World War, 1939-1945 - Medical care - Italy

Date: 1941-1943

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: PA1-q-304

Description: Photographs relating to the New Zealand Army Nursing Service in Egypt, the Western Desert and Italy, taken by an unidentified photographer. The only people named in the album are Matron-in-Chief of the 2nd NZEF, Emma Nutsey, and General Sir H Alexander who visited the No 2 New Zealand General Hospital in Caserta. The first section includes the No 1 New Zealand Casualty Clearing Station, North African campaig; Mersa Matruh, a group of nurses outside the German and Italian hospital at Mersa Matruh; the nurses' compound at El Garbanyat; nurses at Agedabia; a wrecked german plance at Agedabia; and washing day in the desert No 1 NZ General Hospital at Helwan, showing the exterior of the former Grand Hotel; the sister's mess and garden around the mess; award at Helwan; and the first "mess" wedding held at the Kiwi Club in Helwan. No 2 NZ General Hospital at Gerawla in the Western Desert; railway station; signs warning of minefields; packing for departure. No 2 NZ General Hospital at Caserta; flooding at Caserta; General Sir H Alexander visites Caserta; wedding of Lieutenant J Searing and his wife, the first military wedding at Caserta. No 3 NZ General Hospital (Helmieh, Egypt) at the Helmieh Garrison; nursing sisters' mess; tent accomodation; sick bay; convalescent soldiers; mud and straw bricks being transported by native labour; the No 3 Hospital moves out from Helmieh in a convoy en route to Beirut, Syria. Beirut, officers' mess, matron's cottage, sisters' lounge, WAAC mess, and a fire in the WAAC's mess. Tripoli, the sisters' mess; Kiwi Concert Party; aerial photo of No 3 NZ General Hospital at Bari, Italy. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album in faded green paper cover, entitled "Photography" in black lettering; 34.5 x 22.0 cm

Date: Sep 1943-Feb 1945

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

Reference: MS-Papers-11977-14

Description: Typescript copy of Colin Arroll's diary, together with Arroll's account of the 5th Field Ambulance dispensary and its challenges, a glossary of military terms, tributes to his comrades in the Field Ambulance Corps, an account of his return to New Zealand and of his military career. Also includes photocopies of labelled photographs, lyrics and music to "Lili Marlene", signed menu cards, rough sketch maps of field camp layouts, letters to his family, and printed maps of Italy marking the itinerary of the 5th Field Ambulance. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Provenance: The diary was typed and, with photocopies of photographs, sketch plans and other additions, sent to Robert Martin by Colin Arroll.

Date: 1943-1945

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

Reference: MS-Papers-11977-02

Description: Thirty four letters to his brother, Graham Martin, who was also serving with the Field Ambulance Corps in Italy. The letters have been tipped onto paper bases and include some in the reduced 'Airgraph' photographic format. Includes dated list of the letters, and brief biographical details about Graham Martin submitted for the Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph database. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss, typescript, printed matter

Date: 1920, 1944-1997

By: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006

Reference: MS-Group-2284

Description: The collection comprises four folders on Robert Martin's career as a post office employee and telegraphist, while the rest consists of papers, scrapbooks and newspaper cuttings relating to his military service during World War II in North Africa, Italy, and the Solomon Islands with the Field Ambulance service of the New Zealand Medical Corps. Correspondence with his brother, Martin, and his sister, Valerie, are included, as is correspondence with two of his comrades in the Field Ambulance. Also included is a typed translation of a Japanese diary which he acquired during the Solomon Islands campaign, probably on Mono in the Treasury Islands, and a typed copy of the diary and other papers of his friend, Colin John Arroll, who also served with the Field Ambulance. Source of title - Supplied by Library Arrangement: Reflecting the circumstances of their accessioning, the collection is divided into three series. Quantity: 19 folder(s). 0.20 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs, mss, typescript, printed matter, photographs Finding Aids: A descriptive list compiled by the donor of the contents of the second accession (A2014-183) may be found in the backfiles held in the Reference Section of the Alexander Turnbull Library.. Provenance: Donated in two lots by Mrs Janet Hannan, Wanaka, during 2014. The first donation consisted of Robert Martin's civilian career as a telegraphist for the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department, and the second his photographs, correspondence and diaries from his military service in World War II. His friend, John Colin Arroll, who also served with the Field Ambulance, sent Robert Martin a copy of his diary, reminiscences and other papers. Donor is Robert Martin's daughter. Transfers: From Photographic Archive - PA-Group-00859 - To Photographic Archive - Albums and other photographs - Photograph albums transferred to Photographic Archive..

Date: 1941-1945

By: Pickrang, Francis John, 1915-1998; Killoh, Keith Gordon, 1907-1994

Reference: PA1-q-1180

Description: Comprises photograph album belonging to Sapper Francis Pickrang (service no. 32297) relating to his service with the New Zealand Engineers, Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) in North Africa, the Middle East and Italy during World War Two. Taken between circa 1941 and 1945 by unidentified photographer(s) and K G Killoh. -Studio portraits of Pickrang and other unidentified servicemen include a sailor in naval uniform and a woman. Also includes a studio portrait of Pickrang at a desk writing letters home. He appears to be looking towards an inset image of a woman and child. -Scenes taken in Western Desert locations include informal snaps of Francis Pickrang, an unidentified sailor in naval uniform, and other army soldiers in camp life, sight-seeing at local landmarks, working at military construction projects and on the coast. Images of interest include: troops at the 'El Djem' theatre, Maadi Camp, Egypt, an army jeep with a silver fern logo and a picture of a Maori man with moko on the bumper, men washing clothes and drinking beer, men posing beside 'Monteith's Beer' graffiti, various bulldozers, tanks, army trucks and Caterpillar diesel vehicles at work, possibly a dredge offshore, the 'Auckland-Greymouth Clipper' army truck, a soldier posing beside a camp sign '10 Downing Street', soldiers posing with Egyptian locals and Sikh men, and soliders on motorcycles. -Scenes possibly taken in Libya include: bombed out buildings, Christian churches and Arabic style grand buildings, the 'Atlantic Hotel', a pyramid, soldiers swimming (sometimes nude) and beside trucks at a coastal location, earthworking machinery (road building?), RAF Hawker Hurricane and Bristol Beaufighter aeroplanes and a German Fieseler Fi 56 aeroplane on the ground, an aeroplane wreck, city streets with business signs in European languages, a coach, war graves, and signs for 'Nufilia' (Nofilia) and 'Feldlazarett' (German field hospital). -Scenes of interest taken in Egypt include an aeroplane named 'Asproliner', soldiers socialising, ambulances, a YMCA sign on a grand building, the YMCA Lowry Hut building at Maadi Camp, mosques, Qaitbay Citadel and the harbour of Alexandria, unidentified city streets, and cave homes. -Scenes relating to military medical services include: interior of a hospital in a grand house, doctors performing an operation in a tent, New Zealand and Red Cross flags, various New Zealand ambulances, a stretcher being loaded on an aeroplane, and an American Field Service ambulance. Includes duplicate image from the Department of Internal Affairs War History Branch collection of the 5th New Zealand Advanced Dressing Station ambulances at San Elia. -Scenes taken in Italy include images of the countryside and villages, bombed buildings, historic churches, fountains and buildings, city streets and piazzas, stone bridges, army trucks on the road, soldiers in camp, and piles of spent shells. Includes images of Italian peasants and children, haymaking and washing laundry. Also includes St Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum, Rome, Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and the Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Roman archway in Alife, the fountain at the Royal Palace of Caserta, and Roman ruins. Also includes an Italian man with a chained bear. -Includes postcards showing Benito Mussolini at a rally and Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Source of title - title supplied Library Inscriptions: Recto - centre - inside front cover inscribed '2 NZEF presented to 32297 Sapper F. Pickrang by the Government of New Zealand in recognition of his work with the New Zealand Engineers Middle East in the Second World War 1939-1945' Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Black album with silver decorative edging and silver lettering 'Photograph album' on cover, spiral bound, 33.5 x 29 cm Provenance: Purchase, March, 2014

Date: 07 and 22 Apr 2008 - 07 Apr 2008 - 22 Apr 2008

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

By: Currie, Natalie, 1921-

Reference: OHInt-0920-02

Description: Interview with Natalie Currie (nee Campbell). Born in Ashburton in 1921 to James Campbell and Alice May Campbell who ran 'Westward Ho' sheep and cropping farm and a second farm. Talks about paternal grandparents Samuel and Sarah Campbell emigrating from Ireland and farming a block of Springfield estate. Refers to her maternal grandparents William and Agnes Davison emigrating from Australia to south of Ashburton. Recalls unemployed men picking stones during the Depression 1930s. Mentions going to Methven primary school and high school, and Columba College, Dunedin. Recalls bible class and dances being social focus. Discusses her siblings May, Ngaire, Joyce and Bruce. Talks about outbreak of World War Two, impact of reading lists of killed in action, news on the wireless from London and rationing of petrol. Describes volunteering as Red Cross nurse, training at Methven, Ashburton Hospital and Burwood Hospitals. Describes trip to Wellington to be fitted with army uniform and being in camp. Refers to leaving on the 'Empress of Scotland' (formerly 'Empress of Japan') troop ship to Egypt in the nursing division of the 14th Echelon. Describes voyage via Hobart over the Indian Ocean to Aden in convoy with 'Achilles' and three American Liberty cargo ships. Mentions water rations for 3000 on board, sharing rooms, and dances on board. Refers to group of Maori who played and sang after dinner being shut down. Talks about arriving at Port Tewfik, Egypt and trip by army truck and ambulance to the Helwan Hospital nurses home, Cairo. Details leave activites, sightseeing at Pyramids, New Zealand Club in Cairo, markets and a race meeting. Talks about trip to Italy arriving at Bari, then being escorted by soliders to Senigallia. Talks about financee Tom Currie training at Burnham as a sergeant, and going with the 8th Reinforcements to Egypt. Says he worked on the aerodrome with his brother George Currie in Cairo until he transferred to artillery in Cassino and north Italy. Explains Tom's role in artillery and his shell injury. Talks about Tom visiting her at Senigallia and how he sent her letters. Describes tension of Tom and all the men. Details six day week of nursing duties in physical and surgical wards at Senigallia. Recalls living in Nissen huts, meals and friendships. Refers to being a VA (Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse), and how they were treated by the sisters and matrons. Talks about the New Zealand hospitals moving and how the Forward hospital was near the fighting. Describes Italian village life seen while on leave in San Marino. Mentions going to Forces Club at Ancona. Talks about being drawn in ballot to go to England, the trip via Naples, and celebrating VE Day in Caserta. Describes voyage on the 'Georgic' ship with escorted covoy via Gibraltar. Mentions U-boat scare. Says they arrived at Port of Glasgow, then took train to London to nurse New Zealand ex-prisoners of war at Haine hospital near Margate. Refers to meeting Methven boys in England and visiting New Zealand Forces club in London. Says her name was drawn in the ballot to go home. Recalls voyage on the 'Dominion Monarch' across the equator, via the Suez canal to Wellington. Says Tom Currie was on troop ship which arrived before them. Expands on train journey home to Ashburton and effect of war on home front. Talks about being given honorary membership of the RSA in Ashburton. Says she never attended Anzac day ceremonies, as was home with children and you did not hear much about nurses. Refers to attending VA reunions. Discusses World War One. Mentions Battle of the Pacific and American troops in New Zealand. Talks about joining the RSA trip to England and Crete for VJ Day commemorations in 1995. Says she married Tom Currie in 1946 when they were farming 300 acres on Marawiti Road. Talks about her three children Campbell, Catherine and Russell. Says they bought 'Kimberley', a larger farm on Pudding Hill Road, Methven in 1962. Refers to it being a rehab farm, and receiving government assistance while at 'Highbank' farm. Discusses farming sheep, cropping wheat, barley and peas, and cattle. Refers to water supply problems. Mentions prevailing winds being nor'wester or easterly. Talks about heavy snows of 1972. Recalls having no irrigation at 'Kimberly' or 'Highbank'. Details harvesting grain, drying grass seed in sacks on fences in 1940s and 1950s, and use of silos. Says they kept family benefit as reserve. Talks about building house in Methven in 1988, then Tom dying in 1989. Says they travelled overseas a lot in 1970s and 1980s. Discusses being active on Asburton Hospital Board, and the committee that set up Methven House. Recalls being President and on committees of the South Canterbury District Golf Association and Methven Golf Club, and active in Methven tennis and swimming clubs. Talks about involvement in St Johns Presbyterian church over years. Reflects on changes in farming in Methven area. Interviewer(s) - Nicola Robertson Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 5 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textural files - Adobe PDF Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6024; OHDL-001819. Search dates: 1921 - 2008

Date: 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: PA1-q-300

Description: Photographs of New Zealand military personnel serving in Italy during World War 2, 1943-1945, taken by various photographers and compiled for official purposes. Many individuals identified are listed, but while many others are identified in group portraits they are not named. Views of the No 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Molfetta; Prime Minister Peter Fraser visiting NZ troops in Italy (p 2-12, 18-19), including the occasion of his audience with the Pope at the Vatican and senior officers and chaplains after being received by the Pope at Vatican City; the chief prior of Abbey Monte Cassino returning to the ruins of the monastery (p 2). Views of a Divisional Flashspotting troop; a "jeep train" supplying men to forward areas, known as the "Ghost train" as it had to move in darkness; pursuit of Germans after the capture of Atima and Belmonte. The No 2 NZ Field Bakery in action; the No 2 NZ General Hospital at Caserta (p 10-12); the NZ Forestry Unit in Southern Italy Transport ship Gripsholm arriving in Algiers with repatriates from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other allies; swimming and boating sports at Arce; NZers on leave in Rome, Vatican City, St Peter's, Castel St Angelo, and the NZ Forces Club; a gymkhana, and wood chopping competition at Arce. NZ troops after the assault on Mount Lignano; the advance towards Florence; King George VI visiting the NZ Division during the advance to Florence; "Tuis" in Rome at John Keats House; a Regimental Aid post. Sound recording machines, helping locate enemy guns; clearing landmines; various armoured vehicles including German Tiger tanks, and other German Panzer tanks, Staghound armoured cars; M10 tank busters Members of the RNZNVR in the Mediterranean (p 50-51, 55); Italian partisans in Florence, and one view of Nikos Souris (worked with the escape system in Crete); New Zealanders arriving in Florence; New Zealand Forces Club in Florence. Weddings at the chapel at No 3 General Hosptial (Bari), and at All Saints Church in Rome; inspections by general Freyberg accompanied by senior Greek officers inspecting the 3rd Greek Brigade in Italy; Winston Churchill touring the 8th Army front. The RNZAF in Britain: fighter pilots of Hawker Tempest planes; pilots and navigators of a Mosquito squadron engaged in bombing targets behind German lines by night (British official photographs, p 60-63) Kiwi Concert Party entertaining children and adult refugees at a camp in Rome; a gala day held for Italian children by members of the No 21 NZ Battalion; the advance to Gambettola; troops on leave in Riccione; a donkey derby; advance through Faenza; scenes of Christmas celebrations in the No 3 NZ General Hospital and on the line in Italy. NZEF Middle East (p 104) the Honorable D G Sullivan visiting Maadi, NZEF Italy, Sullivan visiting the troops in Italy (p 107-110). A dance held at Senigallia as a farewell to members of Transport HQ returning to New Zealand under the replacement scheme; sporting activities including rugby, soccer and hockey; New Zealand High Commissioner to London visiting NZ troops and hospitals in italy; Sir Patrick Duff (British High Commissioner designate to NZ visiting Italy en route to NZ; Italian women partisans in Massa Lombarda; New Zealanders in Venice after having been liberated; a pontoon bridge over the River Po; meeting between General Freyberg and members of the Yugoslav Army; and NZ ex-prisoners of war at a NZ repatriation unit in Italy all of whom are named. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with faded blue cover, darker blue corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm