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Date: 20 Feb 2007

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

By: Hume, Derek Martyn, 1925-2016

Reference: OHInt-0980-09

Description: Interview with Derek Hume, born in Auckland in 1925. Outlines his family history. Mentions his solicitor father, who had served in World War I, had a stroke on the day World War II was declared. Recalls the large family home in Gillies Avenue was subdivided into flats during the Depression. Mentions they had an orchard and kept poultry on their large section. Talks about his childhood and schooling, and being able to attend Kings College only because his father had been on the governing board. Refers to talk of war and singing patriotic songs at school. Talks about his brother Larry joining up, being sent to Australia to train as a commando, but being killed in 1942 on his first day in action. Mentions cousins who were killed in action. Describes the casualty lists in the newspapers and the reactions of parents and other adults. Explains that once the Japanese entered the war people felt it would go on for years. Talks about getting most of their news from newspapers rather than radio, and comments that victory in the Battle of the River Plate gave people a boost. Mentions the Battle of the Coral Sea was a turning point, but they did not know about the bombing of Darwin. Describes digging trenches at school, air raid practice and a plane crashing near the school. Recalls training with the Kings College school cadets including first aid, morse code and bomb disposal training. Talks about having to leave school at 17 as his mother was unwell and his father had died. Discusses working for Firestone after he left school, the wartime tyre permit system, and bartering excess permits for other goods and food. Describes joining the Navy when he was 18 and being sent to England in January 1945 after basic training. Refers to sailing in a convoy of 86 ships across the Atlantic where one ship was torpedoed and six were lost in a storm on the way. Comments on damage in London and Plymouth and seeing the last doodlebug over London. Recalls VJ Day, having had submarine training and expecting to go east until the atomic bomb was dropped. Reflects on the impact of the war, and his brother's death not having the effect 'it should have' because of their age difference. Abstracted by - Erin Flanigan Interviewer(s) - Alison Parr Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-022547 - OHC-022549 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3.10 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7332. Photocopy(?) of a black and white photograph of Derek Hume (1942); printout of a colour photograph of Derek (2007) Search dates: 1925 - 2007

Date: 25 Jul 1995

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: Barrett-Lennard, Jane, active 1995

Reference: OHInt-0576-02

Description: Jane Barrett-Lennard was a friend of Denis Glover. Describes her life as a teacher and meeting Denis Glover through the Christchurch Literary Club. Talks about their relationship, Khura Glover, his relationship with James K. Baxter and mutual literary friends such as Rex Fairburn. Talks about Lauris Edmond, mentions his work at the Caxton and then the Wingfield Press. Talks about their shared interest in books, Denis Glover's reaction to hearing his poems described on a University literature course. Talks about visits from Denis Glover when she lived in Hamilton and Napier, his relationship with his sister Coreen, Janet Paul, and the funeral of his wife Khura Glover. Comments on his drinking and his relationships in general. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-00-8788, 008789b Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2800.

Date: 20 July 1995 - 20 Jul 2001

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: King, Lewis, 1914-2006

Reference: OHInt-0576-15

Description: Lewis King describes meeting Denis Glover onboard the 'HMS Onslow' working on Russian Convoys, when Glover was being considered as a possible officer, and then meeting him again after the war, when his capacity for alcohol increased and his charm more delightful than before. Comments that Glover found it harder than most to settle after the war. Describes meeting with Glover, Albion Wright and late night drinking sessions despite six o'clock closing. Describes Denis Glover getting work at his Advertising Agency Carlton Carruthers and his drinking ending his work there. Discusses the reactions of old navy staff to Denis Glover in his later years. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-8789, OHC-8813 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 30 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2801.

Date: 6 May, 1995 - 06 May 1995

From: Interviews about Denis Glover by Gordon Ogilvie

By: Lambert, Arthur, active 1950-1995

Reference: OHInt-0576-18

Description: Arthur Lambert was a contemporary of Denis Glover. Talks about Caxton Press, Glover's partner Dinny Donovan whose father financed it, and Leo Bensemann's management of it during the war. Mentions new machinery increased business after the war and Glover's management of the press. Describes events that threatened the press, Dinny Donovan's return to manage it and Glover's move to Pegasus Press. Describes meeting Glover before the war, his navy involvement, the Banks Peninsula Cruising Club and later the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Mentions Glover's second wife Khura Glover as well as Jack Allan. Describes events leading to Glover resigning his naval commission. Talks about Mick Stimpson who had been in the navy. Mentions Glover's first wife Mary Glover, his longterm relationship with the navy, anecdotes about ex-navy collegues and examples of his wit. Interviewer(s) - Gordon Ogilvie Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008802 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 60 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2814.

Date: 9 to 12 Aug 2004

From: New Zealand Defence Force Military oral history project

By: Ware, Walter Alfred, 1919-2011

Reference: OHInt-0938-09

Description: Interview with Wally (Walter) Ware, born in Eltham in 1919. Recalls growing up in Eltham, attending Eltham Primary School, the family's transport changing from horse and gig to cars, and cycling as far as Wellington for holidays. Talks about leaving school and home at 15 to work on farms, then cycling to Auckland in 1936, working in factories for a period until he got a job in a garage in New Plymouth and then ran a car dealership in Hawera for the owner. Recalls hearing Felix von Luckner, a German naval officer, speaking in Hawera in 1938 and becoming interested in the navy. Discusses joining the Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles in 1939, and volunteering for the navy in 1940 when he was old enough. Refers to training in Auckland in HMS Philomel and Tamaki, then going to sea on HMS Achilles in January 1941 where he trained as a torpedoman. Comments on firing and retrieving practice torpedos. Describes his action stations, initially in ammunition supply for a gun turret and later in a between decks electrical damage control party. Describes armaments and ammunition supply arrangements on the Archilles and how target firing practice was carried out. Talks about the routine on the ships when at sea in cruising stations and in action stations, keeping watch, and the role of Royal Marines on the ships. Comments on life on board ship, uniforms, food, mail and recreation. Talks about how the crew kept up to date with news when they were at sea. Describes operating the Archilles' searchlights, and recalls the installation of radar on the ship. Refers to the Archilles' role of escorting cargo ships around Cape Horn or through the Straits of Magellan, and troopships to Canada and to Suez. Refers to the ship sailing to England where he trained as a leading torpedoman and leading seaman. Recalls leave in London and an air raid while he was in Portsmouth. Talks about the crew being transferred to the Gambia, sea trials in the Atlantic and towards Scapa Flow before returning to the Indian Ocean in 1944 and escorting aircraft carriers that were launching raids on Japanese bases in Indonesia. Comments on then sailing to the Pacific and working with the British Pacific Fleet and the United States Navy. Mentions the Gambia was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese signed the surrender document, and recalls meeting liberated allied prisoners of war in Tokyo. Comments on returning home in 1946 and transferring to Philomel for the final few months of his service. Refers to buying a farm at Mangamingi with family help and a rehabilitation loan. Interviewer(s) - Martin Halliday Accompanying material - Photocopy of Walter Ware's notes "My war years" and other papers (13 p.) Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-017254 - OHC-017260 Quantity: 7 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 interview(s). 7 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHDL-000399, OHA-6157. Search dates: 2004

Date: 06 July 2001 - 06 Jul 2001

From: Raoul Island oral history project

By: McGregor, Evan Forbes, 1935-

Reference: OHInt-0927-04

Description: Interview with Evan McGregor, born in New Plymouth in 1935. Recalls his father dying in 1939, leaving his mother with five children to raise. Mentions milking cows by hand from age eight during the War, his schooling in New Plymouth, and his mother dying in 1948 during his first year at college. Recalls his mentor Barney Wickstead who taught him to hunt and fish as well as life skills. Mentions working on a farm at Inglewood after he left school, learning farming skills at Flock House, and then going shearing. Talks about joining the Navy in 1960 in the radio section, being on a ship sent to evacuate a sick man from Raoul Island, and being amazed at the fishing there. Comments on marrying his wife Carol in 1962, and building a house with a State Advances loan. Mentions leaving the Navy to spend more time with his family. Discusses getting a job as a lighthouse keeper on Cuvier Island, the trip by boat with his family, and spending 18 months there with two other keepers. Refers to the wildlife on the island - goats had been removed. Mentions his next posting to Stephens Island in Cook Strait. Comments that he and the children loved the lighthouse keeping lifestyle but that it was hard on wives. Reflects on the automation of lighthouses and the lost era. Discusses getting a job on Raoul Island as officer in charge and buying a house in Auckland for his family. Mentions having six weeks hospital training before he went, to cope with injuries. Describes the team on the Island and their resourcefulness, the dawn chorus and the native trees. Mentions rats being a menace to the garden, a 7.85 magnitude earthquake on 1 January 1977 and the water supply being broken. Comments on the Island's fragile environment and the unpredictable volcanic activity. Talks about the citrus trees, pigs being fed oranges, the cow, and peaches as weeds. Refers to shooting 400 goats in his first year on Raoul Island, and that by 1976-1977 regeneration was evident in the nikau forest. Mentions graves on the Island, farmer John Weir, and the decision to close the farm in 1977. Comments on having radio contact with Wellington twice a week. Talks about alcohol rations and the drinking culture. Describes later working on Campbell Island as team leader for a period, his style of management, and dealing with finding marijuana being grown in the heated glasshouse meant for growing vegetables. Reflects on Raoul Island and Campbell Island reunions. Interviewer(s) - Kim Morton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016807 - OHC-016810 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). Physical Description: Textual file - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5992, OHDL-001030. Search dates: 1935 - 2001

Date: 4 Apr 2006 - 04 Apr 2006

From: Second World War oral history project: Home Front

By: Munro, Maisie Marian, 1922-2007; Hutching, Megan Alannah, 1957-

Reference: OHInt-0827-10

Description: Interview with Maisie Munro (nee Hoskin), born Petone, 18 September 1922. Talks about her father Barton Munro, a carpenter who was wounded in World War I, and her mother Marian (nee Baldwin) who was a dressmaker. Mentions hearing talk of war in the 1930s but not taking much notice. Recalls involvement with the Women's War Service Auxiliary and learning signalling which her father was teaching. Discusses enlisting in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) as a telegraphist, and being posted to wireless station ZLP on Tinakori Hill after basic training. Talks about male reaction to Wrens, learning to keep watch, and about being transferred to Waiouru where she had to live communally in an Army hut with other Wrens. Discusses life at Waiouru and the radio receiving station (ZLO) which had a teleprinter machine. Refers to the work receiving top secret messages which were sent to Wellington for decoding. Talks about limited options for leave in Waiouru, a Wrens basketball (netball) team, the Wrens not getting a rum ration, the camp YMCA, and dances with a Navy orchestra. Mentions that the naval personnel had no contact with the Army camp. Refers to becoming a petty officer, which allowed her to move to more comfortable quarters at Waiouru. Talks about her pay being sent to her mother with a small amount for herself. Refers to her fiance Ron Baird, a sergeant in the Army, being killed in the Pacific. Comments that she was married in January 1945 to Rex Randall and left the Navy before VJ Day because she was pregnant. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015244, OHC-015245 Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1.28 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5527 Abstract Available - transcript(s) available. photocopy of photograph of Petty Officer Maisie Hoskin in uniform Search dates: 1922 - 1939 - 2006 - 1945

Date: 21 Feb 2006

From: Second World War oral history project: Home Front

By: Laver, Derek Simpson, 1925-2008

Reference: OHInt-0827-08

Description: Interview with Derek Laver, born Christchurch, 25 January 1925. Mentions his parents Noel and Elsie (nee Simpson). Refers to leaving school against his parents wishes, attending night classes, and working for a wholesale grocer. Talks about enlisting in the Navy and basic training at HMNZS Tamaki on Motuihe Island. Refers to learning to sleep in a hammock, discipline, the uniform, and gunnery drill. Mentions visits from American ships, and discusses friction with American servicemen. Refers to playing cricket for the Navy. Comments on condoms being issued and about homosexuality in the navy. Gives details of being sent to naval electrical school at Petone and volunteering to train on Asdic (anti-submarine detection, later known as sonar). Explains what Asdic was, how it worked and being posted to the launch HD1188 in Wellington harbour. Mentions that the vessel was frequently moored to a buoy at the harbour entrance. Recalls practicing on a sunken ship and on the inter-island ferry, and live practices with depth charges. Comments thay they were classified as harbour defence for rations but managed to get issued with seagoing rations. Refers to tobacco and rum rations and food on board. Talks about trips out of Wellington harbour on the boat, including sailing in a storm to Christchurch and a cruise down the South Island to Bluff. Comments on the Wellington launches being sent to Auckland and decommissioned. Outlines being discharged in August 1946, the feelings of others towards home servicemen, and their not getting a gratuity. Refers to returning to his former employer, settling down to civilian life and marrying his first wife Aileen in 1948. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - questionnaire filled in by Derek Laver; photocopy of article about American servicemen in New Zealand during the War (2 p.); personal narrative about serving on a harbour defence motor launch (9 p.) Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015240, OHC-015241 Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1.43 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5525 Abstract Available - transcript(s) available. photocopy of photograph of Derek Laver in uniform Search dates: 1925 - 1939 - 2006 - 1945

Date: 18 Jan 1992

From: Women in World War II Part I

By: Pilcher, Margaret Irene, 1925-

Reference: OHInt-0060/15

Description: Meg Pilcher was born in Gisborne on 24 February 1925. Describes her childhood on a farm at Patutahi, twelve miles from Gisborne. Gives details of her parent's backgrounds. Talks about her schooling, good race relations and reasons for leaving school. Describes working in a legal office and wanting to go into the Navy. Recalls opposition from her father when she joined the Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service becoming a WREN in 1943. Describes being posted to Beacon Hill which was the shipping identification and examination area for Wellington Harbour. Recalls the fear of Japanese invasion and alarms going off at Wellington Heads. Talks about signalling and working at the degaussing station at Somes Island. Describes degaussing as a system for ships to identify and repel magnetic mines. Recalls a typical work day and describes the uniform. Comments that the Navy was a great leveller and enabled women to do things they had not previously done. Mentions working at Narrow Neck. Comments on wartime morals, values, sexual behaviour and etiquette. Talks about American servicemen. Recalls working in the WRNZNS ledger office in Auckland. Describes going home to Gisborne on leave and meeting Ron Pilcher who was at Teachers College. Recalls discharge from the Navy, getting married, and living in Masterton, Te Kuiti and Tuai before moving to Wellington. Recalls doing bookwork and teaching financial planning. Comments on the impact of war. Venue - Wellington : 1992 Interviewer(s) - Jane Tolerton Venue - Interviewee's home at Paraparaumu Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004714; OHC-004715; OHC-004716 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 833.