In January 2023 the Royal New Zealand Airforce's P3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft made their last flight across Manawatu and Horowhenua. This advertising slide dates back to the 1960s when the Orions were 'exciting new aircraft' and the Air Force was looking for recruits to maintain them.

The Orions undertook Exclusive Economic Zone patrols, search and rescue missions and assisted Customs, Police, Fisheries and The Department of Conservation. They even helped our pacific neighbours in times of crisis.

The first of the RNZAF's P3s arrived in 1966 and by the time they retired they had undergone lots of upgrades. This slide shows where the twelve members of crew sat. Pilots, communications technicians, weapons officers and ordnance specialists were part of the team.

But note that the recruits wanted were all men. In the 1960s women were not part of 'main' Air Force, and the Women's Royal New Zealand Airforce would not merge with the regular service until 1977. Even then, women were not allowed to be on operational air crews until the 1980s, with the first women pilot in 1988.

As of 2024 a fleet of four Boeing P8 Poseidon  jet aircraft perform patrol duties at sea and both men and women can fly and maintain these critical parts of the Air Force. But we doubt you'll see a recruitment ad in the cinema! 

MAVtech's collection holds many cinema slides relating to war- with war bonds being a particularly popular genre. However, what makes this slide unusual is that it is from the First World War, not the second.

In 1914 many small towns were only just getting permanent cinemas established so advertising would have been quite new. This may explain the unusual shape of this slide. It is a copy of a popular recruiting poster so its message would have been amplified.

It is not known exactly when in the war this slide was displayed- but we do know that voluntary enlistments were not enough to keep the ranks filled- on the 1st of August 1916 New Zealand introduced military conscription. 

This particular slide came from a Paraparaumu cinema (but the same design was probably shown nationally). It shows a lot of wear- not unexpected given that it is over one hundred years old! The full text read "Rally Round The Flag- We Must Have More Men"

During the First World War when New Zealanders on the 'home front' were far away from the front line and struggled to get accurate photographs published in the press, seeing photos of commanders like Haig would have been important.

Sir Douglas Haig is pictured here after his promotion to General in late 1914 but before his rise to Field Marshal in 1917. A senior commander for much of the war, he has a complicated legacy. Once nicknamed 'the master of the field' and 'the man who won the war' he is now known as 'the butcher of the Somme'- forever linked with the bloody attrition of trench warfare and backward thinking military tactics. However, historians are still divided over which of these legacies is the most deserved.

This 'magic lantern slide' was designed to be inserted into a protector (most likely powered by a lightbulb or, for bigger audiences, a carbon arc lamp) and enlarged onto a screen. Haig's photograph would have been shown in cinemas, schools and churches as well as in community meeting urging patriotism for the war. 

The corner of the slide indicates that it was made in London and it's copies would have served a similar purpose there. 

Typed below picture - Huia Flag paraded at civic Welcome Home to men from the Boer War – 1903.

Taken from the building next to the Post Office on Oxford Street looking towards the Levin Hotel on the Queen Street and Oxford Street intersection. The Ngati Huia flag Huia is across the intersection and a crowd stands in a block to take part in the service.

See also – Acc #2000.018.0210 identical photo (scene described as: Service of Commemoration for Edward VII, 1910)

See also 2000.516.0001, 2000.510.0001, 2000.510.0002 and 2000.510.0003

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

Korps Mariner Collection

Foxton School cadets 1912. The three officers are 2nd Lieut S G Parlane(on left), Capt H F Gabites(centre), and Lieut Allan Shane (right).

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

Written with black ink pen on paper with blue border glued below photo on mounting board, as caption: “Horowhenua Rifles v Shannon Rifle club men at Kara Road. Shannon. 1902

Written on back with black ink: “James Hallam {crossed out and replaced with} J T Bovis Shannon

Stamped on back with green ink: “G.F. FRAMJEE, Photographic Dealer,18 George Street, Palmerston North. ——Phone 6662.”

Horowhenua Rifles v Shannon Rifle Club, 1902. Taken at the Kara Road rifle range, Shannon, this photograph shows a large group of men, some in uniform. In the background are swamp reeds and thinned out native bush.

1 B&W photo print, mounted

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

Written on back with black ballpoint pen: “Horowhenua Rifles v Shannon Rifle Club Kara Rd. SHN. 1902.”

Written on piece of paper attached to back: “COMMERCIAL Job: 100% Page: 6 Size: Min: 15 Max: 1.09 (Shannon)”

Written on back (top right corner) with reddish purple felt-tip pen: “91”

Horowhenua Rifles v Shannon Rifle Club, 1902. Taken at the Kara Road rifle range, Shannon, this photograph shows a large group of men, some in uniform. In the background are swamp reeds and thinned out native bush.

1 B&W photo print, copy.

See also s2002.019.0002 and 2002.019.0002a

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

Two drummers lead a number of men in army uniform march northwards along Oxford Street during the Armistice Day Peace Parade, 1918. This photograph has been taken from the site of Levin School on Oxford Street.

1 B&W photo print

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

Penciled on piece of paper attached to back: “Soldiers training in Levin area.”

Soldiers, resting on roadside during training in the Levin area.

1 B&W photo print

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

Typed (italics) on piece of paper glued below photo, as title: “Re Union Levin & District Servicemen. 1943”

Reunion of Levin and District Servicemen, 1943. A group of thirty five unidentified men wearing lightweight uniform.

1 B&W photo print, mounted

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

Photo not glued to mounting board.

Penciled on back: “Wgtn. West Coast Regt. WW1. Parade in Wgtn.”

Wellington West Coast Regiment from World War I march past the Government Buildings in Wellington. The ex-servicemen are dressed in civillian clothing.

1 B&W photo print, mounted (sealed in cellophane)

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

Foxton School Cadets 1909. Those in the photograph are from Left to Right:- Standing:- Captain H Gabites, W Neylon, H McDonnell, W Speirs, B Betty. Back Row:- S Barber, S Moran, E Sullivan, E Hazlett, E Munro, F Hadfield, L Lambess, S Austin, G Feek, H Frankland, E Mackie, T Martin, J Sullivan. Third Row:- H Robinson, J Prew, R Barber, L Aitken, R Riddell, N Pearson, C Brewer, B Wyeth, D Mackie, L White, J Rodie, P Kelly, B White. Second Row:- W Weller, J Rodie, L Burston, V Robinson, G Fraser, C Robinson, E Withers, A Brewer, A Thompson, K Lambess, L Robinson. Front Row:- D Walls, R Coley, E McEwen, ? Lowton, L Johnston, A Bulklkard, J Wynd, H Bertold, ? Mouatt, B Walls.

Mounted photograph plus copy

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

Members of the Lady Bowen’s Light Horse militia c 1870. Those appearing in this photograph are from left to right:-

Back Row:- Unknown, J Robinson, Dick Walden, J Naughton, and William Langley.

Front Row:- George Edwards, W Reeves, J Symons and Frank Robinson.

Laminated print.

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

Head and shoulders studio portrait of W T Edwards in military uniform.

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

Horowhenua Rifles v Shannon Rifle Club, 1902. Taken at the Kara Road rifle range, Shannon, this photograph shows a large group of men, some in uniform. In the background are swamp reeds and thinned out native bush.

1 B&W photo print, copy (photo of photo)

See also s2002.019.0002, 2002.019.0002a, and 2002.019.0002b

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

Penciled on back (of both photos): “Rifle Club”

Stamped on back (of both photos) with purple ink: “John Cleland Photo Studio Ltd. PH. 78-878”

Horowhenua Rifles v Shannon Rifle Club, 1902. Taken at Kara Road rifle range, Shannon, this photograph shows a large group of men, some in uniform. In the background are swamp reeds and thinned out native bush.

2 B&W photo prints, smaller copies of s2002.019.0002

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

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Shannon Section. Horowhenua Mounted Rifles. Between 1900 and 1914.”

Shannon section of Horowhenua Mounted Rifles. Thirteen men in military uniform, with rifles standing on rough ground, with native bush in the background. An enlarged copy of 2001.006.0001

1 B&W photo print copy

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

Printed below photo with red ink: “Stonebridge and Co., 25 Vivian St., Wellington, N.Z.”

Written on back with red ink pen: “L.E. Christophersen” Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Please return to W. Clayton. 3.”

Penciled on back: “I think this must be the Shannon section of the Horowhenua Mounteds’.”

Shannon section of Horowhenua Mounted Rifles. Thirteen men in military uniform standing with rifles on rough ground with native bush behind.

1 B&W photo print, mounted original

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

Printed below photo with red ink - Stonebridge & Co., 25 Vivian St., Wellington, N.Z.

Penciled on back (faded) - The full troop of mounted warriors

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen - Please return to (?) Clayton 4

Full troop of Horowhenua Mounted Rifles, c.1900 – 1914 1 B&W photo print, mounted

67 men in military uniform standing with rifles on rough ground with native bush behind.

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

Inscription on reverse reads: “Rowley Hart Charlie Prew”

Rowley Hart and Charlie Prew in military uniform with crosses on the sleeves of the tunics indicating attachment to a medical unit.

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

Mounted black and white photograph attached to olive green card.

Embossed bottom right on mounting board - Denton Wanganui, N.Z.

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen - Legion Frontiersman Foxton Harry Hughes seated third from right 1914

Printed on paper glued to back - When extra prints are required, send direct to me, giving this number ….2038… I have the original negative and can supply photographs or enlargements much superior to any copy that may be made. All sizes carefully packed and posted promptly. F.J. DENTON, Wanganui, N.Z.

Legion of Frontiersmen, Foxton, 1914. Thirty-five men along with two women pose in this photograph. .Harry Hughes is seated third from right.

Mounted black and white photograph.

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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Written on back: H Denton 3 Paisley St

See also – Acc# 2000.090.0001 & Acc# 2000.090.0002 (identical copies)

Identifications printed below photo: “Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21st August, 1943 Back Row : Lieuts. L. Wilton, H.J. Lancaster, G.W. Munford, J.J. Bebbington, A.A. Savell, J. Sciascia, G.J. Wilde (A.F.C.), W.A.S. Penny, Capt. C.E.C. Webb. Third Row : Lieuts. D.F. Ross, H.J. Henderson, V. Hudson, S.W. Barber, J.A. Mitchell, J. Brydon, S.V. Kilsby, Capts. S.H. Roberts, J. Shearer, 2/Lieut. P.A. Petersen, Lieut. R.R. Lind. Second Row: Lieuts. H.A. Robertson, A.G. Mitchell, Capt. F.J.W. Stallard (M.C.), Major F.H. Hudson, Lieuts. L.S. Carmichael (M.C.), G. France, Major A.T. White (M.C.), Lieut. H. Denton. Front Row : Lieut. H.G. Mackay, Capts. T.G. Vincent, A.J. Withers, W.G. Taylor (M.M.), Lieuts. D.P. Todd, C.B. Greenaway. Absent : Capt. G.W. Wilson, Lieuts. W.A. Bond, A.H. Denholm, P.A. Lingard, W.C. Childs, A.M. Scott, H.J. Dunford, B.W. Perkins.”

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

Soldiers on parade at an unknown location. The troops stand under tall trees, while a number of buildings are in the background.

1 Sepia tone postcard

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

Printed on front of mounting board, top right, with black ink: “P 64”

Penciled on back: “Caption. 73 Major Kemp. CH”

Formal photograph of Major Kemp, Te Rangihiwinui Keepa, dressed in his military uniform with his New Zealand Cross and the sword he recieved for bravery during the New Zealand War. Major Kemp was of Muaupoko descent through his father and Whanganui discent through his mother.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

See also 2000.325.0001

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.”

Printed below photo, as caption: “Anzac’s Shirt Inspection. Gallipoli.”

Written (faded) below photo: “This is what we do here.”

Letter penciled on back: “Somewhere in France, June 26th, 1916.

Dearest Con & Beryl,

I received three letters from you yesterday after waiting over two months for mail. You can imagine how pleased I was to get them. The peach & cream was lovely. You are hot on it, just as well the censor doesn’t see it, he would wonder what the devil he had struck. Am going up to the front tonight to try my luck & have not much time now to write. Will drop a letter when I get up there & let you know what it is like. Oh, what about an “intro” to Boosie. She will do me, will swing on her neck as soon as I see her. (Get off my neck). Well give my love to them all at home & stacks of love & kisses for yourselves. Claude.”

Postcard entitled “ANZAC’s Shirt Inspection, Gallipoli”. Picture shows nine soldiers examining their shirts while sitting on the ground. On the reverse side is a message from “Somewhere in France” dated – June 26th, 1916, and addressed to Con and Beryl. The message is quite cryptic, so as to beat the censor, and is signed from Claude. (See notes field)

1 Sepia tone postcard

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

Identifications printed below photo: “Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21st August, 1943 Back Row : Lieuts. L. Wilton, H.J. Lancaster, G.W. Munford, J.J. Bebbington, A.A. Savell, J. Sciascia, G.J. Wilde (A.F.C.), W.A.S. Penny, Capt. C.E.C. Webb. Third Row : Lieuts. D.F. Ross, H.J. Henderson, V. Hudson, S.W. Barber, J.A. Mitchell, J. Brydon, S.V. Kilsby, Capts. S.H. Roberts, J. Shearer, 2/Lieut. P.A. Petersen, Lieut. R.R. Lind. Second Row: Lieuts. H.A. Robertson, A.G. Mitchell, Capt. F.J.W. Stallard (M.C.), Major F.H. Hudson, Lieuts. L.S. Carmichael (M.C.), G. France, Major A.T. White (M.C.), Lieut. H. Denton. Front Row : Lieut. H.G. Mackay, Capts. T.G. Vincent, A.J. Withers, W.G. Taylor (M.M.), Lieuts. D.P. Todd, C.B. Greenaway. Absent : Capt. G.W. Wilson, Lieuts. W.A. Bond, A.H. Denholm, P.A. Lingard, W.C. Childs, A.M. Scott, H.J. Dunford, B.W. Perkins.”

T

Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21 August 1943. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Back Row:- Lieuts. L Wilton, H J Lancaster, G W Munford, J J Bebbington, A A Savell, J Sciascia, G J Wilde (A.F.C.), W A S Penny, Capt. C E C Webb. Third Row:- Lieuts. D F Ross, H J Henderson, V Hudson, S W Barber, J A Mitchell, J Brydon, S V Kilsby, Capts. S H Roberts, J Shearer, 2/Lieut. P A Petersen, Lieut. R R Lind. Second Row:- Lieuts. H A Robertson, A G Mitchell, Capt. F J W Stallard (MC), Major F H Hudson, Lieuts. L S Charmichael (MC), G France, Major A T White (MC), Lieut. H Denton. Front Row:- Lieut H G Mackay, Capts T G Vincent, A J Withers, W G Taylor (MM), Lieuts. D P Todd, C B Greenaway.

Absent from the photograph are:- Capt. G W Wilson, Lieuts. W A Bond, A H Denholm, P A Lingard, W C Childs, A M Scott, H J Dunford, B W Perkins, Capt. V Hunter (DCM)

1 B&W photo print, mounted

See also 2000.090.0001

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

Identifications printed below photo: “Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21st August, 1943 Back Row : Lieuts. L. Wilton, H.J. Lancaster, G.W. Munford, J.J. Bebbington, A.A. Savell, J. Sciascia, G.J. Wilde (A.F.C.), W.A.S. Penny, Capt. C.E.C. Webb. Third Row : Lieuts. D.F. Ross, H.J. Henderson, V. Hudson, S.W. Barber, J.A. Mitchell, J. Brydon, S.V. Kilsby, Capts. S.H. Roberts, J. Shearer, 2/Lieut. P.A. Petersen, Lieut. R.R. Lind. Second Row: Lieuts. H.A. Robertson, A.G. Mitchell, Capt. F.J.W. Stallard (M.C.), Major F.H. Hudson, Lieuts. L.S. Carmichael (M.C.), G. France, Major A.T. White (M.C.), Lieut. H. Denton. Front Row : Lieut. H.G. Mackay, Capts. T.G. Vincent, A.J. Withers, W.G. Taylor (M.M.), Lieuts. D.P. Todd, C.B. Greenaway. Absent : Capt. G.W. Wilson, Lieuts. W.A. Bond, A.H. Denholm, P.A. Lingard, W.C. Childs, A.M. Scott, H.J. Dunford, B.W. Perkins.”

Officers Levin Battalion Home Guard, 21 August 1943

Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Back Row: Lieuts. L Wilton, H J Lancaster, G W Munford, J J Bebbington, A A Savell, J Sciascia, G J Wilde (A.F.C.), W A S Penny, Capt. C E C Webb. Third Row: Lieuts. D F Ross, H J Henderson, V Hudson, S W Barber, J A Mitchell, J Brydon, S V Kilsby, Capts. S H Roberts, J Shearer, 2/Lieut. P A Petersen, Lieut. R R Lind. Second Row: Lieuts. H A Robertson, A G Mitchell, Capt. F J W Stallard (MC), Major F H Hudson, Lieuts. L S Charmichael (MC), G France, Major A T White (MC), Lieut. H Denton. Front Row: Lieut H G Mackay, Capts T G Vincent, A J Withers, W G Taylor (MM), Lieuts. D P Todd, C B Greenaway.

Absent from the photograph are: Capt. G W Wilson, Lieuts. W A Bond, A H Denholm, P A Lingard, W C Childs, A M Scott, H J Dunford, B W Perkins, Capt. V Hunter (DCM)

See also – 2000.090.0001 & 2000.090.0002 identical photos

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