Christmas in wartime

A DigitalNZ Story by WW100 New Zealand

These images recall Christmas at home and overseas during the First World War (1914–1918). Christmas during wartime gave soldiers a rare opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves away from the stresses and hardships of combat. It was also a time of sadness for many New Zealanders, both overseas and back home, as they thought of their absent family, lovers and friends far away. Christmas parcels despatched from New Zealand supplied special food, drink and other treats as well as Christmas cards and mail. For the first Christmas in 1914, many New Zealand soldiers also received a decorative brass tin sent by Princess Mary in England. The tin was filled with various items including tobacco, confectionary, spices, pencils, a Christmas card and a picture of the princess. Despite the difficult circumstances of wartime, service personnel often put a great deal of effort into creating a celebratory, festive atmosphere. (Posted by WW100, the official home of the First World War Centenary in New Zealand: http://ww100.govt.nz. Text adapted from NZHistory, 'Christmas in wartime', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/interactive/christmas-at-war, Ministry for Culture and Heritage.)

Christmas, World War 1914-1918