Thames Museum patrons may feel like they’ve stepped back in time on October 12, as the museum society hosts a military-themed open day.
Museum staff will be joined by members of the WWII Historical Reenactment Society for an interactive display featuring people in American, German and Kiwi military outfits, displays of original and replica war memorabilia, and a historical vehicle or two. Inside the museum visitors will find World War I-era nurses, and displays on animals at war and conscientious objectors.
There will be a sausage sizzle, raffles, and of course plenty of history and local knowledge to soak in.
Reenactment society president Philip Hobbs, or Hobbsy as he prefers to be known, said the club was thrilled to be involved with the event.
“I saw an article about the Thames Museum post-Covid struggling to pay the power bill, and it struck a chord,” he said.
“Museums like Thames are vital for New Zealand’s story, really. They carry a lot of information. So I thought we can probably help these guys.”
Hobbsy said the club’s aim was to keep the stories of war in the public’s mind; not to glamorise them, but to ensure the memories of the past were not forgotten.
“We need to learn from it, but remember the people that sacrificed a lot for it as well,” he said.
“And I was impressed with what they’ve got. So to me, it would be a shame to see something like that lost.”
The club’s members will be representing four different units: a German unit based on elite paratroopers from the Battle of Crete; American soldiers from the 82nd Airborne unit; Kiwi fighters from the 21st Battalion, a troop which fought throughout Egypt, Greece and Italy; and a Home Front unit portraying the home guard and medical side of New Zealand’s war effort.
Hobbsy will be there too, with the Home Guard.
“I grew up with a family connection with World War II and World War I. I’d come home from school and go and play war outside. So I grew up with an interest in the military. [Now] when I put a uniform on… I’ve got a different persona,” he said.
“We encourage people to bring along stories of their family connection or any item they might have or whatever. And I like talking to kids and encouraging them to go home and find their own family history.”
Museum society chair Carolyn McKenzie said the fundraising open day was a chance to commemorate and learn about the past, as well as supporting the work the museum does.
“Everything that we make on the day will be reinvested in the museum,” she said.
“We hope that a lot of people will come along, especially as it’s school holidays. And of course, we’re very, very grateful to everybody who has helped – the reenactors themselves and Pak n Save, the Valley Profile and the radio stations. Everybody has been very supportive.”
DETAILS: Thames Museum Military Open Day, October 12, 9am-2pm on the corner of Pollen St and Cochrane St. Entry by donation.
