New Zealand’s involvement in overseas wars has been a significant part of this country’s history, and individuals’ service has often had a prodund impact on them personally and their families. Military records can be a huge help when researching your family’s story, and we have plenty of resources to assist.
New Zealand Mathesons who served in the Boer War
The Boer War (or South African War) was the first overseas conflict to involve New Zealand troops. We have profiled the seven men named Matheson or Mathieson who left in a New Zealand contingent to fight in the war, another from New Zealand who joined up in South Africa and one from Scotland who enlisted in South Africa and emigrated to New Zealand after the war.
New Zealand Mathesons who fought in the First World War
As part of commemorating the centenary of the First World War we researched and wrote about every New Zealander named Matheson (or similar) who served in the conflict, whether overseas or in New Zealand. We also have information about some New Zealanders who served in the forces of other countries, and a story about New Zealand soldiers exploring their Scottish family connections while on leave. You can read these stories here.
New Zealand Mathesons who served in the Second World War
We’ve also profiled New Zealand Mathesons who died on active service during in the Second World War.
New Zealand Mathesons who served in Japan after the Second World War
New Zealand military personnel were sent to Japan after that country’s surrender, as part of an occupation force that oversaw demilitarisation and the return of prisoners of war. Six of them were named Matheson and three Mathieson, and they are profiled here.
New Zealand Mathesons who served in the Korean War
The war on the Korean peninsula in the early 1950s was the first major conflict of the Cold War that followed on from the Second World War. Four New Zealand Mathesons served in this conflict, and they are profiled here.
