Armistice DayArmistice Day

1918-20081918-2008Waitakere remembers World War OneWaitakere remembers World War One

through local photographs & oral historythrough local photographs & oral history

Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou - We will remember themKa maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou - We will remember them

Featuring archival material from theJ.T. Diamond Collection

Local History Services Waitakere Library & Information Services

Part 1: Life in Waitakere during World War One

Piha Mill settlement 1916

During the years of World War I the Waitakere countryside was very different to the familiar landscape of today

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Mill-yard & office men and horse 1916

Many people used the available natural resources to build businesses, towns

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Nikau shelter & horseman 1914

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and homes.

Workmen working on wharf Paratutai Island Whatipu 1916JTD-06A-00181-2

Karekare cliffs 1916

Transport was sometimes fast and exciting

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View north along Whatipu coast 1916

and often affected by the unpredictable forces of nature

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Gash & Wilkins Coach Nihotupu 1914

For many, there was no concern about the price of petrol

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Motor trolley on tramline to Nihotupu Dam 1914

Although the vehicles did not always shield people from the weather.

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Daily life of the Bishop-Hodge families of Titirangi

before & after World War One

Featuring archival material from the

Essie Hodge née Bishop Collection

Local History Services

Waitakere Library & Information Services

Emily (Essie) Hodge née Bishop is six months.

Jack is slightly out of focus as he leant forward to grab Essie, thinking she might fall.

Will, Jack, Gus and Essie Bishop

It was pulled down at the end of the twenties and the timber recycled to make another house.

The Bishop house was the oldest house in Titirangi

Essie recalls:

“There was no water laid on to the homes in my early years. Most depended on tanks but we depended largely on underground

springs from which we got beautifully clear, cool water.

Later my father installed a windmill over one of the springs and this windmill pumped water up to a large brick tank

which enabled us to have cold water laid on to the house.”

Back row: Emily, Jack, Chap. Next: Laura Rawlinson, Essie, Ada, Gus, Will.

Sonny Rawlinson crouching.

Bishop family in front of their house

Essie recalls

“1915 Ada and I went …….. to Auckland Girls’ Grammar School. From our home to the New Lynn railway station

was just over three miles.

The roads at that time were roughly metalled and full of pot holes. We wore old shoes and carried our good

school shoes into which we changed at the New Lynn Station.

These old shoes were left under the seats that went all around the waiting room.”

Essie in Auckland Girls’ Grammar School uniform 1916

Essie continues

From Mt Eden station they walked across Newton Gully to Howe Street and AGGS. After school they had to “trot” across the gully to catch the 4pm train home.

At New Lynn they changed their shoes to walk home.

She doesn’t remember missing a day. The next year they boarded in town in the winter.

“When we came to New Lynn Station after being away for a week, our shoes were just where we left them. Life was grand!!!”

Titirangi School 1911

Back row: Herbert Bishop, Frank Smith, Eugene DeBrabendere, Harry Rush, Norman McQuoid, Melville Henry, George Burberry, Fred McQuoid, Henry Hart, Hazel Tarlin, Bessie Bishop

Middle row: Jack Russell, John Smith, Ernie Smith, George Smith, Boyce Rutland, Graham Russell, Keith Rutland. Front row: Olive Burberry, Dorrie Armstrong, Dora Bishop, Christie Bishop, Essie Bishop, Ada Bishop, Winnie Rutland.

Will’s mother, Emily Bishop did not like the educational standard at Titirangi School so her sons walked or rode a horse to school

in Avondale every day.

Avondale School 1908

Teacher: Tommy Warren with Will Bishop behind him.

Clarry Tarlin: front row, 4th from left. Avondale School 1908

Essie recalls

“Our Reservoir at Titirangi put us on the map.”

“I remember on pulling apart the sliding doors of the Reservoir, feeling awed and terrified by the sound of the machinery and the roar of the water.”

“No doubt we would have been ‘for it’ if anyone knew that we went in, but our neighbour was a grandson of the Caretaker and this boy [Clarry Tarlin] was a real dare devil. I was almost sick with fright when he crawled around inside.”

Bishop Boys

From left: Jack, unknown boy, Will & Gus

This photo of Jack Bishop was turned into post card and sent from Kaitaia on 20/2/16

On the back it said:

Dear Mrs Bishop, I must thank you very much for the photos. It was good of you to send them.

I have heard quite a lot about “Dunvegan” and judging from the views it certainly merits all

the praise bestowed upon it.

I hope to have the pleasure of calling on my way South and will be pleased

to take any message etc.

I am, Yours sincerely, Katherine Mitchell.

Postcard photo of Jack Kaitaia 1916

Jack and Kitty would have married if he had not been killed in the war.

Kitty left her possessions to Essie, who was Jack’s “girl”.

Teacher Essie

After the war Essie, Ada and their families continued with their lives, but Jack, Will and the many other soldiers who never

returned from World War One were never forgotten.

Ada & Essie on the wharf