World War 1 Centenary Resources
A Community Transformed: Upper Hutt during World War 1
The outbreak of the first World War in August 1914 had a major impact on the communities throughout New Zealand. However, the changes it brought to everyday life in Upper Hutt were particularly strong.
With the establishment of Trentham Military Camp as the main training centre for troops heading overseas, Upper Hutt became a hive of activity related to the war effort. Soldiers on training manoevres or taking R&R became a common sight around town, while many local properties were taken over by the Defence Department for military purposes.
As large numbers of local men left town to fight overseas, large numbers of other people arrived to provide services for the thousands of recruits passing through Trentham. Throughout the War Upper Hutt was to be a community transformed.
Click on the pins on the map at left or on the items below to find out more. The map is a detail of a 1915 Manoeuvre Map of the area around Trentham Camp that was issued to all officers there. A full version of this map which can be explored in close-up detail using the Pan-and-Zoom tool can be found here.
