Capewell, E H/Hendry, K A :World War 1939-1945 photographs

Family photographs and views of Fiji, Canada and the Middle East during World War 1939-1945.

The photographs of Canada are negatives, and all relate to the RAF Commonwealth air training programme. There are views of Halifax and the ANZAC Club there. Others are of Montreal and New York. There are photographs of soldiers, planes and countryside taken from the air. Then it's off to Britain, views of London, English countryside and active service. One sequence of negatives records a trip to the Middle East. The Fijian photographs are prints taken by a member of the 30th Battalion, that part of the New Zealand army in Fiji sent directly to Lautoka on the west coast of Viti Levu, and stationed at the Namaka Camp, about 17 miles inland from Lautoka. There are views of Namaka Camp, of camp life, of recreations, work, manoeuvres, and the effects of the hurricane that hit Fiji on the 20th Feb, 1941. There are also views of a camp at a place called Comboni (pronounced "thomboni") which is a coastal tourist spot and beach on the western end of the northern coast of Viti Levu towards the Ba River mouth. There is one photograph of a military camp made up of tents at Momi Bay on the west coast of Viti Levu, south of Lautoka. There are views of Suva and an ANZAC Day parade there as well as images of Fijians, villages, Fijian buildings and the country side in general. After his tour of duty in Fiji the creator of this collection was sent to the Middle East.

The family photographs date from the 1930s. The largest group of these are records of the New Zealand contingent at the Australian Boy Scout Jamboree held at Frankston, Melbourne, from 27 December 1934 to 13 January 1935. The New Zealand contingent constructed a "Maori Pa" and dressed up in Maori costume. There are 18 prints of this feature of the New Zealand contribution to the jamboree.

Arrangement: Negatives at 35 mm 22145 to 22228, and 1/4-81170-F to 1/4-81202-F

This collection comes from two different sources. The negatives of Canada are associated with the name of Sergeant E H Capewell (also apparently known as \"Stormy Capewell\"). Those of the New Zealand army in Fiji and the rest of the photographic prints in the collection belonged to Private K A Hendry who came from Dannevirk before the war, and left Trentham camp for Fiji as a member of a field ambulance team. There is also an envelope dated 1943 addressed to him at the General NZ Hospital, 2nd N Z E F, Middle East Forces.

During the Second World War New Zealand was responsable for raising forces and organising the defense of Fiji against possible Japanese attack. Brigadier W H Cunningham was put in command and the 8 Infantry Brigade Group was organsed for the operation. The defense strategy centred on the island of Viti Levu. Of the two areas designated as critical one centred on Suva and it's hinterland, and the other in the west centred on Lautoka. In late 1940 the 8 Infantry Brigade Group was transported to Fiji on the Rangitira escorted by the Monowai. It took three trips to effect this and the first troops landed in Fiji on 1 November 1940. The 30th Battalion was that section of the 8 Infantry Brigade Group sent directly to Lautoka on the West coast of Viti Levu. It's main base was Namaka camp inland From Lautoka and linked to the coast by the Colonial Sugar Company's railway. Another camp at Momi Bay, south of Lautoka guarded the Navula passage through the reef off Momi. There was also a temporary camp at a resort beach called Comboni, north of Lautoka. The rest of the 8 Infantry Brigade Group went to Suva which was also the location of the command headquarters.

During the organisation of the 8 Infantry Brigade Group troops were assembled at the military camps at Ngaruawahia, Te Rapa, and Trentham. Those at Trentham were support services -- the 7 Field Ambulance, and details such as Pay, Records, Ordnance, Provost and Signals. Private K A Hendry was part of the Trentham operations and evidence suggests that he was a member of the 7 Field Ambulance.

The Australian Boy Scout Jamboree held at Frankston, Melbourne, was the first international scouting event held outside the United Kingdom. Over 12,000 scouts from 23 countries attended, and it was the only scouting event held in Australia attended by Lord Robert Baden-Powell (who with his wife, features in two of the prints relating to this event).

Quantity: 409 b&w original photographic print(s). 112 b&w original negative(s) Of these 84 are 35mm negative strips comprising 306 images..

Provenance: Purchased from general auction. Name "Sgt Capewell E H" inscribed in front of negative album. Name "Capewell, 198 Main Road, Plimmerton" inscribed in accompanying first aid manual.

Transfers: To Other - To Acquisitions 1 copy of "First Aid" transferred 23 March 1998..