Skinner, Henry Devenish
Production date
1915
1910-1919
Description
Born in 1886 in New Plymouth and educated in Nelson College, Victoria and Otago Universities. Served at Gallipoli 1915, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery. He studied anthropology and went on to become Director of the Otago Museum and first lecturer in anthropology at the University of Otago. He also served as President of the Polynesian Society from 1950-54. He died in 1977.
The letters are written by Henry Skinner to his father W. H. Skinner and family in New Plymouth. They are written while Henry was convalescing from wounds received at Gallipoli in St. David's Hospital, Malta and the Loyalty Ward, Bethnal Green Hospital. The letters describe his experiences. All letters are carbon-copies and typescript with some annotations. They may have been made by Henry's father W.H. Skinner. Also copies of other letters from soldiers serving in WWI.
See full details
Object detail
1910-1919
Folder 1
Folder 1. A collection of letters from H.D. Skinner to his parents. Describes his W.W.I experiences. All letters are carbon-copies and typescript with some annotations. They may be made by Henry's father W.H. Skinner. Also copies of other letters from soldiers serving in WWI.
1) Aug 18 1915: to Dear People - appears to be unfinished : St David's Hospital, Malta (3 pp).
2) Aug 27 1915: to Dear People - from HDS : No 1 Ward, Surgical, St David's Hospital, Valetta, (5pp).
3) Oct 5 1915 : to Dear People - from H D Skinner : Hut E 5 Woodcote Camp, Epson (3pp).
4) Oct 8 1915 : to Dear People - from HDS : Hut E 5 Woodcote Camp, Epson, (5pp).
5) Oct 13 1915 : to Dear People - from HDS : Hut E 5 Woodcote Camp, Epsom (3pp).
6) Apr 27th : extracts from Harry's letter. (5pp).
7) Undated : letter written by Charles Lepper, Wellington Battalion, Taranaki Regiment to his parents. (2pp). Copy available for reproduction.
8) Abstract of interview with Private William Horgan who witnessed H. D. Skinner's arrival in Reserve Gully from Chunuk Bair (1p).
9)June 3 1915 : To My Dear Mother - from Sargeant R. S. Mitchell : Heliopolis Hospital. (3pp).
Folder 2
Folder 2. Photocopies of typescripts in Folder 1. Plus photograph of H. D. Skinner
Folder 3
Folder 3. Letters (mss).
10) Undated : 4th regiments Trentham Camp : Letter to Dear Father from H : D Company : re publication of articles JPS etc (4 pp).
11) April 10 (?) : Camp ? : Letter to Dearest Mother from Harry : Appointment to Corporal Samoan Platoon (2pp).
12) Sunday 25th (?) : NZI No 21 Australian Bight : Letter to Dear Father from Your loving son : publication of articles - possibly of ethnological research before coming back to NZ (1pp).
13) Feb 10 1916 : no- address presumably London: letter to Dear Father from Your loving son : contains discussion on purchase of tiki and bibliography of the Mori-oris (sic) (2pp).
14) Aug 18 (?) : St David's Hospital Pembroke, Malta : To Dear Father from H : injury. Also comment of the Little Fakes. (1pp).
15) Sketch plan of Gallipoli presumably drawn by HD Skinner.
16) Sketch plan of Gallipoli presumably drawn by HD Skinner.
17) Envelope addressed to W. H. Skinner.
18) Three photos of a hei tiki (two fronts and one back).
19) Photo. 'Rest dug outs', soldiers resting under temporary low tent type structures.
Folder 4
Folder 4. Miscellaneous papers.
20) Copy of letter to Dear People, Loyalty Ward, Benthnal Green Hospital, Sept. 19 1915. Original in Hocken Library. Ms1219/16.
21) Sketch map. showing track of my retreat, Gallipoli. Undated
22) Typescript of award of D.C.M. to H. D. Skinner in the London Gazette, 29 Nov.1915.
22a) Photocopy of award.
23) Photograph. Family group. Skinner family? Date on reverse, Easter 1914.
24) Typescript. Mr Fraser speaks. Extracts from various sources on charges against Peter Fraser, 1916.
25) Pamphlet. Instructions to scrutineers, electoral district of Patea. G.H. Pearce, candidate. Dated 30 Nov. 1922.
Folder 5
Folder 5. Newspaper clippings. Includes photographs of Gallipoli Veterans, one includes H.D. Skinner, 22 June 1916.
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