"THERE'LL BE BLUE BIRDS......."
In the First World War New Zealand sent 100,000 of their soldiers (over 9 per cent of the population) to fight on Britain's side in the Middle East and Europe. After the First World War a terrific friendship carried on between New Zealand and Britain. Then in 1939 Britain and New Zealand joined sides again, to help each other out defeating Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy during the Second World War.
I interviewed 4 of my relatives that were alive in the war to see if they knew any people from New Zealand:
The first person I asked was my mum's Dad (my Grandad). When the Second World War started my Grandad was 6 years old, but he was evacuated to Wales quickly. When I asked him whether he knew any people from New Zealand he said no, but he did however know that they joined sides with Britain.
I then asked my Mum's Mum (my Nan) who was only 4 years old when the second World War started if she knew anyone from New Zealand, but she didn't remember ever meeting anyone from that Country either. But like my Grandad, she also remembered New Zealand joining sides with Britain. However, my Nan was not evacuated, she stayed in London all trough the War so it is quite surprising that she did not meet anyone from New Zealand.
I then talked to my dad's dad (my Grandad) who was also evacuated to Wales. He was 6 when the second World War started. I asked him if he knew any one from New Zealand but he didn't remember meeting anyone either. Like all my Grandparents he also knew that both Countries joined sides.
Last I asked my dad's Mum (my Nan) who was 5 when the war started. She was not evacuated so she stayed in London all trough the War as well. She did not remember meeting anyone from New Zealand either.
One of my Grandparents of course may have met someone from New Zealand during the War, but as they were so small when it happened they may have just forgotten. Even though New Zealand and Britain did join sides it does not seem as if many people from New Zealand lived over here during the War.
Carly Group 3 Passmores School Harlow
Memories from the second world war
