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Mangawhai Probus Club - When war came to Mangawhai


The theme for April’s meeting was ‘Anzac’. Bev Ross, Historian at Mangawhai Museum spoke on the two World Wars and the involvement of those from Mangawhai and districts.

Boys that went to war were the “cream” of our communities, thinking they were away on an adventure and enjoy the comradeship of their mates.

The museum foyer currently displays each known soldier and nurse from this area that served overseas. There are names missing and Bev would like to see this rectified. In some instances young men registered in other areas and therefore not listed on the Mangawhai memorial list. If this applies to one of your relatives then please get in touch with the museum and give details. They want to hear from you.

Local characters
Frederick Foote, who was farming in our district for many years is not registered on our rolls but kept a diary and wrote about his time in Palestine and Northern Africa.

Mangawhai and districts had a very active Home Guard and Dick Leslie, the Commander of the Mangawhai group, organised gatherings, training and duties. Hilton Brown was a signalman who received and sent messages to those at Marsden Point and down to Cape Rodney.

Many districts, especially country areas, had their “characters” and our favourite one was George Mertz, a brilliant graphic engineer, designer and inventor. Of Swiss birth, he moved to Mangawhai after pressure from his peers in Auckland who were distrustful of the name Mertz. It seemed very German to many.

Never returned
In WWI, 116-plus went from the Mangawhai district and 27 did not return. It wasn’t very different in WWII as 116 left and 17 never returned. Many families sent two, three and four sons and one family had seven young men who left for WWI. Three of them never returned and in WWII another four from the family went to serve.

There were of course young women who left NZ for overseas service and one was Gladys Thwaites, an Army nurse who worked her way up to being matron of the hospital ship SS Maunganui. She went on to establish military hospitals in Fiji and Samoa. Gladys received the Royal Red Cross Service Award in 1944 and later given the title Lady Gladys Thwaites. Of the 67 people awarded at that time Gladys was only one of two women.

A chap who caught Bev Ross’ interest years ago was Charles Edward Sutherland. He was a foster brother of Bev’s father who had no other siblings. He considered Charles to be his older brother and both attended Kaiwaka School. Bev wanted to find out who Charles’ blood relatives were. Charles was killed in action at the Somme on 16 November 1916 at 21 years of age. Bev is still investigating who his family might be.

Museum exhibition
On May 16 the Mangawhai Museum has an exhibition entitled “War Comes to Mangawhai”. It will be well worth visiting as will show various aspects of how our district was touched and affected by WWII.

Members of Mangawhai Probus enjoyed homemade Anzac biscuits during afternoon tea and songs from Vera Lynn and then sat down to a quiz relating to the two World Wars. Some members also related stories of family involved.

Next meeting
Mangawhai Probus meet every third Thursday in the month at the Senior Citizens Hall, Fagan Place, Managwhai at 2pm. The March meeting will be Thursday May 21. If you require more info or transport please contact Ron and Gaylene Lawrence 431 5617 or Beve Smith 431 5777. All visitors are welcome.

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