19 Jul 2015

War Report - 19 July 2015

From New Zealand in World War I, 8:53 pm on 19 July 2015

Memories of Marcus Riske who, when the first wounded came back from World War I, realised what war was. He describes the traumatic experience as a child of eight, going to a reception for returned men in the Wellington Town Hall when the crowd at first cheered loudly and then began weeping at the sight of their injuries. He recalls looking at casualty lists outside the newspaper offices. He says at the start of the war everyone was enthusiastic in smashing up businesses owned by those with German surnames, but then he says the mood changed and people didn't like the war.

Music extracts:

Artist: John McCormack
Song: There's a Long Long Trail A Winding
Composer: King/Elliott
Album: Oh, It's a Lovely War Vol 2
Label: CD41 486309 6'18"

Artist: Radio New Zealand Studio Orchestra
Song: I'll Put You Together Again
Composer: Black/Steven
Album: Orchestral Gold Vol 2
Label: Tartar TRL 005
DUR: 55'32"

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