Records Officer, Captain Alexander, Part 1 of 2

Interview with NZEF Records Officer Captain Alexander. Commentator Doug Laurenson, "In the army we have a tremendous roll call of New Zealanders all of whom must have their movements, promotions and so on recorded so we have called to see Captain Alexander and ask a few questions about your organisation". Captain Alexander, "We keep a complete record of every person in the NZEF from the time they join until they leave, in short their where abouts and qualifications. We record the evacuation of personnel from the units. In civilian life a heavy cold would require a man to be sent home where he would be treated. In the army they cannot be kept in the unit lines but must be evacuated to hospital. In the army the possibility of an epidemic of even a simple cold means inefficiency. It can be seen the recording of all casualities can be a sizeable job. When a man is seriously ill or wounded this office checks the
notification then cables New Zealand and the next of kin in New Zealand are advised. Any changes of condition or discharge are also notified by
cable".