Online Cenotaph: Reflecting on 2024
Online Cenotaph: Reflecting on 2024
The following article was written by Victoria Passau, Online Cenotaph and Enquiry Services Manager, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Tāmaki Paenga Hira:
As we move through 2025, the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Online Cenotaph looks back on 2024 as a year of significant achievements, made possible through community collaboration and dedication. The following highlights capture the impact of this collective effort to honour New Zealand’s service personnel.
Milestones in Commemoration
In 2024, Online Cenotaph surpassed one million digital poppies, a landmark moment since its 2015 relaunch. With 185,000 of 267,000 service records receiving tributes, this achievement highlights New Zealanders' enduring connection to their military heritage. Public contributions enriched the platform further, adding over 9,000 data entries, 4,700 images, and 1,200 notes, bringing greater depth to individual personnel records.
Expanding our records
Key updates in 2024 included enhancements to Cook Island personnel records(external link), collaboration with the Vietnam Veterans Association to enhance 2,000 records(external link), and the transcription of World War I prisoner-of-war list(external link), expanding the total from 103 to 491. The meticulous transcription of Kayforce embarkation rolls added more than 1,000 previously unlisted Korean War(external link) personnel, filling critical gaps in New Zealand’s post-WWII military history.
© Peter Gallacher, Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira. 2NZR-10- Platoon-D-Company-115.
Stories that connect
The year’s Cenotaph Stories(external link) highlighted New Zealand's diverse military history, from post-WWII conflicts in Southeast Asia to the contributions of the Merchant Navy and veteran Olympians. This year, families and veterans shared moving stories with Online Cenotaph, enriching the platform with personal insights into New Zealand's military history.
Highlights included:
From Service to Sports(external link): Exploring the journeys of veteran Olympians who served in the World Wars and the origins of the Paralympics.
New Zealand's post-WWII conflicts in South East Asia(external link): A detailed explainer on New Zealand’s involvement in Southeast Asia from 1948 to 1974.
A Family Affair: Intergenerational Service in the Merchant Navy during WWII(external link): Stories of Merchant Navy families like the Mokomokos and Doiles, highlighting their often-overlooked service during WWII.
David Daniel and the 14 Squadron(external link): Highlights David Daniel’s journey with the Royal New Zealand Air Force during WWII and as part of Jayforce in Japan, reflecting on jungle warfare training, occupation duties, and cultural exchanges that shaped his post-war life.
Hope You Ok Ma? The Jayforce Letters of James Thomas Griffin(external link): A collection of heartfelt letters offering a vivid glimpse into Griffin’s experiences in post-war Japan, from witnessing Hiroshima’s devastation to navigating daily challenges as part of Jayforce.
Looking Ahead
The achievements of 2024 demonstrate the power of collective commemoration. Volunteers, researchers, and public contributors play a vital role in preserving the stories of New Zealand’s service personnel for generations to come.
Ngā mihi nui to all who supported this kaupapa. Together, we honour and uphold the legacy of our veterans and active service personnel.
To contribute your story or learn more, visit Online Cenotaph.