Interview with Marjorie Gee

Date
14 Nov 1998
By
Gee, Marjorie, 1933-
Reference
OHInt-0728/06
Description

Marjorie Gee (nee Williams) born London 1933. Outlines Welsh background of family. Describes living in Pembrokeshire for five years during the War and attending a Welsh-speaking school. Talks of events when war was declared in 1939, and stoic attitude when other children said goodbye to their mothers and were taken by double-decker buses and train to distribution centre at Henley (On Thames). Discusses quilt making and traditional designs; relatives in Wales; religion, going to Chapel in the morning and Sunday School in the afternoon; school which had prayers in English and Welsh on alternative days; flowers and New Zealand pen-friend, Jocelyn Pearn of Opotiki who later came to Britain on a working holiday and both travelling to New Zealand on the `Southern Cross', arriving 1957. Recalls taking a two year course in Chiropody, qualifying at age 18.

Recalls life in New Zealand from 1955 ot 1957 and details the return home on the `Southern Cross', spending three years in England before returning to New Zealand in 1960, travelling on the 'Rangitata'. Recalls meeting husband, Dennis Gee, various moves in New Zealand, birth of son in 1963, and moving into current house ten days before the Wahine Storm. Describes the effect of the storm on their house and houses nearby.

Recalls first contact with Welsh Society in New Zealand while in Christchurch. Refers to Nan Griffiths and Heulwen Roylands. Talks about the Red Cross rooms and the great importance attached to food. Describes costumes worn for Citizens Carol Service and Welsh Society dinner when Dame Cath Tizard attended.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Interviewer(s) - Linda Bevan Smith

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011900-011902 ; OHLC-005960-005962

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4094.

Additional description

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

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-005960 - OHLC-005962

Use/Reproduction
Public use may require the written permission of the copyright holder Copyright: Alexander Turnbull Library
Access restrictions
Partly restricted material
Part of
Welsh Society of Wellington Oral History Project
Format
3 C60 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 3 Hours Duration, Oral histories
There are 4 items in total.
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There are 4 items in this group.
Other

Interview with Marjorie Gee, printed abstract

Date: 14 Nov 1998

From: Welsh Society of Wellington Oral History Project

Reference: OHA-4094

Description: Interviewer(s) - Linda Bevan Smith Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Audio

Interview with Marjorie Gee, tape three

Date: 14 Nov 1998

From: Welsh Society of Wellington Oral History Project

Reference: OHC-011902

Description: Interviewer(s) - Linda Bevan Smith Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 3 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.

Audio

Interview with Marjorie Gee, tape one

Date: 14 Nov 1998

From: Welsh Society of Wellington Oral History Project

Reference: OHC-011900

Description: Interviewer(s) - Linda Bevan Smith Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 1 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.

Audio

Interview with Marjorie Gee, tape two

Date: 14 Nov 1998

From: Welsh Society of Wellington Oral History Project

Reference: OHC-011901

Description: Interviewer(s) - Linda Bevan Smith Arrangement: Tape sequence - tape 2 of 3 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.