After Armistice: dealing with the effects of war
As we commemorate the 101st Armistice Day, it's timely that we reflect on the aftermath of the First World War; not only the massive scale of loss, but also the ongoing suffering experienced by those who returned from the first industrialised war.
Arriving in back in Wellington, Colonel Evans pointedly reminded the soldiers of those left behind: “Remember,” he said, “When you go ashore you are not heroes. The heroes lie in France”. Having lost their comrades in the thousands, the soldiers hardly needed to be reminded of their 'luck' in making it through. Yet for those who survived, the physical and mental toll of the war was immense and for many unspeakable. Each service person confronted the psychological and emotional impact of a war unprecedented in its violence in their own personal way.
One soldier who suffered through his war service was Private Ivor Norman (Norm) Fleet 31249. A bushman who enlisted in Taumarunui, Fleet fought with the Wellington Infantry Regiment and received gunshot wounds to both legs during a clean-up operation at Bellevue Spur on 22 October 1917. His right leg was later amputated and he eventually returned to New Zealand where simply carried on with his life, marrying Elsie Petley in 1928, building his own house and forging a long and productive career. Norm rarely spoke of the war and relatives only recall seeing him in tears as his nephews left for the Second World War; a small clue to the pain that returned servicemen held inside. Like Norm, millions suffered silently in the aftermath. Today we honour their service and acknowledge the immeasurable suffering that came from it.
Lest we forget.
Find out more about Armistice Day and the Museum's collections here. www.aucklandmuseum.com...
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
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Onepoto Park
A month ago I witnessed a huge drum of chemicals on the back of a boat being sprayed deep into the water for apparently to remove the algae, I asked the co worker why he would do this and I had hoped it would not upset the 60-80 ducks that live on the water, he said they would have to drink a lot of water to be affected. I said "well, what else do they drink!" I told him I rescued ducks and place them into this pond when they are well enough and always in small groups so they have an adopted family of their own and not be lonely.
Since this I have witnessed the duck life very sick and dying, their feathers are falling off their wee bodies and they are trying to swim without feathers and eventually die...I am so upset witnessing this and every week there are fewer ducks, On Tuesday I only saw 10 ducks.
The regular lawn mower man for this park said he is very concerned as he and I felt it like a ghost pond as their were none in sight ! I feed all birdlife once a week here and the birds are always waiting for my visit. Usually 100-200 including pigeons, seagulls, pukeko's sparrow and ducks. Even the Pukeko's are missing, yes you may well say they have flew off somewhere but I have been frequenting this park and others for the past 15 months and never seen it so empty for this time of the year.... the council are accepting no liability and I am helpless to know where to take this further. I have witnesses and the lawn mower man says the pond was always clear years ago and he can't understand why it is so bad... the bridge has been blocked off underneath and the filth is disgusting and this is where some of the dead birds have been found. The chemicals are not making it better and my question is, why can't it be kept clean in an organic way and build the pond life with healthy plants to nourish the growth and feed the birdlife.
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