Bulford Kiwi facts for kids
The Bulford Kiwi is a giant picture of a kiwi bird carved into the white chalk on Beacon Hill. This hill is found above the military town of Bulford in Wiltshire, England. Soldiers from New Zealand created it in 1919. They were waiting to go home after the First World War ended.
This Kiwi is special because it's one of the few hill figures in Wiltshire that isn't a white horse or a military badge.
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History of the Bulford Kiwi
How the Kiwi Was Created
Sling Camp was a training camp for soldiers from New Zealand. It was set up in June 1916. New Zealand soldiers trained here before joining their units on the Western Front in France. The Kiwi was carved on Beacon Hill, which overlooked this camp.
After the war, the New Zealand soldiers really wanted to go home. But there weren't enough ships to take them. To keep the soldiers busy and prevent problems, their commanders decided they should carve a huge kiwi bird into the chalk hill.
This big project happened in February and March 1919. Soldiers from the Canterbury and Otago Engineer Battalions did the work. The Kiwi shape is cut out of the chalk, making it stand out brightly against the green hillside.
Who Designed the Kiwi?
Sergeant-Major Percy Cecil Blenkarne designed the Kiwi. He was a drawing instructor. He based his design on a sketch of a stuffed kiwi bird from the British Museum. Sergeant-Major V.T. Low helped by surveying the site and making sure the design fit the hill correctly.
How Big is the Bulford Kiwi?
The Bulford Kiwi is truly massive!
- The Kiwi's body covers about 1.5 acres (6,100 m2) of land.
- From its feet to the top of its back, it measures 420 feet (130 m) tall.
- Its beak is 150 feet (46 m) long.
- The letters "N.Z." next to it are 65 feet (20 m) high.
Looking After the Kiwi
Early Maintenance Efforts
For many years after it was made, the Kiwi Polish Company helped look after the Kiwi. They hired local people to keep it clean. Even though it didn't really help them sell more polish, they said they did it because it was a memorial to the New Zealand soldiers.
The Kiwi During World War II
During World War II, the Bulford Kiwi was hidden. People covered it with leaf mould (rotting leaves). This was done because they worried that German bombers might use it as a guide during their air raids over Britain.
In 1948, local Boy Scouts removed the leaf mould. They also added fresh chalk to make the Kiwi bright again. After this, the Scout troop even changed their name to honor the Kiwi!
Modern Day Care
In the early 1950s, the British Army started helping to maintain the Kiwi. Today, the Ministry of Defence looks after it. In 2017, the chalk figure was given special protection as a scheduled monument. This means it's an important historical site.
On June 30, 2018, the Kiwi got a big makeover. Workers brought 100 tons of fresh chalk by Chinook helicopter to the site. This chalk was spread over the figure to make it look new again. It was the first time it had been fully restored in 30 years.
Where Can You See the Kiwi?
It can be a bit tricky to get a clear view of the Kiwi. The best straight-on view is from inside the military camp, which isn't usually open to the public.
However, you can see the Kiwi from Tidworth Road. This road passes the Kiwi from the left side. You can also walk up to the Kiwi from there. If you are near Woodhenge or Stonehenge, you might catch a very distant and distorted glimpse of the Kiwi from the right side of the hill.
Other Hill Figures Nearby
Wiltshire has had several military hill figures, but the Bulford Kiwi is the only one left that isn't a badge. About 20 miles away are the Fovant Badges. These are a group of eight military badges carved mostly by camps during World War I. There are also two recently restored badges near Sutton Mandeville. An outline of Australia is nearby in Compton Chamberlayne, and another military badge is at Lamb Down near Codford St. Mary.
