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03 September 2012

A sad historical anomaly: New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade

From David Lackey:
mThis is a project I embarked on during our time in Canberra, when I learned that the magnificent Desert Memorial on ANZAC Parade commemorates not only the Australian Light Horse Brigades but also the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade. 
mThat is, nearly a fifth of New Zealand's Great War contingent (18,000 men) being memorialised in Australia but, strangely, not in their own country. What's more, they (the veterans of the NZ mounted rifles) and we (New Zealand taxpayers) contributed to the cost of the memorial. 
mIt's a long and complicated story - but the bottom line is that, through a convoluted political process, the memorials they paid for are located in Albany, Western Australia, and Canberra ACT.
mI repeat, there is no memorial in New Zealand.
mI have written to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage suggesting that the replication of the Desert Memorial be part of the Ministry's $17 million World War I Centennial plan.
mThe file I have attached is rather large. You may prefer to read John Bristed's take on this hereYou might also care to vote in his poll on the same page. 
mThanks for your attention,
Best, David.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for such an interesting article here. I was searching for something like that for quite a long time and at last I have found it here.

    Firearms Accessories in Australia

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