Trooper Arthur Hannah of the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment was a popular young schoolteacher who loved tennis and cricket. He left with the Main Body in October 1914 and was killed in action at Gallipoli on 1 July 1915. Three weeks later, on Arbour Day his school planted an oak tree in his memory in the grounds.
Many young single male teachers enlisted in the war. By 1916 there was a serious shortage of experienced teachers and schools were struggling to replace those who enlisted. About 200 teachers were killed in the war and many more were wounded.
Community contributions