Le Quesnoy museum new magnet for Kiwis in Europe

The French World War I battle site of Le Quesnoy will become a part of the Kiwi OE pilgrimage after a series of special commemorations overnight.

The New Zealand Government held a commemorative service at 11pm last night (NZT) and a Last Post ceremony will be held at the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial at 5am this morning.

And in the early hours of this morning, a dedication ceremony was to be held for the New Zealand War Memorial Museum that is being created in the town — including the unveiling of the Helen Pollock installation Victory Medal.

Hundreds of New Zealanders are in Le Quesnoy for the commemorative events.

With the centenary of the war’s end just a week away, on November 11, Armistice Day, the focus has turned to the Battle of Le Quesnoy in northern France, the New Zealand Division’s last major action in the fouryear war.

More than 140 New Zealanders died in the battle that included freeing the walled town from German occupation on November 4, 1918. No civilians died.

The chairman of the museum project, former deputy prime minister Sir Don McKinnon, said its hope was that the town and the museum would be a magnet for Kiwis in Europe.

“We believe we can make Le Quesnoy a real mecca for New Zealanders.”

In a project expected to take five to 10 years, the museum is to be created in a former mayoral residence and a planned annex. Nine surrounding terraced maisonettes will be redeveloped for visitor accommodation and office space.

The trust has raised more than $1.5 million, but is seeking a further $15m and can only now start fundraising in earnest, after a law change to allow tax rebates on donations to the overseas scheme.