New Zealand's contribution to the First World War was a massive effort for a small country. The figure most often quoted is that from October 1914 through to October 1918, just over 100, 000 New Zealanders embarked for military service overseas. But that number does not include the thousands who served under other imperial flags: with the Australian Imperial Force, British Army units, the Indian Army, the Canadian Expeditionary Force, the American Expeditionary Force, the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force, the French Foreign Legion, and even the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps. Nor does it include the women who served with other nations' medical organisations or by entertaining troops. ... Until now, they have not been included in First World War statistics, and there may be as many as 12 000 of them, 1400 of whom died."--Back cover.