Berry Boys: Portraits of First World War Soldiers and Families

Michael Fitzgerald and Claire Regnault

Publication date: August 2014
NZ RRP (incl. GST): $54.99
Extent: 200 pages
Format: Hardback 280 x 205mm
Illustrations: Black-and-white photographs throughout
ISBN: 9780994104120

This title is out of print

A discovery of over 3,000 photographic plates from the early 20th century has transpired to the remarkable Berry & Co collection. Amongst the studio portraits in the collection are around 130 showing ordinary World War One servicemen. But who were they? What happened to them in the war? Do they have any descendants still alive? If so, Te Papa wanted to make contact to learn more about their lives. On 29 September 2013, TVNZ’s Sunday programme spread the word, and a remarkable public response helped reunite many soldiers with their identities. Careful research has brought many more to light. A new TVNZ documentary, The Berry Boys, about the Berry soldiers’ stories will screen in August 2014.

Published to coincide with the documentary, Berry Boys features the full collection of these remarkable photographs, accompanied by the carefully researched stories of the soldiers and their loved ones, offering a poignant snapshot of the New Zealand of the time, and the changing face of the First World War itself.

See several of the photographs on display in Te Papa

Authors: Michael Fitzgerald and Claire Regnault
Publication date: August 2014
NZ RRP (incl. GST): $54.99
Extent: 200 pages
Format: Hardback 280 x 205mm
Illustrations: Black-and-white photographs throughout
ISBN: 9780994104120

This title is out of print

Supported by Wellington City Council

Berry Boys: Portraits of First World War Soldiers and Families is part of Te Papa’s four-year Conflict and Identity programme.