Events In History
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8 February 1915Ambush in Turkey leads to death of New Zealand seamanAble Seaman William Edward Knowles became one of the first New Zealanders to be killed as a result of enemy action during the First World War. Read more...
Articles
The Royal New Zealand Navy
Seventy years old in October 2011, the Royal New Zealand Navy is today an integral part of the New Zealand Defence Force. But its 1941 establishment was the result of a long process of naval development.
- Page 3 - First World WarWhen the Reform government took office in 1912, the way was opened for New Zealand to begin a new approach. The new minister of defence, James Allen, had long wanted New Zealand
HMS Philomel
New Zealand's first warship, HMS Philomel formed the core of the country's naval forces during the First World War. The aged and largely obsolete vessel was commissioned in New Zealand in July 1914, and went on to serve in the Pacific, Mediterranean and Middle East.
- Page 1 - NZ's first warshipNew Zealand's first warship, HMS Philomel formed the core of the country's naval forces during the First World War. The aged and largely obsolete vessel was commissioned in New
Biographies
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Hall-Thompson, Percival Henry
Percival Hall-Thompson served as captain of New Zealand’s first warship, HMS Philomel, during the First World War. In this role he was also the naval adviser to Wellington; effectively guiding the New Zealand government’s naval policy during and immediately after the war.
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Main image: New Zealand seamen welcomed home in 1917
New Zealand ‘Jack tars’ - seamen who had served on the cruiser Philomel - attend a civic luncheon in their honour in Wellington in March 1917.
