On the Anzac trail: Being extracts from the diary of a New Zealand sapper

A New Zealand sapper writes candidly about answering the call to arms, from his life in Ireland and South Africa to the bustling drills on Wandsworth Common and the cramped tents of Salisbury Plain. His voice is plain‑spoken and wry, capturing the mix of colonial pride, cheap beer, and the relentless routine of marching, rifle‑training, and makeshift camaraderie among fellow Colonials.

When the men finally board the ships for Egypt, the diary shifts to the stark reality of the Gallipoli landing. He describes the chaos of the beaches, the mud‑filled trenches, and the relentless effort to keep Maoriland’s honour alive amid artillery fire and exhaustion. The narrative stays grounded in the everyday experiences of a rank‑and‑file soldier, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the early weeks of the Great War from the perspective of one who was there.