McDuffs Marching Team at Queen Carnival, 1941

10 unidentified young women.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

No information on back, however, the photocopy for V/F has copy of information attached that appears to have been on back of a mounted photo, possibly a duplicate as follows – ” National R.N.Z.A.F. Band. Playing at Levin recreational ground for funds for their queen in carnival in 1941 carnival. Maureen O’Conner – Citizen’s Queen. Ellen McDonald – Airforce Queen. Barbara Blenkhorn – Business Queen.”

Additional handwriting: ” Horowhenua Historical Society. Probably when band played in Regent Theatre 21/3/1941. The Queen Carnival finished on 7/4/1941.”

See also – Acc. #2000.091

RNZAF Band and Carnival Queens, 1941. The band is seated on a temporary bandstand, which is sitting on 44-gallon drums. The three Queens stand in front of the bandstand with an Air Force officer. From left to right the three Queens are:- Maureen O’Conner (Citizen’s Queen), Ellen McDonald (Air Force Queen), Barbara Blenkhorn (Business Queen).

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

See also 2000.091.0001

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

POROUTAWHAO JUNIORS 1941 

Back: ?Leslie Jones, Alan Coleman, Tony Kilsby, Jim Davison, Charlie Hagley, ……..

Middle: Basil Jones, …….., …….., Rex Hannam, Ken Bovey, Douin Hapeta, Mark Kiriona, Graeme Lingard

Front: Stephen Lewis, …….., Jean Sutcliffe, Ngaire Arcus, Doreen Bismark, Gwenda Lingard, Betty Penny, ?Tangiwai Tihema, Rangi Hohaia, Jean Montgomery, ……..

POROUTAWHAO SENIORS1941

Back: …….., Don Carle, Philip Hagley, Logan Lingard, Ron Montgomery, Neville Mark Winiata, Mr Withers

Middle: …….., Don Montgomery, Jack Rowe, Anne Webb, Marjorie Arcus, Coral Stanley, Bernard Webb, ? Desmond Higgison, John Old

Front: Kathleen Carle, Fay Tabor, Jean Scott, Pauline Kilsby, Bobbi Arcus, Muriel Kilsby, Marie Nicholson, Ivy Speirs, Ruth Old, Ruth Tabor 

In 1941 the musical film 'Nice Girl' was released. It was American made at a time before America had entered the Second World War- but the war still cast a shadow over its script. In the US version of the film, the final scene concludes with the song 'Thank You America'. But for the British release (which New Zealand also saw) the song 'There Will Always Be An England' was added, performed under the Stars and Stripes as well as the Union Jack.

Britain was under the terror of bombing raids and the threat of a Nazi invasion. While America was not fighting alongside Britain at the time, they were about to start supplying ships and arms to the war effort under the 'lend-lease' scheme. 

When the slide was screened during intermission in New Zealand, the war was both terrifying but also far away. The attack on Pearl Harbor gave the British Empire an ally in the form of the USA- but it also brought the war to the Pacific. By the end of 1942, Japanese submarines were sighted in New Zealand waters. Films like this did a lot for morale!

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: -Barbara Blenkhorn (Borough Queen). Maureen O’Connor. Ellen MacDonald.

Penciled on back: “Levin Patriotic Queen Carnival 1941.”

Levin Patriotic Queen Carnival, 1941. Those appearing in this photograph are from left to right:- Maureen O’Connor, Barbara Blenkhorn (Borough Queen), Ellen MacDonald.

See also 1980.159.0005 – (Revue and Coronation Pageant, April 21-22, 1941).

1 B&W photo print

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Business Queen at Queen Carnival 1941. middle – Barbara Blenkhorn. left – Jean Lancaster. right – Shirley Cameron.”

Business Queen at Queen Carnival, 1941. Jean Lancaster (left), Barbara Blenkhorn (middle),and Shirley Cameron (right) in long formal gowns with floral wreaths on their heads, stand in front of a carnival float.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Typed on paper glued below photo - Personnel of Shannon Borough Council Year 1938-1941 Sitting Clr A.E. Hyde, E.Butt (Mayor) ... W. Clayton. Standing Clr. J.A. Roach, Clr A.F. Birss, Clr R.R, Lind, Clr R.E. Downes, J.T. Bovis (Town Clerk) Clr H Aitchison, Clr E. Perry.

Penciled on back – Hall

Shannon Borough Councillors, 1938 – 1941 1 B&W photo print, mounted

Left to Right - Back Row: A.F. Birss, R.R. Lind, R.E. Downes, J.T. Bovis (Town Clerk), H. Aitchison. Front Row: J.A. Roach, A.E. Hyde, E. Butt (Mayor), W. Clayton, E. Perry.

Taken outdoors in front of hedge.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Typed on paper (with Horo. Hist. Soc. letterhead) glued to back: “A Queen Carnival held in Levin in 1941 when the population was a mere 2790 raised 3179 pounds ($254,220) towards the Patriotic Funds to supply comforts to the army overseas. Here the N.Z. Air Force stationed at Kimberley parade with their queen Ellen McDonald. Other Queens were Maureen O’Conner – Citizen’s Queen and Barbara Blenkhorn – Business Queen.”

Stamped on back with black ink – Horowhenua Historical Society. Acc. No. Date

Queen Carnival Parade, Levin, 1941. N.Z. Air Force (stationed at Kimberley) parade with their carnival queen, Ellen McDonald. This photograph features a truck carring a large model aircraft with Ellen McDonald as the pilot, two uniformed women, two uniformed men and two lines of uniformed men marching either side of the truck. The truck is followed by children on bicycles and trolleys. The parade is moving north along Oxford Street. The Hotel Arcadia (on Bath Street and Oxford Street corner) is in the background.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Small photo sent to Mrs Dunn by Cave and Verd (Rand?), while serving in the Middle East .

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pens - Flood gate Walls Okuku Rd (Tokomaru River) N. Clayton Shannon.

Construction of spillway, Tokomaru River on Okuku Road north of Shannon, 1941 1 B&W photo print, copy

On property owed by Wall’s Estate. 9 people (unidentified) – 8 men & 1 girl.

Information on page 47 of book – “Opiki – From Fibre to Food” states: ... It is incredible that Opiki escaped being flooded from 1941 (when Wall’s Sillway was raised) until after the erection of the {Moutoa} floodgates and their operation in 1962.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”