Yet, in the more pro-British centres and for struggling poorer inhabitants, the call was answered and many rushed to enlist to fight in what was seen as a European War.

The cry for war was heard in a period of increased urbanisation and class antagonism towards the ruling order. As opposed to other empire and Allied states, the Union’s experience of the global war’s intoxication in August and September 1914 was more complex, inconsistent and layered. In 1914-'18 the Great War, as it is still widely known today, engulfed the world, including the recently-founded Union of South Africa. In Britain, France, and Egypt New Zealand troops rioted, looted and engaged in murder. The thesis will also comprehensively discuss the presence of ill-discipline during the demobilisation period. Despite the best of intentions, it was singularly unsuccessful the one real disappointment of the Demobilisation Scheme. To keep the men occupied and prepare them for life after the war, the NZEF attempted to implement an education scheme wherever New Zealand troops were camped. The fact it was completed successfully is a testament to the planning undertaken prior to the Armistices by the Empire Military Demobilisation Committee. This was a massive task to co-ordinate the vessels with the drafts of men waiting anxiously to go home. Between November 1918 and September 1919 over 50,000 men and women were repatriated to New Zealand from Britain and Egypt. This study also considers the place of the Maori Pioneer Battalion, one of the only parts of the NZEF to be repatriated as a complete unit.

The base camps in Britain are a study of administrative history as the military infrastructure that supported the NZEF in the field had to be closed down, the equipment returned to New Zealand or disposed of and the personnel demobilised and repatriated. This included Troops in France, Palestine, England, and Germany, the wounded and sick, and non-combatants. This thesis is a study of the demobilisation of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force from November 1918 until September 1919. Demobilisation as an aspect of Military History is not often mentioned. 'So the end has come.I shall see you all again': Demobilising the New Zealand Expeditionary Force November 1918- September 1919.

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