'Never Be Afraid' exhibition at Our City O-Tautahi
Tuesday 13 October 2009, 12:39PM
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A New Zealand soldier’s endearing account of life in a German prisoner of war camp during World War Two is the focus of an exhibition at Our City O-Tautahi – a Christchurch City Council sponsored key event for Beca Heritage Week.
From July 1942, Dudley Roberts Muff began to write a book for his then four-year-old niece Alison about events at the prisoner of war camps where he was incarcerated, including Stalag 383 near the city of Regensburg, Germany. Alison’s Book was presented to her when Dudley returned home in 1945. He had filled the book with sketches, caricatures and tales of everyday life.
The exhibition Never Be Afraid – A New Zealand soldier writes to his niece about life in a prisoner of war camp, opening tomorrow includes the original book given to Alison by Dudley, generously loaned by Canterbury Museum and on display in an exhibition for the first time. The book will be accompanied by the story of its own remarkable survival.
Curated by Our City O-Tautahi in partnership with Dudley Muff's great nephew Simon Pollard and Canterbury Museum, the exhibition reveals the story behind the story - with compelling photographs and excerpts from Alison’s Book.
The event is one of the five key Council-sponsored events of the more than 70 events and activities that are part of Beca Heritage Week, which officially opens this Friday. The Theme for the week is Doves and Defences: Discover Christchurch in Peace and Conflict
The exhibition will provide an insight into events leading up to Dudley’s capture in Greece. Displays also illustrate what prisoners of war in Stalag 383 did to pass the time and to alleviate some of the harsh conditions of the camp.
The exhibition takes its title from the finishing line in the postscript that Dudley added to the book on his return home to Christchurch: "Now I shall tell you in three little words what all my travels have taught me, NEVER BE AFRAID. With all the love in the world from Uncle Dudley".
Dudley’s great nephew, Simon Pollard, says Dudley’s entries in the book were a means of keeping occupied and maintaining a connection with his family.
Simon said many local people would relate to the exhibition.
“With passages from Alison’s Book, photographs from Dudley’s scrapbook, artefacts related to prisoners of war and other memorabilia the exhibition presents a heartfelt perspective of an experience that other New Zealanders may share.”
After the war Dudley returned to his work as librarian for Lincoln University, and was easily recognisable arriving and departing on his motorbike (which he rode until he was 85).
He retired in 1966 and boarded with a friend of his sister Win until 1992 when, having difficulties walking, he chose to live at Rannerdale Veterans’ Hospital and Home. He was an active member of the Returned and Services Association.
Dudley Muff died in Christchurch on 2 January 1995, six weeks before his 95th birthday.
Never Be Afraid – A New Zealand soldier writes to his niece about life in a prisoner of war camp opens at Our City O-Tautahi 13 October - 21 November, Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm. Also open Sunday 18 and 26 October 10am to 4pm for Beca Heritage Week. Our City O-Tautahi, corner of Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Terrace. Free Admission. Ph: 03 941 7460 www.ccc.govt.nz/ourcity
Other key Council events during Beca Heritage Week include It’s Swing Time In Christchurch on 18 October at the Air Force Museum. This event features a 1940s style radio broadcast in between the Newstalk ZB Big Band and swing dance performances.
Citizen Soldier: ake ake kia kaha – forever strong is a documentary made specifically to support this year’s theme and tells the story of the past 150 years of the Second Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Battalion Group. Citizen Soldier will be screened at the Christchurch Art Gallery throughout the Week.
The aim of Beca Heritage Week is to raise awareness of the part Christchurch and its citizens have played in both peace and conflict, to celebrate important anniversaries and to recognise how this has shaped the city and its heritage.
Look out for the full programme brochure available at Council service centres, libraries and in cafes or find out more at www.heritageweek.co.nz/ or by contacting heritage@ccc.govt.nz or Aimee Holland on (03) 941 8628. Beca Heritage Week runs until 26 October.