While most newspapers end up wrapped around fish and chips, scrunched into balls to start fires, or piled into the recycling bin, a collection of newspapers printed for World War II troops in Egypt have been carefully looked after by one Rotorua retiree.
When former journalist Richard Lyon worked in Taupo he was gifted the 24 papers published between July 1940 and December 1943.
His boss had been given the papers and kept them for 20 years before eventually deciding he didn't want them anymore.
Richard Lyon and his war newspaper collection. Photo/Stephen Parker
"He asked me if I would like them when he was doing a clean-up in his office."
In the 77-year-old's words, the papers are "packed full of historical information that goes way, way back".
Twenty-two of the papers are editions of the Parade, Middle East Weekly published by the British Middle East Command, however, two of the newspapers are unrelated publications published by the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Cairo, Egypt.
"They were to inspire the troops and keep them in touch with home," Lyon told the Rotorua Daily Post.
For Lyon, one of the standout stories is on the 19th page of the Parade published on June 21, 1941.
It covers the daring feats of British pilot Sir Douglas Bader, who Lyon met after the war when he visited New Zealand.
The <i>Parade</i> article on Sir Bader. Photo/Samantha Olley
"Halfway through the war Bader was captured and sent to the notorious prisoner of war camp at Colditz Castle. Shortly after he met New Zealand chap John (Jack) Rae who flew spitties in Malta and was shot down.
"He became good friends with Rae and mentioned him in his book. Dad knew Jack well through business later in life and when Bader was around for dinner at his place in Auckland we were invited round and I met Bader."
Lyon remembers being in awe.
"Bader was very positive but didn't come across arrogant. Other pilots and crews had followed him for this reason, he looked after his men."
In the two Kiwi newspapers, one of the most striking features is the "N.Z. Casualty List No.42".
The front page of one of the N.Z.E.F publications. Photo/Samantha Olley
"A lot of these were the result of Rommel. He rolled us when he first attacked in Egypt and took a lot of prisoners as a result of that," Lyon said.
Erwin Rommel, also known as the "Desert Fox", won many battles using a tactic of outflanking his enemy to attack from unexpected directions, including behind his opponents.
For those soldiers looking for lighter reading, the Kiwi papers also included reports of rugby and hockey matches at Maadi Camp.
Alongside the sports reports are advertisements for the Cairo Cinemas, including films such as Model Wife and This Woman is Mine.
A page one of the N.Z.E.F publications. Photo/Samantha Olley
At the front of the paper, among reports from the front lines are news reports from all over New Zealand.
A Bay of Plenty story told of, "an echo of the epidemic of thefts of fowls which took place at Taneatua" when the thief was sentenced in the Whakatane Police Court.
Lyon has not yet decided where the papers should go when he can no longer enjoy them.
"I would give them to a war museum or army museum but I suspect they would have them already. I will probably end up giving them to my son and grandson."
