World War, 1939-1945 - New Caledonia

Date: ca 1943-1945

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: WH-0461-F

Description: Original caption reads: "NZEF IP [New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Pacific]. Wharf operating unit unloading a Liberty ship at a port in New Caledonia [during World War 2]. Unloading party from a base camp working the hold. Canteen goods are being taken out." Official war photograph taken between circa 1943-1945. Photographer unidentified. Identified from original print of this negative in album PA1-q-303, page 36 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: [between ca 1942-1945]

By: McIlraith, Isabel, 1906-2011

Reference: PAColl-9847

Description: Photographs relating to Frank Hamilton McIlraith's World War II service in New Caledonia between circa 1942 and 1945. Shows troops, officials, parades and military camp scenes. A few persons/places are identified. Photographer(s) unidentified. Includes three images taken at/near Tontuta Camp. Group photograph identifies soldiers: Tom Maloney Sharp, Stew Beattie, Frank McIlraith, Peter Jowett, Harold Day, Laurie McClelland, Tony Garland, Ron McDonald. Another identifies Bill Woods and Harold Day at Plaines des Gaves, Nepoul. Also includes: -photographs taken during the visit of New Zealand Governor General Marshal of the RAF Sir Cyril Louis Norton Newall, with interior and exterior images of the Chapel of St George. -unidentified soldiers outside the National Patriotic Centre -scene with a sign for Poya -troops outside the Bourail Club -soldiers swimming, watched by women (nurses?) Source of descriptive information - PAColl-9847-01 to 03 identified as Tontuta Camp on the envelope that originally enclosed them. Envelope placed with photographs. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Mrs McIlraith was the wife of the late Frank Hamilton McIlraith. Quantity: 19 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin prints Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Papers-10139 : McIlraith, Isabel, fl 2010 : Family papers. See also Ephemera Collection where items are mainly housed at Eph-A-NEW-CALEDONIA-1940s..

Date: 1943-1944

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: Barns-Graham, Allan Barclay, 1906-2006

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-112

Description: Large number of unsorted photographs, mostly captioned. Includes: Visit of NZ Defence Minister, Hon F Jones. Shows him talking to L/Bdr Robert Abbot (Opotiki); Genr Joseph Larrington (Napier); Bdr Lem Wakelin (Whakatane); Gnr Maurice Gillard (Whakatane); Bdr Frank Jury (Auckland); Sgt Alex Ferguson (Te Awamutu), and Bdr Basil Fenton (Takapuna). Watching unloading operations on the beach: Major General Rush B Lincoln; Col W W Dove; Col C W Salmon; Brig C J Duff; Col J I Brooke; Lt Col H W D Blake; Major General Barrowclough; Major G W Waddell, Major H G Guttensohn. Amphibious training 14th Brigade at Ducos Peninsula, Noumea Harbour, Jul 1943. View of Base Training Camp Bourail; camp of Avenger & Dauntless servicing units; Base Ordnance Depot; Armistice Day parade (NZ WAACs in march past, inspection of troops, salute being taken by Rear-Admiral Shaf-Froth, Lt Gen Vandergrift, Major Gen R B Lincoln, General W W Dove, and Governor Laigret), 11 Nov 1943; embarkation practice; cook house ovens, 37 NZ Bn, Taom. NZEFIP camp life; Bourail Beach Club; view of 4 Gen Hospital from hill; troops on parade & Pipe Band leading the parade; nurses' quarters at 4 NZ Gen Hospital, Boguen; 22 NZ Field Ambulance at Tinyep; 30 NZ Bn HQ at Koumac; training exercise (Mortar platoon of 29 NZ Battalion up Mt Tonta); paintings by Lt A B Barns-Graham - Town of Bourail, cookhouse at 35 Bn, camp site near Bouloupari with Pique Ouiliambou in distance, and a view of French gendarmarie from `Signals' hill; general view of the high-power transmitting station `Gracefield' in Bourail. Various photographs of sporting and recreational activies including swimming sports, boxing matches, life saving and group photo of lifeguards, rugby matches (exhibition), woodchopping at Sports Meeting, horse races, entertainers and outdoor theatre. The Vicarage, HQ NZEF IP in Bourail; NZ Governor General with physical training class at 2 NZ Convalescent Depot; group photo of staff at Base Pay Office, Bourail; general view of Base Training Depot; traffic control post; mess bures at Noumea Transit Camp; Northern Racing Club at Taom; WAACs on parade in Noumea on the occasion of the return of French volunteers from Egypt. Cpt A McCulloch with Governor General after being invested with military medal (taken at 4th Gen Hospital, Dumbea), 1943; His Excellency with Major J Willis and Sister Cargo, 4th Gen Hospital, Boguen Valley; D Support Coy 29 Inf Bn climbing Mt Tonta, May 1943; NZ force training for amphibious operations; embarking on a landing craft at Sandy Beach; various views of the WAACs and Bourail Club (group photos, inside staff quarters, kitchen, doing laundry, at servery, swimming, etc) Base Pay Office and bure, Tene Valley; Battalion Athletic Team, Apr 1942; thatching a mess hut in Works Services Unit area; 28 Bn rugby team; group photos of A, B, C & D companys; photo of Col Henri Montchamp, Gen Barrowclough & Lt R E Moore; Squat-pot factory (concrete plant at Le Clerc's farm); pipe bands; Robbie's Hall, 29th MT copany recreational bure. Emaciated Japanese prisoner taken at Guadalcanal; 28 Bn Rugby Team; Bourail Club during construction; thatching a mess hut in Works Services Unit area; Battalion Athletic Team, Apr 1942; jungle warfare US troops on Guadalcanal; NZ soldiers making a mock assault on beach; Occupational Therapy Dept; Brigadier Goss with officers; practice exercises at Taom; Guard of Honour in Bourail for Major Gen Rush B Lincoln; unloading operations at Nepoui & view of wharf and harbour; interior of chapel in Bourail township; embarking at Guadalcanal, Aug 1943 (loading barges at Michel Dock). Quantity: 177 b&w original photographic print(s). 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: [ca 1912-1915, ca 1943-1944]

By: Adams, William, 1911?-; Ellerbeck Studio

Reference: PAColl-7762

Description: Photographs relating to William Adams' service in the Middle East and South Pacific during the Second World War, including tourist photographs of the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, Jerusalem. Also included are two photographs of Adams as a young child, taken by Ellerbeck of Auckland, ca 1912-1915. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 21 b&w original photographic print(s). Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-1093: Adams, William, fl 1929-1943 : Diary and papers.

Date: 30 Sep 1943-21 Jan 1944

By: Nicklin, Leonard, 1905-1989

Reference: MSX-7805

Description: Contains letters from Nicklin's wife Joy, his mother and his sister while he was in New Caledonia during World War Two. The letters cover the year 1943 when he was in hospital in New Caledonia. His family discuss in the letters the daily activities of the family, their garden and friends. They also express concern about Nicklin's health and welfare. Quantity: 1 volume(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss

Date: 1923-1951

From: Pacific Manuscripts Bureau : Records of the Pacific Area

Reference: Micro-MS-Coll-08-1011

Description: Letters to her family record daily life on a mission station in New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands from the 1920s, through the depression, World War II and the post war years. Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s). Finding Aids: Full description in inventory, also in "Complete annotated catalogue" (Canberra : PMB, 1991) which has an index.

Date: [ca 1942-1943]

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-191

Description: Series of captioned photographs of 4th NZ General Hospital at Dumbea under construction (on sheets A-J). Shows Infectious Diseases block; morning tea truck; panorama of the hospital from US water tanks; interior of patients' recreation hut; reservoir in course of construction; No 2 dragline; typical ward interior; Bourail Club; Base Ordnance warehouses; Nepoui wharf; stacking yard and joinery shop (Ward 2 in background); erection of bakery; precast concrete yard; NZ Convalescent Depot kitchen; and others. Quantity: 50 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: ca 1943-1945

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: WH-0069-F

Description: Original caption reads: "NZEF IP [New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Pacific]. Life in an infantry camp [in New Caledonia, during World War 2]. A quiet afternoon. From left, Pte N A J Newman (Masterton), Pte J H R Anderson (Wanganui), Pte J F Pont (Tuatapere), Pte M S Fenwick (New Plymouth)." Official war photograph taken circa 1943-1945. Photographer unidentified. Identified from original print of this negative in album PA1-q-302, page 47 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: 1941-1945

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-194

Description: Series of interior and exterior photographs of various Dental Sections in NZ taken 1945. Include: Woodbourne; Trentham Camp Dental Hospital; Whenuapai; Burnham; HMS Philomel; Hobsonville. Various captioned photographs. Includes: NZDC POW dental section at Oflag V B, Biberach, Germany; 2 NZEP IP (Treasury Island, Bourail, Green Island); Vella Lavella; senior dental officers in New Caledonia; officers of 10 MOB Dental Section, 1944 (named); group of medical and dental staff BHQ 30 NZ Bn, Nissan Island; group photo of Dental Section, Pacific Area (unidentified); 22 Field Ambulance; Dental Section CCS Guadalcanal, AWWS HQ Guadalcanal; No 1 Max-Fac Dental Section, 4 Gen Hospital, New Caledonia; ATD Camp, Nemeara Valley; Dental Section RNZAF Station, Espiritu Santo; mobile dental section, Port Cruz, Guadalcanal ; Fiji detachment, 1944; Base Hygiene Section; Bougainville staff and surgery, 1944-1945; Field force exercises, 1941-1942; prosthetic truck; aerial view of mobile Dental Section area at Guadalcanal and plan of the area; aerial view of 10 MOB Dental Section HQ, Port Cruz, Guadalcanal; group photo of staff at Bn HQ; Lt Col O E L Rout and staff at Dental HQ; No 2 Max-Fac Dental Section. No 2 NZCCS, Guadalcanal; dental mechanics at work at an under-canvas dental hospital; Field dentistry at 53rd [?] Tank camp at Nissan; embarkation from New Caledonia to Guadalcanal, 1943 (group photo); 6 Squadron RNZAF 1945 (staff at Halavas); Dental Section at Emirau 1944-1945 (groups named and camp site). Quantity: 275 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 23 Aug-16 Oct 1943

From: Thomas, Gordon J, fl 1940s : Papers

Reference: MSX-6561

Description: Diary kept by Thomas which he describes as `Just a little record of doings that wouldn't pass the Sub-Unit Censor officers'. He begins on 23 Aug by describing events from 13 Jul when his unit went to Noumea and continues to 16 Oct 1943 writing of the people living on the island, military personnel and life in general. Thomas gives his wife's name and address as next-of-kin. Quantity: 1 volume(s).

Date: 1943

From: Minson, Patrick Opawa, 1917-1978 :[Twelve watercolours of scenes in the Pacific (New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu), 1942-1944; and two of Gore Bay, North Canterbury 1944-1945].

By: Minson, Patrick Opawa, 1917-1978; Minson, Marian Frances, 1945-

Reference: A-348-007

Description: Shows a depression or valley, amongst hills, with scattered thickets and a cultivated patch in the right middle distance. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - 2.9.43 N.C.; Verso - centre - [Title]; Recto - bottom right - P O Minson Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour on sheet 178 x 249 mm. Provenance: Donated by Marian Minson in 2001.

Date: [ca 1943-1944]

By: Haddon, Stanley George, 1913-1971

Reference: PA1-o-1891

Description: Photograph album of images taken during Stanley George Haddon's service in the Pacific during World War II and of soldiers' lives in the Pacific theatre, between ca 1942-1943. Photographer(s) and compiler of album, unidentified, but possibly Haddon. Scenes depicted in the images include soldiers taking part in leisure activities, for example dressing up as women, taking part in concerts, playing rugby, cartoon displays, swimming and cooking. There are also photographs of soldiers' graves, soldiers waiting on beaches, soldiers exiting landing craft, and military aircraft, including American aircraft, amphibious vessels and ships. Some photographs taken in New Caledonia and at Guadalcanal. Includes an image of dead soldiers and the 'Kyusyu' Maru which sunk at Guadalcanal. Accompanying information - Letters from donor and depositor biographical information relating to SG Haddon is filed in the Photographic Archive backfile. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Photograph album, 27 x 32 cm, red and black textured cardboard covers Provenance: Album formerly held by Ms Robyn Jacob, Australia, who donated it to the NZDF Archives in Feb 2013. Jacob is the grand-daughter of S G Haddon.

Date: 28 Dec 1942-4 Nov 1943; 1-19 Jul 1944

From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-11977-11

Description: Two detailed diaries kept by Robert Martin while serving in New Caledonia and the Treasury Group in the Solomon Islands. Quantity: 1 folder(s) Two items.

Date: 18, 21 April 2008 - 18 Apr 2008 - 21 Apr 2008

From: Methven Heritage Project - RSA and Arable oral history project

By: Watson, Colin Alexander, 1922-

Reference: OHInt-0920-19

Description: Interview with Colin Alexander Watson. Born in 1922 at Bingley Farm, Methven. Names his parents Janet (nee Duff) and Archie Collinson Watson, brother Ian Morgan Watson and Wife Dulcie Olivia (nee Carleton) and their children Lynette and Richard. Says he has worked on several farms, but mainly the family farm. Talks about joining up in 1941 for World War Two service in Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. Says he trained on horses at Burnham camp for three months, and then went to New Brighton camp and Sumner, Christchurch for coastal watch in 1942. Describes Japanese threat, guard duty, marching and food. Mentions his father applied to have him return to help with lambing. Says he went to Ashburton aerodrome camp for Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Number Two Elementary Flying Training School. Outlines studying navigation, meteorology, morse code, aerodynamics, engines and bombs. Talks about further training in star navigation and radio at Omaka airport, Blenheim and Rotorua. Describes flying Tiger Moth airplane at Ashburton. Mentions linen flax component of Tiger Moth came from Mid Canterbury farms. Recalls voyage on 'Lurline' troopship to Canada to train at Commonwealth Air Training Scheme school in Calgary. Describes arriving in Los Angeles and visiting Hollywood, and train journey across Rockies via Banff, Lake Lousie and Edmonton. Mentions snow and cold. Talks about Australian and Canadian instructors, flying Cessna Crane aeroplane, night flying, cross country flying and doing beam approach flying using Anson aircraft. Describes leave in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, dances in town and having no contact with WAAFs at the station. Recalls number killed at Calgary during training. Says left Calgary in 1944 via train to Montreal. Recalls leave in Chicago, Toronto and visiting the Anzac Club in New York hosted by Nola Luxford. Says no ship was available, so was sent to New Zealand to serve in South Pacific. Recalls train journey to San Francisco to Camp Stoneman. Talks about voyage on 'Mariposa' to New Caledonia, and then to Auckland. Discusses experiences of family in World War One and Two as members of cavalry, navy and army. Talks about life post war, death of school friends, award for Michael Ensor and keeping contact with friends. Refers to Ashburton Airforce hut and donating items to Ashburton Aviation Museum. Refers to farming on Bingley farm and retiring in 1986. Abstracted by - Nicola Robertson Interviewer(s) - Kathryn McKendry Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016782 - OHC-016783 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Adobe PDF Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6041, OHDL-001836. Search dates: 1922 - 2008

Date: [ca 1941-1945]

From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Photographs

Reference: PA1-o-1933

Description: Photograph album compiled by Robert Thomas Martin containing images of New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands during military training and service in World War II. Some images likely taken by Martin. New Zealand images show training camps at Rotorua (1941), Papakura (1942), 1st Field Ambulance camp in Warkworth (Jun-Sep 1942), and Fencourt [Cambridge?] (1942). In addition to informal portraits featuring Martin, Colin Arroll, and other unidentified soldiers, there are images of tents, a route march, a hospital under construction and parked ambulances (at Warkworth), and a Bob Semple tank with soldiers and Martin and his sister Valerie posed in front (at Papakura). Identified groups include Warrant Officers and Sergeants in 1st Field Ambulance in Papakura, 7th Field Ambulance, and D Company. Also image of Martin walking down a street in uniform while on leave. Images from Rotorua also show Regent Theatre (exterior and courtyard), Post Office, Sanatorium building and grounds, St Faith’s Church (Ohinemutu), swimming scenes at the Blue Baths, and Maori children diving for pennies [at Whakarewarewa?]. A 1940 series of images at a house in [Auckland?] show Martin in uniform with various people including his Uncle Frank, Guy [?], and a number of young women [relatives, including his sister Valerie?]. Martin is also photographed with a dog [Collie?]. Images from service in New Caledonia, Jan-Aug 1943, feature group photographs of the B Company 7th New Zealand Field Ambulance at Nemeara and Nepoui Valley. Identified people in informal group and individual portraits at the Nemeara Camp are Doug Smith, Wally McKusker, Doug Smith, Stan Poomore, Shorty Luscombe, Jack Ireland, Allan Stewart, Bill Cullum, and Cliff Pinker. Nemeara Camp images also include a medical examination of an unidentified local man, local children and men, the cookhouse, tents, hospital “bure” [thatched hut], a combination water heater and incinerator, mess hut under construction, swimming area in river [including competition?], and Nemeara mission church (with Mt Boa in the background). Images from Bourail show the gendarmerie, Main Street, and a church. Also view of Nouméa Harbour Treasury Island images show scenic views, including the river mouth at Malsi and the northern tip of Mono Island. Solomon Islanders are photographed including local men trained to fight by 34th Battalion, A Company tent, vegetation, local church (following rebuild by 29th Battalion) and [another?] destroyed church, men packing up the QM [Quartermasters?] store, and group getting ready to play “Tennaquoits”. Identified men are Tom Murphy, Jock Plunkett, Fred Walker, and Martin. Some show men posing with “Jap Souvenirs” (including flag, swords, knife, and trumpet), sick and injured men at 7th Field Ambulance [MDS?] at Stirling and on stretchers being evacuated by barge. Images of military equipment and armaments include G pounder anti-tank gun, 50 mm Bofors Ack Ack gun, a jeep (being dug out of mud), beach landing craft, beach scene with men rolling drums [fuel?], LST being unloaded at Purple Beach (Stirling Island), ship ‘Tyrone’, and a boat described as a “Seaplane tender”. Arrangement: Donor identified item as "ITEM C Family photos and Pacific Islands". Quantity: 1 album(s) containing 115 silver gelatin photoprints. Physical Description: Black cardboard album bound with string, 20 x 23 cm

Date: 1968-1992

By: McKenzie, Don, active 2014

Reference: MS-Group-2311

Description: Comprises cuttings from New Caledonian newspapers mainly relating to Anzac Day observances by visiting New Zealanders to New Caledonia. Also, records the visit of HMNZS Canterbury in 1979 for the Anzac Day observance and papers relating to the War Memorial Museum at Bourail, including a sketch plan of the layout. Source of title - Supplied by Library Quantity: 3 folder(s). 0.05 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Printed matter Provenance: Mr Don McKenzie of Remuera, Auckland collected the cuttings and transferred them to Auckland Libraries, who in turn transferred them to the Alexander Turnbull Library (PR-14-0161).

Date: 1939-1947

From: Aaltonen, Diane :Two albums and loose photographs of World War II including J-Force, Fiji, New Caledonia and New Zealand

By: Aaltonen, Diane, active 1993; Halleran, A O, active 1939; Embassy Studios; Bell's Photo Service

Reference: PAColl-3275-1

Description: Quantity: 367 b&w original photographic print(s). Provenance: The photographs of J-force in Japan are from the collection of Thomas Alexander Pagan

Date: 1943

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: 1/4-020959-F

Description: Unidentified soldiers at the Bourail Club building (under construction?), Bourail, New Caledonia, 1943. Photographer unidentified. Note on back of file print reads "The Bourail Club, claimed to be the largest [bive ?] built in New Caledonia. It faced the parade ground in Tene Valley." Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: [Mar 1943-8 Jul 1944]

From: Joyce, Raymond, fl 1940-1943 : Diaries

Reference: MS-Papers-7508-4

Description: Diary kept by Joyce while serving in Tonga and New Caledonia; includes photocopies of clippings, telegrams, notes etc. Ends with note, 8 Jul 1944, that he was on the Furlough Draft. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1944

From: Minson, Patrick Opawa, 1917-1978 :[Twelve watercolours of scenes in the Pacific (New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu), 1942-1944; and two of Gore Bay, North Canterbury 1944-1945].

By: Minson, Patrick Opawa, 1917-1978; Minson, Marian Frances, 1945-

Reference: A-348-012

Description: Shows the stone cathedral of St Joseph, with square tower. In the harbour in the left background, are the silhouettes of two ships, possibly naval vessels. Inscriptions: Verso - centre - [Title] Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour on sheet 173 x 256 mm. Provenance: Donated by Marian Minson in 2001.