Engineer Corps Memorial Centre facts for kids
The ECMC museum building
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| Established | January 1982 |
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| Location | Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North, New Zealand |
| Type | Military museum |
| Collection size | 60,000+ items/6,000 books, etc |
The Engineer Corps Memorial Centre (ECMC) is a special place in Linton Military Camp, near Palmerston North, New Zealand. It is a museum, a library, and a chapel all in one. This centre works to save and share the history of the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE). These are the military engineers of New Zealand.
Contents
History of the Centre
In January 1964, people from the RNZE Corps started talking about building a memorial centre. They wanted it at Linton Camp, where many engineers were based. Important people like Colonel Andrew Murray helped plan it.
The main reasons for creating the museum and library were:
- To share the military history of the RNZE. This helps people learn about their culture and past.
- To create a place where historical items could be kept. This helps everyone learn more about the RNZE's history.
At first, they thought about using old army buildings. But they decided to build a new complex. This new place would have a museum, library, chapel, and a social room. Before the new building was ready, old World War 2 buildings were used for storage.
The money for building materials came from the Corps and a group called ECMA. Army apprentices and instructors from the School of Military Engineering helped build it. They did all the work themselves! The first stone was laid in 1980. The new museum and library opened on January 30, 1982.
Since 2011, the ECMC has been looked after by the RNZE Charitable Trust. This trust now owns all the collections. As of 2021, the ECMC still has its main parts. Some back rooms are now used by the QAMR cavalry regiment. The ECMC also helps host monthly talks about military history. These talks are open to everyone.
Buildings at the Centre
The Museum
The museum holds over 60,000 items. These include badges, medals, tools, maps, and uniforms. You can also see war art and other cool things. The displays show the history of the Corps. They cover different missions and wars since the early New Zealand Wars.
What You Can See
- Maori military engineering
- New Zealand Wars (1845–1872)
- Engineer Volunteers (1865-1910)
- Submarine and Mining Corps
- Tunnellers and Miners
- World War 1 (1914-1918)
- World War 2 (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1957)
- Malayan Emergency (1949–1960)
- Vietnam War (1964–1972)
- Thailand (Feeder Road Project and Op Crown)
- Fiji and Rural Development Unit (RDU)
- Pacific Island Operations
- Antarctica – Scott Base Rebuild
- Army Fire Fighters/Brigades/Units
- Falklands War (1982)
- Peacekeeping missions (1952 – present)
- Roles of the RNZE (Past and Present)
Many displays show the different jobs of the Royal New Zealand Engineers. These jobs include building bridges, making demolitions, and setting up water supplies. They also worked with communications and mine warfare.
The Kitchener Room
Inside the museum is the Kitchener Room. It holds a special silver collection. This collection was given to the RNZE by the family of Field Marshall Lord Kitchener. You can also see other cups, plates, and medals here. Many of these items are very old, from the 1800s.
The Library
The library has over 6,000 books and other materials. It is like a "Technical Information Center" for the RNZE. It has books on engineering, military history, and professional papers. You can find army training manuals from New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and the USA. The library also has books about engineering design and science. These books show how engineers work in peacetime and during conflicts. They also help with disaster relief. The library also keeps reports from past RNZE missions and unit history records. There are also photo albums and pictures that show the long history of the engineering corps.
The Chapel
The chapel is called "The Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers Memorial and Garrison Chapel of St Martin’s." It is a church for all faiths. It holds the Rolls of Honor for the NZE/RNZE. These are lists of people who served. You can also see a special stained glass window from the Royal Engineers (UK). There is a prayer desk from the Royal Australian Engineers. The chapel also has a window remembering the NZ Railway Engineers. Many plaques remember RNZE personnel who have passed away. The original organ from 1897 is back in the chapel. It was rededicated in 2020. Rolls of Honour for the Linton community from the First and Second World Wars are also in the chapel.
Chapel History
In April 1972, the army headquarters offered a church from Makotuku to Linton Camp. This church was built in 1899. The Engineer Corps Memorial Association (ECMA) helped move it. They wanted the church to be part of the Engineer Corps Memorial Centre. It would hold the Rolls of Honour for the Corps of RNZE.
In late 1972, the foundations for the church were built at Linton. The church was taken apart in Makotuku. Then it was moved in pieces to Linton Camp. It was rebuilt there, led by Sgt Murray Holt. By July 1974, the chapel was rebuilt. A special parade and service were held in 1989. This celebrated the church's 100th birthday. People from Makotuku and the RNZE attended. Another special service is planned for 2024, for its 125th anniversary.
See also
- Military history of New Zealand
- National Army Museum (New Zealand)
- Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Torpedo Bay Navy Museum
- Air Force Museum of New Zealand
