World War, 1939-1945 - Military personnel, New Zealand - Fiji

Date: [1939-1945]

By: Caine's Studios (Suva, Fiji)

Reference: PAColl-9584

Description: An assortment of photographs concerning WWII including some relating to Fiji, with four pages of notes on National Patriotic Fund Board YMCA letterhead. cWWII. Six tiny photographs, the smallest 4.5 x 6.5cm. The detailed notes appear to relate to an album not present, the six images perhaps overflow. The list includes a reference to Camera Club enthusiasts. Annotation verso of interior shot (sleeping quarters), refers to a time exposure. Two photos stamped 'Caine's Studios, Suva'. Annotation verso of Caine photograph: 'The Fijian Police Team (Cause of the fighting)'. A football team, most players in uniform, jerseys with square blocks to front. Along with 10 photos mounted to 2 album leaves, RNZAF Fire Truck, aerodrome, aeroplanes, military buildings. Also 3 studio portraits of NZ military personnel. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 16 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: [ca 1941-1951], 1965, 1975

By: Fiji Forces Association

Reference: PA-Group-00603

Description: Photographs relating to Fiji Forces Association. Comprises photographs donated by members of their wartime experiences, and photographs of Association events Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 128 b&w original photographic print(s). 2 b&w original photographic print(s) coloured by hand. Physical Description: Photographic prints Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Papers-8935 : Fiji Forces Association : Papers. See also Curios Collection..

Date: 1940-1942

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-4161-01-110

Description: Includes: View of bridge over the Nambuni Creek on Cunningham Road, a military road in vicinity of Samambula Camp; ammunition tunnels at Tamavua; AA guns of the 38th Heavy AA Battery installed on Indian Trig near Suva; coastal defences; native medical class; members of Fiji Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who served with Royal NZ Navy (on leave 1945); football game at Adams Field; storm damage to botanical gardens, Suva; Group Headquarters, Suva, 28 Apr 1941; beche-de-mer being loaded onto a truck by Fijian ex-servicemen; opening day of Suva Yacht Club's 1947 season, Nukulau Island (includes aerial view of the island & yacht `Levuka' competing in one of the races); Rehabilitation Board members (C H Carne, Sir Hugh Ragg, H Gerrard, Joeli Ravai and Matu Edward Mataitini) Various views of Nadi Sports Day; C Company's bure; presentation of V.C. to parents of Fijian Corporal (Lt-Col Ratu J.L.V. Sukana reading citation, Governor of Fiji, A W G M Grantham, Brigadier G Dittmer and parents of Corporal Sukanaivalu), Jul 1945; Corporal Sukanaivalu's parents Lote Vulakara and Fani Kuva after the presentation; Fred Brookes of Wagandra, Whites Hill; Fijian children beating the lali (native drum for sending messages). HMS Leander escorting President Coolidge, US Naval ship from Suva to Auckland, July 1942; anti-submarine gun on President Coolidge manned by troops of 3 Div during voyage from Suva to Auckland, July 1942; group of Fijians at base camp, Guadalcanal, dressed up for the occasion of a brigadier's visit, Jun 1943; Lt F E Williams with three members of the advance party of 1st Commando Fijian Guerillas, Dec 1942; group photo of Capt Williams, Lt Barrow, Lt Crass, Lt Taliai and Major Tripp; Lt Heckler with three Fijians of the advance party; headquarters of 1st CFG; Lt Barrow with his patrol of Solomon Islanders at Aola Bay, Guadalcanal; excavation for 250 bed underground hospital at Tamavua, Fiji. Bures erected to accommodate AA unit near Suva; motor workshop in `B' Camp, Samambula, destroyed by hurricane in Feb 1941; construction of petrol storage tank at Suva; administrative block of HQ 3 Div, Suva; Samambula A Camp before huts were built; barbed wire entanglements erected along foreshore of Suva peninsula, and mangroves swamps; ammonia plant. NZ Club, Suva; Fijian at Komave receiving his pay; battle noise practice, Suva Green, Aug 1943; kava ceremony; cane fields; Borron's house, headquarters (near Suva, Fiji) of 3 Div and before that of 8th Brigade Group (the unit which arrived in Fiji in Nov 1940); anti-tank wall, Suva Peninsula.. Jope (Fijian interpreter) with Sgt F E Williams, Lt D E Williams and S/M Woolston setting out on horseback for Namosi; Governor General inspecting troops in Fiji; Natives of Kandavi presenting gifts of fruit and vegetables to troops (Brigadier W H Cunningam, Lt Col J G C Wales, Lt Col J Mawson); Ratu Apakuki, leading chief of the island, presenting the gifts; convoy of NZ troops of 3 Div halted in Namaka village, 1941; I Sec & Orderly Room staff; native dug-out canoe; party on Navua River taking supplies up to Namuamua; Cpl Blackman & Q/M Holmes at Namosi detailing a fatigue party; village of Namosi; lunching on Navua River (Dr Malcolm and others); Isaia (interpreter) Pte Solway and others outside native hut at Namosi; inland Fiji; village of Serua on Viti Levu; Wally McWilliams, Ralph Griffen, Vic Esmond, Jim Bright, Les Drummond, Jim Bass, Keith Hood, Roy Taylor and Bob Buchan at Serua; Fijians of Mau platoon building a bure; members of South Pacific Health Board at Inaugural Meeting, 25 Oct 1946 (Dr J C R Buchana, Sir Alexander Grantham, Dr T Richie, Dr R J Snodgrass, Miss Lambie, H Vaskess); Capt Tripp killing a pig presented to him by a Fijian chief; Sgt Bale (interpreter), Sgt Larsen (NZ Intelligence Sec) and Sgt Lope (Interpreter); Lt D E Williams with Ratu Mara at Serua; two commando NCOs on a raft; Officers' Mess at Teneru, Guadalcanal (Capt Williams, Major Tripp, 2 Lt Taylor & 2 Lt Holmes; view of camp at Teneru (taken after unit had returned from New Georgia campaign);Sgt Larsen cutting a stencil for unit's newspaper `Guerilla Gazette'; on the Deumba mouth of the Navua River; NZ commando up a coconute tree; Capt Tripp giving instructions through an interpreter to boxers at Komave (Komarvee); Governor General meeting officers of RNZAF during visit to Fiji; inspection of Fijian soldiers. Rehabilitation of Fijian ex-servicemen (various photographs with explanatory captions); auxillary ketch `Moala' launched at Suva; Suva Yacht Club at Nukulau Island (various photos taken on opening day, Feb 1947). Panorama views of Samambula A & B camps, Sep-Oct 1940, showing site and camp buildings. Governor General's visit to Fiji (various views); Group photo of officers and men of NZ Army Corps serving with NZEF in Fiji (taken by Caine's Studios, Fiji). Presentation of V.C. to parents of Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, Suva, 6 Feb 1945 by Governor of Fiji, A W G H Grantham (various views); swearing in ceremony of new governor (Grantham), 1 Jan 1945 (includes Chief Justice Sir Owen Corrie and J F Nicoll (Colonial Secretary of Fiji); Brig Gen Edmund B Sebree with Royal Whales Tooth which he received at a native ceremony in his honour, May 1943 (US Army Signal Corps photograph). Quantity: 171 b&w copy photographic print(s).

Date: Aug 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: DA-03364-F

Description: Members of 39 Company Anti Aircraft Regiment on gun in battle noises practice at Suva Point, Fiji, in August 1943. Taken by an official photographer (unidentified). Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 1936 - 20 September 1939-9 April 1945 - 12 February 1957-1962 - 12 August 1979-1978

By: Neil, Arthur James, 1909-1988; Neil, Robina Olive, 1910-1984

Reference: ATL-Group-00044

Description: Collection comprises circa 1539 dated entries of correspondence from Major Arthur James (Ginge) Neil to his wife Robina Olive (Deanie) Neil (née Edgar) while he was on active service during World War II, 20 September 1939-9 April 1945. Correspondence is largely in the form of holograph letters (on various military letterheads) but also includes a number of letters in air mail envelopes, telegrams, airgraphs, and cablegrams. Also includes a 1939 telegram to Mr Neil from his employer, the Land and Income Tax Department, instructing him to report for duty and telegrams from "Defence" to Mrs Neil regarding her husband coming home on leave and his return home at the end of the war. Neil addresses his wife as "Kiddie" and often refers to her as "wee girl". He describes the letters as their "talks" and they are generally written before he goes to sleep, with the time of composition as well as the date of writing included for each entry. In most cases Neil indicates where he is writing from, with locations of composition include Burnham Military Camp, Maadi Camp as well as other locations in the Middle East, Riccarton Military Camp, Fiji Military Headquarters, and various locations within Italy (most of which are unidentified). Some letters include poems and song lyrics, sketches, dried flowers, and items of ephemera. The correspondence is often personal in nature. Subjects include Mrs Neil's life back in Invercargill with discussion of people they know, their house and garden, and what they will do after the war. They also include details about Neil's military service and his opinions of the war and its progress. He covers subjects such as colleagues, training courses, reconnaissance missions, accommodation, the countries he is in (local people, climate, agricultural techniques, cities, tourist sites), and socialising (taking a trip to the movies, going to a concert, and going out drinking or to a party). Collection also includes two of Arthur James Neil's cancelled passports (issued 12 August 1979 in Auckland and 12 February 1957 in Apia) and used mainly for travel in the Pacific as well as a photograph of a child Brian standing beside baby Geoff taken by an unidentified photographer. Three photographic prints relating to Major Arthur James Neil and his wife Robina Olive Neil, taken by unidentified photographers. Includes the couple's wedding portrait from 1936, taken by an unidentified photographer. The other two photographs are likely taken in Invercargill during World War Two and feature Robina Neil. Arrangement: The correspondence was re-housed by donor before the collection came to the Library so the original order of the creator was not maintained. Library staff have arranged collection in chronological order. Major Arthur James (Ginge) Neil. Service number 7189. 2nd NZEF: 1st Echelon. 27th Machine-Gun Battalion. MBE. Quantity: 41 folder(s) containing circa 1539 letters, telegrams, cablegrams, air letters, passports, and photographs. 3 b&w original photographic print(s) one mounted in folder. Physical Description: 0.7 linear metres of holograph manuscript, telegrams, cablegrams, photographs, passports, and ephemera Finding Aids: See Manuscripts and Archives backfile for biographical information provided by the donor.. Provenance: Donated by Mr J Neil, Wellington, April and August 2016. Donor is the nephew of Arthur James Neil.

Date: 6 Sep 1939-7 Apr 1955

By: Brown, William Davenport, 1918-

Reference: MS-Group-1660

Description: Physical Description: Mss (some photocopies)

Date: 1945-2002

Reference: MS-Papers-8935

Description: Minutes, 1982-1990; correspondence relating to reunions of the Association; reunion programmes, membership list; register of attendees at reunions and cash book Fiji Forces Association was an organisation of New Zealanders who served in the army, navy and airforce and were stationed in Fiji during the Pacific Campaign of World War Two Quantity: 7 folder(s). 0.14 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter Transfers: Collection as a whole taken into Manuscripts. Transfers made from here - To Photographic Archive - Box of photographs, and three large photographs - To Other - Curios Collection. One shark tooth sword, ca 1950..

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: DA-03360-F

Description: Members of 27 Mixed Anti Aircraft Battery operating a 3.7mm gun defending Nandi Aerodrome, Fiji, during World War II. Taken in 1943 by an unknown photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: Oct 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: DA-03357-F

Description: Officers of the 39 Comp AA Regt NZ Artillery in the Suva area, Fiji. Taken by an unknown photographer in October 1943. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [1940-1942]

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: DA-00892-F

Description: Presentation of the Tambua [Tabua (ceremonial whale tooth)] - whale's tooth signifying great honour by the Fijians - to NZ troops, during a mangiti, or the ceremonial presentation of food by the inhabitants of Kandavau Is. The presentation of the Tambua [Tabua] was made by Ratu Apakuki, leading chief of the island. Taken between 1940-1942 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: Aug 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: DA-03362-F

Description: Members of 39 Company Anti Aircraft Regiment undertaking battle noises practice at Suva Point, Fiji, in August 1943. Taken by an unknown photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: Oct 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: DA-03359-F

Description: Members of the 39 Company AA Regt NZ Artillery undertake dismantling operations in the Suva area, Fiji. Taken in October 1943 by an unknown photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 1944

From: [Ephemera of octavo size relating to World War Two in the Pacific. 1940-1945]

Reference: Eph-A-WAR-WII-Pacific-02

Description: Programme with play synopsis, cast list. Also includes type copy of a review from the "Fiji times and herald", 27 July 1944 - "excellent performance - players in fine fettle". Title taken from item. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Offset print on blue sheet folded to 232 x 148 mm Transfers: Other material of the same provenance transferred to PAColl-9612. Processing information: Unit ID changed from Eph-A-WAR-WII-Pacific-1945-01, July 2022.

Date: Oct 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: DA-03356-F

Description: Members of 39 Comp AA Regt NZ Artillery undertaking dismantling operations in the Suva area, Fiji. Taken by an unknown photographer in October 1943. AA Units returned to NZ December 1943. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: Aug 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: DA-03363-F

Description: Members of the 39 Company Anti Aircraft Regiment of NZ Artillery undergo battle noises practice in the Suva area, Fiji. Taken in August 1943 by an unknown photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [1940-1942]

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: DA-00893-F

Description: Between five and six tons of bananas, taro, pawpaws, coconuts and yams as well as other fruits and vegetables were presented at a mangiti, or ceremonial presentation of food by the natives of Kandavu. The gift was received by Brigadier W H Cunningham CBE DSO VD and the natives were entertained in the camp. Taken between 1940-1942 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

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: DA-03358-F

Description: Bofors station at Nandi Airfield, Fiji, showing members of 27 Mixed Anti Aircraft Battery. Taken in 1943 by an unknown photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [1940-1942]

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: DA-00894-F

Description: View of the ceremony known as a mangiti, or presentation of food by Fijian natives. The gift, tons of bananas, taro, pawpaw, coconuts and pumpkins, was accepted by Brigadier W H Cunningham and the Fijians were later entertained in camp. Taken between 1940-1942 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 1942-1944

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-4161-01-109

Description: Group photo of Sgt Larsen, Major Tripp, Sgt Heckler and Cpl Johnson outside a native hut at Komare; group photo of Sgt Larsen & US personnel attached to NZ commandos for several weeks to learn jungle warfare; group of New Zealanders, Fijians and Americans at HQ, Navua atached to unit to learn jungle warfare; Fijian scouts advancing against Japanese, 1944; front page of `Guerilla Gazette' (unofficial organ of Southern Independent Command), published Fiji, Dec 1942; Sgt Taylor with Ratu Maru, a high chief who helped commandos; Fijians on guard at base camp, Guadalcanal; S/M Woolston, Sgt Sturmer & Sgt F E Williams with Jone Nagamu (later distinguished in action) taken at village of Namuamua (Nanormor); Brigadier W H Cunningham officially accepting the gifts of fruit and vegetables presented to NZ troops stationed in Fiji by natives of Kandavu; troops being inspected; map pf Viti Levu showing commando training area, 1942-1943; jeep at unidentified location. Quantity: 16 b&w original photographic print(s).