A page from the Seaman’s Pocket-Book 1943 shows communication flags used by the Navy. Some flags represent letters of the alphabet, some flags represent numbers. These are different from the flags used by the Navy today. National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy. BAP 0021_004.
Seamans Pocketbook
Given to Navy sailors during the Second World War, this Seaman’s Pocket-Book has useful information such as how to tie knots, and how to communicate from ship to ship. National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy. BAP 0021_001.
A page from the Seaman’s Pocket-Book 1943 shows communication flags used by the Navy. Some flags represent letters of the alphabet, some flags represent numbers. These are different from the flags used by the Navy today. National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy. BAP 0021_001, BAP 0021_004.
A groupofislandsthat used to be partofPapuaNewGuinea. It is now the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Military decoration
An awardgiven to people in the military. This could be for bravery in a war, for long service or for being part of an operation.
HMNZS
A label given to Royal New Zealand Navy Ships. It stands for Her/His Majesty’s New Zealand Ship.
Rank
People in the Navy are graded according to the level of responsibility they have. These are called ranks.
HMS
A label given to Royal Navy ships. It stands for Her/His Majesty’s Ship.
Coat of Arms
A visual design, often in the shape of a shield, that represents a country, place or people.
Awarded
To be awarded a medal means to be given or presented a medal.
Gallantry
Bravery shown by someone who is in danger, for example when they are fighting in a war.
Campaign
A planned set of activities that people carry out over a period of time to achieve a military goal.
U-boat
Submarines used by the Germans in both World War One and Two. The ‘u’ is for the German word unterseebootwhich means “undersea boat”.
Service
Service means to do something for other people or for a cause. In the military, service means to be an official member of the Navy, Army or Air Force.
To serve
To be a member of the Navy, Army, or Airforce.
To serve
To be a member of the Navy, Army, or Airforce.
Officer
People in the Navy are graded according to the level of responsibility they have. These are called ranks. A rating is the first rank. An officer is ranked above a rating.
Obverse
Thefrontof a medal.
Military operation
A plannedmilitaryactivity.
Rating
People in the Navy are graded according to the level of responsibility they have. These are called ranks. A rating is the first rank. An officer is ranked above a rating.
Peacekeeping
Peacekeepers protect everyday people, prevent conflicts, help stop violence, and provide security. Military peacekeepers are from countries who are not involved in the war or conflict.
McMurdo Sound
McMurdoSoundis a bayonthenorthsideofAntarctica. Itis home toMcMurdoStation, thelargestresearchstationinAntarctica. Theharbourisusedbyships and airplanestoresupply.
What is a medal?
A medal is usually a flat piece of metal. On one side is a picture of the King or Queen or New Zealand Coat of Arms. On the other side is a design specially chosen for the medal.
Medals are often on coloured ribbons. The ribbon colours have meanings.
A medal can be given for service, or for an event, or for bravery.
artefact
An artefact is an object or thing. Examples of artefacts are pieces of clothing, tools, or art. Artefacts can tell us things about a place or people.
The British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height in the 19th and early 20th century, it was the largest empire in history and, for a century, was the foremost global power.[1] By 1913, the British Empire held sway over 412 million people, 23 percent of the world population at the time,[2] and by 1920, it covered 35.5 million km2 (13.7 million sq mi),[3] 24 per cent of the Earth’s total land area. As a result, its constitutional, legal, linguistic, and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, it was described as “the empire on which the sun never sets”, as the sun was always shining on at least one of its territories.[4]