World War, 1939-1945 - War work - New Zealand

Date: 1943

By: Reid New Zealand Rubber Mills Ltd; New Zealand observer (Newspaper)

Reference: Eph-C-WAR-WII-1943-01

Description: Advertisement for the participation of Reidrubber in the war effort, shows an inset illustration of a worker at top centre, working with a pulley hook and chain. Text says "For the present, war work keeps us going at top speed! If you can't get 'Reidrubber' now, don't blame us ... blame the Axis!" Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Offset print, 395 x 267 mm. Transfers: Collection as a whole received into Photographic Archive; material transferred to other sections from here - - Transfers: To MSS; telegrams of condolence, letters, clippings. To Ephemera: postcards and advertisements.

Date: 1943

From: [Ephemera up to octavo size, relating to patriotic and fundraising initiatives during World War Two]

By: Ford Motor Company

Reference: Eph-A-WAR-WII-Patriotic-1943-02

Description: Booklet gives statistics of vehicles and munitions made up to December 1943. It also reports figures for the reconditioning of marine engines. It notes the existence of the company's Army Service school, the good working conditions for male and female staff, and the contribution of the company to New Zealand's economic progress. The last page shows facts and figures about the company. There is some updating in pen and ink, giving figures to June 1944. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Booklet of 4 mimeographed pages, 217 x 140 mm. Provenance: Donated by Bill Sheat, Wellington, in 2015.

Date: [1939-1947]

By: Wakelin, Sarah Stewart, 1901-1987

Reference: PA1-o-2058

Description: Scrapbook album created by Sarah Wakelin containing material received by Wakelin in the course of her correspondence with servicemen written in her capacity as Secretary of the Ngaio Patriotic Committee during World War Two. Album predominantly contains postcards (photographic and graphic illustrations) and personal and commercial photographs. It also contains Christmas greeting cards, and memorabilia including newspaper clippings, typescript notes, a wedding invitation from Nigeria, and uniform badges of the Canadian tank corps Fort Garry Horse. Some of the photographs and postcards have messages on the back or handwritten messages on the print border. The material relates to several Polish, Canadian, and New Zealand soldiers. Identified contacts include Alfred Shaw, Malcolm Highet, Misczystaw [?] Radomski, Sgt Major Novak Frans'nter [?], Mr and Mrs Sikolski [?]. Locations identified by text on photographs and postcards include: Bari, Cassino district, Liri Valley, Lake Albano, Volturno River, and Egypt (Ismalia, the Sphnix). Includes many black and white photographs, some annotated on reverse: - three photographs showing Zulu people. - small number of photographs depicting soldiers in berets and leather jackets [probably Polish]. - several photographs depicting Italian countryside and landmarks (a few prints annotated on reverse with "AH 1944", including an entertainment performance for soldiers in the Liri valley (page 31), and a parade of soldiers on tanks covered in branches and surrounded by people which is annotated "Our regiment in Bologna 1945 [?]" (page 62). - several photographs depicting locals, landmarks, city streets, and soldiers in Egypt, including HRH Duke of Gloucester "taking the salute" of troops on parade (page 36) and a "native bazaar" from "A Shaw 1942"; and two soliders with the "NZ Mobile Surgical Unit" x-ray box. - several photographs and postcards depicting city streets and landmarks in the Middle East, including Jersusalem and Jordan. - some photographs and postcards depicting landmarks and soldiers sightseeing in England and Canada ("Nanaimo?"), including three snapshots of groups of soldiers with Alfred Shaw annotated with a message from "Alf Shaw" (pages 50 and 53), and a snapshot of "Phil" posing with a gun. - a small number of photographs depict locals at a market and stupa on a river in Myanamar (formerly Burma). Includes an image of the Shwezigon Pagoda or Shwezigon Paya, and two images of burning wells in oil fields. Typescript inserts are: a pasted in a typescript about Bari,Italy, on page 10; and a typescript copy of an obituary for Malcolm Highet on page 41 under a photograph of Highet. Two pasted in envelopes on page 64 contain items of ephemera: four textile cutouts of uniform badges featuring embroidered symbols of a sword, a tank, the intials "F G H", and a badge reading "Fort Garry Horse Canada"; and a "Philatelic souvenir of the Vatican City" booklet of stamps annotated with a message reading "21.9.45 Rome, for Harry from [name?] [C?]. M. F, [G? F?] no. 29". Pages are numbered top right in white chinagraph pencil (1 to 64). Descriptive information drawn from annotation on photographs in the album and information from the donor. Donor suggests "Alf Shaw" is Alfred Shaw service number WWII 12744 (see Online Cenotaph entry for an Alfred Shaw at https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/14162). Title supplied by Library. Sarah Stewart Wakelin was elected secretary of the Ngaio Patriotic Committee in 1939. The Committee members knitted and sent parcels to servicemen overseas, assisted with patriotic appeal fundraising efforts, and held social dances and afternoon teas for servicemen based in the Wellington area. Quantity: 1 album(s). Physical Description: Black "C E Rhodes" Eastman Kodak Co. card album with a home-made cardboard front cover bearing a pasted on dark green ribbon, bound with string, black paper pages 21.2 x 30 cm Finding Aids: See handwritten finding aid created by a Library staff member which lists the album page number and a transcription of annotation on the reverse of a photograph found on the page. Aid is housed with the album.. Provenance: Harry Wakelin is the son of Sarah Stewart Wakelin. After her death the custody of the album passed to her son.

Date: December 1941 to October 1945

From: Eyles, John William, 1927-2020: Items relating to the Emergency Precautions Service

Reference: MS-Papers-12682

Description: Contains an identity authorisation card and coupon book issued to John William Eyles, and one photograph of him. The identity authorisation card is an 'Emergency Precautions Service Auckland Metropolitan Area, Messenger's Authorisation'. It was issued to J.W. Eyles on 30 December 1941 by the Chief Warden. The coupon book is a 'Youth's Registration Fee Coupon-Book'. It registers John William Eyles under section 132 of the Social Security Act, 1938. John's occupation is listed as Scholar and his registration was issued in Mount Eden on 20 January 1944. The black and white photograph was taken by an unidentifed photographer. It shows John on his bicycle, in uniform, for duty as an Emergency Precautions Service messenger. The photograph was taken in March 1944 at his home address on Ferryhill Road, Epsom, Auckland. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s) containing identity card, coupon book and b&w original photographic print.

Date: 1939-1940

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

Reference: PAColl-0785-1-182

Description: Photographs for publication in NZ Free Lance, 1939-1953 A.N.A. Dance (group of men from United Services), undated; Otago Patriotic Council committee at a social and dance at the Town Hall (includes Mayor of Dunedin, A H Allen & Mrs Allen and others, all named on verso), Aug 1940; Lord Montgomery accompanied by Dr J Kennedy Elliot, examines work being done by W Greenbank at Returned Servicemen's Training Centre, Wellington; Patriotic Fund drive for funds at Hamilton, 1940 (parade), and Dunedin, Oct 1940 (archery competition); playhouse built and furnished by an Invercargill firm to be raffled to raise funds for London victims of air-raids, 1940; send-off for Hastings soldiers; fond farewell at Timaru station, Oct 1939; Timaru soldiers led by Municipal Band marching down the main street, Oct 1939; volunteers enlisting at Auckland, Sep 1939; crowd at Wellington Railway Station waving goodbye from the platform, Oct 1939. Special force in training at Trentham; members of Marlborough branch of National Reserve on guard duty at a military depot; civic farewell for Marlborough soldiers at Blenheim, Oct 1939. Dunedin recruits departing from railway station for training for the Special Force; New Plymouth volunteer at railway station before Special Force left town; Canterbury men for Special Force marching; funeral of Lance-Corporal James Thomas Nelson held at Invercargill includes members of the Special Force, Dec 1939. Napier volunteer nurses who won the Collins Cup V.A.D. competition, and Wellington team who were runners-up; Red Cross nurses at Burnham Military Camp, Dec 1939; training of members of Auckland Calliope Sea Scouts Troop which reformed in Oct 1939; painting a merchant ship `battleship-grey' as a war precaution, Sep 1939 Army Stage Recruiting Rally in Featherston Street, Wellington; Mayor of New Plymouth with waste material collection, Sep 1940; washing-up at Camp; wet canteen; outdoor wet canteen at Burnham, Dec 1939; dental tent, Nov 1939. Patriotic Fund related photographs: Boys' war effort at Westport, 1940 - Collecting pine cones, collecting beer bottles, fretwork, chopping firewood; children's `shop' at Terrace end, Palmerston North, 1940; decorated bicycle at Levin, 1940; horse and cart in main road of Gisborne during petrol restrictions, 1939; stock sale at Waipukerau to raise funds, Dec 1940; Home Guard display at Hastings Watty Nelson (singer) photographed at Otaki with brothers Jack and `Hec' Merrylees (formerly of Dannevirke) of third Echelon, Aug 1940 Quantity: 53 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin prints

Date: 1939-1940

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

Reference: PAColl-0785-1-196

Description: Photographs taken for publication in the NZ Free Lance, 1939-1940 `Win-the war rally' organised by Christchurch Returned Soldiers Association and held at Lancaster Park, Jul 1940; Christchurch Red Cross shop and volunteers A Williams, F Scott, N Rattray, and Misses Barbara Greenwood, Sylvia Scott and Shirley Buchanan, Jul 1940. Grand wheel-barrow procession in Christchurch to raise money for the Sick, Wounded and Distress Fund (includes H S Feast, town clerk), Jun 1940; Christchurch bankers Barrel Derby in aid of funds for the RSA, Nov 1940; Christchurch Welcome Club entertaining service men; gathering at the monthly meeting of the wives of Canterbury officers on active service (Mrs C Webster, Mrs W G Morrison, Mrs F E Dornwell, Mrs R Dasler, Mrs L Bean) held at home of Major & Mrs H G Livingstone, Riccarton Road. Gisborne Returned Soldiers' Derby held in aid of its candidate Jill Williams in a patriotic queen carnival; Minute's silence being observed in Armistace Day 1939 on the main street of Gisborne; reunion dinner for members of Gisborne branch of New Zealand Rifle Brigade Veterans Association held at Gisborne RSA rooms, Jul 1940; Old English fair held in Dunedin in aid of the patriotic funds; crowning of Dunedin's patriotic queen and historical pageant at His Majesty's Theatre, Nov 1940; purchase of National war-saving bonds at Post Office Savings Bank, Wellington, Oct 1940; evacuated British children arriving in New Zealand, Oct 1940; Repertory Theatre wartime concert at Trentham, Oct 1940; small girl knitting socks; Spinsters' Club Knitting Bee at Trentham Camp, May 1940. Red Cross Society's depot in Wellington, May 1940 (Miss A McIntosh, Mrs V R Gunn, Mrs G W Guthrie & Miss M Low); Wellington detachment of women motor-drivers formed by Miss Betty Rendle (Audrey Anderson, Noeline Lock, Sheila Wilson, Shirley Spears, Molly Briton Smith, Margaret Farra, Lois Little, Molly Goldfinch, Maida Saunders & Peggy Hyams), Nov 1939. St John & Red Cross street-appeal for the Sick, Wounded and Distress Fund held in Wellington, May 1940 (Major J Abel. Hon Treasuer), May 1940; woman collecting for Orphanage Day at Wellington Railway Station, Dec 1939 Jewish Red Cross Society meeting (President Mrs H E Crust, Treasuer Mrs A Rose McKaskell, Joint Secretarys E Myers & E Friedlander and other members), Oct 1940 Raffle of model bungalow built by children and teachers at Milne Street School, Spreydon, Sep 1940; items on show before bowling club auction in aid of patriotic funds; Christchurch copper trail; young boy on beach at Paraparaumu behind the defence mound he built from sand and named with shells "Defender N.Z." photographer Rev R T Wearne, Ellice Street, Wellington. Royal Air Force photographers, 1938 & 1940 Quantity: 55 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin prints

Date: [ca 1941]

From: Eyles, John William, 1927-2020: Items relating to the Emergency Precautions Service

Reference: Objects-1210

Description: Maker(s) not known. Comprises a fabric armband worn by John William Eyles while serving as a messenger for the Emergency Precautions Service in the Auckland Metropolitan area. The armband says "E.P.S.O. Messenger" and has the number 34725 stamped on it. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Fabric armband with red lettering and black stamped number. Stitching detail along top and bottom edges.

Date: 1943

By: New Zealand. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Reference: Eph-A-HORTICULTURE-1943-01

Description: Booklet issued during the Second World War, with instructions on growing your own vegetables, preparing the soil and rotating the crops. Contains a message from Ben Roberts, Chairman of the National Vegetable Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture. Quantity: 1 album(s). Physical Description: Booklet of 8 pages on newsprint, each page 213 x 140 mm.

Date: 1939-1945

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: PA1-q-291

Description: Photographs of military activities and war work in New Zealand during World War 2, 1939-1945, taken by various photographers and compiled for official use. Views show the manufacture of various military weapons, machinery and vehicles and the men and women involved in the work. They include munitions (manufacture of hand grenades); Bren gun carriers, airframes, building navy trawlers and mine sweepers in Auckland; airplane construction at Rongotai, at the De Havilland Aircraft Factory; making caterpillar tracks; making sten guns; and constructing army huts. People from various military and civilian groups are shown working as fitters, flight riggers, flight mechanics; aircraft maintenance; welders, camouflage nets (made by Girl Guides). Activities include army exercises (p 106-110); river crossing exercises; preparation for a dawn departure of a New Zealand Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron; army training (p 76-97); and the New Zealand Air Training Corps for elementary instruction for youths aged 16 to 18 1/2. RNZAF training includes blind flying practice, Hawker Hind training planes, aircraft maintenance, flight mechanics, and Airspeed Oxford training planes. Other activities include the planting and growing of linen flax, used in the manufacture of planes, tires, gun covers and fighting equipment; agricultural and horticural work, including using bullock teams for breaking in new ground; army manouvres (in part in Franklin area, and in winter conditions in the South Island near the Southern Alps); territorial manoeuvres; coastal defence; Home Guard training; a remedial physical education training camp for recruits suffering from foot troubles, painful backs etc.; the making of a new raft designed in NZ which could be constructed in a few minutes and was easily transported; training despatch riders on motor bikes in the snow. Women, in different organisations including Women's National Service Corps, Women's Auxiliary Air Force and the Lady Galway Guild, were engaged in driving and maintaining military vehicles; driving for Red Cross vehicles; digging trenches; on parade; as signallers; in clerical work; hospital duties; cooking and other branches of essential war work. Pages 63-75 show the arrival in New Zealand of the American forces; and pages 111-121 portray a visit to New Zealand of Australian and Netherlands personnel from the hospital ship Oranje when the NZ Government, as a mark of appreciation for their efforts in bringing Australian and New Zealand wounded troops, placed a special train at their disposal and took them to Chateau Tongariro for rest and relaxation. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with dark blue cloth cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm

Date: 1940

By: E.V. Paul (Firm)

Reference: Eph-D-WAR-WII-1940-03

Description: Poster appealing for New Zealanders to join groups of volunteers assisting the war effort with auxiliary roles on the home front. Shows at the lower edge, head and shoulders illustrations of a man with a Home Guard armband, and a woman wearing a nurse's cap. The man gestures towards the words of the text in the central panel, detailing eligibility and requirements to join the three auxiliary services. Discussed in "Display folk : Second World War posters at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa" / by Stephanie Gibson. Tuhinga, 2008; n.19:p.17 Quantity: 1 colour art print(s). Physical Description: Screenprint and photolithograph, 758 x 506 mm.

Date: [ca 14 Dec 1940]

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: PAColl-9150-16

Description: Women of the Overseas Seamen's Gift Committe packing items for New Zealand merchant seamen, circa 14 December 1940, probably in the Wellington region. Photograph taken by an unidentified Evening Post staff photographer. Source of descriptive information - Notes on back of print. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 16.6 x 21.5 cm

Date: [ca 27 Apr 1940]

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: PAColl-8557-71

Description: Sewing kit, or hussif, designed to be presented to every World War II soldier who enlisted from Wadestown, Wellington. The kit contains buttons, needles, thread, wools, pins and scissors. Photograph taken for the Evening Post, circa 27 April 1940. Publication note - Published in the Evening Post, 27 April 1940 Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 9.7 x 19.4 cm

Date: [ca 5 July 1940]

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: PAColl-8557-70

Description: Parcels packed by the Ngaio (Wellington) sub-committee of the Patriotic Fund for soldiers overseas during World War 2. Photograph taken for the Evening Post, circa 5 July. Publication note - Published in the Evening Post, 5 July 1940 The parcels were packed at the home of Mrs Wakelin, Colway Street, Ngaio, Wellington. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 12.3 x 19.9 cm