From Queen Street to the front
Although the details are uncertain, this brief film clip shows the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment marching down Queen Street on 22 September 1914, after a civic farewell at the Auckland Domain. The New Zealand Herald newspaper reported that “[f]lags were waved, and lusty cheers were given as the troops passed”. These scenes were later included in the 1928 Australian film The Exploits of the Emden. The original footage, like much film from that era, is now long lost.
From Queen Street to the front
Although the details are uncertain, this brief film clip shows the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment marching down Queen Street on 22 September 1914, after a civic farewell at the Auckland Domain. The New Zealand Herald newspaper reported that “[f]lags were waved, and lusty cheers were given as the troops passed”. These scenes were later included in the 1928 Australian film The Exploits of the Emden. The original footage, like much film from that era, is now long lost.
Year: c. 1914
Length: 00:31
Credits: The person who filmed this extract is unknown.
Source: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
Catalogue Reference: 6979 The Exploits of the Emden
Location: Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand
The quote is from NZ Herald, 24 September 1914, p.9. The Mounted Rifles can be identified by their rifles and bandoliers- their horses are already on board the troop ship.
The Exploits of the Emden was directed by Ken G. Hall and produced in 1928. It combined documentary and staged footage to portray the sinking of the German cruiser by the HMAS Sydney in the Indian Ocean in November 1914. This clip from the film is believed to show the Auckland Section of the NZEF. The wet, windy conditions match newspaper reports of the departure ceremony and march through the city. Other segments of The Exploits of the Emden can be found elsewhere on this website.
Like a number of the other initial troop departures, the Aucklands’ departure for the war was postponed. Their troopships left Auckland Harbour on 23 September 1914 heading for Australia. However, fear of German raiders meant the ships had to turn back. They eventually departed for Wellington on 11 October, and joined the other main body transports in the convoy to Albany, WA.