A Friend in Need - Old St Paul's and the US Marines in New Zealand
During
World War II, thousands of US Marines of the First and Second Divisions were stationed
in New Zealand to train for or to recuperate from the war in the Pacific. Many
came to Wellington's iconic Old St Paul's church where the United States and US
Marine Corps flags still hang in memory of them.
New Zealand was a safe
haven where countless friends were made. Young Marines experienced the warm hospitality
of New Zealand families, many of whom had sons away fighting the war in Europe.
The
New Zealand Historic Places Trust has developed an exhibition titled A Friend
in Need to mark this significant time in New Zealand's history. Opened on
Memorial Day, 28 May 2007, the exhibition will be displayed in the church until
2009. A Friend in Need is about people, filled with bittersweet stories
of kindness, friendship, loss and strength of spirit in the face of adversity.
The exhibition is educational, informative, interactive and tells the story of
people from two countries who came together to support one another in wartime.
Set against the backdrop of World War II it will include a relevant review of
US campaigns and service with New Zealand and other Allied forces.
Open
to view daily, 10 a.m - 5p.m.
Note: Old St Paul's may be
closed for short periods during private ceremonies & functions.
An
Invitation to Provide a Gift to the US Marines Exhibition in Old St Paul's
The
US Embassy of New Zealand has committed $15,000 toward the project and the goal
for the New Zealand Historic Places Trust is to raise a further $75,000 for the
development, display and ongoing care of this exhibition.
Your donation
will make this important exhibition possible and ensure these touching stories
can be explored by the thousands of people that have connections with the US Marines
in New Zealand.
In return for your donation, your name will be an integral
part of the exhibition, displayed on a donor honours board. You will also receive
an exclusive memento commensurate to the gift and regular updates and information
on the exhibition.
Gifts of $5,000 and over will receive a limited edition
print of Old St Paul's, suitable for framing, by emerging New Zealand artist Rebecca
Cowan. Gifts of $500 up to $4,999 will receive a personalised recognition certificate,
suitable for framing. All donations over $20 will receive a commemorative lapel
pin.
You may make your donation on-line
via a secure card service using a credit card, or please download,
print and complete the pdf form. Using the hard copy form allows you to by cheque,
bank draft or credit card - post it to the address on the form. Your gift is collected
in New Zealand dollars, so please be aware of exchange
rates between currencies.
For a print version of the exhibiton information
click here to
download
An American serviceman
and Maori woman watch the annual regatta at Ngaruawahia Photo:
Alexander Turnbull Library*
Two Marines enjoying
malted milk with two Kiwi soldiers and two Women's Auxillary Army Corps at the
Allied Services Club in Wellington Photo: US National
Archives
Smiling Marines soon
after their arrival in Wellington on 14 June 1942. Photo:
Alexander Turnbull Library*
The
US and New Zealand continued to be allies, despite this rugby game, described
as 'mayhem'. Photo: US National Archives
*
Photo: Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library
of New Zealand / Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before
any re-use of this image
Heaven on Earth
An
article in Heritage New Zealand tells the story of a time when
young men and women were growing up in a world at war, capturing the feelings
of those who remember that time. Read
more
