Grenfell, Norman Wilfrid, 1908-2001

Date: [1963]

From: Riddiford family : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-5714-019

Description: Inward letters and cards of condolence; not all senders given name entry including many Featherston groups Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 27 Mar 1995

From: History of the Army in New Zealand during World War II

By: Earles, Noel Leadman, 1924-

Reference: OHInt-0571/11

Description: Noel Leadman Earles born Wanganui 1924. Recalls involvement in School cadets and Wanganui Education Board workshops, Architects Dept until 18 years. Describes experiences while serving with New Zealand Army Home Service during World War II which included: Linton for CMT training; harvesting hay and oats in the Rangitikei area and wheat and potatoes in the South Island; posting to Anti-Tanks, the Wellington West Coast Regiment at Levin; repairing tanks - Grants and Stewarts; intensive training at Trentham in jungle warfare in preparation for posting to Burma which didn't eventuate due to atom bomb, hence posting to Featherston Camp mid August 1945 until the POWs went home in Dec 1945. Mentions dysentry Christmas 1945. Also mentions riot at Featherston camp 1943. Mentions Norman Grenfell, Camp Quartermaster. Talks about interest in photography and photographs taken of Featherston Camp and mentions donation of copies to the Alexander Turnbull Library. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Dick Linnell Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008036-008037 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.45 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2198.

Date: 1992

By: Casey, John, active 1980s-1990s

Reference: PAColl-3327

Description: Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Transfers: Transfer from Oral History Archive.

Date: 8 July 1992 - 08 Jul 1992

By: Grenfell, Norman Wilfrid, 1908-2001; Casey, Cathy, 1957-

Reference: OHColl-0075/1

Description: Norman Wilfred (Wilfrid ?) Grenfell born Wellington 1908. Recalls life as a clerk before the outbreak of World War II. Gives reasons for grading because of flat feet. Became 2nd Lieutenant and was attached to 75th Light Brigade and was involved in training men. Mentions threat of Japanese landing. Recalls being transferred to Featherston Camp and journey which took 2 hours and 40 mins by train from Wellington. Reference to Charlie Gardiner. Describes officers mess and recalls barbed wire and first impressions of Featherston. Discusses the Japanese prisoners held at Trentham. Recalls not being there during the riot - arrived months later but was responsible for seeing that blood stained clothing was burned. Recalls hearing reactions of those who were at the camp during riot and the efforts he made to find out what happened to bodies and describes information received. Mentions some Japanese prisoners - Nakiama (no 1 boy), Adachi (a sub Lieutenant) and Oby (Obi). Describes Saturday morning parade when 100 Japanese prisoners marched down Main St, Featherston and type of work done by prisoners. Talks about prisoners escapes. Describes artefacts which he picked up. Reference to canes, card sticks and mahjong set. Mentions Court of Inquiry held into incident at Featherston and keeps a transcript of it. Refers to Keith Robertson who gave evidence at inquiry. Recalls end of war and Japanese marching out with reference to Sandy Ashton (an interrogater). Describes social life at the time and the hospitality received from the Donald family who were in the Wairarapa since 1840 and ran a dairy farm - Reference to Aunt Bessy and import of first butter making machine. Recalls meeting wife and marriage. Other topics covered include: Featherston after departure; building of tunnel; reverting back to civilian life and intervening 50 years. Fred Howell of Heritage Featherston sat in on interview but didn't take part except to comment when Norman was showing artefacts. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Featherston Abstracted by - Gabrielle McLaughlin Interviewer(s) - Cathy Casey Venue - 112 Fitzherbert St, Featherston Accompanying material - Newspaper clippings from Wairarapa Times Age, of Editorial Features run by Cathy Casey on Featherston Camp prisoners during World War II. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004986-004987; OHLC-001254-001255 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1. 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-0963. Search dates: 1908 - 1992