Families of New Zealand soldiers wounded in the First World War have visited the New Forest hospital site where they were treated.

Thousands of troops from New Zealand and India were cared for at Tile Barn in Brockenhurst from 1914 to 1919.

Tile Barn was originally used to treat troops from the Indian Army Corps at tented and galvanised units, nicknamed ‘Tin Town’ by locals before it became the New Zealand General Hospital No.1 where 21,000 casualties were treated.

Private Albert Johnston was digging in ahead of battle at Passchendale when a stray shell killed his two companions and left him with a shattered leg. He was taken to Tile Barn after doctors initially thought he’d have to have his leg amputated.

His daughter, Mary Greenland, from Tauranga in New Zealand, but who now lives in Hampshire said: “That shell left him for dead. He was nursed here for several months where they tried to save his leg – which they did. I’m pleased to be here and very grateful for all that was done for him. He lived until he was 74 and still had some shrapnel in his leg – it’s quite remarkable.”

Private Peter Joseph Begbie served in the Auckland regiment of the New Zealand Rifles until 1916 when he was taken for treatment at Tile Barn after being wounded in Belgium.

His daughter Tricia Isaia said: “He did talk a little bit about the war but not a great deal. In New Zealand you’re such a long way from Brockenhurst and I never thought I’d come here. They’ve done a marvellous amount of work here to keep it all new for the children. They don’t forget the war; don’t forget who gave their lives for them.”