Wrestling on deck
This film was made during the New Zealand convoy’s 1915 journey from Wellington to Egypt, via Hobart and Colombo. On long voyages like this, an especially popular way for soldiers to spend their free time was watching wrestling bouts. Here the crowd watches intently as two soldiers, possibly former professional wrestlers, come to grips on the deck of the troopship. This appears to be a “worked”, or staged, bout, rather than a genuine contest. Gambling was prohibited on board troopships, but it seems highly likely that money changed hands on this occasion.
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Wrestling on deck
This film was made during the New Zealand convoy’s 1915 journey from Wellington to Egypt, via Hobart and Colombo. On long voyages like this, an especially popular way for soldiers to spend their free time was watching wrestling bouts. Here the crowd watches intently as two soldiers, possibly former professional wrestlers, come to grips on the deck of the troopship. This appears to be a “worked”, or staged, bout, rather than a genuine contest. Gambling was prohibited on board troopships, but it seems highly likely that money changed hands on this occasion.
Year: 1915
Length: 02:43
Credits: The person who shot this film is unknown.
Source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Catalogue Reference: F8201 Life on New Zealand troop ships / Our boys en route to Egypt
Location: Indian Ocean
The New Zealand convoy’s 1915 journey from Wellington to Egypt, via Hobart and Colombo, took just over two and a half months. To keep the soldiers occupied they were required to take part in military activities such as parades and inspections, drills and exercise, and also lectures and classes on military strategy and tactics. They spent their remaining free time reading and playing music, or in more physical activity such as boxing and gymnastics.
Wrestling on deck
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Somewhere in the Indian Ocean
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0:00
A wrestling bout between two older men, watched by New Zealand soldiers and crew.
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1:51
Wrestling match between two young soldiers, with good animated background faces of the crowd.