Dr David Littlewood staff profile picture

Contact details +6469519067

Dr David Littlewood BA, BA(Hons), MA, PhD

Senior Lecturer

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Humanities Media and Creative Comm

I came to New Zealand from the UK in 2007 and have been at Massey ever since. My research focuses on the impact of the world wars on New Zealand and Britain, with particular reference to conscription. I am the author of Military Service Tribunals and Boards in the Great War: Determining the Fate of Britain's and New Zealand's Conscripts (Routledge, 2017), and have been published in War in History, War & Society and the New Zealand Journal of History. In 2016 I received a Marsden Grant  to examine New Zealand's introduction of conscription during the Second World War.

Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: 86067
    Location: 4.38, Sir Geoffrey Peren Building
    Campus: Turitea

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts - University of Nottingham (2005)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Massey University (2009)
  • Master of Arts - Massey University (2010)
  • Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2015)

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Prizes and Awards

  • Marsden Fund Fast-Start Grant - The Royal Society of New Zealand (2017)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

- The implementation of military conscription in Britain and New Zealand during the two world wars 

- British and New Zealand society during the two world wars

- New Zealand political and social history

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
British History (210305): Historical Studies (210300): History And Archaeology (210000): New Zealand History (210311)

Keywords

War and Society, Conscription, Great War, Second World War, Military Service Boards, Military Service Tribunals

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 0 2

Completed Projects

Project Title: 'A Union of Hearts and Wills?' Second World War Conscription and New Zealand Society

Date Range: 2017 - 2021

Funding Body: Royal Society of New Zealand

Project Team:

Research Outputs

Book

Littlewood, D. (2024). 'Hiding in Plain Sight: New Zealand's Application of Conscription'. In P. Cooke, & J. Crawford (Eds.) Heavy and Continuous Sacrifice: New Zealand, Her Allies and the Second World War. (pp. 105 - 120). Wellington: New Zealand Military History Committee
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
McKergow, F., Watson, G., Littlewood, D., & Neill, C. (2022). Public History in Aotearoa New Zealand. F. McKergow, G. Watson, D. Littlewood, & C. Neill (Eds.) (Vol. 29) : UTS ePress Journals
[Scholarly edition]Authored by: Littlewood, D., Watson, G.Edited by: Littlewood, D., Watson, G.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Littlewood, D. (2022). 'We're All Equal Here: Ideals of Equality'. In E. Kahu, TR. Moriarty, H. Dollery, & R. Shaw (Eds.) Tūrangawaewae: Identity & Belonging in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 228 - 246). Auckland: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.Edited by: Moriarty, T.
Littlewood, D. (2022). Encountering Conflict. In D. Littlewood, C. Neill, S. McLennan, M. Forster, & R. Hazou (Eds.) Tu Rangaranga: Rights, Responsibilities and Global Citizenship in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 180 - 189). : Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.Edited by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D., & Neill, C. (2022). Global Encounters. In D. Littlewood, C. Neill, S. McLennan, M. Forster, & R. Hazou (Eds.) Tu Rangaranga: Rights, Responsibilities and Global Citizenship in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 26 - 43). : Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.Edited by: Littlewood, D.

view more...

McLennan, S., Forster, M., Hazou, R., Littlewood, D., & Neill, C. (Eds.) (2022). Tū Rangaranga: Rights, Responsibilities and Global Citizenship in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand: Massey University Press
[Edited Book]Edited by: Hazou, R., Littlewood, D., McLennan, S.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Littlewood, D. (2021). A CONSCRIPTED SOCIETY: Sustaining New Zealand’s war effort. In The Routledge History of the Second World War. (pp. 413 - 427).
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Littlewood, D.(2017). Military service tribunals and boards in the Great War: Determining the fate of Britain's and New Zealand's conscripts.
[Authored Book]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Crawford, J., Littlewood, DC., & Watson, J. (Eds.) (2016). Experience of a lifetime: People, personalities and leaders in the First World War. Auckland, New Zealand: Massey University Press
[Edited Book]Edited by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2017). The provision of opportunities: Politics and the state. In R. Bell (Ed.) New Zealand between the Wars. (pp. 32 - 55). Auckland: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2017). We're all equal here, mate: Egalitarianism in Aotearoa New Zealand. In T. Cain, E. Kahu, & R. Shaw (Eds.) Turangawaewae: Identity & Belonging in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 213 - 229). Auckland, New Zealand: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2017). Personal, local & enduring: Masculine citizenship in first world war Britain. In A. Brown, & J. Griffiths (Eds.) The Citizen: Past and Present. (pp. 171 - 195). Auckland, New Zealand: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2016). 'Striking A Balance: The Military Service Boards'. In S. Loveridge (Ed.) New Zealand Society At War, 1914-1918. (pp. 112 - 126). Wellington, New Zealand: Victoria University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2016). Introduction. In J. Watson, & J. Crawford (Eds.) Experience of a Lifetime: People, Personalities and Leaders in the First World War. (pp. 8 - 11). Auckland, New Zealand: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Littlewood, D.

view less...

Journal

Romano, G., & Littlewood, D. (2023). Empire Citizens in Training: Children and the 1913 Visit of HMS New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of History. 57(2), 23-40
[Journal article]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2023). Review of Cybele Locke, Comrade: Bill Andersen - A Communist, Working-Class Life. New Zealand International Review. 48(6), 31-31
[Book Review]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2022). Omitting and Conflating: A Critique of the Archibald Baxter Peace Garden - The National Memorial for Conscientious Objectors. New Zealand Journal of History. 56(2), 27-45 Retrieved from https://nzjh.auckland.ac.nz/browse.php
[Journal article]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
McKergow, F., Watson, G., Littlewood, D., & Neill, C. (2022). Ako: Learning From History. Public History Review. 29, 38-43 Retrieved from https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/phrj
[Journal article]Authored by: Littlewood, D., Watson, G.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Littlewood, D. (2020). ‘The Debates of the Past’: New Zealand’s First Labour Government and the Introduction of Conscription in 1940. War and Society. 39(4), 273-289
[Journal article]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon

view more...

Littlewood, D. (2020). Conscription in Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Canada during the Second World War. History Compass. 18(4)
[Journal article]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
2
Littlewood, D. (2020). 'Won't You Meet Us Half-way?' The New Zealand Military Service Boards and Conscientious Objectors. Bulletin of the Auckland Museum. 21, 123-130 Retrieved from https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/research/publications/bulletin/vol21
[Journal article]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Littlewood, D. (2016). The dutifully reluctant: New zealanders' appeals for exemption from conscription, 1916-1918. New Zealand Journal of History. 50(2), 26-43
[Journal article]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
1
Littlewood, D. (2014). Willing and eager to go in their turn? Appeals for exemption from military service in New Zealand and great Britain, 1916-1918. War in History. 21(3), 338-344
[Journal article]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
4
1
Littlewood, D. (2023). Review of May Bass and Mark Derby (eds), Peacemonger: Owen Wilkes: International Peace Researcher. New Zealand International Review. 48(3), 30-31
[Book Review]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2021). Review of Richard Overy, Blood and Ruins: The Great Imperial War, 1931-1945. New Zealand Listener. , 52-53Retreived from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/
[Book Review]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Littlewood, D. (2021). Review of James Robins, When We Dead Awaken: Australia, New Zealand and the Armenian Genocide. New Zealand Listener. , 56-57Retreived from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/
[Book Review]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2020). Steve Marti on Voluntary Mobilisation during the First World War. History Australia. 17(4), 778-779Retreived from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14490854.2020.1840297
[Book Review]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read Online: DOI icon
Littlewood, D. (2020). Review of Jared Davidson, Dead Letters: Censorship and Subversion in New Zealand, 1914-1920. Labour History. , 208-209Retreived from https://www.labourhistory.org.au/journal/contents-and-abstracts/labour-history-no-118/
[Book Review]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2018). Review of David Monger, Sarah Murray and Katie Pickles (eds), Endurance and the First World War: Experiences and Legacies in New Zealand and Australia. The New Zealand Journal of History. 52(1), 119-120Retreived from https://www.nzjh.auckland.ac.nz/document.php?wid=2165&action=null
[Book Review]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2015). The ANZACS: An Inside View of New Zealanders at Gallipoli and Brothers in Arms: Gordon & Robin Harper in the Great War. New Zealand Review of Books. 25:3(111), 10-10
[Book Review]Authored by: Littlewood, D.

view less...

Thesis

Littlewood, D. (2015). The tool and instrument of the military? : the operations of the military service tribunals in the East Central Division of the West Riding of Yorkshire and those of the military service boards in New Zealand, 1916-1918. (Doctoral Thesis, Massey Univeristy, New Zealand) Littlewood, D. (2015). The tool and instrument of the military? : the operations of the military service tribunals in the East Central Division of the West Riding of Yorkshire and those of the military service boards in New Zealand, 1916-1918. (Doctoral Thesis)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Littlewood, D.Edited by: Griffiths, J.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

Conference

Littlewood, D. (2023, November). 'A New Intolerance: Portrayals of New Zealand WW2 Conscientious Objectors'. Presented at New Zealand Historical Association Biennial Conference. University of Canterbury.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2020, February). Hiding in Plain Sight: New Zealand’s Second World War Conscripts. Presented at 'Heavy and Continuous Sacrifice': New Zealand, Its Allies and the Second World War
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2019, September). (Still) Hiding in Plain Sight: New Zealand's Great War Conscripts. Presented at Alternative Perspectives on WW1 Symposium. School of People, Environment & Planning, Massey University.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D.'Its Necessity Need Not Be Laboured': New Zealand's Introduction of Conscription in 1940. . Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2018, June). 'Expediency Over Ideology: New Zealand's Introduction of Conscription during 1940'. Presented at Britain and the World 2018. University of Exeter.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.

view more...

Littlewood, DC. (2017, November). Expediency over ideology: New Zealand's introduction of conscription during 1940. Presented at New Zealand Historical Association Biennial Conference, 2017. Auckland, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2017, April). Won't you Meet us half-way?' The New Zealand military service boards and conscientious objectors in 1917. Presented at The Myriad Faces of War: 1917 and its Legacy. Wellington, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Littlewood, DC. (2016, November). From PhD Proposal to Research Funding: Reflections on Applying for a Marsden Grant. Presented at Ka Awatea IV. Massey University.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2016, June). A tale of two systems: Britain, New Zealand, and the introduction of conscription in 1916. Presented at Britain and the World Conference, 2016. London, United Kingdom.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2015, December). The dutifully reluctant: Appellants before the military service boards, 1916-18. Presented at New Zealand Historical Association Biennial Conference, 2015. Christchurch, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2013, November). Holding the balance'? The operations of the New Zealand military service boards and British military service tribunals, 1916-18. Presented at New Zealand Historical Association Biennial Conference, 2013. Dunedin, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.

view less...

Other

Littlewood, D. (2023, June). Sharing the Burdens: Conscription in Canterbury during WW2. Presented at Ashburton Museum.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2023, February). 'A Conscripted Society: New Zealand in the Second World War'. In RNZE Military History Presentation Series. Presented at Palmerston North City Library.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2018, April). 'Expediency Over Ideology: New Zealand's Introduction of Conscription in 1940'.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2018, April). 'Beyond Baxter and Briggs: Attitudes towards Military Service Among New Zealand's Great War Conscripts'.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2017, September). Beyond Baxter and Briggs: New Zealand Conscripts and Appeals for Exemption, 1916-1918.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.

view more...

Littlewood, DC. (2017, April). Painting A Picture of the Anzacs. In Te Manawa Museum.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2016, August). Politics and the State.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2015). WW1 through place names. : Land Information New Zealand
[Internet publication]Authored by: Littlewood, D.Contributed to by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2022). Review of Rowan Light, Anzac Nations: The Legacy of Gallipoli in New Zealand and Australia. : Kete Books
[Internet publication]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2017). Why Did Some New Zealanders Fight to Stay at Home?. : New Zealand WW100
[Internet publication]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2016). Did he 'go' or was he 'sent'?: Conscription in the Great War and its relevance to family historians today. (pp. 3 - 5).
[Other]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2021). Review of Vincent O'Malley, Voices from the New Zealand Wars – He Reo nō ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa. : Kete Books
[Internet publication]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2015, August). 'Would You Call Me a Britisher?' Citizenship during Appeals for Exemption from Military Service, 1916-18.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, DC. (2015, May). 'A Fair Chance'? Wanganui Men and the Military Service Boards during the Great War.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2021). Review of Nigel Robson, Our First Foreign War: The Impact of the South African War 1899-1902 on New Zealand. : Kete Books
[Internet publication]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
Littlewood, D. (2020). Review of: Freyberg: A Life's Journey, by Matthew Wright. : Kete Books
[Internet publication]Authored by: Littlewood, D.
view less...

Teaching and Supervision

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 2 0
Co-supervisor 2 2

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Grace Penlain - Doctor of Philosophy
    Fourth Service, Forgotten Service: New Zealand’s Merchant Seafarers in the Second World War
  • Jessica McLean - Doctor of Philosophy
    Myth-making and Story-telling: Comparing New Zealand's Centennial Narratives of World War One

Co-supervisor of:

  • Ken Dawson - Doctor of Philosophy
    Propaganda, Profit and Remembrance: The Role of Postage and Cinderella Stamps of New Zealand and Australia Relating to the First World War
  • Delwyn Blondell - Doctor of Philosophy
    New Zealand's 'Incorrigibles': Tackling the vices of the socially problematic 1870-1930

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2019 - Elizabeth Ward - Doctor of Philosophy
    'For Light and Liberty' The Origins and Early Development of the Reform Party, 1887-1915
  • 2018 - Daniel Wildy - Doctor of Philosophy
    Reeling Them In: Printed New Zealand Army Recruiting Material 1899-1999

Media and Links

Media

  • 30 Apr 2016 - Magazine, Online
    Anzac Books
    My co-edited book Experience of a Lifetime was reviewed by Matthew Wright in the New Zealand Listener
  • 27 Nov 2015 - Online
    Drama of WW1 Exemption Hearings Explored
    Interview by Massey University's External Relations Department on my PhD thesis. I was asked why the topic was important, and what I had discovered during my research
  • 26 Apr 2017 - Online
    Historian Questions Notions of Anzac Day
    My presentation to Te Manawa Museum was profiled in the People@Massey newsletter
  • 24 Apr 2016 - Newspaper, Online
    Interesting Vignettes Provide Perspective
    My co-edited book Experience of a Lifetime was favourably reviewed in the Otago Daily Times.
  • 23 Apr 2016 - Newspaper, Online
    A Meeting of Cultures
    An Extract from my co-edited book Experience of a Lifetime was published in the Weekend Herald
  • view more...
  • 22 Apr 2016 - Newspaper, Online
    New Light On An Old War
    My co-edited book Experience of a Lifetime was featured in the Manawatu Standard. I was quoted several times in the article.
  • 14 Sep 2016 - Online
    Interview about New Zealand 'War Crimes'
    I was interviewed by Alister Browne about Simon Sebag-Montfiore's claims that New Zealand soldiers committed war crimes during the Battle of the Somme in 1916
  • 05 May 2016 - Online
    Reviews: Into the World, Experience of a Lifetime
    My co-edited book Experience of a Lifetime was reviewed on the Stuff website by Alister Browne
  • 05 Apr 2016 - Online
    Fresh Perspectives on Experiences of WW1
    My Co-edited book, Experience of a Lifetime: People, Personalities and Leaders in the First World War, was profiled on the Massey University website. Several quotes from my introductory chapter were i
  • view less...