Episode One in a series about the experiences of New Zealanders in Egypt during World War II.
Opens with an archival recording of Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage's radio broadcast to the nation on the outbreak of war, in September 1939.
The narrator summarises the numbers of New Zealanders who participated in the Middle East campaign.
Multiple unidentified speakers, including some nurses, recall their departure from New Zealand and life on board various troopships. A woman recalls the converted Dutch luxury liner which she travelled on, with a swimming pool and beautiful meals.
A man who sailed on the "Dunera" from Lyttelton, remembers it lagged behind other ships. Another man remembers travelling on the "Aquitania" which was not suited to tropical conditions, and very hot.
A man remembers sleeping in hammocks and another talks about how they passed time on board - playing cards, gambling (illegally) for small stakes, drinking warm beer and improvised concerts.
Memories of shore leave in Fremantle, Perth and training on board. A man recalls the strenuous drills of the Māori Battalion, who "marched to England."
Brass band music "Waltzing Matilda". A stuffed kangaroo was taken from outside a Fremantle store on board the Dunera.
A further excerpt of M.J. Savage's broadcast.
Credits:
Speakers heard in this episode are:
Miss Pat Andrews
Ken Avery
Peter Bates
Basil Borthwick
Mrs Mavis Bracegirdle
Brigadier J. Burrows
Brownie Dan
Len Firkin
Norman Jones, M.P.
A.L. Kidson
Miss Jean Knox Gilmer
Hon. Harry Lapwood
Cedric Mentiplay
Ted Nepia
Studio engineer Leslie Craven and Donna Pittaway
Compiled and produced by Martin Hadlow.