Too young to enlist, dad joined Anzacs anyway

Margaret Snodgrass' father brought back some German souvenirs from World War I. Photo / John Borren

Jack Robert Snodgrass did not see much action in World War I - but he did manage to bring home some souvenirs.

Mr Snodgrass lied about his age to get into the army towards the end of the war, thought to be some time in 1917. Born in 1898, he would not have been eligible to enlist until early 1918. He trained in Wellington, joined the Mounted Rifles and sailed on the Moeraki to Egypt in October, arriving on November 22, 1918.

His daughter, Margaret Snodgrass, who lives in Otumoetai, said her father "did not see a lot of action", but still managed to bring home a German button and buckle.

"As small children, he told us he got them off a dead German's uniform."

Soon after arriving in Egypt, Mr Snodgrass contracted influenza, then after a period of care at a hospital in Alexandra, was sent back to New Zealand.

"He didn't really talk about his experiences. He did suffer a lot of depression, which his GP said was because of the war.

"We grew up knowing he had been in the war."

Mr Snodgrass also served in the Home Guard in World War II when he was in his 40s.

Every Anzac Day, Miss Snodgrass said her father donned his uniform to attend the services, taking his children along with him.

"We grew up always going to Anzac services. I don't go as often any more but I do watch it on TV. I'm very much in favour of the services, I think it's wonderful that all the younger generations are getting involved."Sonya Bateson