Places

Date: 28 Jun 2007

From: Civilian life in New Zealand during the Second World War oral history project

By: Harrison, Joyce Margaret, 1927-

Reference: OHInt-0980-07

Description: Interview with Joyce Harrison (nee Morton), born in Wellington in 1927. Talks about her family background, growing up in Karori as an only child with older parents, and being very self reliant. Refers to starting school at six, going to Samuel Marsden school when she was 10 and being 'knocked into shape'. Comments on the headmistress's narrow vision of careers available for women. Mentions the family's bach at Paekakariki. Talks about the buildup to war when she was 13, 'ripples in the family' from World War I, and her father being called up for air raid warden service. Describes him spending nights on duty on a government building with his tin hat, bucket of sand and gas mask. Mentions her mother had worked in the War Office during World War I. Describes attitudes to England and Empire. Comments on the family's financial situation during the war, her mother sewing clothes and her parents' vegetable garden. Refers to shortages at school and air raid practice. Talks about fear for those leaving and not knowing when it would end. Recalls the departure of the Second Echelon in 1941, watching alone from a hill and sketching. Reflects that adults took the war work of children seriously and this brought home to them the seriousness of the situation. Mentions blackouts, seeing search lights from Wrights Hill, and feeling more protected in Wellington than at Paekakariki. Discusses the American Marines at Parkakariki and a gun emplacement (without gun) being built on their section there. Recalls the sadness and guilt when word came that so many marines had died. Talks about listening to the BBC news at Paekakariki but not following the progress of the war closely in newspapers, and the effects of lists of names. Refers to war news at the cinema and its patriotic tone. Recalls VJ Day, people celebrating in town, cold bitter weather and church bells ringing. Comments on wartime perceptions of the Japanese. Reflects on the effects of war on her as a teenager with restrictions and shortages, and her realisation that with men being killed she might not be able to get married. Abstracted by - Erin Flanigan Interviewer(s) - Alison Parr Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-022541 - OHC-022542 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7330. Photocopy(?) of a black and white photograph of Joyce Harrison (c 1940); printout of a colour photograph of Joyce (2007) Search dates: 1927 - 2007

Date: 21 May 1995

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: Ross, John C (Dr), 1938-

Reference: OHInt-0576-34

Description: These notes were taken from a brief unrecorded telephone interview with John Ross. Talks about completing English Honours at Victoria University in 1962-63, being chairman of the University Literary Society, and recalls Denis Glover as a poetry performer, reading 'The Rakehelly Man' and 'Sings Harry' at the English Department's end of year review. Talks about his thesis on poet Rex Fairburn's 'Dominion', taking it to Glover for his comments, and working on the Fairburn correspondence with Glover prior to Lauris Edmond editing them. Talks about Khura Glover's support for Glover and his work, his thoughts on Glover's drinking. Comments on Glover's writing style - the sophistication of his poetry, comparing it to Ben Johnson's in Elizabethan times or The Beatles lyrics. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Quantity: 1 printed notes - not recorded. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2823.

Date: 20 Apr 95

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: Steel, Margery, active 1995

Reference: OHInt-0576-35

Description: These notes were taken during a brief unrecorded interview aboard the Inter-Island ferry 'Arataki', 20 April, 1995. Margery Steel explains how her husband, Cyril Steel knew Denis Glover. Comments that Cyril Steel was the first person to publish James K. Baxter, and had edited 'Critic' the student journal at Otago University. Cyril Steel knew Glover when he was married to Mary Glover. Mentions Glover being best man at their wedding, and being on his best behaviour. Briefly mentions Glover and his wife Khura at their Paekakariki home. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Quantity: 1 printed transcript (not recorded). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2824.

Date: 24 April, 1995 - 24 Apr 1995

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: Simpson, Anthony Jon, 1945-

Reference: OHInt-0576-24

Description: Tony Simpson met Denis Glover when he moved to Wellington in 1969. Describes Glover at PEN (New Zealand Society of Authors) meetings, and interviewing him for his book 'The Sugarbag Years' in the 1970's. Comments on Glover's clear-headedness when drinking. Talks about meeting him again through Les Cleveland when Glover held his own with young poets in Christchurch. Talks about Glover's storytelling ability at pubs. Describes anecdotes and stories often repeated by Glover. Talks about Glover's grant application to the New Zealand Arts Council when Simpson worked there. Talks about his ability as a poet. Describes his manner with different types of people. Mentions Lyn Glover and his response to hearing of Denis Glover's death. Comments on Glover's attitude to authority and his unique position in New Zealand literature. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-8803a Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 45 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2825.

Date: 21 July 1995 - 21 Jul 1995

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: King, Michael (Dr), 1945-2004

Reference: OHInt-0576-16

Description: Michael King knew Denis Glover through his father, Lewis King. Michael King describes Glover's nature depending on whether he was sober or had been drinking. Recounts stories about Glover's relationship with King's father and mother. Mentions the relationship between Glover and his wife Khura. Recounts stories describing Glover's behaviour on various occasions, such as the two half bottles story, the German ambassador and Tony Vogt story, the support he needed at parties, his relationhip with King's father and specifically the Carlton Carruthers Christmas party story. Describes Glover's feelings towards hierarchy and class, the relationship between Glover and Sargeson, Glover's attitude to homosexuality and his role in publishing Sargeson's early short stories. Recounts a story relating to a party held in honour of Glover by Auckland publisher Bob Lowry. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008799A Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 30 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2811.

Date: 20 April, 1995 - 20 Apr 1995

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: Wall, Arnold, 1908-1998

Reference: OHInt-0576-25

Description: Arnold Wall met Denis Glover in the 1950's in Christchurch, where Wall was working at 3YA and before Glover was at Pegasus Press. Wall wrote poetry and later became a book editor. Recalls their long working days in pubs, talks about Wall's father's dislike of Glover, mentions Mary Glover and Khura Glover, describes the events leading to Glover no longer working at Pegasus for Albion Wright. Mentions editing 'Hot Water Sailor and Land Lubber Ho!' and his approach to editing a deceased person's work. Mentions a story Glover wrote for Radio 3YA. Talks about visiting Glover at Paekakariki and Glover's relationship with his wife Khura. Mentions spontaneously celebrating Allen and Jenny Curnow's wedding with Glover from 10.30am on a working day and still celebrating with Members of Parliament (M.P.) wives at the end of the day. Recalls events surrounding the funeral of Glover's wife, Khura. Recalls a weekend Glover spent with the Walls in 1972 or 1973 when he drank Lemon and Paeroa and was as much fun as when he drank alcohol. Mentions Glover's behaviour after drinking alcohol at a party at the Walls, soon after he had married Lyn Glover. Mentions Dick Reynolds who bought pieces of Glover's original manuscripts. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHInt-008804 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 45 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2817.

Date: 10 May 1995

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: Hunt, Samuel Percival Maitland, 1946-

Reference: OHInt-0576-13

Description: Sam Hunt is interviewed by Gordon Ogilvie's daughter, Margaret Ogilvie in Paramata. Sam Hunt talks about Denis Glover being inseparable from his poems, the poems being part of him, rather than a literary act. Describes him as representing the romantic image of the poet, talks about his favorite Glover poems, Glover's greatest poems. Talks about people wanting to put some of Glover's poems to music, and Glover's response. Talks about Glover's performances, describes a drunken start to the Writers in Schools New Zealand tour which Glover regretted. Describes Glover's personality, talks about Khura Stewart (Glover), describes Glover's reaction and behaviour at her funeral. Talks about visits to Pakaekariki to Denis and Khura Glover's home, alcohol and social evenings and the consequences the next morning. Discusses the rhythm of Glover's poetry, describes his poems, and the capacity of his short poems. Talks about poems always being part of their conversations. Describes events on the Four Poets New Zealand Tour with Hone Tuwhare, Alan Brunton, Denis Glover and Sam Hunt. Mentions an event at a Catholic girls' school on tour. Describes his time with Glover as a mixture of banter, talk, wisdom and humour. Mentions book launches of Lauris Edmond and Fiona Kidman and his own dislike of the intellectual snobbery of the poetry scene. Mentions his fondness for Khura Glover. Interviewer(s) - Margaret Ogilvie Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-8800 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 90 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2812.

Date: 25 April, 1995 - 25 Apr 1995

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: McLeod, Vernon, active 1995; McLeod, Frances, active 1995

Reference: OHInt-0576-20

Description: Vernon and Frances McLeod are interviewed together. They knew Denis Glover at Paekakariki. They describe Glover's character, heated discussions of race and sex issues, his editing of the Waikato Breweries 'Quaffer's Gazette', his alcohol use. Talks about Glover's relationship with his wife, Khura, her death and Glover's reaction to it. Mentions his delight in dressing up in his navy uniform and medals. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008804 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 40 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2816.

Date: 15 07 1995 - 15 Jul 1995

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: Glover, Brian Guinness, 1914-2004

Reference: OHInt-0576-10

Description: Brian Glover was the youngest brother of Denis Glover. Brian Glover describes his family who, like his parents, went in different directions. Describes his sister Coreen, who married Douglas Neele in England and his brother Lawrence who joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). Describes in depth his work during World War II on RAF missions with the Pathfinders over Hanover, and flying an irreparable plane. Comments that the war upset Denis more than many people realised. Describes his parent's relationship, separation, and remarriage, and the minimal contact he had with his father. Describes looking after his father at the end of his life, mentions his father's second wife. Talks about Denis and Khura Glover caring for his mother during the last days of her life. Talks about Denis Glover being a sickly child but bright like his mother; his first marriage to Mary Glover and their son Rupert. Describes advice he gave to Lyn Glover about being Denis Glover's minder. Talks about his feelings towards his sister Coreen, talks about his mother and how she managed financially. Describes his mother's mother and his maternal aunt. Describes his lack of interest in his father's family history. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-8792a Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 45 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2805.

Date: 18 Nov 1991

From: Women in World War II Part I

By: Andrews, Jean Matekitewhawhai, 1915-1994

Reference: OHInt-0060/20

Description: Jean Andrews was born in Otaki on 23 October 1914. Gives details of her family, particularly her mother, her Te Ati Awa background and childhood in Otaki. Describes use of Maori medicine and family values. Talks about shift to Paekakariki on to land that is now Queen Elizabeth Park. Describes mother's negotiations with the Government over this land and being told that if they did not sell the land it would be taken under proclamation. Talks about the Maori Battalion being based in Palmerston North during World War II and the American Marines stationed around Paekakariki. Notes that at one point there were 26,000 Marines in the area. Describes at length their family's close and ongoing association with these soldiers many of whom were welcomed in to the family home. Describes entertainment of the troops by Ngati Poneke. Relates how her mother did washing for American soldiers and family members cleaned the Liberty trains. Comments on relationships, including sexual relationships, between local women and soldiers, lack of contraception and her ongoing role in helping children find their American fathers. Recalls the collision of transport ships in a storm off Mana Island which resulted in 103 soldiers being drowned. Talks about the kindness of most of the American soldiers, the racism of a few and a brawl that broke out between members of the Maori Battalion and American soldiers. Talks about pilgrimages made back to the area by many Marines. Talk about her six daughters and one son, her involvement in kohanga reo and teaching korowai. Describes her welfare work with Social Welfare and the Probation Department and briefly mentions her QSM. Venue - Wellington : 1991 Interviewer(s) - Queenie Hyland Venue - Peakakariki Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004732; OHC-004733; OHC-004734 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 839. Colour photograph of Jean Andrews in 1991