3186. My Uncle Richard © Bruce Goodman 25 April 2025

Today is ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand – when we remember those who have died in wars. My Uncle Richard Peers (Mum’s brother) was passing through New York on his way from somewhere to somewhere (he was a pilot on an aircraft carrier in World War II). He made this recording on a 78 record and sent it to his parents (Mr and Mrs Peers in Hastings, New Zealand). The Margaret mentioned in the recording is his younger sister, and Doreen is his older sister and my Mum. Nola Luxford was a New Zealand-born American film actress, spanning from the silent film era to the 1930s. She made recordings for New Zealand soldiers to send home when they passed through New York. “Kia ora” at the end of the recording is a New Zealand Maori greeting, not dissimilar to the Hawaiian “Aloha”. Some of you may find the recording interesting – if only to hear the proper New Zealand accent! The recording is made more poignant because he never came home. Click HERE to listen to the recording of my Uncle Richard during World War II: Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story