HISTORY OF N.Z. FORCES

Ohinemuri Gazette, Issue 3941, 8 July 1918, Page 2

HISTORY OF N.Z. FORCES

At the meeting of the executive of ihe Paeroa District War Relief Association the following circular from the Minister of Defence was read :—

"In addition to the official Imperial history of the war, the Government has decided to publish a history oi the New Zealand Expeditionary Force from the point o£ view of the soldiers who actually served with the forces. It is intended that the history shall be an intimate, interesting, and. vivid record of the experiences of the 1 men, rather than simply a military history.

To secure reliable and authoritative information at first hand, iUis desirable that the -author should have access to soldiers' private letters, diaries, sketches and photographs. Your co-operation is desired in requesting returned soldiers, and relatives and friends of soldiers who possess such information or pictures, to forward them to the Director of Base Records, Wellington. Every care will be taken of the material supplied, which will be returned intact as soon as the necessary extracts have been made from the manuscript. It is most desirable when a copy of. a photograph is available, to give the Base Records branch permission to permanently retain the photographs sent so that they may be filed for later use.

It is desirable, in addition to sending as soon as possible all letters already received, that relatives and friends should remember that the Director of Base Records is anxious to have all future letters and diaries of special interest referred to him as soon as they can be spared for a short time by the recipients.

It is desired to make this history a record to posterity worthy of the sacrifices which have been made, and of the glorious reputation earned by our soldiers. I have, therefore, no hesitation in asking the kind assistance of your committee. Your society is actively in touch with returned soldiers and the relatives of those away fighting at the front, and it will be appreciated if you will assist in collecting and forwarding to the Director of Base Records, Wellington, all material available now and in the future, which you consider will be useful."