'A Wonderful Lot of Chaps': Observations on New Zealand Army Culture in War Letters from Rod to Molly McLeay, 1940-1942

Abstract

The prevalent egalitarianism, mateship and hierarchy in the New Zealand army and as expressed in the letters of a junior officer Roderick Moscrop McLeay to his wife Molly during his period overseas during World War Two is analyzed. The letters show that the New Zealand Army at war was a hierarchical organization with clear distinctions among the various ranks.