Interview with Dennis Gee

Oral history interview with Denis Gee, born 8th February 1928, in Lambeth, London. Talks about family background . Details schooling in Camberwell and Dagenham - discusses attending Monteagle School and Barking Abbey Grammar School. Discusses London evacuations during World War II - talks about being billeted into the country. Details jobs taken after finishing school - talks about starting military service. Describes basic training in the Army - discusses his work with the Royal Engineers. Mentions work he found after being demobilisied - mentions working as a clerk at Sainsbury's. Recalls reasons why he chose to immigrate to New Zealand - describes process of application. Discusses his feelings about leaving England. Describes the ship 'Rangitata' - talks about the accomodation, entertainment, and facilities aboard the ship. Describes arriving in Wellington - discuses his first impressions of New Zealand. Talks about boarding in Trentham and Brooklyn. Discusses beginning work at the Labour Department. Elaborates on his decision not to join the New Settlers' Club. Talks about the 'Britishness' of New Zealand - discusses his feelings about immigration.

Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian

Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching

Accompanying material - Biographical information relating to Denis Gee; Project questionnaire; list of interview questions and topics; document from New Zealand Government Office in London on applying to be a clerk in New Zealand.

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014983, OHC-014984

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.43 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5435.

Search dates: 1928 - 1993

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-008649 - OHLC-008650