A sea of faces say goodbye in Dunedin
Tahuna Park in Dunedin was the initial training camp for soldiers of the Otago and Southland Section of the Main Body of the NZEF. It was also the site for this civic reception farewelling the men on 16 September 1914. The Otago Daily Times reported that “seldom, if ever, has such a large Dunedin crowd been gathered together at one time." (17 September 1914, p. 2).
The soldiers seem all smiles and expectant faces, and eager to be off to war. The film also gives rare glimpses of how Dunedin people felt as their fathers, husbands, brothers and sons headed off to the front. There is a sense of apprehension amongst this sea of faces, and it was well founded. Many of the troops shown in this film later became casualties of the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign.
A sea of faces say goodbye in Dunedin
Tahuna Park in Dunedin was the initial training camp for soldiers of the Otago and Southland Section of the Main Body of the NZEF. It was also the site for this civic reception farewelling the men on 16 September 1914. The Otago Daily Times reported that “seldom, if ever, has such a large Dunedin crowd been gathered together at one time." (17 September 1914, p. 2).
The soldiers seem all smiles and expectant faces, and eager to be off to war. The film also gives rare glimpses of how Dunedin people felt as their fathers, husbands, brothers and sons headed off to the front. There is a sense of apprehension amongst this sea of faces, and it was well founded. Many of the troops shown in this film later became casualties of the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign.
Year: 1914
Length: 02:44
Credits: Filmed by: Henry C. Gore
Source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Catalogue Reference: F1147 [Otago Expeditionary Force. Section 1] 1914
People: Lt Col T. W. McDonald (Commanding Officer, Otago and Southland Section), Rev J. Kilpatrick (Presbyterian Church), Mr J. B. Shacklock (Mayor of Dunedin)
Location: Tahuna Park, Victoria Road, Lawyers Head, Dunedin
The Otago and Southland Section of the Main Body of the NZEF was commanded by Lt Col. T.W. McDonald and made up of an Infantry Battalion and the Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment. Amongst its ranks was the VC winner Sgt Richard Travis, later known as “the King of No Man’s Land”.
This is one of three films in Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision’s collection which shows the mobilisation, training and civic farewell to the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) raised in the Otago and Southland region at the outset of World War One in August and September 1914.
All these films were shot by Henry C. Gore, a prolific Dunedin-based topical film maker. Gore was a photographer by profession. In 1910 he was chief projectionist at Dunedin’s Plaza cinema and also managed Saturday screenings of Haywards Pictures at the Burns Hall. He began filming local events which were shown at the Plaza and also distributed through New Zealand Picture Supplies. He became one of the first New Zealanders to gain overseas film-making experience when he travelled to Hollywood in 1916. After his return he continued to film events in the Otago-Southland region and became one of Dunedin’s leading photographers, operating from a studio opposite the General Post Office for many years.
A sea of faces say goodbye in Dunedin
-
Tahuna Park, Dunedin
-
00:00
Pans across faces of men of Otago Battalion of the Expeditionary Force at Tahuna Park with crowd in background. Lt Col T. W. McDonald moving through the group is congratulated by two civilian dignitaries.
-
0:15
Pan left to right across faces of men of Otago Battalion with musicians of Otago Hussars on right of frame.
-
0:43
The Battalion marches onto parade.
-
0:51
The Dunedin Liedertafel sings.
-
1:06
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Synod Rev J. Kilpatrick addresses the crowd.
-
1:16
Pans left to right across the faces of the soldiers and hats.
-
1:42
The Mayor Mr J. B. Shacklock gives an address, [Mr W. C. MacGregor] follows.
-
1:54
View from behind J. B. Shacklock addressing crowd.
-
2:01
Pan members of Dunedin public, children and adults, viewing farewell reception, tents in background.