The RNZA Historic Trust exists to preserve, promote, and support the heritage and values of New Zealand’s artillery community. Its purpose includes commemorating notable figures in artillery history, supporting memorial projects, and fostering public understanding of the RNZA’s contribution to New Zealand’s military legacy.

The RNZA Historic Trust was formed in September 2012 to identify, codify, and record RNZA trophy and memorabilia which at that stage was being spread somewhat around the countryside. The trust also has aims that include the recording of our history, the acquisition of RNZA items that are important to the Regiment, and the furthering of the knowledge of the public of the contributions our Corps has made to our country.

The Trust was initially formed as a Registered Charitable Trust Board but is now a fully registered Charity.

Examples of activities the trust has undertaken:

More recently, the focus has been on the biography of Brigadier Reg Miles, CBE, DSO and bar, MC.

Brigadier Reginald Miles CMG, DSO & Bar, MC, was one of New Zealand’s most distinguished artillery officers. Born in 1892, he served in both World Wars. During the First World War, he earned the Military Cross for gallantry and went on to command artillery units with distinction. In the Second World War, he served as Commander, Royal Artillery (CRA) with the 2nd New Zealand Division.

Captured by Axis forces in North Africa in 1941, he was held as a prisoner of war in Italy.

In 1943, following a daring escape, Brigadier Miles made his way across the Alps into Switzerland and then into Spain. Tragically, while in Spanish custody and suffering from the strain of his ordeal, he died in mysterious circumstances in the town of Figueras, Catalonia.

The Trust has commissioned a biography of Brigadier Miles, which has been on the go since 2016.

The author is Sarah Gaitanos, a multi-award-winning New Zealand biographer. Sarah is helped by the Miles family, current members of the RNZA, and our gunner diaspora around the world. We now have a significant collection of important original historical documents from family, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, Australia, and of course New Zealand, collected by the Trust and Sarah.

Government provided a travel grant to allow Sarah to visit Gallipoli, Greece, Switzerland, and Spain as part of her early research. The National Army Museum paid a significant early grant to support our work. The Trust has recently obtained a significant grant from the Stout Trust, and Sarah is awaiting news of another grant from the Turnbull Library community.

Sarah describes the biography as her most significant work to date. We hope it will be a major piece of New Zealand literature and history.

Sarah is presently writing at first draft stage in mid- 1940 when Miles was commanding 2NZEF (UK) on the Kent coast during the Battle of Britain.

There is about one year of further first draft work, before Sarah gets into the arduous second and third drafts in preparation for publication. These latter tasks will take about a year.

The Trust is grateful for all your support. There is much more to be done.

We are aiming for an outstanding book of national importance to recognise the life and contribution of this gallant and little-known gunner.

The room in which he died is now part of a museum. In the village of Figueras, where Brigadier Miles died, the Spanish people have set up a small local museum to honour his memory. Though modest in scale, it is a moving tribute to his service and the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his final days. The RNZA Historic Trust maintains contact with those who care for this display and remains supportive of its continued preservation.

To mark New Zealand’s connection to the Figueras museum and honour Brigadier Miles’s memory, the RNZA Historic Trust commissioned a set of special commemorative plaques. Known as the Gouldie Plaques—named in tribute to Major Harry Gould, a long-time advocate for artillery heritage—these were a one-off initiative, designed specifically for the museum in Spain. They tell the story of Brigadier Miles and acknowledge the service of New Zealand gunners more broadly.

Another prominent memorial supported by the RNZA Historic Trust is The Gunner, a striking bronze statue that honours all New Zealand artillery personnel. Designed to evoke the values of courage, loyalty, and comradeship, the statue stands as a national tribute to the men and women who served in the RNZA. It serves not only as a memorial but as an enduring symbol of artillery service and sacrifice. This is available for purchase: