During the First World War the New Zealand Government was fighting an internal battle with 'shirkers'- the men who (for whatever reason) were not enlisting in the forces even though they were eligible to. Shirkers were portrayed in newspapers and posters as weak men who looked unkempt and shifty, as opposed to the strong, masculine soldier. Some papers fretted that the shirkers would father children while the soldiers were away, weakening the New Zealand national character.

Of course, given the punishments and social stigma, it took as much courage to be a conscientious objector as it did to sign up for the army. In Bulls, a local blacksmith refused to serve young men who were not in the army without a good reason and many such men were accosted in the street and on public transport.

They were also accosted in the cinema via government promotional slides like this one. The expensive 'dress circle' seats were taxed to help pay for the war- but the cheaper 'stalls' below were exempt as they provided an important boost to morale. By 1917  it was stated in Parliament that “not less than 550,000 people go to picture entertainments every week." What better place to show a recruiting slide?

This slide urges uncommitted men to join the forces by emphasising the loss of pride of having others fight for them, and highlights the personal contribution they needed to make to the war effort. 

In today's world of instant world wide communications it is easy to forget just how isolated people on the 'home front' felt during the First World War. Most combat was taking place on the opposite side of the world from New Zealand, and photographs from Gallipoli took six months to arrive and be printed. Even the newsreels showing 'the front' and army camps were screened months after the events happened. So, a glimpse of the men in command of the allied armies provided some sense of control and connection.

General Foch was an innovative commander and one who was big enough to admit mistakes and learn from them. On the 26th of March 1918 this French General was appointed the head of all Allied forces- a big change from the previous squabbling between the British and French commands. Foch's authority did not extend to overruling national commands, but he could at least coordinate strategy and direction of battle and by being the 'head' of all armies he could shelter his subordinate commanders from political interference. 

In today's world of instant world wide communications it is easy to forget just how isolated people on the 'home front' felt during the First World War. Most combat was taking place on the opposite side of the world from New Zealand, and photographs from Gallipoli took six months to arrive and be printed. Even the newsreels showing 'the front' and army camps were screened months after the events happened. So, a glimpse of the men in command of the allied armies provided some sense of control and connection. 

General Pershing was the commander of the American Forces, who entered the war on the Allied side in 1917. Pershing adamantly refused to integrate his troops into the other Allied armies, preferring to fight for the most part as a separate force. His men were ill-trained for the realities of trench warfare and suffered terrible casualties but by sheer numbers made an impact on the front line.

Judging by the consistent hand colouring this slide was part of a set made in 1918. MAVtech has others from this series on Kete.

In today's world of instant world wide communications it is easy to forget just how isolated people on the 'home front' felt during the First World War. Most combat was taking place on the opposite side of the world from New Zealand, and photographs from Gallipoli took six months to arrive and be printed. Even the newsreels showing 'the front' and army camps were screened months after the events happened. So, a glimpse of the men in command of the allied armies provided some sense of control and connection. 

General Joffre was a senior commander of the French Army who won early victories during the war. However, a string of losses eroded his position and by the time this slide was made he was likely no longer in direct command and instead had an advisory role. 

Judging by the consistent hand colouring this slide was part of a set made in 1918. MAVtech has others from this series on Kete. These slides were certainly shown in cinemas, but may also have been shown via magic lanterns to smaller audiences as well.

This slide is another from MAVtech's collection which focuses on the New Zealand Government's recruitment efforts during World War One. A sticking point for many men was leaving their wives and sweethearts if they enlisted, and this slide tries to counter this. It suggests that even if women were saying for men to go, they were thinking it and hit this point home by insinuating that the 'real men' were in uniform. 

The slide even portrays the New Zealand nation as a young women, urging men to leap to her defence. At the same time as this slide screened there were posters pitched towards women. These said that if a man would abandon his country in a time of need he would abandon his wife as well. 

Despite these slides many men were understandably cautious about signing up and risking being shot, and the government introduced conscription in 1916.

Amid the scores of patriotic songs of the First World War was a pacifist tune just as well known in its day: "I Didn't Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier". Written in America before their entry into the war as a way to keeping the country in peace, the song implores mothers to seek peace, least their sons become casualties. The lyrics went like this....

 Ten million soldiers to the war have gone,

Who may never return again.

Ten million mothers' hearts must break

For the ones who died in vain,

Head bowed down in sorrow

In her lonely years,

I heard a mother murmur thru' her tears:

Chorus

I didn't raise my boy to be a soldier,

I brought him up to be my pride and joy.

Who dares to place a musket on his shoulder,

To shoot some other mother's darling boy?

Let nations arbitrate their future troubles,

It's time to lay the sword and gun away.

There'd be no war today,

If mothers all would say,

"I didn't raise my boy to be a soldier."

Verse 2

What victory can cheer a mother's heart,

When she looks at her blighted home?

What victory can bring her back

All she cared to call her own?

Let each mother answer

In the years to be,

Remember that my boy belongs to me! 

The song became a hit amongst pacifists around the world and was known in New Zealand. It was mostly derided in the press- when it was sung at an Australian socialist rally soldiers who were in the audience disrupted the song, to the approval of most New Zealand papers but to the condemnation of the socialist 'Maoriland Worker' publication. 

Nonetheless, the song was effective enough for recruiting authorities to try and counter it. Patriotic films referenced the song before the hero decided to stand up for his country and join anyway. The slide shown here was displayed as part of a screening at the cinema and urges young men to join whilst quietly disparaging the song.

There are some common visual themes used here which are also seen in contemporary posters and political cartoons. Note the straight back and clean face of the military recruit and compare these to the hunched back of the 'shirker' whose hands rest idly in his pockets and whose face has a vacant expression. 

Of all the recruiting slides in MAVtech's collection, this one has the most fascinating background!

MAVtech's collection holds many cinema slides relating to war- with war bonds being a particularly popular genre. However, what makes this slide unusual is that it is from the First World War, not the second.

In 1914 many small towns were only just getting permanent cinemas established so advertising would have been quite new. This may explain the unusual shape of this slide. It is a copy of a popular recruiting poster so its message would have been amplified.

It is not known exactly when in the war this slide was displayed- but we do know that voluntary enlistments were not enough to keep the ranks filled- on the 1st of August 1916 New Zealand introduced military conscription. 

This particular slide came from a Paraparaumu cinema (but the same design was probably shown nationally). It shows a lot of wear- not unexpected given that it is over one hundred years old! The full text read "Rally Round The Flag- We Must Have More Men"

MAVtech has a broad collection of magic lantern slides- but none are more haunting than this one. We know very little about the person in this photograph. From his uniform we know  he was a lieutenant in the First World War. He is wearing a gas mask to protect against enemy chemical warfare attacks (or 'friendly' gas blowing back towards his own lines). His uniform is clean- it is unlikely he was photographed anywhere near 'The Front'.

It may have been a snapshot. Private cameras on the Western Front were banned from 22nd of December, 1914. One soldier found with a camera was sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour. However, the rules were often disobeyed and were sometimes laxer with regards to 'Officers' like a lieutenant. Cameras were also allowed 'behind the lines'  or off-duty, when this picture may have been taken.

But it is more likely that this was an official photograph taken to be displayed during magic lantern lectures at the home front. People were desperate for any news of the war and were eager for photographs. This soldier looks clean, well fed and comparatively relaxed for someone preparing for a chemical attack. He would have been a reassuring image for those back home.

This page, removed from a photo album has 4 photos from El Alamain. The writing has faded badly and is difficult to decipher:

Written below the photo at top left:

Refuelling an equipping

for Breakthrough of

Wadi Platoons Sept 1942

Written below bottom left photo:

Supply Point Alamain July 1942

Written below top right photo:

Trusty Q truck

Supply Point

Alamein

Written below the bottom right photo:

Relievers? Minqar Qaim,

Alamein June 28th 1942

Studio portrait of George Hughes, Pearl Hughes, Jack Buick, and Ethel Buick nee Hughes, 24 November 1917.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Head and shoulders portrait of George Hughes, 22 Reinforcement NZEF, 1917.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Photograph of W Tansley Edwards in military uniform. Inscribed on mounting is “Yours sincerly W.Tansley Edwards”

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Studio photograph of a soldier sent as a postcard. Inscription on reverse reads “France May 15 1917 To Dear Elsie love from Clarrie”

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Inscription on reverse reads: “They are going to take my photo again, but in any case don’t put these in the front room. Put them in the heart. Gary 25/5/17”

Studio portrait of Gary Edwards in military uniform, 1917.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Folded card (with red & blue stripe across top right-hand corner), photo glued inside, and gold printing throughout.

Printed on front of card: “Mr and Mrs J.A. Dixon and family thank you sincerly for your kind expression of sympathy in the loss of their dear son and brother Jack. 42 Racecourse Road, Waipukurau.”

Printed inside the card (left side): “He gave life itself for God, For King and Country, For loved ones, home and Empire, For the sacred cause of justice and The freedom of the world. —-- Greater love hath no man than this!”

Printed inside the card (right side, below photo): “34012 Sgt. JOHN DIXON Killed in action, 22nd July, 1942.”

Sgt. John Dixon, bereavement card, 1942. A folded card with photo glued inside, and gold printing. An informal portrait, with Sgt Dixon in his army uniform.

B & W photo print, mounted

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Small photo of three soldiers in the desert. One of the soldiers is Henry Robinson.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Photograph of two soldiers sent to Mrs Dunn from Cave and Verd Rand.

See also f1999.1172

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Small photo sent to Mrs Dunn by Cave and Verd (Rand?), while serving in the Middle East .

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Inscription on reverse reads: “Gunner C F Bowe Heavy Trench Mortar Battery N Z F A Killed in action April 5 1917 Service in Gallipoli and France ‘Duty Nobly Done’ “

Portrait of Gunner C F Bowe in uniform Heavy Trench Motar Battery NZFA killed in action April 5 1917.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Black and white photograph.

Written on back with green and blue ballpoint pens - Murray Mansfield Foxton

Murray Mansfield in an army uniform standing in a garden.

Black and white photograph.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Inscription on reverse reads: “F A Spencer”

A faded photograph of F A Spencer in army uniform. Taken in a garden Mr Spencer is leaning on his rifle.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Printed below photo, as caption: “Anzac’s Shirt Inspection. Gallipoli.”

Written (faded) below photo: “This is what we do here.”

Letter penciled on back: “Somewhere in France, June 26th, 1916.

Dearest Con & Beryl,

I received three letters from you yesterday after waiting over two months for mail. You can imagine how pleased I was to get them. The peach & cream was lovely. You are hot on it, just as well the censor doesn’t see it, he would wonder what the devil he had struck. Am going up to the front tonight to try my luck & have not much time now to write. Will drop a letter when I get up there & let you know what it is like. Oh, what about an “intro” to Boosie. She will do me, will swing on her neck as soon as I see her. (Get off my neck). Well give my love to them all at home & stacks of love & kisses for yourselves. Claude.”

Postcard entitled “ANZAC’s Shirt Inspection, Gallipoli”. Picture shows nine soldiers examining their shirts while sitting on the ground. On the reverse side is a message from “Somewhere in France” dated – June 26th, 1916, and addressed to Con and Beryl. The message is quite cryptic, so as to beat the censor, and is signed from Claude. (See notes field)

1 Sepia tone postcard

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Identifications printed below photo: “Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21st August, 1943 Back Row : Lieuts. L. Wilton, H.J. Lancaster, G.W. Munford, J.J. Bebbington, A.A. Savell, J. Sciascia, G.J. Wilde (A.F.C.), W.A.S. Penny, Capt. C.E.C. Webb. Third Row : Lieuts. D.F. Ross, H.J. Henderson, V. Hudson, S.W. Barber, J.A. Mitchell, J. Brydon, S.V. Kilsby, Capts. S.H. Roberts, J. Shearer, 2/Lieut. P.A. Petersen, Lieut. R.R. Lind. Second Row: Lieuts. H.A. Robertson, A.G. Mitchell, Capt. F.J.W. Stallard (M.C.), Major F.H. Hudson, Lieuts. L.S. Carmichael (M.C.), G. France, Major A.T. White (M.C.), Lieut. H. Denton. Front Row : Lieut. H.G. Mackay, Capts. T.G. Vincent, A.J. Withers, W.G. Taylor (M.M.), Lieuts. D.P. Todd, C.B. Greenaway. Absent : Capt. G.W. Wilson, Lieuts. W.A. Bond, A.H. Denholm, P.A. Lingard, W.C. Childs, A.M. Scott, H.J. Dunford, B.W. Perkins.”

T

Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21 August 1943. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Back Row:- Lieuts. L Wilton, H J Lancaster, G W Munford, J J Bebbington, A A Savell, J Sciascia, G J Wilde (A.F.C.), W A S Penny, Capt. C E C Webb. Third Row:- Lieuts. D F Ross, H J Henderson, V Hudson, S W Barber, J A Mitchell, J Brydon, S V Kilsby, Capts. S H Roberts, J Shearer, 2/Lieut. P A Petersen, Lieut. R R Lind. Second Row:- Lieuts. H A Robertson, A G Mitchell, Capt. F J W Stallard (MC), Major F H Hudson, Lieuts. L S Charmichael (MC), G France, Major A T White (MC), Lieut. H Denton. Front Row:- Lieut H G Mackay, Capts T G Vincent, A J Withers, W G Taylor (MM), Lieuts. D P Todd, C B Greenaway.

Absent from the photograph are:- Capt. G W Wilson, Lieuts. W A Bond, A H Denholm, P A Lingard, W C Childs, A M Scott, H J Dunford, B W Perkins, Capt. V Hunter (DCM)

1 B&W photo print, mounted

See also 2000.090.0001

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Identifications printed below photo: “Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21st August, 1943 Back Row : Lieuts. L. Wilton, H.J. Lancaster, G.W. Munford, J.J. Bebbington, A.A. Savell, J. Sciascia, G.J. Wilde (A.F.C.), W.A.S. Penny, Capt. C.E.C. Webb. Third Row : Lieuts. D.F. Ross, H.J. Henderson, V. Hudson, S.W. Barber, J.A. Mitchell, J. Brydon, S.V. Kilsby, Capts. S.H. Roberts, J. Shearer, 2/Lieut. P.A. Petersen, Lieut. R.R. Lind. Second Row: Lieuts. H.A. Robertson, A.G. Mitchell, Capt. F.J.W. Stallard (M.C.), Major F.H. Hudson, Lieuts. L.S. Carmichael (M.C.), G. France, Major A.T. White (M.C.), Lieut. H. Denton. Front Row : Lieut. H.G. Mackay, Capts. T.G. Vincent, A.J. Withers, W.G. Taylor (M.M.), Lieuts. D.P. Todd, C.B. Greenaway. Absent : Capt. G.W. Wilson, Lieuts. W.A. Bond, A.H. Denholm, P.A. Lingard, W.C. Childs, A.M. Scott, H.J. Dunford, B.W. Perkins.”

Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21 August 1943

Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Back Row: Lieuts. L Wilton, H J Lancaster, G W Munford, J J Bebbington, A A Savell, J Sciascia, G J Wilde (A.F.C.), W A S Penny, Capt. C E C Webb. Third Row: Lieuts. D F Ross, H J Henderson, V Hudson, S W Barber, J A Mitchell, J Brydon, S V Kilsby, Capts. S H Roberts, J Shearer, 2/Lieut. P A Petersen, Lieut. R R Lind. Second Row: Lieuts. H A Robertson, A G Mitchell, Capt. F J W Stallard (MC), Major F H Hudson, Lieuts. L S Charmichael (MC), G France, Major A T White (MC), Lieut. H Denton. Front Row: Lieut H G Mackay, Capts T G Vincent, A J Withers, W G Taylor (MM), Lieuts. D P Todd, C B Greenaway.

Absent from the photograph are: Capt. G W Wilson, Lieuts. W A Bond, A H Denholm, P A Lingard, W C Childs, A M Scott, H J Dunford, B W Perkins, Capt. V Hunter (DCM)

See also – 2000.090.0001 & 2000.090.0002 identical photos

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Identifications printed below photo: “Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21st August, 1943 Back Row : Lieuts. L. Wilton, H.J. Lancaster, G.W. Munford, J.J. Bebbington, A.A. Savell, J. Sciascia, G.J. Wilde (A.F.C.), W.A.S. Penny, Capt. C.E.C. Webb. Third Row : Lieuts. D.F. Ross, H.J. Henderson, V. Hudson, S.W. Barber, J.A. Mitchell, J. Brydon, S.V. Kilsby, Capts. S.H. Roberts, J. Shearer, 2/Lieut. P.A. Petersen, Lieut. R.R. Lind. Second Row: Lieuts. H.A. Robertson, A.G. Mitchell, Capt. F.J.W. Stallard (M.C.), Major F.H. Hudson, Lieuts. L.S. Carmichael (M.C.), G. France, Major A.T. White (M.C.), Lieut. H. Denton. Front Row : Lieut. H.G. Mackay, Capts. T.G. Vincent, A.J. Withers, W.G. Taylor (M.M.), Lieuts. D.P. Todd, C.B. Greenaway. Absent : Capt. G.W. Wilson, Lieuts. W.A. Bond, A.H. Denholm, P.A. Lingard, W.C. Childs, A.M. Scott, H.J. Dunford, B.W. Perkins. [added with blue ballpoint pen] – Capt. V. Hunter (D.C.M.).”

Written on back with black ballpoint pen: “C.E.C.Webb. Te Whanga Road, R.D. 12, Levin. Phone 85678 Levin.”

Penciled on back: “Used in Saturday Chronicle.”

Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21 August 1943. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Back Row:- Lieuts. L Wilton, H J Lancaster, G W Munford, J J Bebbington, A A Savell, J Sciascia, G J Wilde (A.F.C.), W A S Penny, Capt. C E C Webb Third Row:- Lieuts. D F Ross, H J Henderson, Hudson, S W Barber, J A Mitchell, J Brydon, S V Kilsby, Capts. S H Roberts, J Shearer, 2/Lieut. P A Petersen, Lieut. R R Lind. Second Row:- Lieuts. H A Robertson, A G Mitchell, Capt. F J W Stallard (MC), Major F H Hudson, Lieuts. L S Carmichael (MC), G France, Major A T White (MC), Lieut. H Denton. Front Row:- Lieut H G Mackay, Capts. T G Vincent, A J Withers, W G Taylor (MM), Lieuts. D P Todd, C B Greenaway.

Absent from the photograph are:- Capt. G W Wilson, Lieuts. W A Bond, A H Denholm, P A Lingard, W C Childs, A M Scott, H J Dunford, B W Perkins, Capt. V Hunter (DCM)

1 B&W photo print, mounted

See also 2000.090.0002

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Black and white photograph.

Penciled on back – “Brick” Wright

“Brick” Wright in summer army uniform.

Black and white studio photograph.

Postcard.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”