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During World War One thousands of soldiers of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade (NZRB) arrived for training at Brocton Military Camp on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

NZRB were a specialist force and training was vitally important ahead of fighting.

Their presence there would leave a lasting impression on the local people in the area. They became much loved.

They even had their own mascot, Freda the dog who they found at the front and brought back. Freda鈥檚 grave remains on Cannock Chase.

Training on Cannock Chase at Brocton Park included building a large scale model of the Belgium town of Messines which allowed troops to study the area in detail ahead of fighting. It was built by German prisoners of war under supervision from troops from New Zealand. This area was excavated in 2013 to reveal the model.

The men enjoyed a good relationship with locals in the area and enjoyed visits, concert parties, musical concerts and tea dances.

Some of the rifle brigade even ended up marrying local women before heading back to New Zealand.

On leaving in May 1919, there was a huge ceremony in Stafford town centre with hundreds of people turning up to wave goodbye to the New Zealand troops.

Location: Brocton Park, Cannock Chase, West Midlands WS12 4PT
Photograph of NZRB depot HQ staff (1917), courtesy of Kippenberger Military Archive, National Army Museum, New Zealand
Presented by 麻豆社 WM鈥檚 Daz Hale

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