New
Zealand
War
Memorial
Museum
Le Quesnoy, France
Remembering the New Zealanders who fought and died for our freedom in both World War I and II.
Our Museum Project
We are seeking your help to establish the first permanent New Zealand War Memorial Museum in the town of Le Quesnoy, France. The museum will exhibit interactive and precious historic collections, focusing on New Zealand’s military involvement in Europe and our significant contributions in both World Wars: - a way of telling New Zealand soldiers’ stories. An integral part of the experience will provide resources to allow research into the location of New Zealand soldiers’ graves.
How can you help preserve history
Driven by ‘kiwi’ ingenuity, our brave New Zealand soldiers singlehandedly liberated this small French town without the loss of any civilian lives.
Imagine being a young person today and giving up your freedom and potentially your life to fight in a war on the other side of the world. We cannot possibly comprehend what it must have felt like for the thousands of young New Zealanders who fought and died in World War I and II. Almost 100 years on, New Zealand has no permanent or dedicated site in Europe to honour and preserve our legacy. New Zealand has no place to tell the many remarkable stories of bravery and sacrifice.
4th November 2018 in France
The opening of the museum will take place on 4th November 2018 to mark the centenary of the liberation of Le Quesnoy by New Zealand soldiers.
Le Quesnoy
New Zealand’s Great Achievement
The storming of Le Quesnoy becomes almost the cornerstone around which we build New Zealand achievements in the first World War.
Dr. Chris Pugsley, War Historian
Over 77 days, the New Zealanders led the way for hard fought miles to Le Quesnoy
World War I135 New Zealand soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice that day in Northern France
The Human Cost
