Otago soldiers commemorated in exhibition

Dunedin (Monday, 18 April 2016) – The experiences of Otago soldiers in the military events of 1916 will be the focus of a Toitū Otago Settlers Museum display opening this week.

Museum Curator Seán Brosnahan says, “One hundred years ago the Otago Infantry Regiment and the Otago Mounted Rifles made the journey from Egypt to France as part of the newly created New Zealand Division. After the long sideshow in the Dardanelles, they had reached the main theatre of war at last.”

The 1916 commemoration display, which will be up by the end of this week, will be part of the Call to Arms section of the Museum. The display will trace the experiences of the Otago units at Armentières in the first part of the year and then at the Somme in September-October. 

“As we move through the WW100 commemorations, it’s important we continue to honour the memory of those who served by recalling what they had to endure.

“Gallipoli had been a disaster for the New Zealanders but, if anything, what they were to experience on the Western Front was even worse. New Zealand’s losses at the Somme were simply horrendous.”

Museum Visitor Experience Manager Kirsty Glengarry says the Scottish Regiment colours will also be on display, from Friday. The laying up of the colours at the Museum marks the disbandment of the last components of the New Zealand Scottish Regiment.

As on other Anzac Days, on Monday 25 April the Museum will open immediately after the Dawn Service in Queen’s Gardens, providing morning tea for those who attend the service.

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