MANUSCRIPT
Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers
- Date
- 1920, 1944-1997
- By
- Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006Arroll, Colin John, 1927-2008
- 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..
- Use/Reproduction
- The donor should be notified in the event of any items being published or used for an exhibition. See Curatorial Note.
- Access restrictions
- No access restrictions
- Format
- 19 folder(s), 0.20 Linear Metres, Personal correspondence, Diaries, Scrapbooks, Notebooks, Questionnaires, Manuscripts, Holographs, mss, typescript, printed matter, photographs
Click to request to view this item, access digital version (if available), and see more information.
Copyright
Unknown
Diary of C J Arroll, Sergeant Dispenser 5 NZ Field Ambulance
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.
Letters from Valerie Martin
Date: 1945
From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11977-04
Description: Four letters from Valerie Martin to her brother, Robert Martin. Consist mainly of family news. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Letters from Tess Martin
Date: 1945
From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11977-05
Description: Two letters from Tess Martin to her older brother, Robert Martin. Writes from Hamilton. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Letters from a former army comrade
Date: 1944-1946
From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11977-06
Description: Five letters from an army friend, F W Walker of Timaru. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Translation of Japanese war diary
Date: 1943, ca 1980
From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11977-07
Description: Translation of a captured Japanese diary describing events during the Solomon Islands campaign in the Treasury Islands archipelago. Translation typed by Robert Martin and sent to the Returned Services Association for publication. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Letters to Graham Martin
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
Letters to Valerie Martin
Date: 1943-1945
From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers
Reference: fMS-Papers-11977
Description: Eighty letters to his sister, Valerie Martin. Includes a letter from Graham Martin (14 Jan 1944) announcing his return to New Zealand and a letter to Valerie Martin from Graham Martin's former fiancee, Fran Hansen (undated). Includes a list of the letters, organised by date. All letters are tipped on to blank sheets. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Scrapbook
Date: 1944-1955, ca 1960s
From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11977-08
Description: Partially unbound scrapbook of newspaper and other cuttings relating to the New Zealand involvement in the later stages of the Italian campaign, including the march on Trieste. Also, some cuttings relating to the Solomon Islands campaign in the Pacific. Contains large number of syndicated comic strips such as 'Jane' and in-service cartoons by "Jon" and Neville Colvin, as well as casualty lists and printed photographs of army activities and social events, such as weddings. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Letters from Graham Martin
Date: 1945
From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11977-03
Description: Eight letters from Graham Martin to his brother, Robert Martin, written during and after his return to New Zealand. Several are written from Auckland after Graham Martin's demobilisation in 1945. Discusses activities of the recently demobilised and their re-adjustment to 'Civvy Street'. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Diaries
Date: 28 Dec 1942-4 Nov 1943; 1-19 Jul 1944
From: Martin, Robert Thomas, 1921-2006: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11977-11
Description: Two detailed diaries kept by Robert Martin while serving in New Caledonia and the Treasury Group in the Solomon Islands. Quantity: 1 folder(s) Two items.