World War, 1939-1945 - Military facilities - Fiji

Date: [1939-1945]

By: Caine's Studios (Suva, Fiji)

Reference: PAColl-9584

Description: An assortment of photographs concerning WWII including some relating to Fiji, with four pages of notes on National Patriotic Fund Board YMCA letterhead. cWWII. Six tiny photographs, the smallest 4.5 x 6.5cm. The detailed notes appear to relate to an album not present, the six images perhaps overflow. The list includes a reference to Camera Club enthusiasts. Annotation verso of interior shot (sleeping quarters), refers to a time exposure. Two photos stamped 'Caine's Studios, Suva'. Annotation verso of Caine photograph: 'The Fijian Police Team (Cause of the fighting)'. A football team, most players in uniform, jerseys with square blocks to front. Along with 10 photos mounted to 2 album leaves, RNZAF Fire Truck, aerodrome, aeroplanes, military buildings. Also 3 studio portraits of NZ military personnel. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 16 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1940-1941

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

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-192

Description: Plans of Suva Military Hospital and Samambula Military Camp showing layout of buildings at both sites. Photographs include: Panoramic view of Samambula `A' camp taken from site of `B' camp, Nov 1940; military parade, Albert Park, Suva, Apr 1941; aerial view of group headquarters, Suva, 1941; aerial photo of Samambula Camp, Suva, 1941; aerial photo of hospital at Tamavua, Suva, 1941 Truck converted to be used as stretcher carriers, and Fijian staff Quantity: 9 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: [between 1942 and 1943]

By: Parsons family

Reference: PAColl-9172

Description: Photographs of Fiji taken while Maurice Alonzo Parsons was serving in the 8th New Zealand Infantry Brigate in the Pacific (part of the 2nd NZEF Pacific, also the 3rd New Zealand Division). Includes photographs relating to Fiji landscapes, scenaries and plants; native Fijians, Chinese and Indian residents; portraits and group photographs that relates to army life in Fiji. Some buildings in Fiji are included. Collection also contains some photographs of the army in Egypt and the surrounding scenaries. PAColl-9172-033 to PAColl-9172-036 form a panoramic view of the Suva Harbour. Most photographs are annotated and include names of individuals in the photographs. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Arrangement: Collection arranged by themes presented among the photographs: Fiji landscapes and scenaries, native Fijians, Chinese and Indian residents, buildings, ships, portraits and photographs relating to army life in Fiji, and further photographs relating to Egypt. Quantity: 128 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin photoprints Provenance: Purchase, 2007 Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Papers-8883 : Parsons family: Papers relating to the Second World War.

Date: [ca 1941-1951], 1965, 1975

By: Fiji Forces Association

Reference: PA-Group-00603

Description: Photographs relating to Fiji Forces Association. Comprises photographs donated by members of their wartime experiences, and photographs of Association events Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 128 b&w original photographic print(s). 2 b&w original photographic print(s) coloured by hand. Physical Description: Photographic prints Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Papers-8935 : Fiji Forces Association : Papers. See also Curios Collection..

Date: 4 November 1942-1 Jan 1943

From: Neil family: Collection

Reference: MS-Papers-12059-19

Description: Correspondence from Arthur James Neil to his wife Deanie Robina Olive Neil during his service in World War II. Written 4 November 1942 to 1 January 1943 from various locations in New Zealand and Fiji. Includes correspondence regarding being deployed to serve in Fiji; the sea voyage to Suva; arrival and first impressions of Fiji; the Defence Club; and his work, including interactions with U.S., Fijian, and other military personnel, organisation of training, and visiting villages. Quantity: 1 folder(s) containing holograph letters. Physical Description: Holograph letters and envelopes

Date: 1925, 1938-1945

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: PAColl-4161-01-050

Description: Includes: Cambridge Drill Hall, 1938; Blenheim Drill Hall, 1938; Addington magazine; army transportation at Tauherenikau, 1943; aerial views of Samabula `A' & `B' camps, near Suva, Fiji, 1945; aerial view of Tamavua Military Hospital, Fiji; aerial view of NZ Camp, Fiji; Force Headquarters, Fiji; Wigram (Series 23/21) showing aerial views of camp area with Christchurch in background, aerodrome, bomb drop and magazine, 1941; aerial view of Belmont magazine area (Wellington); Whangaparaoa (series 32/10) - aerial and other photographs of camp site, battery position, interior of magazine, gun emplacements and pits, tunnels and battery workshop under construction, 1942; schedule of claims, Working Railways Department, Christchurch, 1925. Includes some photocopied prints Quantity: 87 b&w original photographic print(s).

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.