A Dunedin teen has tracked down 50 families who lost three or more members in World War 1.
Each morning before he sets off for King's High School, Josh Scadden (15) examines war databases, searching for the names of dead soldiers.
The self-confessed lover of war history said he looked for three or more soldiers with the same surname and then checked to see if they had the same next of kin or home address.
His research has revealed 51 New Zealand families who lost three or more siblings, including six in Dunedin.
And he has not finished yet.
The year 12 pupil has uncovered two cases where three brothers died but their respective fathers returned to New Zealand after serving, and another family who lost all four sons. Josh hopes one day to interview relatives of each affected family for a possible book on the topic.
He had always loved history, but studying the Battle of Passchendaele for year 11 history ''got me really interested''.
However, friends did not share his passion.
''They don't find it interesting and find it a bit odd, and if I get excited over something, they just don't care,'' he said.
''I just have a love of history. I just find it very interesting ... the different lifestyle, the different conditions, how it impacted upon us, all of that.''
He planned to study medicine and might join the army as a medical officer.
On Poppy Day today, expect to see the Dunedin RSA's youngest member out collecting.
