Maori Television Puts Out The Call For Wartime Stories And Treasures

Maori Television is putting out the call for people to come forward with their wartime keepsakes and associated personal stories, to screen as vignettes in an all-day ANZAC Day broadcast on April 25 2010.

“What we’re hoping to uncover is those war-related objects that have been passed down, perhaps stashed away for safekeeping, and which have always been of special significance to the owners and their families,” says producer Ross Jennings.

Introduced several years ago as part of the channel’s ANZAC Day coverage, the ‘treasures’ segment has already uncovered many moving stories.

Last year, the story of a soldier’s long-lost fob watch captivated viewers. Missing since World War II and found by chance decades later in an antique shop in England, the owner was traced, and the timepiece flown to New Zealand to be returned to the soldier’s family.

Another story from 2009 involved a piece of tapestry a soldier found when travelling through a bombed city in the war.

“He found out it was the last missing piece from a huge restored tapestry, which belonged to a beautiful chapel in the little town of Faenza, in Italy,” says Jennings. “It was sent back to the parishioners, and the final piece was put back in its rightful place.”

Yet another story was about embroidered hankies, sent to a young woman during World War I, and set in a frame hanging above her bed. The woman’s granddaughter went on to discover the true meaning of them.

“Hidden inside the frame was love letters, sent by two men from the same regiment, when they were stationed in France. It seems both were in love with the same woman in New Zealand, but neither man realised they were competing for her affection.”

For the fifth year running, the channel will devote its entire 18-hour schedule to ANZAC Day 2010, including coverage of key memorial ceremonies, as well as films, documentaries, veteran interviews and discussions.

If you think you have a story to contribute about a special family treasure, please contact: carmel.jennings@maoritelevision.com or phone 09 539 7000.

ENDS

© Scoop Media