MILITARY MEMORABILIA
A wide-ranging selection of personal items and souvenirs retained by Kāpiti men and women who served in the military principally in World War 1 and World War 2. The collection includes personal records such as diaries and letters home through to service medals, medical kit and army pay books. Of particular interest is the eclectic mix of souvenirs collected by personnel when on leave and visiting exotic locations to distract themselves from the realities of war. Soldiers well represented in this collection include A J (Jim) Brown and Harry Hill (WW2) and Edward Eric Cakebread (WW1).
Photo – Mementos of War
Date: 1945
Title: Sightseeing on leave (WW2)
Description: 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force military unit outside St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Rome, Italy during World War 2. Twenty-two unknown soldiers, except for Harry Hill who is fifth from left, back row. Away from the savage fighting on the front-line NZ soldiers were able to make the most of their relaxation time sightseeing historic locations which they had previously only read about or seen in books. Many took photos of comrades and bought the usual tourist souvenirs which found their way back to New Zealand after the war.
Medals & Certificates
Certificate of Service
Title: Certificate of Service with the 2nd NZEF in the Great War (WW1)
Description: Upon returning home servicemen were issued with campaign medals and this handsome record of their service and campaign medals awarded. Edward Cakebread served 1 year 107 days overseas in the Gallipoli and Egyptian theatres of war. He was awarded the following medals in recognition of his service for his country: 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Gallipoli Medallion
Date: 1967
Title: Gallipoli Medallion
Description: This medal was awarded to all who served in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 but was not instituted until 1967. Edward Cakebread never applied for this medal, so it was not issued until 2013 when his next of kin applied for it. The front depicts Simpson and his donkey carrying a wounded soldier. This is beneath the crown and atop a wreath of gum leaves and the word ANZAC.
The reverse is a depiction of Australia and New Zealand with the stars of the Southern Cross, beneath a crown and atop a wreath of fern leaves. Beneath this is the engraving of the soldier's number and name 10/2093 E.E. CAKEBREAD.
Hussif “Housewife” – Help from Home Kit
Date: circa 1941
Title: “Housewife” (more correctly spelt and pronounced hussif)
Description: With no mother or wife around a soldier had to learn how to look after himself including mastering basic sewing skills. This canvas fabric pouch with pockets and sleeves contains sewing equipment for mending a soldier’s uniform and clothes. It rolls up and ties shut. It contains wool, thread, string, buttons, needles and safety pins. The outside has the written number 45752 which is the service number of A J (Jim) Brown. This is his 'Housewife' used during his service in World War 2.