Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 14, 2011 2:02:40 GMT 12
Here's an interesting article. I wonder if either vehicle still exists today?
Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 86, 13 April 1942, Page 6
FOR R.N.Z.A.F.
GIFT AMBULANCES
RECEIVED BY MR. FRASER
Two gift ambulances for the Royal New Zealand Air Force were formally accepted today by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) in the grounds of Parliament House. One was the gift of the Korma Mills and staff, Auckland, and the other was presented as a memorial to Sir Charles Kingsford , Smith.
They were handed over respectively by Mr. J. A. Gentles, a director of the Korma Mills, and by Mr. B. T. Shiel, a former associate of the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and a member of his crew.
The Kingsford Smith Memorial Ambulance was purchased by public subscription, the money having been raised as a result of an exhibition made in the Dominion by an Australian, Mr. Austin E. Byrne. The idea of providing the Korma ambulance originated with Mr. Stanley Korma, Melbourne, and the staff asked to be allowed to assist. The employees contributed one-third of the cost.
Both Mr. Shiel and Mr. Gentles expressed pleasure at handing over the ambulances, but said they hoped it would not be necessary to use them often.
Accepting the ambulances on behalf of the Government, Mr. Fraser said said that the ambulance in memory of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith represented a further tribute to a man whose great work was admired by the people of New Zealand. It was a very kindly and considerate thought that had prompted thei gift of the Korma Mills ambulance, and it was a matter for additional gratification to be told that the Auckland staff of this Australian company had shared in the cost.
The two ambulances were equal to any he had seen during his visit to Great Britain last year.
DIFFICULT FUTURE.
Mr. Fraser said he shared the hope expressed by Mr. Shiel and Mr. Gentles that it would not be necessary to use the two ambulances often in New Zealand. "But," he added, "we do not know what the future contains for us. The whole immediate future' is fraught with danger and menace to our country', and it is a matter of satisfaction that people rally round in this fashion at the present time."
Mr. Fraser thanked those responsible for the ambulances.
The Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) paid a tribute to the part played by the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his associates in the development of aviation in this country. The size of the Air Force today was such that good use would be made of the ambulances in attending to normal sickness among personnel.
The ambulances were received by Group Captain A. de T. Nevill, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. He said that the Kingsford Smith ambulance would perpetuate the memory of a man whom many in the Air Force knew personally, and for whom they all had the greatest regard. "He did a great deal for our service in the early days." added Group Captain Nevill, "and we will always remember him when we speak of aviation in New Zealand. We welcome the name of the Korma Mills ambulance as an indication of the common ideal's and spirit which industry has with, the Services today." The ambulances were ideal for the purposes of the Air Force, and the Air Force was deeply grateful for them.
Among those present at the ceremony were Group Captain S. Wallingford, Air Force Member for Personnel, Lieutenant-Colonel Chisholm, Assistant Director of Medical Services (Air), and Mr. A. W. Bridgford, manager of the Korma Mills.
Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 86, 13 April 1942, Page 6
FOR R.N.Z.A.F.
GIFT AMBULANCES
RECEIVED BY MR. FRASER
Two gift ambulances for the Royal New Zealand Air Force were formally accepted today by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) in the grounds of Parliament House. One was the gift of the Korma Mills and staff, Auckland, and the other was presented as a memorial to Sir Charles Kingsford , Smith.
They were handed over respectively by Mr. J. A. Gentles, a director of the Korma Mills, and by Mr. B. T. Shiel, a former associate of the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and a member of his crew.
The Kingsford Smith Memorial Ambulance was purchased by public subscription, the money having been raised as a result of an exhibition made in the Dominion by an Australian, Mr. Austin E. Byrne. The idea of providing the Korma ambulance originated with Mr. Stanley Korma, Melbourne, and the staff asked to be allowed to assist. The employees contributed one-third of the cost.
Both Mr. Shiel and Mr. Gentles expressed pleasure at handing over the ambulances, but said they hoped it would not be necessary to use them often.
Accepting the ambulances on behalf of the Government, Mr. Fraser said said that the ambulance in memory of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith represented a further tribute to a man whose great work was admired by the people of New Zealand. It was a very kindly and considerate thought that had prompted thei gift of the Korma Mills ambulance, and it was a matter for additional gratification to be told that the Auckland staff of this Australian company had shared in the cost.
The two ambulances were equal to any he had seen during his visit to Great Britain last year.
DIFFICULT FUTURE.
Mr. Fraser said he shared the hope expressed by Mr. Shiel and Mr. Gentles that it would not be necessary to use the two ambulances often in New Zealand. "But," he added, "we do not know what the future contains for us. The whole immediate future' is fraught with danger and menace to our country', and it is a matter of satisfaction that people rally round in this fashion at the present time."
Mr. Fraser thanked those responsible for the ambulances.
The Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) paid a tribute to the part played by the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his associates in the development of aviation in this country. The size of the Air Force today was such that good use would be made of the ambulances in attending to normal sickness among personnel.
The ambulances were received by Group Captain A. de T. Nevill, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. He said that the Kingsford Smith ambulance would perpetuate the memory of a man whom many in the Air Force knew personally, and for whom they all had the greatest regard. "He did a great deal for our service in the early days." added Group Captain Nevill, "and we will always remember him when we speak of aviation in New Zealand. We welcome the name of the Korma Mills ambulance as an indication of the common ideal's and spirit which industry has with, the Services today." The ambulances were ideal for the purposes of the Air Force, and the Air Force was deeply grateful for them.
Among those present at the ceremony were Group Captain S. Wallingford, Air Force Member for Personnel, Lieutenant-Colonel Chisholm, Assistant Director of Medical Services (Air), and Mr. A. W. Bridgford, manager of the Korma Mills.
