Roberts, H E (Sergeant), active 1940

Date: 1939-1940

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: McKenzie, J S (Private), active 1940

Reference: PA1-q-293

Description: Photographs of New Zealand military personnel in New Zealand, England and Egypt, taken 1939-1940 and compiled for official use. Most of the images have good captions, and most of the names noted are listed above. The album includes a number of British Official Photographs. Scenes include New Zealanders in the advance party sailing from Melbourne in December 1939; shipboard scenes of the First Echelon arriving in Egypt; Freyberg welcoming the troops on arrival with Anthony Eden (Secretary of State for the Dominions) and Sir Miles Lampson; the train service between the NZ camp and Cairo; Egyptian workmen helping construct the camp, and women doing the laundry; Divisional Signallers lined up on motor bikes. Battle practice and army life in the desert: anti-tank & anti-aircraft practice; bren guns; vehicle maintenance; blacksmiths; operating the telephone exchange; engineering work; sorting mail; manufacturing field oven; chopping wood for the oven; food preparation; boot mending; camp cinema; various games including cards, bowls, cricket, swimming, boxing; disinfecting plant for killing pests in soldiers' blankets; digging trenches; erecting tents. Opening of the Kiwi Club at Helwan, formed through the efforts of Lady Lampson. Three photographs taken by a sergeant of the Royal Marines, showing action related to the battleship Admiral Graf Spee and the Battle of the River Plate (p 65, 111, 133) New Zealanders resident in England who volunteeered at the outbreak of war are shown training with the Eastern Command; manoevres with the 2nd Echelon in Britain, and the opening of a new club for New Zealanders in Charing Cross Road; Winston Churchill visiting Australian and New Zealand troops in 1940; NZ armourers and wireless operators working for the RAF; information about the longest non-stop reconnaisance flight made in a Vickers Wellington bomber, piloted and crewed by members of the RNZAF Bomber Squadron (5 crew + 1 officer from the Navy to assist in ship identification); and Winston Churchill visiting Australian and New Zealand troops. In Libya scenes show a motor rail car which patrolled the rail to Matruh; "Whare Kiwi" dugout in the Libyan Desert; The first air raid experienced in a small village in the Cairo area. NZ airmen arrive in Canada for training in the Empire Air Trianing Scheme; haka led by Pine Takarangi. Transportation of troops and equipment across inland water, use of collapsible assault boats and building bridges. Western Desert battle; Italian and Libyan prisoners of war; captured tanks and vehicles; view of the Italian defence line; also the surrender of Traghen when the whole population of the Libyan Fort marched out in surrender. Various hospital scenes, both in England and in Egypt, including occupational therapy activities. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with faded blue cloth cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm