Lived at Frankton, Hamilton until the age of 20 years. One of the first members of New Zealand Pacifist Society (1935/1936). Imprisoned during World War II at Mt Crawford, Waikune and Hautu. Long time resident Riverside Pacifist Community.
Silvester, David William, 1913-
There are 4 related items to this topic
Audio
Interview with David William Silvester
Date: 22 Apr 1997 - 27 Apr 1997
From: Conscientious objectors of World War II
By: Silvester, David William, 1913-
Reference: OHInt-0426-08
Description: David William Silvester born Frankton, Hamilton and lived there until the age of 20 years. Recalls memories of soldiers with wounds, crutches etc in Frankton after World War I, and peace celebrations in Hamilton including a ceremony and tree planting at school for a teacher who was killed in the war. Backgrounds involvement with Pacificism, with reference to youth director of Methodist church, bible class and attendance at conference in 1933 which led to becoming one of the first members of New Zealand Pacifist Society (1935/1936) and involvement with the Christian Pacifist Movement. Discusses: outbreak of World War II: interview with Public Service Commission Office; street meetings and soapbox once a week and sentence to Mt Crawford prison with Ormond Burton and Archie Barrington. Describes conditions at Mt Crawford and notes prisons were not fitted to take conscientious objectors, hence the commencement of detention camps. Refers to CO (conscientious objector) at Strathmore hospital who died from meningitis as it wasn't diagnosed. Recalls being sent to Waikune, with reference to Jeremiah Quill and then to Hautu. Refers to censorship of CO's letters and describes CO's mail run arrangements and escape attempts. Talks about involvement with Riverside Christian Pacifist Community after World War II. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Julian McCarthy Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-007803-007805 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2064.
Manuscript
Correspondence - Various
Date: 1941-1945
From: Handyside, Allan James (Rev), fl 1940-1986 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-4365-7
Description: Letter from Arthur Palmer to ? from Hautu Camp, 1940s; Handyside to officer-in-charge Rangipo Prison, 1944; Handyside to Ron Howell, Auckland (smuggled out), 1945; Rev Arthur Liversedge to Allan Handyside, 1944; Jim Doherty's clandestine letters to Hautu, 1940s; J W Rogers, Hautu to Minister of National Service, 1941, 1944-1946; Chris Palmer to Handyside, 1944; Stan Bickers, Rangipo to Arthur Palmer; T Brown to Handyside, 1945; Dave Silvester, Hautu to chaps at Rangipo, 1944; Dave Silvester, Hautu to Selby Smith, Rangipo, ca 1943 Clandestine letters from Handyside to his parents, 1942, 1945; Sundry clandestine letters from Handyside to several Wairarapa people, 1941-1945 Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Manuscript
Letters from inmates of detention camps
Date: 1942
From: Burton, Ormond Edward, 1893-1974 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0438-049
Description: Includes a circular `Why I escaped from defaulter's detention' Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Manuscript
Fellowship of Conscientious Objectors - Correspondence and papers
Date: [1943]
From: Mason, Read Rex, 1904-1992 : Papers
Reference: 2005-016-03
Description: Inward and outward correspondence and related papers; includes electoral material for Lincoln Efford and C ron Howell. Most correspondents identified and entered in the Name field. Also includes letters from Win, Christchurch, and to Mum, with legal instructions. Quantity: 1 folder(s).