Solving the signature quilt mystery
Marlborough Museum staff are researching the history of more than 140 names stitched into a war time quilt currently on display at the museum.
The signature quilt, on show as part of the Homefront Heroes – Marlborough Women during the Second World War exhibition, was made by the Clarence Bridge Branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers Union during World War Two, probably in the early 1940s. It features family names from Clarence Bridge, Kēkerengū and Kaikōura.
The quilt was donated to the museum by Fizz Trolove whose mother and grandmother were involved in making it and who has several relations’ names featured.
Marlborough Museum Manager Liz Ward said a signature quilt is a quilt with multiple names signed, stamped or embroidered on it, often created as a means of fundraising.
“This idea was common in World War One but not so much during World War Two. This Marlborough signature quilt is designed as a wall hanging which is also unusual – we know of only two others in New Zealand – so it may be rather rare,” Liz said.
The quilt, likely made from flour bags due to the scarcity of materials available at the time, features 150 squares sewed together with 142 names or signatures embroidered on it.
“Usually, these squares were sold for a shilling each so it would have raised the equivalent of $1,000 with the money going to an aid agency like the New Zealand Red Cross to provide comforts for soldiers,” Liz said.
Marlborough Museum textile volunteer Pam Saunders discovered she had a close family connection with the quilt with both her father and grandfather featured on it. Her grandfather Stan Bennett was also a great friend of Fizz Trolove’s grandfather Arthur Murray, whose name is also on the quilt.
“We would just love to learn more about the names and families featured on the quilt or that branch of WDFU and would encourage people with a connection to the Clarence Bridge area during the war years to come and have a look and help us piece together its history,” Pam said.
Homefront Heroes – Marlborough Women during the Second World War explores topics like rationing, spinning and knitting for soldiers, and voluntary work in the Women's War Service Auxiliary. It runs until 4 August.