Green Islands

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: PA1-q-303

Description: Photographs of New Zealand military personnel serving in the Pacific theatre during World War 2, 1943-1945, taken by various photographers and compiled for official purposes. Many individuals identified are listed above, but while many others are identified in group portraits they are not named above. Amongst the official NZ photographs there are a few from the official British war photographs. Signals personnel train at the New Zealand School of Signals in New Caledonia; New Zealanders construct roads on Vella Lavella; the Post office at Vella Lavella; the boot repair section; arrival of Xmas mail in New Caledonia. Works services engaged in construction of the NZ General Hospital No 4; hospital wards; wounded and sick soldiers with nursing staff; and convalescents; Xmas dinner at the Artillery Training Dept; New Year function at the No 4 General Hospital (Boguen Detachment); an ice cream plant amenity provided by the NZ National Patriotic Fund Board. Field maintenance camp in the Solomons. Various sporting activities at a number of sites in the Pacific including boxing championships, race meetings, aquatic sports carnival on Vella Lavella including a Xmas-New Year treasure hunt; native canoes; cricket; rugby games and team portraits; New Year sports meetings; road race; swimming carnival and basketball. Group portraits of officers and staff at the New Zealand Base Reception Depot; the Base Ordnance Dept.; Wharf operating Unit; WAAC personnel at the NZ Convalescent Depot; presentation of awards by H E Barrowclough. Embarkation of NZ troops for a commando raid on Green Islands (known as the Green Island Campaign and as the Nissan Campaign); troops boarding a destroyer by means of nets on the side; soldiers wounded in the raid; men camouflaged with blackened faces; LSTs (Tank Landing Ships); unloading heavy vehicles and equipment form LSTs; fresh water being brought ashore from an LST; LCI (Landing Craft for Infantry) amphibious ships. Parade of various NZ troops welcoming "Fighting French" volunteers home from North Africa; a NZ casualty clearing station at Guadalcanal. Activities of NZ troops at Nissan Island; capture of Japanese antitank guns, army radio sets and medical equipment; group portraits of various personnel on Nissan Island. Dr W W Hallright with assistants giving medical treatment to Nissan Island natives prior to their being evacuated to Guadalcanal, and also giving medical treatment for Pinipel natives. Scenes on Treasury Island include native islanders thatching a roof for a new church at Falamai built by NZ soldiers in memory of NZ and American soldiers, and presented to the nation to replace their church which had been destroyed by fire in the Treasury Islands campaignl; the cemetery at Falamai; a church service at the open air "St James' Theatre"; yacht races; a barbershop. On Nissan Island the No 2 Platoon of a Field Co. engineers constructing Halas Pier and Salipal Pier; a sawmill operated by Field Park Sawmill section; Field Ambulance laboratory; malarial control unit; group portraits of various sections; wood chopping competitions. In New Caledonia there are many scenes of the Kalavere Hospital and the 2nd NZ Convalescent Depot; the opening of the new Kiwi Club built by NZ work services personnel who built it from prefabricated sections made in NZ, with representatives from the NZ National Patriotic Fund Board attending; a dance at the club; dance band; and the Moindah Racing Club meeting. On Mono Island a naval control tower; and Saveke Bridge built by NZ engineers. On Stirling Island scenes of an antitank battery; army and navy personnel meet on Treasury Island; Anzac Day parade in Bourail Camp (New Caeldonia); scenes of members of the Fijian Defence Force with New Zealanders in Bouganville; a native church at the Allied Cemetery in Guadalcanal. Views of the Royal New Zealand Navy in the Pacific showing crew members; the boiler room; engine room; gun crew practice; and depth charge drill. Black and white reproductions of 5 paintings by 3rd NZ Division war artist Lt Allan Barns-Graham: The town of Bourail; a bridge designed and built by NZ engineers designed to carry the heaviest loads; a sketch of a fox-hole near Island Command on Vella Lavella; caped men returning from an engagement on Nissan Island; and the landing at Pokonian Plantation. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with faded blue cover, darker blue corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm

Date: Jun-Oct 1944

From: Fargher, Raymond Watson Shaw, 1920-2012 : Papers relating to service in World War Two

Reference: MS-Papers-9555-08

Description: In June Fargher returned to New Caledonia from Nissan Island and in September returned to New Zealand on furlough. The letters describe his activities during this period. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss

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: 1940-1945

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

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

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-201

Description: Large number of captioned photos of Barns-Graham's war paintings done in Pacific. Amongst the paintings are portraits, etc of Major J J G Britland; Capt T Edgerly, Pte E V Owen, Lt G Booth, Pte P C Brian; Lt Col C Seaward; Brigadier L G Goss; Brigadier Row; Brigadier C S J Duff; Brigadier L Potter; Brigadier W W Dove; Pte K E Caldow; Pte F Dixon; Pte G A Dennis; Cpl P A Davidson; Major A Bullen; Cpt S S Smythe & Cpl A R Dobson; Pte G Gerard, S/Sgt L F Fowler, Pte H W Hilford, Gunner J C G Overend; Lt R W Lowry; Pte J W Shaw; Brig J M Twhigg; A C H Osborne; Capt A A Coles; Lt Charles Safely. Scenes painted at New Caledonia, Nissan Island (Green), Vella Lavella, Guadalcanal. Quantity: 74 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1943

From: Dell, Richard Kenneth, 1920-2002 : Papers

Reference: 2006-080-78

Description: Field notebook containing notes on the topography and natural history of Guadalcanal and Nissan Island Quantity: 1 volume(s). Physical Description: Ms

Date: 1944

From: Dell, Richard Kenneth, 1920-2002 : Papers

Reference: 2006-080-79

Description: Field notebook containing notes on the topography and natural history of Nissan Island Quantity: 1 volume(s). Physical Description: Ms

Date: Apr-May 1944

From: Fargher, Raymond Watson Shaw, 1920-2012 : Papers relating to service in World War Two

Reference: MS-Papers-9555-07

Description: Letters describe Fargher's activities while stationed on Nissan Island Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss

Date: 1936-1959

By: Liddell, Clive Gerrard, 1909-1996

Reference: ATL-Group-00904

Description: Collection contains papers relating to Liddell's career, developer of long range radar equipment, and soldier in World War Two. Includes correspondence to Liddell family members, military documents and certificates. Also newspaper cuttings and some printed material. Accompanying material - Backfile includes biographical information Title supplied by Library Liddell completed his MA (physics) 1934 with his thesis on Radio Field Strength Measurements. In 1941 he worked in Wellington at the DSIR on mobile long range radar equipment for the American Army in the Pacific. Promoted Honorary Captain in the New Zealand Army but commanded an American platoon on Green Island during the battle for Guadalcanal in 1942. At the conclusion to WW2 Liddell returned to teaching at Wellington Tech. Quantity: 7 folder(s). 6 object(s). 0.07 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss and printed matter Transfers: Collection taken into Manuscripts Section, transfers made from there. - To Cartographic Collection - Composite map of Nissan Island (Green Island) in Papua New Guinea. Also digital copy of map available. - To Photographic Archive - Loose photographs. Processing information: Objects recombined with collection and ATL-Group created 4 July 2023. Previous reference: MS-Group-2221.

Date: 25 October 1943 - 9 May 1944

From: Deere, Margaret: Buist Family Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-12687

Description: Comprises a hardcover notebook containing diary entries written by William Paul Buist while he was serving in the New Zealand Army during World War Two. The entries begin on 25 October 1943 and end on 9 May 1944. They detail Buist's time spent in Guadalcanal and Treasury Islands (1943), and Green Islands (1944). Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Hardcover notebook with red binding, 16 x 10.2 cm.

Date: 2012

From: Deere, Margaret: Buist Family Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-12685

Description: Comprises a bound volume of transcripts of three war diaries, kept by William Paul Buist during World War Two, transcribed and compiled by his daughter Margaret Deere. The diaries detail Buist's time spent serving in the New Zealand Army in: Trentham (1942); New Caledonia (1942-1944); New Hebrides and Guadalcanal (1943); Treasury Islands (1943); Green Islands (1944); Burnham Camp (1944); and the Middle East (1945). The volume also includes supplementary material, including letters and photographs, sourced by Deere. Title transcribed from item. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Bound printed volume, 29.7 x 21 cm.

Date: 1 January 1942 - 17 August 1944

From: Deere, Margaret: Buist Family Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-12686

Description: Comprises a 'Collin's "New Zealand" Pocket Diary for 1942' containing entries written by William Paul Buist while he was serving in the New Zealand Army during World War Two. The diary begins on 1 January 1942 and ends on 17 August 1944 but entries are not always written on the corresponding date page. There are no entries from 25 October 1943 to 9 May 1944. The diary details Buist's time spent in Trentham Military Camp (1942); New Caledonia (1942 and 1944); New Hebrides, Guadalcanal, and Green Islands (1943); and his return to New Zealand (1944). Entries from 25 October 1943 to 9 May 1944 can be found at Library reference MS-Papers-12687. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Pocket-sized green bound diary, 10 x 7.5 cm.

Date: February 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

Reference: WH-0536-F

Description: Soldiers of the 208 Light Anti Aircraft Battery grouped around their gun on Nissan Island. Photographed by an unknown photographer in February 1944. Inscriptions: Album page - left of image - NZEF IP. Activities of New Zealand troops on Nissan Island. B 2119. Light Ack Ack personnel photographed at Nissan. This gun and guncrew, while stationed at Treasury, were credited with a Jap plane. Official war photograph. This gun and guncrew were credited with the only Japanese plane shot down on Mono Island. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative, 12.3 x 10 cm Transfers: A photographic print with digitised access copy is held at Library reference PAColl-5547-031..

Date: [1987] 1998

From: Thompson, Eric Hardisty, 1922-2000 : Papers

Reference: 2001-008-054

Description: Letter from Ray of Upper Hutt relating to Charlie Nicholson's `Green Islands story'; includes a photocopy of Nicholson's account of his World War II experiences in the Pacific which ended at Green Island in the Nissan Islands north of Bougainville. Nicholson has written it in the form of a letter to Bruce and blends many stories from the war, spying and post-war situations into the main narrative. He also includes personal family background material, especially relating to his wife and his RSA membership.l Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: [ca 1940-1945]

Reference: PA1-o-1521

Description: Photographs of artillery training at Waiouru, 1940; practice amphibious landings in Vanuatu; and NZ troops at Guadalcanal, Vella Lavella and Nissan Island, taken & collected by an unknown photographer. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: 310 x 190 mm Provenance: Purchased at auction, 2009 Transfers: Transfers - Collection as a whole received by Photographic Archive other material transferred to Ephemera from here. - To Ephemera Collection - Souvenir Programme - The Kiwi Concert Party (Pacific) presents 'Pacific Roundabout' 1944 (Eph-A-VARIETY-1944-02).

Date: 1940, 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

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-105

Description: Most photographs are captioned. Includes views of Tontouta River; Bourail Beach; malarial control unit at work in 37 Field Park Company camp; second wave of NZers landing at Vela Lavella; stores and equipment loaded at Juno River, Vella Lavella; Sir Cyril Newall with Brigadier R A Row on inspection tour in the Treasury Islands group; anti-tank battery at Maravari, Vella Lavella; muddy conditions in Tangalan Plantation area, Nissan; Higgins boats with NZers heading for shore at vella Lavella; landing at beach (Pokonian Pln); bridge under construction in Solomon Islands; Div tank squadron embarking at Kukum, Guadalcanal;26 Field Coy NZE forming a road between Roman Catholic Mission and Tanaheran, Nissan; 14 Brigade Group, 3 NZ Division landing at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; review of 8 NZ Infantry Brigade at Dubois Memorial Field, Boulopari, New Caldeonia, 9 Jul 1943; The Bourail Club; 8 Brigade Group landing exercise, New Hebrides; 36 Battalion, 8 Brigade Group landing exercise at Mele Beach, Efate, New Hebrides group; men of 29 NZ Infantry Brigade crossing the Tontouta River; Lt Col J Brooke-White, Hq 3 NZ Div Engineers in a jeep; boarding an LCVP at Noumea; ready to leave Stirling Island for return to New Caledonia; 12 Field battery shelling Umono Island; unidentified group of NZ soldiers; road to Poya; unidentified group on board a naval ship; carrier platoon of 35 NZ Battalion crossing Timala Bay in a native canoe; unloading the SS Ethan Hitchcock at Nepoui; harbour at Nepoui; Mount Dent de St Vincent from Peyrolles Ridge; 8 Brigade group on `Rangatira' on 28 Oct 1940 leaving for Fiji; officers mess at Tereru (includes Capt Williams, 2nd Lt Holmes, Major Tripp, 2nd Lt Taylor). Quantity: 38 b&w original photographic print(s) (mounted).

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

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-117

Description: Most photographs have captions. Include: Maravari cemetery, Vella Lavella; cemetery at Falamai, Mono Island; NZ cemetery at native village of Bangarangara; NZEP IP Vella Lavella campaign burial service in jungle; Allied Cemetery, Nissan Island (Green Island); Allied Cemetery, Guadalcanal; NZ cemetery near northern end of Vella Lavella; United Nations Cemetery, Treasury Islands; cemetery on Nissan Island showing graves of American marines. Honoring American dead on Guadalcanal - Solomon Islanders and members of allied military forces stand at attention during ceremonies at which a memorial chapel, built by 4,000 islanders to honor the 1,600 American dead buried on Guadalcanal Island in the Solomons, was presented to the US people. The chapel is made entirely of thatch and wood with decorative panels on the exterior. Quantity: 19 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1944

From: [Theatre ephemera and programmes for music-hall, comedy and variety productions in New Zealand, in 1944].

Reference: Eph-A-VARIETY-1944-02

Description: Programme for a variety concert produced by Rex Sayers, with performers Maurice Tansley, David Reid, Henry Howlett, Rex Sayers, Dug Morison, Ossie Cheesman, Ralph Dyer, Arthur Hanna, Bob Bowman, Allan Matthews and band members John MacKenzie, Harold Toomer, Bob Ofsoski, Burns Dephoff, Bob Bowman, Ossie Cheesman. Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Folded pamphlet 202 x 112 mm. Provenance: Purchased at auction, 2009 Transfers: Material from the same provenance is housed at PA1-o-1521..

Date: Jan-Mar 1944

From: Fargher, Raymond Watson Shaw, 1920-2012 : Papers relating to service in World War Two

Reference: MS-Papers-9555-06

Description: In February Fargher moved to Nissan Island in Papa New Guinea. His letters describe his activities on the Island. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1943-1945, 1955

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-4161-01-106

Description: Most photographs are captioned. Includes views of US marines following a trail on Guadalcanal with a local guide leading the way; US Admiral William F Halsey talking with US Vice Admiral Aubrey W Fitch during an inspection tour of Green Island (Nissan Island), Allied base in the Southwest Pacific recently seized from the Japanese. US Rear Admiral Robert B Carney (Chief of Staff to Admiral Halsey) is sitting in the back, 1944; locals planting rice watched by soldiers; Emperor Hirohito waving to children as he leaves Freyberg Block with NZ soldier in foreground (J Force); US navy task force entering lagoon of Green Island (Nissan Island), 1944; three unidentified soldiers; group pf unidentified soldiers eating at an outdoor mess; Norfolk Island; swimming sports at A.T.D. at the site of the 144 Ind Bty, 1943; sappers in the Kaimai Ranges, Mar 1955; face of a petrol pit; 8 NZ Infantry Brigade installing barbed wire defences at a beach. Quantity: 12 b&w original photographic print(s) (mounted).

Date: 1939-1944

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

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-114

Description: Most photographs have captions. Include: Coastal view of Nissan Island; NZ Valentine tanks being taken ashore; Sgt L C Barker (Auckland) with Nissan Island native; Major Gen Barrowclough with Col J I Brooke; Lt R E Moore inspecting landing operations; Nissan Islanders and Major D E Trevarthan (Auckland) & Lt-Col A H L Sugden (Napier); fresh water being brought ashore from LST; carrying stores ashore; man-handling heavy vehicle. Group photographs - 8th MMG; No 1 Platoon 8th Bd MMG Coy; No 3 Platoon 8th MMG Coy; No 3 Platoon at South Point (14 MMG); Q staff (Lt G P Chapman, Major G B Gibbons, Major D C Williams, Capt H R Denton), May 1944; No 2 Platoon at South Point 14 MMG; Headquarters Coy, 8th Bde MMG; HQ Company at South Pt 14 MMG; Sgts mess Div HQ, May 1944; Sgts of 14 MMg; officers of 14 MMG; staff Div HQ (Pte J E Grant, Sgt D E Yockney; WO C B Russell, S/Sgt A L Gosney, Pte R L Graham, Capt J N Thomson, Capt R F Wakefield, Major I H McArthur, Col J I Brooke, Lt M W Speight, Capt L E Adams); Orderly Room staff 14th Bde HQ; officers of 14 Bde HQ; 3 D & E Platoon, Feb 1944; officers of Bde HQ; HQ Company taken at time Bn went to Solomon Islands (large group). Field bakery and post office; Catholic mission station after capture; group of soldiers with Japanese souvenirs; NZEFIP band (3 NZ Division) (NOTE: Library researcher believes this image of the band to be taken at Noumea, not Green island); 35 Bn camp at Halis; engineers constructing a pier at Halis; trucks loaded with supplies and equipment on a beach; road near Tangalan Plantation; islanders boarding an American landing craft to be removed from battle zone; 4th Field Section, Apr 1944. View of D Coy camp site; canoeing on lagoon; `Marsden' matting laid on South Pokonian to facilitate landing of vehicles; captured Japanese heavy machine; commandos being `black-faced'; aerial view of Nissan Island; camp site beside lagoon; 26 Fd Coy NZ Engineers forming a road through jungle; malarial control. NZ force landing at Fanning Island, 6 Sep 1939; HMS Leander & MV Tulagi at Fanning Island, 6 Sep 1939. Quantity: 90 b&w original photographic print(s).