Cambridge People
Explore the history of the generations of people who have shaped the Cambridge area.
Soldiers from Cambridge
From the New Zealand Wars, Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa, to the Second World War
Since its formation as a military settlement in the 1860s, Cambridge has had a strong military identity. This section brings together the stories of those who served, from the earliest colonial militia to the soldiers of World War II. You'll find rolls of honour, personal stories, regimental histories, and records of the units that shaped this community.
A tradition of service
The 3rd Regiment of the Waikato Militia was among the first Europeans to settle the Cambridge area, serving from the town's founding in July 1864 until 1867. They were followed by the Armed Constabulary, who policed and defended the district until 1886. The Cambridge Cavalry Volunteers served from 1872 to 1882, giving way to the No. 3 Company of the Waikato Mounted Rifles, formed in 1897. Many of these men went on to serve in the South Africa War before the Territorials — the 16th Waikato Regiment — were introduced in 1911.
When war came in 1914, Cambridge men and women were ready. After the First World War, they continued as territorials. In the Second World War, they contributed a company to the 18th Battalion, 2nd NZ Expeditionary Force, serving in an armoured role in Greece and North Africa until disbanding in 1946. In 1997 D-Company adopted the title Waikato Company, and the following year the Hauraki regiment celebrated its centenary.
Online Cenotaph
Many Cambridge soldiers are also commemorated on the Online Cenotaph, maintained by Auckland War Memorial Museum. This is a valuable resource for family research and includes photographs, service records, and biographical details. Search the Online Cenotaph →
Do you have a family connection to one of these soldiers?
We welcome contributions from the community — photographs, documents, letters, and family stories all help us build a richer picture of Cambridge's military history.
The Armed Constabulary in Cambridge 1867-1886
From Militia to Armed Constabulary The Armed Constabulary Act of 1867 marked a turning point in New Zealand’s approach to law and order. With its passage, the Waikato Militia was disbanded and responsibility for policing…
MOREWorld War One – Cambridge Roll of Honour
In 2000 Eris Parker published a book called ‘Cambridge World War One – Something to Remember’ ©. In the foreword she said – “I, like most New Zealanders, feel that Anzac Day is special. A day to…
MOREWorld War One – Cambridge Supplementary Roll of Honour
For soldiers who had associations with Cambridge but are not included on the Cambridge Cenotaph A 9/1522 Corporal Philip Amos M.M. Brother of Mrs Frances Jamieson Age 27 Wellington Infantry Regiment Killed in Action 7…
MOREWorld War One – Te Miro Soldier Settlement
In 1916 the Government purchased James Taylor’s 1,200 acre Te Miro property for soldier settlement. Except for 2,000 acres of run-down pasture on the top terrace, known as ‘the old race course’, the block was…
MOREWorld War One – Departure of First Five Soldiers
The first five Cambridge men to leave for training for World War One were Tom Phillips, Robert Ferguson, Alf Swayne, Fabian Sperry and Jim Watson. They were all members of the Waikato Mounted Rifles. …
MOREWorld War One – St Andrews Church Military Memorial Windows
St Andrews Anglican church World War One memorial windows were unveiled on 11 December 1923 (the same day as the cenotaph in Jubilee Gardens). Lord Jellicoe addressed the gathering and the Bishop of Auckland, Bishop…
MOREWorld War Two – Roll of Honour
The book ‘Cambridge R.S.A’ was published in 1997 by Eris Parker. It starts at Anzac Day 1916, follows the formation of the Association, its welfare work, through World War Two and records memories of some returned soldiers.…
MOREWorld War Two Soldiers from Cambridge
Soldiers’ Stories Cliff Beech (Regt No. 46691) age 37 was a farmer on Buckland Road when his married brother Rex took over his farm. He joined the 7th Reinforcements in September 1941 and went to Trentham…
MORECambridge in World War Two
As soon as the second World War was announced in September 1939 Cambridge people moved into action. The Patriotic Council regulated all collections of money and goods and Cambridge was asked to provide 56…
MOREWorld War Two – The Men and Women We Honour
This list of ‘The Men, and Women, We Honour’, together with messages ‘To the Men who are away’ have been taken from the booklet ‘Cambridge Sends You Greetings’ published in 1940. The First Echelon 18th…
MOREWaikato Mounted Rifles
The Cambridge No 3 Company was formed in 1897 – 15 years after the disbanding of the Cambridge Cavalry Volunteers. Up to 26 August 1899 the enrolments in the Waikato Mounted Rifles totalled 70. Many of these keen…
MORESouth Africa War
Corporal John Matson, age 23 years and 5 months, and Private Ernest James Ralph Smith age 26 of the Cambridge Troop (No. 3 Waikato Mounted Rifles) went to the South Africa War in the first contingent. They were both first class shots.…
MORECambridge Cavalry Volunteers
His Excellency Governor Bowen accepted the services of 34 Cambridge Cavalry Volunteers on 13 January 1872. Captain Runciman wrote to Major Jackson (the Senior Cavalry Officer at Te Awamutu) requesting that the Cambridge Corps be given the same privileges…
MOREArmed Constabulary Members in Cambridge
The list of members of No. 4 Division of the Armed Constabulary, headquartered in Cambridge, has been compiled by Eris Parker from the Nominal Rolls held at the Archives New Zealand / Ngā Taonga Aronui…
MOREThird Waikato Militia
Cambridge’s first European settlers The first Europeans to settle in the Cambridge area were soldiers — men of the 3rd Regiment of the Waikato Militia, who arrived during the New Zealand Wars, Ngā Pakanga o…
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