Long, long march to Chantrue
"When I was in the armed forces we did a lot of singing when we were out on the papa india sierra sierra," writes Kevin. "One of our favourites was The Maori Battalion. One line we sang was: 'Maori Battalion stormed Chantrue'. We were never able to find out where Chantrue was or anything about the battle. We assumed it was somewhere in Italy where the Maori Battalion had fought. Many years later, in the Point Chev RSA one Anzac Day, I saw a printed copy of the words. The correct version was : 'Maori Battalion staunch and true'."
No five o'clock shadows allowed
"I was amused by your report of Norwegian Navy crew having to ask permission to grow beards," writes John Roy of Omokoroa. "My late father spent much of World War II in the British Merchant Navy, and so became familiar with Royal Navy regulations. Dad told me the RN also had this rule, and when permission to grow a beard was granted the individual was not allowed to shave for six months. The idea behind the rule was to stop the matelots looking scruffy with a few days' growth; it had to be done properly. I don't think they had to submit drawings though."
House sales sink?
Premium real estate in Glendowie.
Picture this: Local news is the best kinda news...
Picture this: Depressing fridge magnet poems are also tinged with dark humour, which makes them bearable...
Local: The view up Queen Street, across from Auckland's Civic Theatre, circa 1961... and the same view today via Google Maps...
Video: Cocktails through the decades...
Herald app users
Got a Sideswipe?
Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at
?
