Genealogy Society Launches Project to Preserve WWII Stories

On March 7, 2024, the South Canterbury Genealogy Society launched a project aimed at preserving the stories of individuals from the Second World War. This initiative coincided with Armistice Day and took place at the Timaru District Library, where society members held two presentations to introduce their work and encourage community involvement.

Community Involvement in Preserving History

The first presentation highlighted the story of Margery Greenfield, a local member of the New Zealand Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. The second presentation provided an overview of the project’s objectives and current progress. Lois White, a member of the society, reported that the project’s database has grown to include over 4,000 names. She emphasized the importance of collecting not just names but also the stories behind them.

White explained, “It’s growing all the time. We tend to find photos first and then get the story behind the photo because if you’ve got a photo, you can see the person, and it’s a bit more interesting.” This approach has proven effective, as members often discover additional family members linked to a single photograph. For instance, while researching the Gosling family from Pleasant Point, they found one photo of a Gosling, which led them to uncover details about his two brothers who also served.

While the society has managed to compile a wealth of information, White noted the value of personal anecdotes. “We can find out the facts but it would be great to have people give us a wee bit more of their own information,” she said. She recounted a conversation with a woman whose husband’s uncle died in the war, encouraging her to share even small details about his life, such as hobbies or relationships. “Half a dozen facts like that can make a difference to a story,” White added, highlighting how personal narratives enrich historical accounts.

Urgency of Documenting World War II Stories

The South Canterbury Genealogy Society has been working on this initiative for the past two years, aiming to replicate their earlier project, the South Canterbury Roll of Honour, which commemorated the centenary of World War I in 2014. Liz Shea, the society’s convener, stressed the importance of starting the World War II project now, rather than waiting until the centennial anniversary in 2045. “If we wait for 100 years, a lot of these photos probably might have gone, and the people who remember the names will be gone,” Shea stated.

Shea urged community members to contribute any photographs or documents related to local individuals involved in World War II. “A lot of people think ‘oh we don’t need these old photos or things’ and they throw them out,” she noted, adding that the society is happy to copy and return items while preserving them for future generations. “But then we’ve got them preserved and retained for future generations,” she emphasized.

The society plans to hold an official launch of the project around Anzac Day next year. In the meantime, they invite anyone with relevant stories or photographs to visit the Timaru District Library on Wednesday mornings from 09:00 to 12:00 or Sunday afternoons from 13:30 to 15:30. Community members can also reach out via email at [email protected] to share their contributions.