, is that it has taken such tragic events where New Zealand has suffered immense loss of life for this identity to be formed. This shows the clear link that exists between national identity and war.