Exploring the Turnbull Library holdings for The Battle of Le Quesnoy

The Team from Alexander Turnbull Library

Le Quesnoy was the last major battle for the New Zealand soldiers in World War I and took place in November 1918. In this Family History Talk Gillian Headifen explores the Turnbull collections to identify materials relating this significant battle and those who were part of the action.
Tuesday 20 November 2018, 12:10pm - 1:00 pm. Free. Booking not required. Programme Rooms, Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon

The WW100 website website describes The Battle of Le Quesnoy, in northern France on 4 November 1918, as one of New Zealand’s most important victories, but also the last. A few days after the liberation of the town, the Armistice ending the First World War was signed in Compiegne, France. The liberation of Le Quesnoy is still anchored in the memory of New Zealanders and the people of the town. To mark the centenary of this major event, Turnbull research librarian Gillian Headifen explores the collections to identify material relating to the Battle and the people involved. Gillian Headifen is the Research Librarian Oral History in the Alexander Turnbull Library’s Research Enquiries team, and has worked in the Library for 17 years. She has previously given in talks in the Family History series on the Battle of Messines, the sinking of the Marquette, and the use of oral history for family history research.

Image: Divisional commanders entering Le Quesnoy, France, after its capture, 5 November 1918. Photographer: H A Sanders. War History Collection, ATL. Reference no: 1/2-013708-G