A large Kiwi chalk figure in Wiltshire commemorating lives lost and sacrifices made by New Zealand troops in First World War is protected as a scheduled monument, and a Terrain Model of Messines in Staffordshire – an accurate scale model of the battlefield which now survives as archaeological remains –is also protected as a scheduled monument to mark the important role New Zealand troops played in the war.
Historic England writes:
To mark the centenary of the Battle of Messines, the Bulford Kiwi, a large white chalk figure carved by New Zealand troops into the hillside above Bulford Camp, near Stonehenge, has been protected as a scheduled monument by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England. The chalk Kiwi stands 420 feet high (130m) and has a 150 feet (46m) long beak. It was created by New Zealand soldiers stationed at Bulford Camp in Wiltshire at the end of the First World War while they were waiting to go home. It commemorates the lives lost and sacrifices made in the war.
Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England said: ‘These two monuments pay tribute to the bravery of New Zealand’s fighting forces in the First World War and we are delighted that they are now being protected for the future. The Bulford Kiwi was cut into the chalk at the end of the war by Kiwi soldiers themselves, to mark the presence of their forces in England, and their achievements at the front’.
He continued: ‘It is an incredibly touching sight, and a moving tribute to men who lost their lives far from home. The taking of the Messines ridge was one of the war’s most stirring attacks, and this model lay-out remains as testimony to the planning which made possible the victory. Like so much of our historic environment, these lasting reminders enable us to connect with lives and events from the past that made us who we are as a nation. One hundred years on, it is right to remember New Zealand’s valour.’
Sir Jerry Mateparae, New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK said: ‘It’s fantastic to see Historic England protecting two very significant sites of huge importance for New Zealand. The special connections that were forged 100 years ago, with communities in the UK where New Zealanders trained, are still strong today and it’s moving to see these sites protected for generations to come.’
