Places

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