McNab Troopship Collection

In 1915, Dunedin City Librarian Mr W. B. McEwan began calling for donations of magazines published on troopships bound for World War l. In time, the collection grew to include material published entirely at sea or in military hospitals, in military camps and on active service. While McEwan's intention was to preserve magazines being produced during World War I, this unique collection now includes World War ll magazines and even some items from the South African War (1899-1902). Ranging from the most basic hand-written news-sheets to the pinnacle of professional journalistic and artistic skills, these publications were designed to inform, entertain and improve the morale of New Zealand troops who were so far from home. Presented here are digitised versions of the World War l and World War 2 magazines. We intend to add South African War magazines in the future.