Book - The Obscure Heroes of Liberty by Dr. Kenneth M. Baker

BOOK LAUNCH AUCKLAND - 8TH OCTOBER 2018
The Auckland War Memorial Museum - Pou Maumahara/Memorial Discovery Gallery

About 70 people attended including a large delegation of Belgians living in New Zealand,
representatives of the Passchendaele Society, the Museum staff, the Hansen family and the general
public. Former long-term New Zealand Prime Minister, Jim Bolger officiated and the Belgian Consul to
Auckland, Lisbeth Jacobs made a few remarks thanking the author for revealing the bravery of the
Belgian civilians in the Great War who at great risk to their lives had assisted escaped and marooned
Allied soldiers. The author, Dr. Kenneth Baker, spoke of the research in which he identified the
names of over one thousand Belgian citizens living under the German occupation who helped Allied
soldiers, what they did and how they did it, and some of the surprise findings. Sir Don McKinnon,
former Secretary-General of the British Commonwealth and Bob Davis, the President of the
Passchendaele Society also spoke. On behalf of the Hansen Family, Eric Hansen, grandson of Bert
Hansen whose memoirs provided the principal story-line for the book, also spoke to the audience.

Auckland Museum - Speakers at the book
launch, 18th October 2018 (left to right):

Mr. Eric Hansen
Rt. Hon. James Bolger, ONZ
Ms. Lisbeth Jacobs, Honorary Consul of
Belgium
Dr. Kenneth M. Baker
Rt. Hon. Sir Donald McKinnon, ONZ GCVO.

Auckland Museum - book launch, 18th
October 2018

Dr. Baker explaining the book and
describing some of the Belgians who
helped Allied soldiers, The true Belgian
Heroes of Liberty.

Auckland Museum - book launch, 18th
October 2018

The Rt. Hon. James Bolger, ONZ,
introducing the author, Dr. Kenneth M.
Baker

Auckland Museum - book launch, 18th
October 2018

Some of the attendees

Auckland Museum - book launch, 18th
October 2018 (left to right):

Ms. Lisbeth Jacobs, Honorary Consul of
Belgium to New Zealand
Rt. Hon. Sir Donald McKinnon, ONZ GCVO
Dr. Kenneth M. Baker