Te Tohara (Charlie) Mohi grew up in Pakipaki.  He embarked for war in 1941 and served with the Maori Bren-carrier platoon.  Charlie returned on furlough in 1945, see the photo here.

Charlie discusses the importance of gambling during downtime in Egypt and being the 'bank' for his comrade's winnings.

Site editors note: ? - indicates audio is indecipherable.

Transcript

Te Tohara Mohi:  Engari te mahi ia matou i Ihipa, te mahi gambling.  Tekau ma rua marama ke matou i roto i te, te desert e haere ana.  Kare taea he toa, kare taea he wahi hei hoko, hoko kai aha ranei.  Te ngahau a nga mea pirangi tena mahi.  He mea i Tsing Tai Lu, nga dices.  Taku hoa, tino hoa i taua taima, ko Billy Maha.  Oh tera tangata mo te gamble, aue e tama.  Na na tera mahi, tona toa tonu i taua mahi.  I tetahi wa ko au tonu wana peke, maku e manaaki ona moni.  Ka hara mai, ka maungia mai ana moni ki au.  Ka kuhungia atu au ki roto i taku peke.  Engari me mahi huna nei, me whanakohia hoki.

Pou Temara (interviewer): ?

Te Tohara Mohi:  Ia matou I hoki mai i te pakanga, e toru ke aku peke.  Kotahi me te hawhe, kii tonu i te moni, nga moni a taku hoa.  Kare au e mohio how much – e hia nga moni ra.  To matou taenga mai, kotahi noa iho tana ka tae mai matou ki te kainga nei, e tama kua whanakotia.  Ohhh tino mamae ra atu au nga mahi whanakotanga, nga moni a taku hoa.