Bridge over the Manawatu River at Whirokinoin 1944. The former bridge had collapsed and a swing bridge was temporarily erected in the gap. In the background piles for the new bridge are being constructed up-river from the site of the collapsed bridge.

Laminated copy.

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

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Chronicle L.P. date unknown.”

Newspaper clipping glued to back: “Last week’s item seeking information on the collapse of a span of the old wooden bridge spanning the Manawatu River at Wirokino in war-time days has brought response from three readers. Mrs E. Carle, Winchester Street, recalled that her son-in-law, Mr Ernest Sloan, whose parents had a farm near the bridge, heard cries for help when returning from milking. He helped in the rescue.”

Written with blue ballpoint pen on piece of paper glued to back: “Obviously this photo was published years after collapse as caption shows. Information received was an American Army jeep hit the side of the bridge collapsing part of the bridge & that the jeep went in the river with another vehicle (American Army followed by a cyclist). Another story was one American vehicle & two cyclists. The incident was hushed up under security regulations & by what people have told me it was some years & until after the war that the bridge was replaced. I was overseas at the time so have no recollection of the incident. F.C. Swanwick. Date can only be guessed at as between 1942-45. Later information – Footbridge was put across missing span. Passengers from buses walked across to a bus on the other side. It was some years before new bridge was built.”

Also written with blue ballpoint pen on piece of paper glued to back: “Photo copied from a clipping in Lancaster Album. Courtesy of Mrs Jean Rolston. Copied courtesy Mr Bryce, April 16, 1979.”

Span collapse on the old wooden bridge at Wirokino, 1940s.

1 B&W photo print, copy

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

Inscription on reverse reads: “Whirokino Brideg after 1 span collapsed during early period of World War II (2)”.

Whirokino Bridge over the Manawatu River just after the collapse of a span in ?1942. Photograph taken from the northern bank.

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

Inscription on reverse reads: “View of collapsed Whirokino Bridge, early World War Two.”

Whirokino Bridge over Manawatu River after the collapse of the centre span in 1942. This photograph has been taken from beside the bridge.

Original (small) and one copy

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