1320 days ago

Anzac Day: War letters to home

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

This Sunday marks the 106-year anniversary of the first landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

For many of the 16000 soldiers, April 25, 1915 marked their first day of combat.

And by that night, 2000 had been killed or maimed.

We remember our Auckland veterans and fallen soldiers with their letters to friends and loved ones back home.


Captain Ernest Hugh Densem of the New Zealand Army Medical Corps 2nd New Zealand Expedition wrote this letter to daughter Mary McNair, who lives in New Lynn:

Medical Headquarters
Trentham
10.6.45

Dear Mary,

Daddy received your letter. You remember you told me about John going to Sunday School all by himself with Mr Hawkey.

I’m glad you liked the bonfire.

There was a very good drawing of it in one of your other letters that wasn’t there.

We had some funny bonfires here one night.

There were a lot of flowers and the soldiers shot flames out of their guns like this:

Mummy says you sleep in a different room now.

Where does Auntie Eva sleep?

Daddy.

More messages from your neighbours
19 hours ago

Poll: Are quality products on the decline?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Gift-giving looks a lot different these days when you can pick up super-cheap goods made overseas. But do they last?

Do you have any old items like appliances, electronics or clothing that have stood the test of time? Share below!

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Are quality products on the decline?
  • 90.1% Yes
    90.1% Complete
  • 8.4% No
    8.4% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
263 votes
8 hours ago

Give the gift of tickets this Christmas!

Heart Foundation Lottery

Surprise your loved ones with tickets for the Heart Foundation Christmas Lottery. It's a gift that could change their lives!

They'll have the chance to win a brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Clarks Beach, Auckland, valued at over $1 million. Plus, there are incredible prizes up for grabs, including international travel.

Tickets are just $15 each, and every purchase supports life-saving research. Get yours online today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

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8 hours ago

Puzzle Pros of the Neighbourhood, Assemble!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What common English verb becomes its own past tense by rearranging its letters?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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