The landing of the Australian troops in Egypt
This commercial sound recording includes what might be the first recorded version of 'Advance Australia Fair', the song that became Australia's national anthem. In music and drama, this production recreates the 1914 arrival of the Australian troops in Egypt, before their departure for Gallipoli. It may have been aimed at giving those on the home front a sense of the soldiers’ lives. The recording is very celebratory and full of pride at the role Australia was playing in the Great War.
Year:c. 1916
Location:Recorded in the United Kingdom
The landing of the Australian troops in Egypt
This commercial sound recording includes what might be the first recorded version of 'Advance Australia Fair', the song that became Australia's national anthem. In music and drama, this production recreates the 1914 arrival of the Australian troops in Egypt, before their departure for Gallipoli. It may have been aimed at giving those on the home front a sense of the soldiers’ lives. The recording is very celebratory and full of pride at the role Australia was playing in the Great War.
Year: c. 1916
Length: 08:56
Production Company: Zonophone, 3068 (UK)
Source: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
Catalogue Reference: NFSA title: 229758
Location: Recorded in the United Kingdom
Tags: Australian National Anthem, troops, Egypt, coo-ee
Subject: Australian National Anthem, Egypt
Image Title: Glass slide: Australian troops in Egypt; NFSA title #1030865
Image Source: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
The Landing of the Australian Troops in Egypt was made by the UK company Zonophone in about 1916. Broadcast radio services to homes did not become available until the 1920s, but in the war years a growing number of people owned gramophones capable of playing recordings like this.
The purpose of this recording is unclear. Was it propaganda? A wartime fundraiser? A souvenir for troops on leave to send home to family?
The Landing of the Australian Troops in Egypt - transcript
>> sound of ship's horn and bell <<
- Well boys, we'll soon be on shore now
- Yes and I shan't be sorry. We ought to have a bosker time here and very likely get a pot at the Turks
- Well it will get us into good form for a smack at the Germans later on
- Seems to be a tidy crowd come down to meet us
- Boys, let's give them a 'coo-ee'
>> coo - ee ! <<
- Now a cheer for luck. Altogether...
>> Hip hip horray ! <<
-Hello here’s the band going to _______ off a few _______
>> Advance Australia Fair <<
>> Hip hip hooray <<
-Make fast that _____ there. Look alive. _____ the gangway
- Why there’s some English Tommies here
-What ho mate! How goes it?
- ________ where’s ya bloomin kangaroo?
>> laughter <<
-Oh he’s alright. We’ve got a bonzer kangaroo above the spinnacle
>> singing: Here we are, here we are, here we are again <<
>> trumpet <<
>> men counting off / commands to march <<
>> singing: Australia Will Be There <<
>> crowd noises, 'coo-ees', band playing <<
- Eyes front! Now my lads, the old country has called upon you for help. She is looking to the sons of Australia to uphold the glory, not only of the British Empire, but our fair Commonwealth itself. Now boys I've got great news for you. I hear on the wireless that the Sydney has sunk the Emden. That's the spirit my boys. Now forward to victory!
-Are we downhearted?
>> No! <<
-What’s that they’ve been playing?
-The Egyptian national anthem. Sounds fine don’t it Sir
-Stand by your left! Quick march!
-C’mon old _____ let’s have the old chorus
>> singing: Australia Will Be There <<
-I thought the ______ is in Egypt. Where is he?
-The ________ ? He has a few miles yet
-____________ to get the right spirit of the place.
-(inaudible)
-Hey! There’s good ol’ Sir George Reid
-Hello George, where’s your dry dog ?
-Eyes front! Three cheers for his Majesty the King
-Are we downhearted?
>> No! <<
>> crowd noises, band playing <<
- Company stand at ease
>> cheering, 'coo-ees', band playing, inaudible dialogue <<
>> ends with ‘Australia Will be There’ <<