Location: 211 North Street, Timaru
Access: School grounds, by permission
Associated years: 1924, 1955
Associated people/groups: Percy Watts Rule, Timaru Boys’ High School Old Boys, Governor-General Viscount Jellicoe
Timaru Boys’ High School Memorial Library opened in 1924 as a First World War memorial. NZ History records the memorial library as a school-grounds memorial unveiled on 20 March 1924, with 52 dead. A Blue Plaques records that it was designed by Percy Watts Rule, built to commemorate 52 Old Boys who died in the First World War, and extended in 1955 with a memorial window for 133 past pupils who died in the Second World War.
This place was built for learning. A memorial library offers remembrance to educate future students, as well as recognise and name the those who served and died.
History hunt prompt: Ask how a library changes the meaning of a war memorial. What does it ask living students to do?
Inside the Timaru Boy's High School Memorial Library. The Doors were a gift from Timaru Girls' High School. Photo: Roselyn Fauth