Montecillo Veterans Revisit Wartime Experiences Via Library's Troopship Journals

In the build-up to this year’s ANZAC day commemorations, the Reed Gallery at Dunedin City Library will host a very special guided tour of the “Trench and Troopship Journals Exhibition” for war veterans from Montecillo Veteran’s Home and Hospital.
Residents from Montecillo will visit the Library’s exhibition on Tuesday 20 April between 2 3.00 pm.
Of particular interest will be two showcases dedicated solely to souvenirs created for early ANZAC day commemorations. One such item, unique to Dunedin Public Libraries “Troopship Journal Collection,” was written by prisoners of war held in Stalag 383. The booklet from 1944 was posted, along with a typescript of events, directly to the Dunedin RSA by GT Seccombe. The envelope used to post these items rests alongside its contents complete with the Stalag ID and Red Cross seal.
After exploring the public exhibition, Anthony Tedeschi, Rare Books Librarian for Dunedin Public Libraries will give the veterans an exclusive look at some of the journals that are still safely stored away.
The “Troopship Journal Collection” initiated by Dunedin’s first Librarian, William Barker McEwan, is arguably one of the finest in the country, with approximately 379 journals from troop and hospital ships, military camps and the frontlines written by and for New Zealand’s armed services.
For soldiers on active duty these journals provided much-needed light relief from the horrors of war, and it is anticipated that many of those attending will have stories to add to those among the cases.
“By Trench and Troopship: Journals by New Zealanders on Active Service” will be on display in the Reed Gallery, Dunedin City Library until 13 June. The exhibition is open to the public and free to view.