Part of a series of recordings for radio broadcasts on Christmas Day 1940 in New Zealand: Christmas Greetings from New Zealanders in the Middle East.
Part 4 of 12
From Alexandria on the shores of the Mediterranean we hear Christmas greetings from an unidentified New Zealand sailor serving with the Royal Navy on HMAS Sydney. (He notes his home is in the central North Island.)
He sends greetings and says those New Zealanders serving on the HMAS Sydney count themselves lucky in having seen some lively action not so long ago. They see a great deal of HMS Ajax. Both ships have had their actions. New Zealanders in HMS Achilles know what the Ajax can do, they saw that for themselves in the River Plate Battle. ""We shall be thinking of those Christmases we have spent with you all. A very happy Christmas and the happiest New Year to you all."""
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.