soldiers-block

Meet Percy Morse

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:17:13 GMT

Trooper Percy Morse: One of the First to Heal at The Soldiers’ Block

In the century-long legacy of The Soldiers’ Block, there are names woven into its foundations—names that remind us why this place matters. One of those names is Trooper Percy Morse , a young carpenter from Christchurch who, like many others, carried the weight of war long after the battlefield fell silent.

A YOUNG MAN CALLED TO WAR

Born in Christchurch in 1894, Percy Morse was just 20 years old when he enlisted in 1914 as Trooper 7/752 in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Blue-eyed, soft-featured, and intelligent—he had already won the Dux medal at Waltham School and worked as a carpenter, likely learning the trade from his adopted father, Hugh Roberts.

Like so many of his generation, Percy responded to the call to serve without hesitation. He sailed to Egypt, trained under the desert sun, and was sent to Gallipoli in 1915, one of the most brutal chapters in New Zealand’s military history.

There, amidst the heat, mud, and relentless artillery fire, Percy suffered shell concussion, and possibly contracted enteric fever (typhoid). By July, he was medically evacuated and admitted to hospital in Cairo, before returning to New Zealand in October 1915.

ONE OF THE FIRST AT QUEEN MARY

In the months that followed, Percy was sent to convalesce in Hanmer Springs. Initially treated at “The Lodge,” a makeshift recovery home provided by local landowner Duncan Rutherford, Percy became one of the very first patients to walk through the doors of The Soldiers’ Block when it officially opened on 3 June 1916.

The young men, supported by “the Ladies of the district,” left The Lodge in a quiet procession and paraded down to the newly completed octagonal wards of the Queen Mary Hospital. For many—including Percy—it was a move not just between buildings, but toward hope and healing.

FINDING STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY

While recovering, Percy took part in the hospital’s many cultural activities. In July 1916, he performed mandolin selections during a patient concert—a moment of levity and light in the long journey home from war.

Just weeks later, Percy was officially discharged from military service. Rather than return to city life in Spreydon, he headed north to Barcaldine Station, a high-country sheep farm in Waiau.

There, perhaps through his connection to the Rutherford family, Percy found purpose again. He would go on to manage Leslie Hills estate and, in 1918, marry Mary Rutherford, the daughter of the man who had helped establish Queen Mary Hospital.

A LIFE REBUILT—BUT NEVER WITHOUT SHADOWS

Percy and Mary raised a family and became deeply embedded in their local community. Percy held leadership roles in organisations including the Hanmer Springs Progress League, Waiau Tennis and Football Clubs, A&P Society, RSA, and even chaired the Centennial Celebrations and Cemetery Board.

But the trauma of war never truly left him. He suffered from the long-term effects of shell shock, abdominal pain, recurring fevers, and deep depression. His grief was compounded in 1943, when his son Flying Officer Colin Morse was killed in WWII.

On 5 June 1944, just two days after the 28th anniversary of The Soldiers’ Block opening, Percy ended his own life at home in Hanmer Springs. He was 49 years old. He was taken back to Queen Mary Hospital—where his healing journey had begun—for the Coroner’s inquest. He is buried with Mary and their daughter Eva in the Waiau Cemetery.

REMEMBERING PERCY

Today, we remember Trooper Percy Morse not just for his service—but for his humanity. For the resilience he showed in war, the leadership he offered in peace, and the vulnerability he lived with every day.

He was a soldier, musician, father, community leader, and survivor. His story reminds us why The Soldiers’ Block exists—and why preserving its legacy is so vital.

For every name in a file, there was a life. For every wall in The Soldiers’ Block, a witness to pain, and to hope.

If you or your whānau have a connection to The Soldiers’ Block, we’d love to hear from you.

Email us at info@soldiersblock.co.nz

109 Years of Healing: The Soldiers’ Block Reawakens

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 23:33:27 GMT

On 3 June 1916, a remarkable building opened its doors in Hanmer Springs, The Soldiers’ Block. Purpose-built to bring light, air, and healing to soldiers returning from the horrors of the First World War. Today, on its 109th anniversary, we don’t just remember that moment—we celebrate a powerful new beginning for a place that has meant so much to so many.

A place built for healing

The Soldiers’ Block was one of only three buildings in New Zealand specifically designed for the mental and physical recovery of soldiers. Its unique octagonal wards, known as Kitchener and Joffre Wards, were architecturally advanced for their time. Designed to maximise natural light and airflow, these wards reflected a deep belief in the healing power of nature and structure. Patients were cared for not just with medicine, but with routine, vocational training, hot pool dips, and most importantly, dignity.

This forward-thinking approach placed Hanmer Springs at the forefront of mental health treatment, and The Soldiers’ Block became a symbol of compassion and innovation.

A century of care

Following World War I, The Soldiers’ Block evolved into a centre for mental health and wellbeing for all New Zealanders.

It became:

· A nationally recognised hospital for functional nervous disorders

· A drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre , pioneering modern therapy models

· The home of New Zealand’s first Taha Māori programme , offering culturally grounded healing.

For decades, people came to Hanmer Springs not only for its geothermal waters but to access the life-changing care offered inside this remarkable building.

Two decades silent

In 2003, the doors to The Soldiers’ Block closed. For over 20 years, this once-vital place sat still, its floors untouched, its stories dormant. And yet, it never lost its spirit. Those who had passed through its halls never forgot what the building had meant.

A new chapter beings

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Hurunui District Council, the Queen Mary Historic Reserve Trust, and the support of funders like the Lotteries Foundation and Rātā Foundation , nearly $4 million was secured to begin the building’s restoration.

Work began in 2024 under the care of local builder Mark O’Brien and his team. As the layers of time were carefully peeled back, treasures were uncovered: beautiful jarrah floorboards, original rimu panelling, and clever architectural details like sliding windows designed for airflow. Every effort has been made to honour the original craftsmanship while preparing the building for modern community use.

Looking ahead: A place for all

On ANZAC Day this year, the community celebrated the momentous occasion of the reopening of the restored Soldiers’ Block.

“There could be no more fitting day than ANZAC Day to reopen this place of healing,” says Hurunui Mayor Marie Black .

“For over a century, it has held the stories of those who came home changed by war. Today, it begins a new chapter—still grounded in care, still serving the people.”

This community space has reopened with:

· A community hall with kitchen, toilets, and flexible layout

· A community gym

· A meeting place for movie nights, classes, hui, and more

· A wharenui to honour the connection with Ngāti Kurī and Hanmer’s spiritual heritage

Later, in Stage 3, the two octagonal wards will be transformed into an immersive Visitor Experience , telling the building’s story through art, storytelling, and interactive exhibits.

Be part of the next chapter

As we mark this 109-year milestone , we honour the past while building a future rooted in care, culture, and connection. The Soldiers’ Block is more than a building, it’s a living taonga . A symbol of who we were, who we are, and who we still hope to be.

Through this blog, we hope to share stories of the Soldiers’ Block through the ages, insight into the restorative journey, unique features of the building and it’s lifetime, and the people behind the Queen Mary Historic Reserve Charitable Trust. We will also share community stories, events and activities as The Soldiers’ Block once again springs to life. We invite you to follow along, visit the restored space, and share your own memories. This story belongs to all of us.