The Wainui Boys - we will remember them

There are just 20 names on the Memorial obelisk of those who served during WW1 from Wainuiomata. However, at the time that was 10% of the population of the area (the current population is 17,500).

The small number means that we can tell their individual stories - who they were, what happened to them during WW1, and when they returned. The Museum display will be printed panels of these accounts, including a colour-coded timeline of their activities while overseas. This will focus on the Wellington Infantry and Mounted Rifles Regiments that most of the men joined, and the campaigns that the Regiments were involved in.

We will also be appealing to residents to lend memorabilia to be put on display in the Museum. We already have some postcards from the men, showing that they kept in touch with each other while in service. Research to date shows that there were names omitted from the 20, and at least six of the men died in service.