Emergency Precautions Service

Date: Oct 1983

By: Chalmers, Jocelyn Margaret, 1951-; Smith, Ann Gladys, 1905-1996

Reference: OHColl-0695/1

Description: Ann Gladys Smith was born in West Otago in 1905. Describes her childhood, family and moving from Glenkenich to Tapanui when she was five. Recalls schooling and attending Sunday School. Describes being housekeeper at the age of twelve, returning to high school, becoming a student teacher at the Glenkenich School and then going to Dunedin to work at the Nisbet Home for children in Andersons Bay. Talks about her decision to become a deaconess and training before going to St Andrew's Church in Hastings in 1932. Comments on the effect of the 1931 Napier earthquake on local people. Recalls her time at Auckland at St David's Church during World War II. Discusses the Emergency Precautions Services (EPS) for civilians in the event of a Japanese attack. Describes going to Inglenook Home for children in Gore in 1948 and then to Knox Church in Dunedin. Discusses her work as a deaconess particularly at Knox Church in Dunedin. Publication - Entry in 'Southern people : a dictionary of Otago Southland biography' Interviewer(s) - Jocelyn Chalmers Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstract(s) to come.

Date: [1942]

From: Coates, Joseph Gordon, 1878-1943 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-1785-214

Description: Most correspondents identified and entered in the Name field; also includes letter from Alex, The Bungalow, Farnham, Knaresborough, Yorks Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: December 1941 to October 1945

From: Eyles, John William, 1927-2020: Items relating to the Emergency Precautions Service

Reference: MS-Papers-12682

Description: Contains an identity authorisation card and coupon book issued to John William Eyles, and one photograph of him. The identity authorisation card is an 'Emergency Precautions Service Auckland Metropolitan Area, Messenger's Authorisation'. It was issued to J.W. Eyles on 30 December 1941 by the Chief Warden. The coupon book is a 'Youth's Registration Fee Coupon-Book'. It registers John William Eyles under section 132 of the Social Security Act, 1938. John's occupation is listed as Scholar and his registration was issued in Mount Eden on 20 January 1944. The black and white photograph was taken by an unidentifed photographer. It shows John on his bicycle, in uniform, for duty as an Emergency Precautions Service messenger. The photograph was taken in March 1944 at his home address on Ferryhill Road, Epsom, Auckland. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s) containing identity card, coupon book and b&w original photographic print.

Date: [ca 1939-1945]

By: Engel, Pauline, active 1993

Reference: PAColl-0337

Description: Group photograph of 28 EPS wardens. The only two names given on the back are Engel and Barnett in the front row (but no indication as to where). Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: [ca 1941]

From: Eyles, John William, 1927-2020: Items relating to the Emergency Precautions Service

Reference: Objects-1210

Description: Maker(s) not known. Comprises a fabric armband worn by John William Eyles while serving as a messenger for the Emergency Precautions Service in the Auckland Metropolitan area. The armband says "E.P.S.O. Messenger" and has the number 34725 stamped on it. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Fabric armband with red lettering and black stamped number. Stitching detail along top and bottom edges.

Date: 1941-1945

By: Eyles, John William, 1927-2020

Reference: ATL-Group-00622

Description: Contains four items that belonged to John William Eyles, some related to his time as messenger for the Emergency Precautions Service in Auckland during World War Two. Title supplied by Library. John William Eyles was a member of the Emergency Precautions Service in Auckland during World War Two. Quantity: 1 folder(s) containing identity card, coupon book and b&w original photographic print. 1 curio(s) armband. Provenance: Items were inherited by John Eyles daughter, Wendy Anne Vistarini, nee Eyles, authorised Executor of the John William Eyles estate.

Date: 1939-1945

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-291

Description: Photographs of military activities and war work in New Zealand during World War 2, 1939-1945, taken by various photographers and compiled for official use. Views show the manufacture of various military weapons, machinery and vehicles and the men and women involved in the work. They include munitions (manufacture of hand grenades); Bren gun carriers, airframes, building navy trawlers and mine sweepers in Auckland; airplane construction at Rongotai, at the De Havilland Aircraft Factory; making caterpillar tracks; making sten guns; and constructing army huts. People from various military and civilian groups are shown working as fitters, flight riggers, flight mechanics; aircraft maintenance; welders, camouflage nets (made by Girl Guides). Activities include army exercises (p 106-110); river crossing exercises; preparation for a dawn departure of a New Zealand Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron; army training (p 76-97); and the New Zealand Air Training Corps for elementary instruction for youths aged 16 to 18 1/2. RNZAF training includes blind flying practice, Hawker Hind training planes, aircraft maintenance, flight mechanics, and Airspeed Oxford training planes. Other activities include the planting and growing of linen flax, used in the manufacture of planes, tires, gun covers and fighting equipment; agricultural and horticural work, including using bullock teams for breaking in new ground; army manouvres (in part in Franklin area, and in winter conditions in the South Island near the Southern Alps); territorial manoeuvres; coastal defence; Home Guard training; a remedial physical education training camp for recruits suffering from foot troubles, painful backs etc.; the making of a new raft designed in NZ which could be constructed in a few minutes and was easily transported; training despatch riders on motor bikes in the snow. Women, in different organisations including Women's National Service Corps, Women's Auxiliary Air Force and the Lady Galway Guild, were engaged in driving and maintaining military vehicles; driving for Red Cross vehicles; digging trenches; on parade; as signallers; in clerical work; hospital duties; cooking and other branches of essential war work. Pages 63-75 show the arrival in New Zealand of the American forces; and pages 111-121 portray a visit to New Zealand of Australian and Netherlands personnel from the hospital ship Oranje when the NZ Government, as a mark of appreciation for their efforts in bringing Australian and New Zealand wounded troops, placed a special train at their disposal and took them to Chateau Tongariro for rest and relaxation. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with dark blue cloth cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm

Date: 25 April 1942

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: 1/2-123872-G

Description: The Mayor of Wellington, Mr T C A Hislop, as the chief of the Emergency Precautions Service opening the new combined district wardens, first aid and firepost, at Ngaio, on Saturday, 25 April 1942. Photographer unidentified. Published in the Evening Post on the 27th of April 1942, page 6. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: [194-?]

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: New Zealand herald (Newspaper)

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-141-03

Description: Member of the Emergency Precautions Service Headquarters Unit using the telephone in their Auckland office. They are wearing uniforms colloquially known as siren suits. Photograph taken 1940s by a New Zealand Herald staff photographer. Inscriptions: Verso - top right - From the "N.Z. Herald" Auckland, N.Z.; Verso - centre left - Director of Publicity, Prime Minister's Department, Wellington.; Verso - centre - Women on duty: girls of the Headquarters' Unit of the E.P.S. organisation are smartly uniformed in practical siren suits Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Gelatin silver print 16.8 x 12 cm

Date: [ca 22 August 1941]

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: PAColl-5927-23

Description: Men of the Emergency Precautions Service, on horseback, (in Wellington?). Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: [ca 17 May 1941]

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: PAColl-8557-44

Description: Fire extinguishing demonstration for the Emergency Precautions Scheme, Island Bay, Wellington, circa 17 May 1941. Shows an unidentified man hosing down some debris. Photograph taken by an unidentified staff photographer for the Evening Post. Publication note - Possibly published in the Evening Post on or around 17 May 1941 Source of descriptive information - Notes on back of print. Inscriptions: Verso - WWII NZ Island Bay EPS Fire extinquishing demonstration; Verso - stamped in ink - Copyright Photograph May 17 1941 "The Evening Post" Wellington NZ Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 16.4 x 21.4 cm