Fountaine, Denver James, 1914-1993

Date: 1942-1943

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: PA1-q-298

Description: Photographs of New Zealand military personnel serving in North Africa and the Pacific during World War 2, 1939-1945, taken by various photographers and compiled for official purposes. Many of the group portraits are fully named in the album, many of whom are not listed above. Scenes include various views of the Kiwi Concert Party (with a named group portrait) on tour and in action, in Syria, Alexandria, Tripoli & Malta (p 1-5, 42, 137-138); New Zealanders in the RAF at Middle-Eastern stations (p 6-7, 19-23); casualties and medical officers from the El Alamein battle at a NZ military hospital, including a view of twin brothers E R & E O Riley who painted a mural while convalescing (p 8-9, 23); a group of NZ merchant seamen visited the 2nd NZEF base at Maadi with one of the soldiers at the base (A Currie, E Warner, D Duff (all from Lyttelton) and S Rogers from Wellington), with soldier W E M Cornish (also from Lyttelton). Lieutenant-General Montgomery inspecting troops and presenting awards (p 10-180 and Monty in the desert (p 63); from the Azizia region to Tripoli (p 24-36) including stacks of German bombs abandoned near Azizia, troops on leave in Tripoli, Monty visits, parades, scenes with Winston Churchill and Bernard Montgomery; inspection of troops and awards presented by General Freyberg (p 68-72, 75-76). The Libyan battle and advance to Benghazi; Xmas scenes at Maadi Camp (p 40-41), at the Helwan Hospital (p 53-54) & at Sirte (p 55-56); scenes of flooding in the desert; light naval craft in the harbour of a Western Desert port. Nursing sisters in the Western desert (p 45-49); infantry troops taking an Italian fort "Forte Giudice[?]" (p 50-51). Visit of the NZ Minister of Defence (Hon Frederick Jones (p 52-53, 84-85, 94-97, 125-127); presentation of 2 ambulances by the Hugh Baird family (Hastings) and the Sutherland Ross family (Dunedin). Clearing mines (p57-59); Divisional Signals in the desert (p 60-61); photographs taken on a German camera captured in the Sidi Barrani area (p 64-66); various sporting events including rugby championships in Tripoli (p 67-68) & Alexandria (p 72-74), hockey, tennis (p 149), swimming (p 149), and athletics in Cairo (p 127-129). An ambulance train, diesel drawn train of ambulance carriages operated by NZ engineers (p 79); NZ Spitfire fighters operating from Britain (Fl/Lt Pattison, Squad. Leader R J C Grant (DFC, DFM) & Fl/Lt Baker (DFC)); South Island airmen making a broadcast to NZ from the studios of the Canadian Broadcasting Studios in Halifax. Final phase of fighting in North Africa (p 89-93) and the surrender by General Messe, the German Chief of Staff. Scenes of the "First New Zealand Mule Pack Company" (p 129-131) for transporting ammunition and suppliesl in Tunisia; the marriage of Brigadier Kenneth MacCormick to NZ WAAC Joan Stewart Fenwick at Maadi Camp; reproductions of paintings and portraits by war artist Peter McIntyre (p 100-105, 113-114), including members of the Long Range desert Group, Benghazi, Siwa, Monty, Norman Johnston (NZ Broadcasting Unit) and entry into Tripoli. NZers at Stalag 18A Germany (photo taken by A "Carl" Carlisle); passing through Gabes & Sousse; arrival of men in NZ on home leave from Egypt (p 111-113), and office scenes showing the ballot for home leave (p 139-140); British and NZ forces repatriated from Italy on a hospital ship to Alexandria (p 115-116) and a British Embassy garden party for the troops held in the British Embassy grounds in Cairo (p 121-122, 131). Captured German weapons; the end of the North African Campaign; NZers in Britain; NZ prisoners in an Italian prison camp (photo taken by one who was repatriated (L P Halle from Wanganui); celebration of Empire Day in Cairo; command performance by unites of the Allied Forces for the King of Egypt; a group at Medinine; arrival back at Base Camp of the NZ Division after 2000 mile journey from near Tunis back to Maadi after continuous campaigning for nearly a year. Arrangement: Images in album form single numerical sequence, 2115-2555. Follows sequence established in PA1-q-294 Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with faded blue cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22 cm.

Date: 10 December 1992 - 10 Dec 1992

From: 20th Battalion Oral History Project

By: Fountaine, Denver James, 1914-1993

Reference: OHInt-0204/1

Description: Denver Fountaine outlines his life in Westport where he was born and the timber industry pre World War II. Recalls going to Burnham Military Camp Sept. 1939; being in charge of the New Zealand 26th Battalion for the Battle of El Alamein, rising to the rank of Colonel in 1945. Describes Army Service during World War II and the campaigns he was involved in - North Africa, Italy, Crete and Libya. Was also attached to the 20th Battalion. Recalls being wounded at Bel Hamed and taken prisoner at Waidi Schimar, being rescued after 10 days and evacuated to a British hospital. Rejoined the 20th Battalion June 1942. Talks about his post war experience, going to a government rehabilitation scheme in Westport to learn a new trade before joining his uncle, Ces Walker, in business. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Westport Interviewer(s) - Peter Kingston Venue - Westport Accompanying material - Statement of Service for Denver Fountaine and newspaper clippings re Colonel Fountaine's war service Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-005515-005517; OHLC-001464-001466 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-1994. One photograph of Denver Fountaine wearing a jumper which has the badge of the NZ Returning Services Association, Westport.

Date: 1941

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: Kippenberger, Howard Karl (Sir), 1897-1957

Reference: DA-10560-G

Description: Wounded soldiers D J Fountain, Heenan and F Harper, at an advanced dressing station at Sidi Rezegh, Egypt. Photograph taken by Howard Karl Kippenberger, in 1941. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: [ca 22 Aug 1943]

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: Kaye, George Frederick, 1914-2004

Reference: DA-04449-F

Description: GOC, General Bernard Freyberg congratulates Lieutenant Colonel Denver James Fountaine on his Distinguished Service Order at 6 NZ Infantry Brigade parade at Maadi, Egypt, during World War II. Photograph taken circa 22 August 1943 by George Frederick Kaye. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative