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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 19, 2014 11:54:22 GMT 12
I have discovered an interesting photograph of Maymorn Camp taken in 1915 on the Upper Hutt City Library website. Presumably the land this camp is on later became part of the RNZAF Mangaroa base/depot during WWII?  (click on the photograph to view the source and also a Parent Collection link to a page with thumbnail links to further photographs) |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 19, 2014 12:20:33 GMT 12
Fascinating. I'd never heard of this camp before.
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 19, 2014 12:57:38 GMT 12
In the photograph, that appears to be Mangaroa Railway Station in the mid-lower-left of the photograph. It has that lean-to look to what was then a standard government design for country railway stations. Presumably this would give an indication to the exact location of the Maymorn Army Camp. Note that the railway line takes a different route through the Mangaroa Valley today since the opening of the Rimutaka deviation and tunnel in October 1955. You'd need to locate an old map of the area showing the old railway corridor and location of Mangaroa Railway Station to work out the exact location of that camp, but I know the old railway formation was further east from the current railway corridor. You can see the embankment where the railway line used to climb out of the valley about 800 metres to a kilometre east of the current Maymorn Railway Station. Looking at the current 1:50,000 topomap of the area, you can see the current Wairarapa Line railway formation as it climbs the hill out of Upper Hutt and passes through No.1 “Maoribank” Tunnel to the Mangaroa Valley, crossing the Mangaroa River and running across a corner of the valley through Maymorn Railway Station and into the No.2 “Rimutaka” Tunnel. If you take a look at Flux Road, you will see where it has a sharp 100-degree curve to the left (on the map) before turning right again. Look further left from that sharp-right-hand curve and you will see an Old Tunnel. That is the former No.1 “Cruikshank” Tunnel on the old pre-October 1955 railway alignment. My understanding is that the railway line actually ran alongside Flux Road and continued on that alignment heading east (along the dotted line denoting a track) from the 100-degree curve in Flux Road. Presumably the old Mangaroa Railway Station was somewhere along that straight, which would mean that would be the locality of the Mangaroa Army Camp. If you click on the topomap, your browser will download a larger-sized version of it in a new tab without wide-screening this thread.... 
To make it easier to see things (including road names), here is a 1:20,000 map of the area which contains more localised detail. As before, click on the map to download a considerably larger version in a new tab....  |
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 19, 2014 13:41:52 GMT 12
Wow....that Upper Hutt City Library website is a HUGE resource of historic photographs and other archives, including a large amount of military stuff. Such as THIS PHOTOGRAPH of a Grumman TBM-3 Avenger at Trentham Army Camp in 1986, about to go to the Air Force Museum at Wigram. |
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Post by Bruce on Oct 19, 2014 18:01:54 GMT 12
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Post by saratoga on Oct 19, 2014 19:31:08 GMT 12
Wow....that Upper Hutt City Library website is a HUGE resource of historic photographs and other archives, including a large amount of military stuff. Such as THIS PHOTOGRAPH of a Grumman TBM-3 Avenger at Trentham Army Camp in 1986, about to go to the Air Force Museum at Wigram. I think that Avenger,from the Silverstream rail group, went to Gisborne? |
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 19, 2014 20:58:15 GMT 12
I think that Avenger,from the Silverstream rail group, went to Gisborne? The mind boggles!! What was the Silverstream Railway doing with a Grumman Avenger? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 19, 2014 21:03:58 GMT 12
It went to Wigram first saratoga. The Museum had two at Wigram. They loaned and then eventually gifted it to GAPS at Gisborne.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 19, 2014 21:23:05 GMT 12
The Avenger belonged to a guy called John Regan, as did a C-47 that is now also at Gisborne, via Ohakea's gate for a while.
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Post by baz62 on Oct 19, 2014 21:32:08 GMT 12
And it's a TBF-1 not TBM-3.
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 19, 2014 21:38:34 GMT 12
And it's a TBF-1 not TBM-3. Yes, as explained in the caption accompanying the photograph. But back to the thread topic. There are a lot of interesting historic photographs on that Upper Hutt Public Library website. The collection where I got the photo of the Maymorn army camp from can be viewed HERE. One photograph that particularly intrigues me is THIS IMAGE showing soldiers marching over the Rimutaka Hill from Featherston Camp, heading for Trentham, then ultimately on to the Port of Wellington to embark on ships for overseas service. Next year, it is planned to re-enact one of those marches across the Rimutakas, with SH2 actually being closed for several hours while the re-enactment takes place. |
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Post by baz62 on Oct 20, 2014 11:43:58 GMT 12
The caption only talked about the TBF already at Wigram leading the unwary to assume the header for the photograph is correct. Wonder who they will use to renact the march? Regular force?
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 20, 2014 14:17:55 GMT 12
Regular forces and re-enactors, all dressed in period uniforms. Plus they are planning to allow descendents of soldiers who marched over the Rimutaka hill road to also join the re-enactment.
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Post by SEAN on Oct 21, 2014 5:32:10 GMT 12
A little off topic I know, but I guess this is one of them (I think it is the Te Rapa one) on it's way to Wigram via the HMNZS Waikato. RNZAF or RNZAF Museum Official (I think) who knows.....  |
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Post by suthg on Oct 21, 2014 6:44:09 GMT 12
Regular forces and re-enactors, all dressed in period uniforms. Plus they are planning to allow descendents of soldiers who marched over the Rimutaka hill road to also join the re-enactment. I'll have to check the dates of my Grandfather leaving from Featherston - he was 31yo farmer of Double Bridges, Tirohanga, Nth of Masterton. And I know he didn't spend too long over there, not being in the first draft. I have his military record here at home. He enlisted 8 June 2016 at Featherston. He embarked on the PAKEHA on SEP 23 1916 at Wellington, then Devonport 18 Nov 16 - marched into SLING 18.11.16. etc. I'll see what can be arranged - but it may be a brother (3) who may take part as I am overseas part of next year. |
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Post by baz62 on Oct 21, 2014 11:45:52 GMT 12
(I think it is the Te Rapa one) Correct! NZ2504 on her way to Wigram. Amazing that not long after arrival they plugged in a battery cart and all the lights worked! Not bad for 19 plus years parked outdoors. That march will be a sight to see, hope there is a good turn out. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 21, 2014 14:31:13 GMT 12
Great photo of the New Zealand Fleet Air Arm there Sean  |
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Post by TS on Oct 21, 2014 16:24:51 GMT 12
Dang short runway though.....   |
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 21, 2014 19:38:34 GMT 12
Dang short runway though..... Well....there is always the CATAPULT option recently suggested for Wellington Airport....  (don't forget to also click on the “View photo” link in the Here's another alternative post) |
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Post by TS on Oct 21, 2014 20:46:06 GMT 12
Haha... Yes but I think a steam catapult for Wellington would be better. You could actually be on to something here KTJ..  Sure the drinks trolley would have to be bolted down on T/O but the greenies would be happy because no snails, crabs, birds, slugs, muds and anything else in the area would be affected by said landfill. Ok I think we are off topic now.... Sorry. |
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Sure the drinks trolley would have to be bolted down on T/O but the greenies would be happy because no snails, crabs, birds, slugs, muds and anything else in the area would be affected by said landfill.