AUDIO

Interview with Ted Gimblett

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Date

27 Jul 2000

By

Gimblett, Frederick George, 1929-; Thorpe, Agnes Anne, 1939-

Reference

OHInt-0673-06

Description

Frederick George Gimblett, known as Ted, was born in Northcote, Auckland in 1929. Talks about how his family moved to Otaki in 1939, where his father, bought the general store within days of the start of World War II. Mentions his father being rejected for enlisting in the war. Describes in detail the store, and products sold. Talks about a fire that gutted the store in 1942 and getting a government permit to restore it. Talks about the store's conversion to a Four Square shop, which his brother Jack took over in 1968. Talks about taking over his father's hardware store the same year.

Talks about his father's involvement in the community, including the Otaki Council, president of the Grocers Association, golf, Masonic Lodge, school committees, and his love of English cars. Describes how his father looked after key townspeople, such as the bank manager, police and stationmaster. Refers to the bank manager as the 'lord of the manor'. Talks about class structures in the town, and to Maori being called 'Natives', and only being allowed to play golf on Wednesday afternoon.

Talks about neighbouring families, and describes shopkeepers and shops. Talks about helping in the shop after school, stamp club and boys brigade. Talks about school, teachers, and discipline. Mentions a lack of jobs in Otaki after the war when soldiers returned. Refers to Paraparaumu, and describes Waikanae. Mentions his first car, a Morris 25. Describes Jim Sievers, the local undertaker, and related stories. Talks about the Civic Theatre. Talks about premarriage entertainment, dancing, courting at badminton and tennis, and the rifle club. Describes involvement with golf and rotary. Mentions children and siblings.

Accompanying material - Notes on Gimblett family on Main Street, including photocopies of photos of their stores (4)

Interviewer(s) - Anne Thorpe

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-11063

Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 80 Minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3871.

Photos of Gimblett's first shop (interior) and Gimblett's Hardware Ltd (exterior)

Search dates: 1939 - 1960

Additional description

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

Use/Reproduction

Public use requires the written permission of the donor

Access restrictions

Partly restricted material

Part of

Otaki oral history project

Format

1 C90 cassette(s), 80 Minutes Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: Photos of Gimblett's first shop (interior) and Gimblett's Hardware Ltd (exterior)

There are 2 items in total.

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