How Many New Zealand Soldiers Died in WW1
At the outbreak of World War I, New Zealand was a British colony and responded to Britain’s call for colonial assistance. The first New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) embarked for Egypt on 16 October 1914. The force would eventually comprise over 100,000 troops, including 14,500 Maori, who experienced racial discrimination at home yet rallied to the cause in large numbers.
Many of New Zealand’s men volunteered despite the compulsory service proclaimed in August 1916. Unable to keep up with the demand for troops, the New Zealand Prime Minister, William Massey, legislated for conscription but, still, men volunteered in their thousands.
By the war’s end, New Zealand had sent about 120,000 troops in total – the equivalent of a fifth of the population at the time. Some 32,000 were killed, and approximately three times that number were wounded.
The war exacted a much greater toll on Maori. While they only represented about a tenth of the population of males of military age, by war’s end, a quarter of the dead were Maori, and many more were wounded.
The New Zealand Division fought in some of the most horrific battles in the war, including at Gallipoli before moving to France in 1916, where the Somme, Passchendaele, Messines and the Gaza-Beersheba campaigns all cost many thousands of Kiwi lives.
In the final year of the war, many of the Division’s men were involved in the Hundred Days Offensive that finally broke the German line and led to their armistice and eventual victory. While some New Zealand troops were engaged in post-war occupation duties, others began heading home.
The total death toll of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force was 12,483, with a further 14,137 being injured in action. Despite such staggering losses, many families were unable to acknowledge the death of their loved ones. Of the nearly 18,000 New Zealand graves located around the world, approximately 6,000 have yet to be identified.
The Impact of War on Mental Health
The impact of war on mental health was such that the New Zealand Government set up “souvenir bureaus’, trying to manage the rising number of cases of soldiers displaying symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Throughout the war, the Army disconnected the injured from the effects of the war and focused treatment on assisting the development of new skills so that they eventually became self-reliant. The idea of psychological trauma was not understood and the men were expected to resume their roles as bread-winners and protectors.
The effects of war would become known as “shell shock”, a phrase coined by a military doctor in 1915 to describe the psychological wounds experienced by many soldiers. It was thought to be a “weakness” on the part of the soldier and was used to discourage the men from speaking about the trauma that they had experienced.
In 1919, the New Zealand Government appointed an ‘Inquiry’ into nervous and mental disorders. The Inquiry found that shell shock was not just a physical disorder but a psychological one. It recommended that better care and treatments need to be provided for soldiers suffering from mental illnesses.
The psychological scars of war lasted for many years after the war’s end. Soldiers returning home discovered that their broken bodies and minds made reintegration into society increasingly difficult. Some attempted to self-medicate with alcohol, leading to tragic consequences.
The Legacy of WWI
During WWI New Zealand citizens rallied together to support the war effort, help repatriate the wounded, and establish ‘Returned Soldiers’ organizations. These organizations provided practical support for the men and their families, enabling them to adjust to civilian life.
Despite the horrors of war, Anzac Day has become a day of celebration, commemorating the sacrifices of those who served and died in WWI. In 2010 a new National War Memorial Park was opened in Wellington. The Park pays tribute to those who have served and refers to those who died in war as ‘The Fallen’.
The events of WWI remain etched in the memory of New Zealanders and its impact can still be felt today. Of those who survived the war, the majority returned with physical disabilities. As a nation, we owe them a debt of gratitude and honouring their memory is perhaps the greatest tribute we can pay.
The Contributions of Maori
Maori were eager to join the war effort and theirs was a contribution above and beyond expectation. Of the 33,000 New Zealand wounded, nearly 10 per cent were Maori. The Maori Pioneer Battalion played a major role in the French campaigns, gaining respect from their British counterparts and earning the nickname of ‘Rats’.
When wounded, they often refused to be categorised as exceptions due to race, and their courage and commitment was more likely to be highlighted than their ethnicity. Despite facing discrimination at home, Maori proved that they were more than equal to their Pakeha counterparts.
Tohunga, Maori spiritual experts, had traditionally used divination practices or tohiorirangi to make predictions for war. During the war they were asked to identify a safe route for the men, as well as predicting when the war would end.
Their greatest contribution was to open up their homes and provide a safe haven for military personnel. During the war and after, Maori Christians offered the troops support and spiritual guidance as well as a place to rest for those wounded and traumatised.
The Cost of WWI
The impact of WWI on New Zealand was profound. Not just in terms of lives lost, but in terms of its social and economic costs. Between 1914–18 New Zealand spent more than £120 million, a staggering number considering that the country’s Gross Domestic Product reached £521 million in 1913.
The economic impact of the war continued after the war had ended. The repatriation of veterans took longer than expected. Many men found that their skills were no longer relevant and opportunities had disappeared due to the rapid pace of technological change in the industries.
Among the other results of WWI was a change in attitudes towards Britain. New Zealanders felt that they had played their part in the war effort and felt their need for greater autonomy from British rule. This eventually led to the Statute of Westminster Act in 1931 that removed New Zealand’s legal ties to Britain.
The Legacy of WWI Today
WWI has an enduring legacy in New Zealand. The impact of war continues to be felt, not just in terms of physical scars, but in social attitudes and behaviour passed down from generation to generation.
Today, acknowledging the many sacrifices of those who served in WWI is more important than ever. Anzac Day is one of the most important days of the year in New Zealand, and the nature of the commemoration has changed. It is now a day of reflection, a day to reflect on the hardships and horrors of war and to acknowledge the bravery of a generation and remember those we lost.
The Future of WWI Commemorations
In 2017 and 2018, New Zealand will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. While the commemoration of the war has traditionally been focused on the military aspect, the anniversary will be a chance to consider more broadly the human stories behind the war and the different perspectives of people who lived through the conflict.
It will also be an opportunity to explore the lasting impact of WWI on society, and to reflect on how our nation has grown and changed since then. The anniversary is a chance to recognize the importance of conflicts in shaping our future, and to honor the bravery and courage of those who served and gave their lives.
