Interview with Murray Morriss

Describes family background, father first settler around Eketahuna, Rongokokako School, details of farm work, Cadets, patriotism, Scandinavian settlers, enlistment under age, reaction of parents, Trentham and Featherston Camps, the 'send-off', dances at Rongo Hall, transport on 'Ararima', Capetown, racism in South Africa, Sierra Leone.

Arrival at Sling Camp, English civiliams, prostitution, Les Waterish, training as a signaller, talking to Germans in Ploegsteert Wood, training and living conditions at Sling Camp, Etaples, 21st birthday in Glasgow, Pont de Nieppe, why he missed Passchendaele, trench feet, treatment and later post-war trouble, Wattle Dump, the Second Somme, detailed description of killing, being wounded, dressing station at the Salvation Army, recovery at Walton-on-Thames, bayonetting Germans, sees Nicholas win a Victoria Cross, gas, lice, and rats.

Recalls two-up, rum, singing, change in attitude to religion, UK troops, cakes from New Zealand, Private Nimot, shell shock, post war recovery at Hanmer Hospital, executions, English brides, T E Y Seddon, heart ailment, Sling riot, return to New Zealand in 1919, work for farmers near Sling Camp in UK.

Describes in detail getting rehabilitation farm and shell shock treatment in 1921, treatment at Hanmer Hospital, condition of farm, formation of RSA in Eketahuna, surviving the 1930s depression, what he told civilians about the war.

Venue - Eketahuna

Interviewer(s) - Jane Tolerton

Interviewer(s) - Nicholas Boyack

Venue - At Murray Morriss' home at Rongokokako, R.D.2, Eketahuna

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 500.

Black and white photographs:-. Murray Morriss, 1989. Murray Morriss and his sister, undated [Murray in army uniform]

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-006203 - OHLC-006205