Memories of Service 5 - Wally Wyatt

Wally Wyatt’s first encounter with the army was as a paper boy. During World War ll he sold newspapers to soldiers at Auckland's North Head military camp. Later, after training at Papakura, he headed off to Korea as part of the 163 Battery. A photo of Wally taken at that time ended up on a 40 cent stamp, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. Korea is sometimes called the “forgotten war.” As this interview makes clear, that’s how Wally and his comrades felt after arriving back home. There was no welcome or thanks — they just got on with their lives.

The sergeant was due to come home. So he moved out and, although I was just a gunner then, the next day I was a sergeant. Just like that. Oh God! Sometimes you can be lucky.

– Wally Wyatt

Key Cast & Crew

David Blyth

Director, Interviewer, Producer

Patricia Stroud

Researcher, Producer

Jed Town

Composer

Edward Larsen

Editor

Stephen Latty

Camera, Sound