Nicholls, Edwin Lindsay
Production date
23 May 1994
Description
Oral history. Born in Manaia 1916 his Father was a farmer at Otakeho. His great grandfather, Charles Henry Sinderby Nicholls, was first rector of the Wanganui Collegiate College, in the Mililtia and a contemporary of Major von Tempsky, and was given a grant of land at Waverley. Lindsay went to Otakeho School - 60 children at the time - and Manaia District High School, staying for two years. Family farm was 83 acres and they milked 40 cows by hand. Electricity came to the district when Lindsay was 16-17 years. Petrol was purchased in tins from the Dairy Factory. Talks of Otakeho, Manaia and Kaukoponui. Mentions the policeman Jack Scannell and early days of the radio. Worked on family farm when he left school with only small breaks until WWII. Enlisted and went overseas in 1940, trained at Trentham in the 25th battalion in the medical section for three months, further three months training in Egypt before going to Greece. Captured and became a POW, being moved around until finally arriving in Germany at Stalag 3D. Helped the doctor there as a medical orderly. Camp held 800 prisoners. 1943 was on the list to be repatriated and arrived back in NZ 1944 and put on a pension as his health wasn't good. Returned by train to Hawera then went sharemilking to the Bay of Plenty with his brother. Bought a farm there, but sold and moved back to Hawera where he worked for the Farmers Co-op. Stayed there for 8 years, then developed a poultry farm in Hawera. Sold poultry farm and worked as stock agent at Manaia for Newton Kings ca.1967. Worked there for 14 years. Secretary for the Waimate Patriotic Welfare Committee for 30 years and staunch member of the RSA. Talks of Home Guard, Taranaki Hearing Association, Manaia Lions, Parkinson's Society of Taranaki, Waimate Singers, Presbyterian Church Choir in Hawera. Lindsay was given a Citizen's Award in 1991.
Recorded: 25 May 1994
Interviewer: Margaret Fox
Abstraction: Margaret Fox
Restrictions: None
Object detail
Part 1
Research tape
Part 2
Abstract
Part 3
Folder
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