Military spouses

Date: 16 September 2011 - 16 Sep 2011

By: Alexander Turnbull Library; Hutching, Megan Alannah, 1957-; Kelland, Veronica, 1921-

Reference: OHColl-1113-1

Description: Interview with Veronica Kelland (nee Rooney) by Megan Hutching, conducted 16 September 2011. Kelland came to New Zealand in 1946 as a war bride, on board the 'bride ship', Athlone Castle. She had written to Jack Kelland while he was a prisoner of war in Stalag 18A in Austria. When he was liberated at the end of the Second World War, he went to England and travelled to St Helens to meet Veronica, and the couple were married soon after. Jack Kelland returned to New Zealand in September 1945, Veronica following him and arriving in Wellington in April 1946. The interview covers Veronica's childhood in St Helens, Lancashire, her work during the war in the Royal Ordnance Factory in Kirkby, and how she met and married Jack Kelland. Her voyage to New Zealand on the Athlone Castle and the couple's early married life in Taumarunui is also covered. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Arrangement: Digital files have been arranged as OHDL-002149 to OHDL-002151 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 3 electronic scan(s) of original colour photographic print(s). 1 interview(s). 4 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Image files - Tiff Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstract(s) to come. Search dates: 1941 - 2011

Date: [ca May 1941]-21 Dec 1941

From: Franks, Cecil William, 1912-1990: Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-11648-06

Description: Letters written by Cecil Franks to his wife Eunice in Masterton, during his service in South East Asia during World War II. Includes correspondence during the voyage to Singapore via Australia and from the air force base at Kallang, Singapore, where he was based. Also contains a telegram and an annotated news bulletin 'Bulletin van de Oceaan Post' dated 15 Sep 1941. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss, typescript, printed matter Processing information: Access requirement for permission of the Chief Librarian removed 3 May 2022.

Date: 24 Dec 1941-17 Mar 1942

From: Franks, Cecil William, 1912-1990: Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-11648-07

Description: Letters written by Cecil Franks to his wife Eunice in Masterton, during his service in South East Asia during World War II. Includes correspondence from Kallang, Singapore, where he was based until the Japanese invasion. Contains a detailed account of his final days in Singapore, his evacuation on board the crowded steam ship 'Empire Star' to Batavia, Dutch East Indies, his accomodation there, and his later stay in Western Australia (Freemantle and Perth). Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss, typescript, printed matter Processing information: Access requirement for permission of the Chief Librarian removed 3 May 2022.

Date: 9 Jun 1942-23 May 1945

From: Franks, Cecil William, 1912-1990: Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-11648-08

Description: Letters written by Cecil Franks to his wife Eunice, during his service in World War II. Includes correspondence from Noumea and Manila. Contains an account of travelling from Los Negros Island to Manila via Biak, the Caroline Islands, and Leyte, as well as extensive description of war-torn Manila. Franks description includes the ongoing conflict with the retreating Japanese forces, the destruction of buildings and other scenes of desolation, and the massacre of Filipino civilians at Intramuros walled city. Other - See MS-Papers-11648-03 for currency and stamps mentioned on pages 16 and 33 on letter dated 19 May 1945 Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: MSS, typescript, printed matter Processing information: Access requirement for permission of the Chief Librarian removed 3 May 2022.

Date: 6 Mar 1993 - 06 Mar 1993

From: Women in World War II Part III

By: Jameson, Hilda Nellie Haiselden, 1915-2009; Fowke, Susan, 1944-2017

Reference: OHInt-0072/02

Description: Hilda Jameson was born in Otaki on 29 May 1915. Gives details of her parent's backgrounds and strong Hutt Valley connections. Describes her father's work as a manufacturing jeweller and describes her mother's musical and singing ability. Talks about a happy childhood including holidays at Paekakariki. Recalls the Carkeek family of Otaki who were cousins. Describes breakfasts prepared by their mother. Describes her schooling in the Hutt Valley, leaving school, some work in the Deluxe Theatre, involvement with the Operatic Society and becoming a hairdresser. Talks about her father buying her a hairdressing business. Recalls making a record at Nimmos Music Shop and being invited by 2YA radio station to sing on the radio. Describes doing this for six years. Talks about her future husband Jamie, who worked with Colonial Mutual Insurance, and joined the RAF as a pilot in 1936. Describes her decision to go to live with him in Britain after the sinking of the HMS Glorious, permission required by the Prime Minister to go and the difficulties of the trip to Britain. Recalls homesickness on arriving and their wedding. Describes her life in Britain either on the RAF station with her husband or in accommodation ranging from a caravan to a house. Comments on the difficulties of being an RAF wife. Gives details of a move on foot with her baby. Talks about her husband receiving a permanent commission after the war and life in Germany for a number of years. Gives her reactions to returning to New Zealand in 1961. Describes how her husband inherited a castle in Ireland and their move there in 1967. Talks about their life at the castle for a number of years before returning to New Zealand. Venue - Lower Hutt : 1993 Interviewer(s) - Susan Fowke Venue - Lower Hutt Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-005779-005781; OHLC-006981-006983 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 1207. photograph of Hilda Jameson about 1938; colour photograph of Hilda Jameson with her grandson about 1992

Date: 24 May 2011

From: Vietnam War oral history project

By: Young, David Christopher, 1947-; Montgomery, Xuan, 1950-

Reference: OHInt-0959-100

Description: Abstracted by - David Young Interviewer(s) - David Young Accompanying material - Questionnaire with printed abstract Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Textual files Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7703.

Date: 1936 - 20 September 1939-9 April 1945 - 12 February 1957-1962 - 12 August 1979-1978

By: Neil, Arthur James, 1909-1988; Neil, Robina Olive, 1910-1984

Reference: ATL-Group-00044

Description: Collection comprises circa 1539 dated entries of correspondence from Major Arthur James (Ginge) Neil to his wife Robina Olive (Deanie) Neil (née Edgar) while he was on active service during World War II, 20 September 1939-9 April 1945. Correspondence is largely in the form of holograph letters (on various military letterheads) but also includes a number of letters in air mail envelopes, telegrams, airgraphs, and cablegrams. Also includes a 1939 telegram to Mr Neil from his employer, the Land and Income Tax Department, instructing him to report for duty and telegrams from "Defence" to Mrs Neil regarding her husband coming home on leave and his return home at the end of the war. Neil addresses his wife as "Kiddie" and often refers to her as "wee girl". He describes the letters as their "talks" and they are generally written before he goes to sleep, with the time of composition as well as the date of writing included for each entry. In most cases Neil indicates where he is writing from, with locations of composition include Burnham Military Camp, Maadi Camp as well as other locations in the Middle East, Riccarton Military Camp, Fiji Military Headquarters, and various locations within Italy (most of which are unidentified). Some letters include poems and song lyrics, sketches, dried flowers, and items of ephemera. The correspondence is often personal in nature. Subjects include Mrs Neil's life back in Invercargill with discussion of people they know, their house and garden, and what they will do after the war. They also include details about Neil's military service and his opinions of the war and its progress. He covers subjects such as colleagues, training courses, reconnaissance missions, accommodation, the countries he is in (local people, climate, agricultural techniques, cities, tourist sites), and socialising (taking a trip to the movies, going to a concert, and going out drinking or to a party). Collection also includes two of Arthur James Neil's cancelled passports (issued 12 August 1979 in Auckland and 12 February 1957 in Apia) and used mainly for travel in the Pacific as well as a photograph of a child Brian standing beside baby Geoff taken by an unidentified photographer. Three photographic prints relating to Major Arthur James Neil and his wife Robina Olive Neil, taken by unidentified photographers. Includes the couple's wedding portrait from 1936, taken by an unidentified photographer. The other two photographs are likely taken in Invercargill during World War Two and feature Robina Neil. Arrangement: The correspondence was re-housed by donor before the collection came to the Library so the original order of the creator was not maintained. Library staff have arranged collection in chronological order. Major Arthur James (Ginge) Neil. Service number 7189. 2nd NZEF: 1st Echelon. 27th Machine-Gun Battalion. MBE. Quantity: 41 folder(s) containing circa 1539 letters, telegrams, cablegrams, air letters, passports, and photographs. 3 b&w original photographic print(s) one mounted in folder. Physical Description: 0.7 linear metres of holograph manuscript, telegrams, cablegrams, photographs, passports, and ephemera Finding Aids: See Manuscripts and Archives backfile for biographical information provided by the donor.. Provenance: Donated by Mr J Neil, Wellington, April and August 2016. Donor is the nephew of Arthur James Neil.

Date: 6 May 1993 - 06 May 1993

From: Malayan Emergency Oral History Project

By: Withers, Joyce, 1933-

Reference: OHInt-0190/93

Description: Mrs Joyce Withers, wife of Major Bob Withers, talks about her experiences with the New Zealand Forces in Malaysia at the time of the Emergency and the Confrontation in Borneo, 1949-1966 Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - 1 Piteroy Street, Taupo Interviewer(s) - Christopher Pugsley Venue - 1 Piteroy Street, Taupo Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-16526 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHDL-000705. Search dates: 1949 - 1966

Date: 9 June 1993 - 09 Jun 1993

From: Malayan Emergency Oral History Project

By: Bright, Joan, active 1939-1993

Reference: OHInt-0190/23

Description: Mrs Joan Bright, wife of Air Commodore Nelson Bright, talks about her experiences with the New Zealand Forces in Malaysia at the time of the Emergency and the Confrontation in Borneo, 1949-1966 Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Christopher Pugsley Venue - Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-16333-16434 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) (printed). 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-6711 and OHDL-000630. Search dates: 1949 - 1966

Date: 22 Nov 2007 - 06 Dec 2007

From: Vietnam War oral history project

By: Brehaut, Loreen, active 2006-2014; Couldrey, Margaret Jean, 1938-

Reference: OHInt-0959-09

Description: Interview with Margaret Couldrey,formerly Margaret Morris, born in Feilding in 1938. Talks about her husband Dennis Morris serving in Vietnam 1966-1967, and the effects on their lives then and later. Interviewer(s) - Loreen Brehaut Accompanying material - Digital photograph of Margaret Couldrey Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-020586 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 digital photograph(s). 1 interview(s). 50 Minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual file - Microsoft word; Image file - Jpeg image Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7153, OHDL-000488. Search dates: 1938 - 2007

Date: 24 October 1992 - 24 Oct 1992

From: Malayan Emergency Oral History Project

By: Martin, Fran, active 1952-1992

Reference: OHInt-0190/58

Description: Mrs Fran Martin, wife of Sergeant Brian P Martin, talks about her experiences with the New Zealand Forces in Malaysia at the time of the Emergency and the Confrontation in Borneo, 1949-1966 Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Papakura Interviewer(s) - Christopher Pugsley Venue - Papakura Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-16437 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHDL-000668. Search dates: 1949 - 1966

Date: 23, 24 May 2008 - 23 May 2008 - 24 May 2008

From: Vietnam War oral history project

By: Brehaut, Loreen, active 2006-2014; Hawkins, Lynne Marie, 1950-

Reference: OHInt-0959-30

Description: Interview with Lynne Hawkins (nee Manson), born in Wellington in 1950. Talks about her husband Lawrence, a Vietnam veteran, and the effects of his service on their lives. Accompanying material - questionnaire about Lynne Hawkins' husband Lawrence's service in Vietnam and its effects on their lives, with printed abstract Accompanying material - Digital photograph of Lynne Hawkins Interviewer(s) - Loreen Brehaut Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-000462 (wave files) Quantity: 3 digital sound recording(s). 3 Electronic document(s) - abstract, biogr info form, poem. 1 printed abstract(s). 1 digital photograph(s). 1 interview(s). 2.55 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-000495, OHA-7160. Search dates: 1950 - 2008

Date: 28 April 1993 - 28 Apr 1993

From: Malayan Emergency Oral History Project

By: Hall, Florence, active 1955-1993

Reference: OHInt-0190/39

Description: Mrs Florence Hall, wife of Lt-Col M J Hall, talks about her experiences with the New Zealand Forces in Malaysia at the time of the Emergency and the Confrontation in Borneo, 1949-1966 Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - 51 Singers Road, Korokoro Interviewer(s) - Christopher Pugsley Venue - 51 Singers Road, Korokoro Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-16383 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 transcript(s) (printed). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-6727 and OHDL-000647. Search dates: 1949 - 1966

Date: 6 April 1993 - 06 Apr 1993

From: Malayan Emergency Oral History Project

By: Meldrum, Pru, active 1954-1993

Reference: OHInt-0190/63

Description: Mrs Pru Meldrum, wife of Major William Meldrum, talks about her experiences with the New Zealand Forces in Malaysia at the time of the Emergency and the Confrontation in Borneo, 1949-1966 Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - 5 Cecil Road, Wadestown Interviewer(s) - Christopher Pugsley Venue - 5 Cecil Road, Wadestown Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-16448 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 transcript(s) (printed). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-6754 and OHDL-000673. Search dates: 1949 - 1966

Date: 13 May 1991

From: Malayan Emergency Oral History Project

By: Morrison, Phyllis Betty Anne, 1913-1996

Reference: OHInt-0190/65

Description: Mrs Anne Morrison, wife of Brigadier W R K Morrison, talks about her experiences with the New Zealand Forces in Malaysia at the time of the Emergency and the Confrontation in Borneo, 1949-1966 Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Lower Hutt Interviewer(s) - Christopher Pugsley Venue - Lower Hutt Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-16460-16463; OHLC-009532-009535 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 printed abstract(s). 4 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHDL-000676 Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6755. Search dates: 1949 - 1966

Date: 1942-1943

From: Mason, Helen Wilmot, 1915-2014: Collection

Reference: 1/4-123360-F

Description: Helen Mason holding her baby daughter Julia in an unidentified garden [Nelson?]. Photographer unidentified. Relationship complexity - see PAColl-9999-39 for envelope that held negative Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: [ca 1900s]-1978

From: Unwin, William Henry 1909-1992: Photographs relating to the life and career of musician Harry Unwin

By: Goodall, Gladys Mary, 1908-2015; Koppel, Irene, 1914-2004; Leicagraph Studio (Wellington, N.Z.); Pattillo, Cecil Wright, 1875-1968

Reference: PAColl-10379-2

Description: Photographs relating to Amy Elizabeth Unwin (nee Wright) and William Unwin, Harry Unwin's early life, marriage to Joyce Stairman, and service in World War II. Taken by a range of photographers, many of whom are unidentified, circa 1900s-1978. Contains photographs relating to William Unwin's service in World War I, including group portrait of military band and postcard of Trentham Military Camp in 1916. Contains some images that may show Amy Elizabeth Unwin, Harry's mother, on a bush walk with Harry and one of his sisters and a portrait used for a Christmas card showing a man [possibly William?] holding up an unidentified toddler [Unwin's sister?]. Includes 1978 image of the grave stone of Amy Elizabeth Hunter (Unwin's mother married Frederick Hunter in 1923). Images relating to Unwin's Petone upbringing include an aerial photograph of Petone (taken by Gladys Goodall) and Unwin in the standard II class photo at Petone West School in 1919. Also contains a group portrait of children with Father Christmas. A number of images show a weatherboard house [family home?]. Also includes images of Unwin in his late teens and twenties with friends [and his sisters?] socialising and dressing up as well as images of Unwin with his motorcycle and an unidentified young woman [girlfriend?] and with cars. Photographs also include images of a ski trip. Photographs also show Unwin and his wife Joyce Stairman, including a series of images with Unwin in military uniform, holding their baby Raymond, and a hand-coloured mounted portrait of Joyce signed "your loving wife, Joyce". Images from Unwin's military service include unidentified woman and drinking scenes. Also a photo of Unwin and other soldiers dressed as nurses. Also contains a number of portraits of Unwin from youth [as a baby?] until middle age. Photographers include Pattillo (Dunedin), Gladys Goodall, Irene Koppel Photo (Wellington), Leicagraph Studio (Wellington), Educational Photographs, and A P & F Studio (Petone). The rear of some prints have annotations with further information. Also includes three newspaper clippings relating to the death of Unwin's stepfather Fred Hunter and newspaper report on Unwin's marriage to Stairman. Other - prints numbers 18 through to 49 in set contained in envelope. Original envelope is retained with prints. Quantity: 66 b&w original photographic print(s). 1 colour original photographic print(s). 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin photoprints