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Part 5 of 5.
Continuation of recordings of the Crossing the Equator or ""Crossing the Line"" ceremony on board the ""Empress of Japan"" troop ship taking the 3rd Echelon of New Zealanders overseas. Commentary by Doug Laurenson and Bo'sun Wilson of the ship's crew.
Men being initiated by ""Father Neptune"" include "" Kauri"" Mitchell from North Auckland and the Master of Arms of the ship. The Ship's Bo'sun commentates as the men are lathered in shaving foam and then dunked as part of the ceremony. The ceremony has to be taken in stages so that all troops will see it.
"Father Neptune"" (M.C.McLean, the ship's Service Engineer) makes an announcment "Ladies and Gentlemen it has given me great pleasure to take the part of Father Neptune in this little show we have put on for the 3rd Echelon of New Zealand."
This item is part of a collection of recordings made by the Mobile Broadcasting Units, which travelled overseas with New Zealand forces between 1940-1945. They recorded New Zealanders' experiences of war and messages to their families and friends, which were sent back home to be played on a weekly radio programme.