WW1

Author and Labour politician John A. Lee describes the advance at the battle of Messines, read from his book 'Civilian into Soldier' about his World War 1 experiences, published in 1937. Audio

NZ theatre sister Wills recalls caring for the wounded near the front line in France. After large battles the hospital often didn’t have enough beds for the wounded who were laid on the floor on… Audio

At the battle of Passchendaele allied troops were slaughtered while attacking well-fortified enemy positions. Stretcher bearers, including Maori from the NZ Pioneer Battalion, were armpit-deep in mud… Audio

NZ soldier recalls an incident during the battle of Passchendaele involving an Australian soldier searching the battle field for his hand which had been blown off earlier. But it was a ring on one of… Audio

Showing the internationally recognised flag with a red cross on a white background, British and German soldiers recover their wounded during the battle of the Somme. Audio

How soldiers tackled the hopeless task of trying to keep themselves clean in the Gallipoli trenches. Fresh water was severely rationed and it was dangerous to swim in the sea because of Turkish… Audio

A description of the variety of jobs carried out by soldiers in the trenches at Gallipoli. These tasks mainly involved maintenance of the trenches as defensive positions and making it easier to spy… Audio

Engineers known as sappers tunnelled under each other’s trenches at Gallipoli with the aim of blowing up the enemy trenches.  Audio

Sergeant Cobb recalls an armistice to bury the dead from both sides at Gallipoli, May 1915. Burial lessened the threat of disease and was in the interests of both the allied and Turkish forces. Audio

A NZ soldier recalls being wounded at Gallipoli and applying his own basic first aid to his shattered knee. He is then carried to medical facilities on the beach which are totally inadequate. Audio

Sergeant Cobb, Wellington Mounted Rifles, recalls constructing trenches at Gallipoli and conditions in the trenches. He notes that the outdoor living experienced by many NZ soldiers back home gives… Audio

NZ soldier R.J. Waite recalls ways and means of dealing with a shortage of water after landing at Anzac Cove April 1915. Audio

This poem reflects the bitterness felt by some soldiers and subsequent generations at the failure of some of the strategies and tactics employed at Gallipoli. Audio

Bill Massey was NZ's Prime Minister during World War 1. A Politics lecturer at Wellington's Victoria University, Les Cleveland collected songs and poems by New Zealanders about World War One. Audio

New Zealand and Australian troops land at ANZAC cove, 25 April 1915. There’s panic among NZ troops when first they come under Turkish fire but an officer with a drawn revolver re-establishes… Audio

From the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in central Wellington (RNZ) Audio

Former chief executive of the RSA and military historian, who is attending Anzac Day at Gallipoli for the first time. Audio

Journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald, TV commentator, former radio presenter and national representative rugby union player whose new book is Gallipoli (Random House). He will be… Audio

Project Manager of the First World War Centenary Programme for the Wellington City Council. Audio