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Memorial street signs commemorate Armistice Day

Memorial street signs commemorate Armistice Day

Wellington City Council is identifying the history behind the names of Wellington street signs that have an association with World War I – and has found some interesting stories along the way.

These signs named in memory of soldiers lost and battles fought in World War I will be recognised as part of the city’s commemorations.

An initiative of Councillor Andy Foster, who undertook the early research himself, says he realised many of our streets were named after local World War I heroes and battles after the idea was raised by the WW100 office at the Local Government conference last year.

“We're recognising these people and events with new street signs that will inform and add a new layer of meaning. It is about our sense of place, where we have come from and where we are now.”

Cr Foster enlisted the help of Council’s Team Leader of Strategic Planning for City Networks, Paul Glennie, who has played a hands on role in the project, from the design of the signs to their installation.

“They’ve been created to comply with Council regulations and installed below the current street signs in a similar style, with the inclusion of a little piece of our history,” says Paul.

Each sign will state the officer’s title, position and where they fought. Streets titled after battles will name the occupying forces and in some cases when the area was liberated.

Both men are self-confessed history buffs. Get them in a room together and it becomes apparent they are well versed in World War I politics. Paul has a keen interest in history and has a degree in Political Science and a Masters in International Relations.

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Cr Andy Foster admits the only prize he ever won at College was the history prize in his seventh form year. He went on to major in History, Economic History and Business Management at Victoria University.

“There is a story behind the names, which we will be all the richer for knowing. It is worth remembering that of a population of just over one million, 120,000 enlisted and 103,000 served overseas, 40,000 were wounded and over 18,000 died – 2,700 at Gallipoli and 12,500 on the Western Front. It is an extraordinary level of commitment and sacrifice that changed our country. These signs are a small recognition of that,” says Cr Foster.

The memorial street signs will be launched in time for Armistice Day, 11 November. They will continue to be installed according to significant dates throughout the commemoration period for World War I and will remain as permanent fixtures.

The Wellington public and visitors to the city can view our commemorative memorial street sign in Civic Square 10 November, 2014 until June 2015.

To view the locations of these streets, the stories and historic photographs you can go to our memorial street signs Story Map from 11 November: http://bit.ly/1rZbi1H


To notify Council of Wellington streets with an association to World War I that are not on our list please contact Team Leader of Strategic Planning for City Networks, Paul Glennie, email paul.glennie@wcc.govt.nz or phone 04 803 8273.

ends


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