Berry Boys

A surprise discovery in the 1980s unearthed the remarkable early twentieth century photographs of Berry & Co., now held in Te Papa's collection. Amongst the thousands of mystery images are more than a hundred of ordinary First World War servicemen, taken directly before the men left to fight. But who were they? A heartfelt public response has helped reunite many soldiers with their identities, and careful research has brought more to light. Though these soldiers represent only a tiny fraction of the thousands of men who departed to join the fighting overseas, through their poignant stories we are granted a remarkable lens on New Zealanders' experiences - their hope, anxiety, fear, pride and love - over the span of the Frist World War. Published alongside the TVNZ documentary, Berry Boys features the full collection of beautifully reproduced portraits, accompanied by the unique stories of the soldiers and their loved ones. Some died overseas, others lived long after the war and all were changed by it. Although they are only a fraction of the thousands of men who served, they offer a potent snapshot of the New Zealand of the time - and the changing face of the First World War itself.Author BiographyMichael Fitzgerald is Curator Colonial New Zealand at Te Papa, and has a particular interest in New Zealanders' wartime experiences and an in-depth knowledge of related collections at Te Papa. He is working on ongoing research into the life stories of soldiers and their families whose portraits were taken at the Berry & Co studio in Wellington. Claire Regnault is Senior Curator History (Creative Industries) at Te Papa, and has formerly held curatorial positions at the Dowse Art Museum, Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery, City Gallery Wellington and Robert McDougall Art Gallery, and has a broad curatorial practice. She is a co-author of The Dress Circle: New Zealand Fashion Design Since 1940 (Random House, 2010), author of The New Zealand Gown of the Year (HBCT, 2003).