Torty and the Soldier

Torty and the Soldier is the heartwarming story of one plucky tortoise’s incredible survival against all odds. Kiwi soldiers brought a number of souvenirs home from World War One, but Torty was perhaps the most unique. Already estimated to be 100 years old at the time she was found, injured, in Greece, the little tortoise was rescued and looked after by Stewart Little, who brought her home to New Zealand on board the Marama, a hospital ship. Towards the end of the voyage, she went into hibernation and was brought ashore in a kitbag. Torty lived in Dunedin in Stewart’s care until his death 60 years later when her care passed on to Stewart’s family. And now, 100 years since her arrival in New Zealand, Torty remarkably lives on, a true World War One survivor. This is her story.