On the day after World War I began, my father, at 18, volunteered with enthusiasm to join the Bavarian Artillery. He survived the terrible Battle of the Somme, won two Iron Crosses and ended the war, defeated, in a military hospital in Alsace. Lieutenant Oestreicher (commissions were rare for Jews) was still well enough to walk. The medical officer shouted: "Lads, if you can, make a run for it, or the French will capture you." In 1918, he ran from the French. In 1938, with Jewish parents, he had to run from the Germans - all the way to New Zealand. My parents and I, now a refugee family, sailed on the SS Ormond.
The ship put in at Fremantle, our first sight of Australasia. We went window shopping in the main street, though not one shop was open. There was, however, a band and marching soldiers. My parents thought they had left all that behind. With little English, "Anzac Day" meant nothing to them. "Gallipoli" only added to their confusion. We had no inkling a second world war was only months away.
Three weeks later, aboard the Wanganella, we docked at Wellington's overseas wharf, since turned into luxury apartments. It was May 1939. I was 7.
Nine years later, at King's High School in Dunedin, I, like all the boys - except for an earlier Kings student, James K Baxter - had joined the army cadets. It was my school's turn to provide a firing party at the cenotaph on Anzac Day. Sergeant Oestreicher was put in charge of the squad. We trained hard for the day.
Richards, our Latin master, had been an officer in the war. Two days before Anzac Day, he took me aside. "Sorry, Oestreicher, we have made a mistake. The rules are that only privates can make up a firing party. You will have to drop out. Rules are rules."
I didn't mind. However, one of the squad, Paterson, went down with flu. His parents rang; might I take his place? "Sorry," I said, "I'm not allowed."
Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin April 27-May 3, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin April 27-May 3, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
The rest is history
Rest - both sleep and non-sleep - is essential to help our overstressed bodies and minds repair themselves. But many of us remain in a constant state of 'fight, flight or freeze'.
Right and power
Israel is profiting financially and extending its global technological influence in response to the October 7 massacre, says investigative journalist Antony Loewenstein.
Dolphins be damned
Is SailGP's future in this country really under threat because of an at-risk marine mammal?
Orwellian irony
Our thinking about one of the 20th century's best-known writers is being challenged by the 'smelly little truths' Anna Funder uncovered about George Orwell's marriage.
The alchemist
Talent and a little magic have taken state-house kid Moses Mackay to the heights of Italian opera. He's coming back to sprinkle some of his gold dust around.
Good Lord, he was scandalous
Lord Byron still fascinates 200 years after his death, but more for his bohemian lifestyle than his poetry.
Stars in their eyes
Debut novel a heady mix of grief, astronomy and love.
Dark matter
Ngaio Marsh-style whodunnit set among academia attached to the Mt John Observatory.
Mirren's mirror on Meir
Dame Helen talks about playing Golda Meir, Israel's iron lady, during a pivotal chapter in the controversial politician's long career.
Game, set and match
Love, sex and great tennis take centre court in this highly charged drama.