Armistice Day

1

• Armistice Day
• 1918-2008
• Waitakere remembers World War One
• through local photographs oral history
• Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou - We will
  remember them

2
Part 1 Life in Waitakere during World War One
Featuring archival material from the J.T. Diamond
Collection Local History Services Waitakere
Library Information Services
3
During the years of World War I the Waitakere
countryside was very different to the familiar
landscape of today
Piha Mill settlement 1916
JTD-04L-03322-1
4
Many people used the available natural resources
to build businesses, towns
Mill-yard office men and horse 1916
JTD-04L-03316-1-1
5
and homes.
Nikau shelter horseman 1914
JTD-13M-02158
6
Workmen working on wharf Paratutai Island Whatipu
1916
JTD-06A-00181-2
7
Transport was sometimes fast and exciting
Karekare cliffs 1916
JTD-06C-00673
8
and often affected by the unpredictable forces of
nature
View north along Whatipu coast 1916
JTD-06C-02270-2
9
For many, there was no concern about the price of
petrol
Gash Wilkins Coach Nihotupu 1914
JTD-13M-02139
10
Although the vehicles did not always shield
people from the weather.
Motor trolley on tramline to Nihotupu Dam 1914
JTD-08M-05414
11
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

12
Will, Jack, Gus and Essie Bishop
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.
13
The Bishop house was the oldest house in Titirangi
It was pulled down at the end of the twenties and
the timber recycled to make another house.
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.
14
Bishop family in front of their house
Back row Emily, Jack, Chap. Next Laura
Rawlinson, Essie, Ada, Gus, Will. Sonny Rawlinson
crouching.
15
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
16
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 doesnt 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!!!
17
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.
18
Avondale School 1908
Teacher Tommy Warren with Will Bishop behind
him.
Wills 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.
19
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.
20
Bishop Boys
From left Jack, unknown boy, Will Gus
21
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.
22
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 Jacks girl.

23
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.
24
Ada Essie on the wharf