This collection consists of two short interviews. In the first, recorded in 2004, Eric recalls life on the Ruddenklau farm near Fortrose, describing mixed cropping, harvesting, and the transition from horse-powered farming to tractors. It highlights the ingenuity and camaraderie of farm workers, early farm technology, local personalities, rural transport, schooling, and community life in Southland. In the second, recorded in 2006, Eric describes his time in the home guard in Tokonui at the start of World War II, when Eric was aged 16. Eric talks of being taught manoeuvres, morse code and semaphore. Eric joined the army at age 20, which ended his involvement with the home guard.