Nor'West News: August 15, 2017

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10 Tuesday August 15 2017 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi News NOR’WEST NEWS Training soldiers in Papanui during WW2 Murray Williams, chairman of the Papanui Heritage Group, writes about what life was like in the suburb during World War 2 THE WAR years were difficult ones for most New Zealanders and the experiences of those who lived in Papanui were probably typical. The first adjustment was the effect of the disappearance of many of the young men in the area – either because they volunteered for service in the armed forces or because they were conscripted. In the first years of the war, the New Zealand Division served in Greece, Crete and North Africa and, although the casualty rate was a huge concern for those with family members involved, in another sense the war seemed remote from the everyday lives of many New Zealanders. However, increasing tension WE NEED YOU: A Government attempt to increase interest in volunteering for home service throughout the country and in Papanui. in the Pacific led to the realisation that New Zealand could be vulnerable to direct attack. Those men who were not serving overseas were exhorted to join local units of the Home Guard, an invitation that later became compulsory for those who were able-bodied and aged between 35 and 50. The Papanui company was commanded by J.A. Gregor and was based at the Papanui Technical College in Langdons Rd. The training programme revolved around drill, route marches and lectures. But it was realised that to maintain enthusiasm, activities more relevant to defending the country should be encouraged. In May 1941, the Papanui unit joined those from Waimairi and Elmwood in an exercise on the Harewood golf course. Papanui’s role was to join Waimairi as the ‘enemy’ while Elmwood attempted to ‘dislodge’ them. The Royal New Zealand Air Force contributed an aircraft to simulate dive bombing and strafing and the lack of military hardware was solved by the use of flour bombs as hand grenades and tin rattles as machine guns. The exercise was observed by the national commander of the Home Guard, Major General Young, who expressed his satisfaction with the practical nature of the training. This exercise was to have consequences for at least one member of the Papanui unit. A local resident, the late Shona Elliott (née Turton) recalled that when her father returned from the exercise with his clothes covered in flour, he received a most hostile reception from her mother. Nevertheless, Home Guard exercises continued and the men were gradually equipped with uniforms, boots and rifles. By late 1943, it had become obvious that the threat of invasion had receded and the Home Guard units were disestablished. Uniforms had to be returned to the army but the former guardsmen were allowed to keep their army-issue boots. •References: Papers Past, Mollie Chalklen Papers, Nancy Taylor, The Home Front.
NOR’WEST NEWS Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Tuesday August 15 2017 11 Checkmate for Burnside teams BURNSIDE HIGH last had its name etched on the chess championship trophy 19 years ago – now the school’s finally done it again. The school’s A team, made up of Iain Thirring, Samuel Li, Robin Wan and Wynn Mo, came out on top of the Christchurch inter-secondary school chess competition. And the B team of Louie Lu, Yu Duan, Christopher Henry and Elias Mohammad finished third in the competition. In the B grade, the C team of Ryan Worsley, Lakshmi Thillaikkannan, Naduli Goonatillake and Leon Meierbrought brought home silver. The D team, made up of Gervinve Go, Sung Min Oh, Sehyun Kim and Jayon Thomas, came fourth. CONCENTRATION: Burnside High students battled it out at the Christchurch inter-secondary school chess competition. PRIZES: Burnside High’s A team took home the overall champions trophy and its B grade team received a plaque for second. • By Julia Evans AFTER SPENDING a night with the city’s most vulnerable, St Andrew’s College students have put together packs for people sleeping rough. Year 12 students Lewie Broadhurst, Ralph Clink, Hamish Sloper, Joseph Lin and Cosmo Bennett make up the business studies group, SHARECARE. As part of the class, the boys surveyed people at the City Mission’s night shelter and put together the packs which cater to their needs. “It opened our eyes to things, as when we were doing research for items it was quite amazing what everyday items we take for granted (which) homeless people lack,” Lewie said. He said after the survey the team put together packs which included medical kits, crystaderm cream, socks, nut bars, jackets, fleeces and a Macpac bag. The team approached Macpac which donated the backpacks free of charge. SCHOOLS St Andrew’s students help the homeless OVERNIGHT: City Mission night shelter manager Hillary Bliss with St Andrew’s student Lewie Broadhurst and the care packs. NEw PhARMACy oPENED NEAR you *Excludes Real Sleep TAKE 50 % off MARKED PRICES Services + FREE delivery for prescriptions in local areas + $5 Medico pack + FREE blood pressure checks + Reading Glasses + Passport photos + Ear Piercing + FREE UTI consultation + FREE VIAGRA consultation oNly $2 50 whIlE SToCKS lAST Open Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm Saturday: 9am – 12pm Wairakei RoAD BARNETT’S PhARMACy 4/501 Wairakei Road, Burnside 03 360 3178 03 351 3099 wairakei@barnettspharmacy.co.nz BarnettsWairakei
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Nor'West News: August 15, 2017

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