The Hall of Memories
George Lochhead 1916-2006 served overseas and was captured at the Battle of Sidi Rezegh, North Africa and spent several years as a P.O.W.
Arthur William
Allan Lochhead
1915– 2008 served for four years with the 6RMT, 2 NZEF, in North Africa and Italy
Natalie Currie, Red Cross Nurse who served in Italy and England
Tom Currie
1918 - 1989, served in NZ,
Egypt and Italy
Central to the development is the 'Hall of Memories', a gallery being created in recognition of the Mount Hutt Memorial Hall’s role in honouring those who served during the wars.
The 'Roll of Honour' will retain pride of place in this gallery, which will tell stories of courage and camaraderie, and act as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by past generations.
Stories from the home front will also feature. As a rural community the district was an important ‘food basket' supplying produce locally and to the troops overseas. Local women laboured at a major flax plant supplying the raw materials to make canvas for the war effort.
It will also tell the stories of those who returned from service and who played an integral role in shaping the character of the region.
An Oral History project is currently underway to capture these stories from home and abroad. With many of those being interviewed now in their ninth decade, it is a valuable local history that provides a poignant and personal view of the community's tremendous contribution during times of war.
The 'Hall of Memories' will bring these stories to life now and for future generations.
Alan Lochhead's ambulance among others in Firenze, Italy