Great War Stories Bill Dobson, POW
William 'Bill' Dobson was fighting on the Western Front in April 1918 when the Germans captured him at Méteren, in northern France, during the Spring Offensive. He was one of 210 men captured that day — the largest group of New Zealanders taken prisoner at any one time — and spent the rest of the war in a German prisoner of war camp. Conditions were rough but Bill found solace in his sketchbook and in performing with the camp concert party. After the war, he returned home to work as a cabinetmaker. Like many men who had fought, he sought comfort in alcohol, but after meeting and marrying vaudeville performer Louise Morris, Bill gave up drinking and resumed his passion for performance.
Short films telling personal stories about New Zealanders affected by Gallipoli and the First World War.
Primary Title
- Great War Stories
Episode Title
- Bill Dobson, POW
Date Broadcast
- Monday 12 February 2018
Original Broadcast Date
- Saturday 22 April 2017
Duration
- 03:46
Series
- 4
Episode
- 4
Channel
- Internet
Broadcaster
- New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Programme Description
- Short films telling personal stories about New Zealanders affected by Gallipoli and the First World War.
Episode Description
- William 'Bill' Dobson was fighting on the Western Front in April 1918 when the Germans captured him at Méteren, in northern France, during the Spring Offensive. He was one of 210 men captured that day — the largest group of New Zealanders taken prisoner at any one time — and spent the rest of the war in a German prisoner of war camp. Conditions were rough but Bill found solace in his sketchbook and in performing with the camp concert party. After the war, he returned home to work as a cabinetmaker. Like many men who had fought, he sought comfort in alcohol, but after meeting and marrying vaudeville performer Louise Morris, Bill gave up drinking and resumed his passion for performance.
Classification
- Unknown
Owning Collection
- Chapman Archive
Broadcast Platform
- Television
Languages
- English
Captions
Live Broadcast
- No
Rights Statement
- Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Notes
- Research and scripts: AC Productions. Images, historic video and further sources: Archives New Zealand and National Library of New Zealand. Originally broadcast as a segment of TV3 News (now Newshub), MediaWorks Television.
Subjects
- World War, 1914-1918--Personal narratives, New Zealand
- World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Turkey--Gallipoli Peninsula
- Soldiers' writings, New Zealand
- Documentary television programs--New Zealand
Genres
- Biography
- History
- War
Contributors
- Mike McRoberts (Narrator)
- Anna Cottrell (Director)
- Anna Cottrell (Producer)
- AC Productions (Production Unit)
- NZ On Air (Funder)
Subjects
- World War, 1914-1918--Personal narratives, New Zealand
- World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Turkey--Gallipoli Peninsula
- Soldiers' writings, New Zealand
- Documentary television programs--New Zealand