Interview with Arthur Humphries

Arthur Humphries was born in Mataura in 1922. Describes his schooling at Tuturau School, training with the RNZAF and having lived at Tuturau, Rotorua, Canada, England and Invercargill. Summarises his interests in local government, education, farming, golf, tennis, bowls, fishing, hiking, the Masonic Lodge and the Justice of the Peace Association. Mentions marrying Doreen in 1946 and having two daughters and one son. Describes long-term involvement with the Edendale School Committe and the Southland Education Board. Mentions the burning down of the Edendale School and the establishment of the school bus service. Describes other Board involvement including Cargill High School, the Secondary School Boards Association, the Education Boards Association and St Peter's College in Gore.

Describes life as an airman in World War II stationed at Brighton, England before being posted to 75 Bomber Squadron. Describes being a navigator and going through the ranks. Recalls difficult flights including daylight raids after Normandy landing, flying with the windows blown out of the plane and having 140 bullet holes in the aircraft. Recalls being one of seven shot down in a plane in the Ruhr Valley in Germany. Describes how three were shot by Germans and he was a a prisoner of war for three months before being released by Allied troops. Comments on bombing destruction in Germany and England. Recalls working in Brighton at the Personnel, Despatch and Reception Centre responsible for sending people home to New Zealand, meeting his wife Doreen, marrying and returning to New Zealand in December 1946. Recalls his investiture for the DFM at Buckingham Palace and talking to King George VI.

Describes settling on his uncle's farm at Kamahi near Tuturau and taking over half of the property in 1949. Mentions riding a horse to get supplies, draining the swampland on the farm and increasing the stock. Describes shearing, harvesting wheat and belonging to the Morton Mains branch of Federated Farmers. Discusses having been a Justice of the Peace for forty years, dealing with preliminary hearings, attending an educational seminar and setting up a training programme for local JPs. Describes being awarded a QSO for Community Service to education, the RSA and JPs. Recalls his investiture with Sir Paul Reeves. Discusses hydroponics and living at Otatara.

Interviewer(s) - Alva Faul

Quantity: 2 MiniDisc(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.25 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2687.

Photograph of Arthur Humphries

Search dates: 1999

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.