![Souvenir of the Clubs and Canteens in Connection with the N.Z. War Contingent Association. London: [The Association, n.d.]](https://www.reedgallery.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0005/442976/Case8a.jpg)
The N. Z. War Contingent Association was formed in 1914 after N. Z. High Commissioner in London, Thomas MacKenzie, called a meeting about “comforts” for the troops.
Souvenir of the Clubs and Canteens in Connection with the N.Z. War Contingent Association. London: [The Association, n.d.]
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![Souvenir of the Clubs and Canteens in Connection with the N.Z. War Contingent Association. London: [The Association, n.d.]](https://www.reedgallery.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0006/442977/Case8b.jpg)
British troops were moved out of the Walton Hospital at Mount Felix in June 1915, to allow the Association to take it over. Later, Walton was turned over to the New Zealand military. One of the first patients to arrive was MacKenzie’s own son Clutha, wounded at Gallipoli.
Souvenir of the Clubs and Canteens in Connection with the N.Z. War Contingent Association. London: [The Association, n.d.]
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![Souvenir of the Clubs and Canteens in Connection with the N.Z. War Contingent Association. London: [The Association, n.d.]](https://www.reedgallery.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0007/442978/Case8c.jpg)
The Association aimed to visit each patient twice a week, and made available reading and writing materials and toilet kits at a time when none of these could be purchased at the hospital. There were also telegraph services so that families in New Zealand may be kept informed of the patient’s condition.
Souvenir of the Clubs and Canteens in Connection with the N.Z. War Contingent Association. London: [The Association, n.d.]
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The Association ran about ten social clubs and canteens for recovering and resting soldiers.
Greetings Message. London, The New Zealand War Contingent Association, 1915
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