(18) DOUG. LAURENSON
casting experience, covering almost every detail of radio work from routine announcing to organising complicated relays and hook-ups, have resulted in the appointment of Doug. Laurenson as Official War Commentator with the N.Z.E.F. broadcasting unit. "I think I’m the luckiest man in New Zealand broadcasting today," he says. During the last Great War, Doug. Laurenson was a pilot in the Royal Air Force, and the experience he gained in those days should stand him in good stead now. His flying experience goes N EARLY four years’ broad-
back to 1917, when he was the 13th pupil to graduate in the old days of Wigram Aerodrome. In France he saw some months of active service, and when the Armistice was signed he was chosen to be one of the Guard of Honour when the late King Albert of Belgium made his triumphal re-entry into Brussels. During the last war, Doug. Laurenson also met the Prince of Wales, now Duke of Windsor, on several occasions. Returning to New Zealand long before the days of radio, Mr. Laurenson took up farming for a time, and then
entered the service of one of the large oil companies. Training Announcers When commercial radio began here, he soon realised that here was a vocation for him and he was one of the first announcers at 1ZB Auckland, During his service with the Commercial Stations he has been responsible for training a number of announcers whose voices are now well known on the air. He does not lack executive experience either, having been business manager for 2ZA Palmerston North, and also business manager during the first North Island tour of 5ZB last year. His Request Sessions Amongst his best-known broadcasts was the intricate but highly successful hook-up when the "Empress of Britain" made her maiden voyage to New Zealand. He also gave the commentary over all commercial stations on the arrival of the first "Clipper." This broadcast ran for 40 minutes-an exacting effort for a commentator using no notes. But Doug. Laurenson will probably be best remembered in the Auckland Province for his Sunday Request Sessions, which for ten months logged a steady average of 250 letters a week.
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 62, 30 August 1940, Page 19
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365(18) DOUG. LAURENSON New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 62, 30 August 1940, Page 19
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