Hands on Tauranga offers students stimulating and original learning opportunities with real museum objects that support the New Zealand curriculum at primary and secondary school level.
Two sets of postcards from World War 1, sent to family by NZ rifleman Charles 'Charlie' Davies. Charlie was born in Rangiora, Canterbury in 1881 and died in Tauranga in 1962.
Charles Christopher Thomas Davies > https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C62702
Charlie's Victory Medals in the Tauranga Heritage Collection > https://view.taurangaheritagecollection.co.nz/objects/19265/victory-medal-ww1-rfl-c-c-t-davies
1. A set of thirteen laminated copies of a WWI postcard showing British Machine Gunners wearing gas hoods. Sent November 1917
A message is written on the reverse by New Zealand soldier, Charles 'Charlie' Davies.
Dear Flora + Alf,
Hoping this card finds you enjoying a Merry Xmas and I wish you a Happy New Year. This is one of the Vickers machine guns the fellows [use] to cut the Germans down. He is sending over gas so they have to wear the helmets. From your ever loving bro Chas.
Gas hoods WW1 > https://www.armymuseum.co.nz/artefact-gas-hood/
2. A set of twelve laminated copies of a WWI postcard showing a wounded soldier in uniform, with right arm in a support and strapping round his chest. Sent February 21st 1918. Original image here > https://view.taurangaheritagecollection.co.nz/objects/26476/postcard-ww1-rifleman-davies
A message is written on the reverse by New Zealand soldier, Charles 'Charlie' Davies.
"Hornchurch Feb 21/18. Dear Mother and Father, Please don't take a fright when you see this. I had it taken just after the Doc had been pulling me about. I wish they would send me to NZ but I think I will be going back to France. I wouldn't mind if it was stronger. From your ever loving son Chas". Name on reverse of card - Rifleman Davies.
The town of Hornchurch in England was the site of the Grey Towers Convalescent Hospital for wounded New Zealand soldiers in the First World War.
date: 1914-1918
manufacturer: Copy of original postcards
maximum dimension: 290mm x 210mm
subject area: Social Science, English
subject themes: War, Military, Airforce, Conflict, Uniform, Costume, Men, Communication, Writing, Mail
handling collection number: HC205
why not get your hands on these... HC10 Flying Helmet, HC149 Gas Mask, HC136 Battledress
