Theme 03
Themes The War Away

The Letter Butcher

Soldiers' letters home were read and edited by the Government to remove details that might be useful to the enemy.

A humorous cartoon and poem printed in the troopship magazine Te Karere describes the work of the Government censor, also known as a butcher. He is a studious-looking man who wields a large pencil and ink pad.

Canterbury Museum 1986.80.2339

The New Zealand War Regulations Act 1914 listed a number of rules and regulations about wartime matters including censorship. Revealing details that might be useful for the enemy such as the movements of troopships, military operations or the condition of the armed forces was outlawed.

Information that might interfere with recruitment or cause alarm was also strictly controlled. As a result, soldier’s letters were read and edited by Government censors. 

WW346 180910

Canterbury Museum 2015.66.61, 2015.66.19

The Censor's Marks

Joseph Mercer wrote regularly to his mother throughout the War. This envelope from 1916 shows that his letter had passed the field censor’s inspection.

After Joseph was taken prisoner of war, the German Government wrote to his mother, telling her that he was alive and well and being held at the Friedrichsfeld camp. The label on the envelope indicates that it had passed through the censor’s hands.

WW030 180801

Canterbury Museum 1993.31.30

Canterbury Museum 1993.31.30

WW031 180802

The Censor's Card

Three days before the ANZAC attack on Gallipoli, John Leversedge sent a Field Service Post Card to his mother. These pre-printed cards enabled soldiers to send a basic message home that censors could quickly scan and approve.

The War Away
Life Below Ground
Chemical Weapons

This online exhibition is representative of Canterbury and World War One: Lives Lost Lives Changed, a temporary exhibition which ran from 30 November 2017 to 11 November 2018 at Canterbury Museum.

Unless otherwise stated, all content on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial licence.

On the Eve of War
01
01

On the Eve of War

At the turn of the twentieth century, Canterbury was one of the most prosperous provinces in New Zealand

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Going to War
02
02

Going to War

Britain’s declaration of war caused great excitement in Canterbury. Thousands enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force

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The War Away
03
03

The War Away

New Zealand soldiers and nurses endured the joys and sorrows of life at war and all had stories worth telling

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The War at Home
04
04

The War at Home

In many respects the war at home was the women’s war

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Illness, Injury and Death
05
05

Illness, Injury and Death

Up to 18.4 million people were killed and 23.7 million injured in World War One

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Lives Changed
06
06

Lives Changed

Everyone’s life was changed in some way by the War. Most New Zealanders knew someone who had died

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Reflections
07
07

Reflections

World War One prematurely ended the lives of millions and forever changed the world

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Roll of Honour
08
08

Roll of Honour

Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice by adding a poppy to the Roll of Honour

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This online exhibition is representative of Canterbury and World War One: Lives Lost Lives Changed, a temporary exhibition which ran from 30 November 2017 to 11 November 2018 at Canterbury Museum.

Unless otherwise stated, all content on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial licence.