World War, 1939-1945 - Communications

Date: [ca 1915-1944]

By: Read, James Cornelius, 1871-1968

Reference: PAColl-0502

Description: Fourteen photographs taken by Sgt J C Read of ANZAC Day in London. They include views of Australian and New Zealand troops marching along The Strand watched by large crowds; dignitaries, including King George V, leaving the memorial service held at Westminster Abbey; and two in Gallipoli, one of wounded soldiers waiting to be transported and the other of New Zealand graves. The collection also includes one photograph from the Second World War of the staff of the Radio Development Laboratory, which was probably on Majoribanks Street, Wellington, and the Governor-General Sir Cyril Newall. Quantity: 15 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: [ca 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: Harrington-Hutchings, Leonard William, 1913-2002

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-088

Description: Only one photograph includes a caption. Subjects include: camp at Burg el Arab, 26 Sep 1943; sign in desert; wireless operators; donkey transport; pontoon construction; Egyptians carrying pipes; unidentified town; manoeuvres in a snowy area (Italy?); tank movement (Italy?); soldier asleep in a tent. Quantity: 15 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1939-1940

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: McKenzie, J S (Private), active 1940

Reference: PA1-q-293

Description: Photographs of New Zealand military personnel in New Zealand, England and Egypt, taken 1939-1940 and compiled for official use. Most of the images have good captions, and most of the names noted are listed above. The album includes a number of British Official Photographs. Scenes include New Zealanders in the advance party sailing from Melbourne in December 1939; shipboard scenes of the First Echelon arriving in Egypt; Freyberg welcoming the troops on arrival with Anthony Eden (Secretary of State for the Dominions) and Sir Miles Lampson; the train service between the NZ camp and Cairo; Egyptian workmen helping construct the camp, and women doing the laundry; Divisional Signallers lined up on motor bikes. Battle practice and army life in the desert: anti-tank & anti-aircraft practice; bren guns; vehicle maintenance; blacksmiths; operating the telephone exchange; engineering work; sorting mail; manufacturing field oven; chopping wood for the oven; food preparation; boot mending; camp cinema; various games including cards, bowls, cricket, swimming, boxing; disinfecting plant for killing pests in soldiers' blankets; digging trenches; erecting tents. Opening of the Kiwi Club at Helwan, formed through the efforts of Lady Lampson. Three photographs taken by a sergeant of the Royal Marines, showing action related to the battleship Admiral Graf Spee and the Battle of the River Plate (p 65, 111, 133) New Zealanders resident in England who volunteeered at the outbreak of war are shown training with the Eastern Command; manoevres with the 2nd Echelon in Britain, and the opening of a new club for New Zealanders in Charing Cross Road; Winston Churchill visiting Australian and New Zealand troops in 1940; NZ armourers and wireless operators working for the RAF; information about the longest non-stop reconnaisance flight made in a Vickers Wellington bomber, piloted and crewed by members of the RNZAF Bomber Squadron (5 crew + 1 officer from the Navy to assist in ship identification); and Winston Churchill visiting Australian and New Zealand troops. In Libya scenes show a motor rail car which patrolled the rail to Matruh; "Whare Kiwi" dugout in the Libyan Desert; The first air raid experienced in a small village in the Cairo area. NZ airmen arrive in Canada for training in the Empire Air Trianing Scheme; haka led by Pine Takarangi. Transportation of troops and equipment across inland water, use of collapsible assault boats and building bridges. Western Desert battle; Italian and Libyan prisoners of war; captured tanks and vehicles; view of the Italian defence line; also the surrender of Traghen when the whole population of the Libyan Fort marched out in surrender. Various hospital scenes, both in England and in Egypt, including occupational therapy activities. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with faded blue cloth cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm

Date: [ca 1940-1944]

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: Harrington-Hutchings, Leonard William, 1913-2002

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-086

Description: Five photographs have captions: Subjects include Italian child collecting food from soldiers; group of soldiers in desert at Burg el Arab - W R Sutherland, P Bouzaid, K Brown, A Ross, A W Heason, J Bidwill, S Chapman; group of men at Sanzio [?] - Cpl W McClelland, W R Small, T G Brown (wireless operators [?]; 30 Btn arriving from NZ, 14 Nov 1940, Namaka; Jim Broadmore & Fuller (phone operator), 26 Sep 1943, Burg el Arab Unidentified photographs include: Shipboard scenes (including boxing match); Afro-American soldiers lining up for food and on sentry duty in Middle East; construction work on Suez Canal or Nile River; etc Quantity: 22 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 8 Dec 2000

From: Second World War oral history project - Crete

By: Donald, Haddon Vivian, 1917-2018

Reference: OHInt-0729-05

Description: Haddon Vivian Donald born Masterton 1917. Gives some family background and mentions great grand father who was first white settler in Masterton 1847. Refers to Ernest Rutherford who went to primary school with mother. Recalls being a Cadet at Nelson College, joining Territorials in Masterton and gaining commission in 1939. Gives reasons for enlisting for World War II and describes process of enlistment. Recalls joining 22nd Battalion with rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Refers to Colonel Andrew VC, Battalion commander. Left Wellington on board the `Empress of Britain' and describes conditions on board ship, route to Britain via Cape Town, arrival in Scotland and train journey to Aldershot. Recalls winter in England, association with church at Hollingbourne, journey to the Middle East, arrival at Maadi Camp and journey from Egypt to Mt Olympus, Greece. Describes arrival of Germans, withdrawal from Mt Olympus, and physical shape of troops on arrival in Crete. Mentions John Ormond. Recalls digging slit trenches before German invasion. Explains system of communication, reasons why system broke down and methods used to get messages through after invasion. Describes in detail invasion on 20 May 1941. Refers to gallant act of soldier from 15 Platoon. Describes events on Maleme aerodrome, wounds received, journey back to Alexandria and reason for spending ten days in hospital. Mentions Beat[rice] Chapman. Describes morale after Crete. Continues to talk about involvememt in Battle of Alamein, injuries when bullet lodged in back, furlough leave and return to 22nd Battalion, being first troops into Trieste which he describes. Compares campaigns in Crete and Italy. Recalls being Lt-Colonel at end of war. Mentions membership of National Rifle Association of Great Britain. Mentions average number of Germans shot by members of sniper platoon in Crete. Describes life after the war, and briefly describes effect of war on health. Mentions burst ear drums, membership of RSA [Returned Services Association] and attendance at Anzac Day parades. Gives reason for not being a member of Crete Veterans' Association. Recalls year at Harvard Business School (1948), working in father's business and becoming MP [Member of Parliament] for Wairarapa 1963. Briefly continues about life as a politician. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Completed questionnaire attached to abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009443-009445 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 2.17 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3061, OHDL-001146. Search dates: 2000

Date: 30 May 1945-28 Jan 1995

By: Eden, Allan William, 1917-

Reference: MS-Papers-8289

Description: Includes a report on the survey of the Auckland Islands by A W Eden and background notes on the coastwatching of Cape Expedition and the Campbell Islands meteorological station, provided as a souvenir for a reunion of the personnel involved in these operations. Quantity: 2 folder(s). 0.02 Linear Metres. Transfers: To Photographic Archive - 58 black and white photos - To Book Collections - One published item.

Date: [ca 1942-1990]

By: Paine, Douglas Alan, 1918-1991

Reference: MS-Group-0208

Description: Contains 1942-1944 diaries written by Paine whilst on the Auckland Islands, two telegrams, a number of clippings relating to the Auckland Islands, a 1970 `New Zealand Journal of Science' article on Campbell Island and other related material. Source of title - supplied title Douglas Alan Paine was stationed on the Auckland Islands during the period 1942-1945 as a coastwatcher Quantity: 2 volume(s). 1 folder(s). 0.06 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescript and printed matter Transfers: To Cartographic Collection - Map of Auckland Islands - To Photographic Archive - Photographs, album and negatives relating to Auckland Islands.

Date: 06 Dec 1985

From: New Zealand Post Office Oral History Project

By: McBride, Robert Dryden, 1910-1986

Reference: OHInt-0070/19

Description: Robert McBride recalls family background, childhood, joining Post Office as a cadet, duties, life as a boarder in Wellington, salary, checking telephone accounts, sorting postal notes, discipline, hours of work, sick leave, annual leave, work at the public service garage in ca 1930, duties, staff, Post Office fleet, motor repairs, work as assistant dispatch clerk, impressions of Napier after the earthquake in 1931, mail service contracts, reasons for transferring to Chief Postmaster's Office Dunedin - Clerical Branch, Ted Kerr, work at Post Office Savings Bank Dunedin, telegram dispatch room, work involved, the 1935 greetings telegram deluge. Describes transfer to Invercargill 1936-1958, type of work, missing mail, mail deliveries, salaries during Depression 1930s, inspectors, details of records work, enlisting in 1940 for service in World War II, work in Divisional Signals as radio operator in Italy and Egypt, involved in Battle of Sidi Rezegh, radio reception difficulties at Cassino, return to clerk in mail services in Invercargill in 1946, changes after the war, work as manager at Invercargill Post Office ca 1956, reporting system, work as Manager of Dunedin Post Office 1958, work as manager at Christchurch Post Office in 1959, background to appointment as Chief Postmaster at Timaru in 1960, state of discipline, staff relations, introduction of decimal currency in 1967, major changes in the Post Office, impressions of J B Darnell and Sir Dawson Donaldson (Directors General), retirement. Venue - Timaru Interviewer(s) - Alison Parr Venue - Robert McBride's home at 116 Wai-iti Road, Timaru Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-001249 - OHC-001251 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.27 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 159. Search dates: 1910 - 1985

Date: Apr-Jul 1943

From: Shelton, Norman Leslie, 1905-1980 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-11671

Description: Folder comprises miscellaneous printed items relating to World War Two military service by Norman Leslie Shelton. Includes newspaper clipping, newspaper cartoon clipping (Grandson and donor Lindsay Shelton identifies cartoon character as Shelton), telegram, sketch on a YMCA card, newsletter 'Nformation' dated 24 July 1943, and a finding aid composed by Lindsay Shelton to Shelton's war diaries. Relationship complexity - Finding aid relates to MSX-9231. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Typescript, printed material, mss

Date: [ca 1939-1945]

Reference: PAColl-D-0636

Description: Quantity: 1 b&w copy photographic print(s). Physical Description: 330 x 410 mm

Date: [1940-1945]

From: Huggins, William Percy, 1905-1992 : Papers relating to the development of radio broadcasting in New Zealand

Reference: MS-Papers-6562-22

Description: Technical papers and photographs relating to radio transmission and radar and their application to military use as part of the War effort Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss, typescripts, photographs and printed matter

Date: ca 1939-1945

By: New Zealand. National Film Unit

Reference: PAColl-4530

Description: Photographs taken by the National Film Unit of: a radio operator; two soldiers checking bombs; a small naval vessel being launched; an army truck driving past snow covered mountains; four men operating machine guns in the snow, the one in the foreground feeding in bullets; a crowd saying farewell to a troop ship; four soldiers carrying a stretcher; two women waving goodbye to a troop ship; and two Royal New Zealand Air Force Lockheed Hudson aircraft in flight. Also includes the notes accompanying a card signed by New Zealand servicemen and women under the auspices of the BBC but not the card itself. Quantity: 10 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1931-1961

From: New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters : Records

Reference: MS-Papers-7071-15

Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: [1937-1988]

By: Vaughan, Donald Leslie, 1917-2001

Reference: PA-Group-00271

Description: Photographs relating to coastwatching in the Pacific during World War II and the role played by Vaughan and other members of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Office. Includes photographs of equipment and personnel. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). 23 b&w original photographic print(s). 11 b&w copy photographic print(s). 4 colour original photographic print(s). 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). 3 digital print(s). Physical Description: Photograph album, photographic prints Provenance: Donated by Noeline Vaughan, Waikanae, 2007 Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-1611 : Vaughan, Donald Leslie, 1917-2001 : Papers relating World War Two. See also Cartographic Collection..

Date: ca 1939-1945

Reference: PAColl-7288

Description: Eight photographs of a munitions factory in which men are making grenades and the packing cases to transport them, and crates are piled up in a warehouse ready for transport with destinations stamped on them. Four photographs of facilities on the HMNZHS Maunganui: the operating room, the x-ray equipment, sterilising equipment, and mattresses piled up in the ward room. A photograph of telegraph extension ladders ready for shipment. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). 10 b&w copy negative(s) taken from donated prints.

Date: [1940-1945]

From: Huggins, William Percy, 1905-1992 : Papers relating to the development of radio broadcasting in New Zealand

Reference: MS-Papers-6562-23

Description: Technical papers, including blueprints and photographs mainly relating to military application of radio and radar as part of the War effort Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter

Date: [1940-1945]

From: Huggins, William Percy, 1905-1992 : Papers relating to the development of radio broadcasting in New Zealand

Reference: MS-Papers-6562-24

Description: Mainly photographs of mobile radio and radar equipment used by the armed forces during World war Two Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Photographs

Date: 1942

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: McIntyre, Peter, 1862-1922

Reference: PA1-q-289

Description: Official photographs from World War II, many of which have captions giving names, information about activities taking place, and places. Some of the names noted are listed above. The album opens with a number of reproductions of paintings by New Zealand war artist Peter McIntyre (10 paintings (p 1-4)), 1 of McIntyre sketching in the field (p 9), and 7 further paintings (p 16-17, p 91, p 109)). Pages 17-22 have scenes with His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand Sir Cyril Newall visiting Samoa and Fiji in 1942. Page 24-25 show trainees at the Ninth Army Ski School in Lebanon in 1942, some men chosen from the 28th New Zealand (Maori) Battalion, and some from the 22nd Battalion. Duties included reconnaissance, fighting patrols and rescue work for snow-bound troops. Different occasions are shown including an Anzac day parade and service on 25th April 1942, and a ceremonial parade in Aleppo on 30th April 1942; a group of New zealanders who were at Rouen ready for repatriation when arrangements with german authorities for the mutual repatriation of Prisoners of War broke down, all of whom were returned to Germany; groups of NZ medical personnel who were part of PoW protected personnel which took place between Italy and the Middle East Allie Forces (p 45-46); a group of Australians and New zealanders in the German prison camp Marlag & Milag Nord; a race meeting and sports activities in Transjordan, including races with 6 Arab horses and 6 donkeys which were loaned by the Arab Legion. A group of NZ soldiers visited the stonghold of a tribe of bandits in Syria (p 77-80); scenes in Crete "the price paid by German air invaders"; Winston Churchill being welcomed in the desert; scenes of nurses, convalescents, hospital wards around the 3rd New Zealand General Hospital in Beirut (p 102-106); recipients of recent awards, many not named (p 112-114); a group of NZ airmen who were survivors of a ship which was sunk en route to Britain; Kiwi Concert Party; and a sequence showing the pursuit by a New zealand convoy of the Axis Forces in the Western Desert during the early days of the November advance (p 126-137, showing equipment abandoned by the retreating forces including German special mobile anti-tank guns and trucks, but also the problems with landmines)l. The final views show the advance to Tripoli. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with dark blue cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm

Date: l Jan 1944

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-05014-F

Description: Some of the personnel of New Zealand Public Relations Service, Field Section, removing mud from their boots in the NZ Sector of the Italian Front, during World War II. Photograph taken on 1 January 1944 by George Frederick Kaye. Other - Names on file print Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 15 Feb 1944

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-05255-F

Description: Portrait of Mr Cedric Raymond Mentiplay, correspondent with the NZ PRS in Italy, during World War II. Photograph taken circa 15 February 1944 by George Frederick Kaye. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative