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28th Māori Battalion Christmas 1943

By Stephanie A

In honour of the festive season, we thought we would share some images and clips of Māori Battalion Christmases past from the National Library & Māori Battalion websites.

Two men from the Maori Battalion digging up a hangi of pork and potatoes for Christmas Dinner at the Maori Training Depot, Maadi.

Bull, George Robert, 1910-1996

Uncovering the Christmas hangi at the Maori Training Depot, Maadi Camp, Egypt - Photograph taken by George Bull. New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency. Ref: DA-04877-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22828401

Bull, George Robert, 1910-1996

Members of the 28th (Maori) Battalion with uncovered hangi at Maadi Camp on Christmas Day, Egypt - Photograph taken by George Robert Bull. New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency. Ref: DA-04882-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22895567

Bull, George Robert, 1910-1996

Members of the 28th (Maori) Battalion eating hangi-cooked potatoes on Christmas Day, Egypt - Photograph taken by George Robert Bull. New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency. Ref: DA-04878-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23176964

Bull, George Robert, 1910-1996

Looking along one of the tables laden with Christmas Dinner at the Maori Training Depot, Egypt - Photograph taken by George Robert Bull. New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency. Ref: DA-04887-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23102454

If these images inspire you to make your own Christmas hangi, check out our collection. We have many books that will help you out.

Read more about the Māori Battalion in the Second World War