The Battle of Messines was a prelude to the much larger Third Battle of Ypres, better known as Passchendaele. New Zealanders played a prominent role in the successful action at Messines but paid a heavy price: 3700 casualties, including 700 dead.
Events on this Day – 7 June
1921
A local Rotary club was established at a luncheon in Wellington’s YMCA, with Alexander Roberts elected as the first president.
1940
The Hastings-born pilot's exploits flying Hurricanes for the Royal Air Force’s No. 73 Squadron in the first year of the Second World War made him a household name.
1976
The golden arches appeared for the first time in New Zealand at Cobham Court, Porirua.