Wartime memories needed for new Rotorua book

Rotorua RSA president William McDonald and <i>Rotorua Retro</i> editor Alison Brown need your help for a book about local wartime memories. Photo/File

Rotorua's RSA and the team behind the popular Rotorua Retro book series have joined forces and are asking for the public's help to preserve Rotorua's wartime memories.

Rotorua RSA president William McDonald said with the approach of centenary commemorations to mark the end of World War I he thought now was the time to record the memories of ex-servicemen and women and their families and friends.

He has enlisted the help of Alison Brown, editor of the Rotorua Retro series of books, which share memories of yesteryear Rotorua. She would co-ordinate production of the book that would borrow the concept of Rotorua Retro to collect locals' stories for a special Rotorua Retro - RSA publication.

"My role is to bring people to Alison and her team so they can interview them about their wartime memories, collect photographs and pull it all together," Mr McDonald said.

"There are so many stories to be told and if we don't tell them soon they will be lost forever.

"I think this could be a quite wonderful project, but we need the public's help," he said.

Ms Brown said while she was busy putting together volume four of Rotorua Retro, she was happy to help preserve Rotorua's wartime memories.

"We are looking for the smaller stories about particular incidents or events that stick in people's minds - not the 'I went to war on such and such a date' - sort of thing.

"They could be from the veterans themselves, their family or friends as well."

Ms Brown said she had a small team of writers available to help interview and record people's stories, or people could write and submit them themselves.

She said more volunteers to help with interviews and writing would be appreciated.

They said the aim was to have the book ready for publication by the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11, 2018.

It would also coincide with the Rotorua World War I Committee's plan to hold an Armistice Day ball.

If you would like to help out with story ideas, writing, interviewing or providing your own story, contact the Rotorua RSA on (07) 348 1055 or email rotrsa@xtra.co.nz.