On 26 August 1945, Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham became the only WWII soldier to receive a second Victoria Cross for his military service – the highest award for gallantry in the face of war. It was so unusual that it caused King George VI to ask Major-General Howard Kippenberger if Upham truly deserved it. Kippenberger …
On 1st June 1945, St James Avenue in Papanui became the first street/road/avenue of fifteen to be made into a living memorial for those Cantabarians who lost their lives during WWII. These fifteen thoroughfares were chosen as many of the residents there had not returned from active service overseas. In fact, this group of streets …
On 1 April 1945, Sumner joined the Greater Christchurch and came under the care of the C.C.C. Dr. John Bird Sumner was born in Henilworth, England. Ordained in 1802, he was consecrated as Bishop of Chester in 1828. In 1848, Sumner became the president of the Canterbury Association and was, at that time, the Archbishop …
On 1 April 1945, Hillsborough joined the Greater Christchurch and came under the care of the C.C.C. Edward and Annie Garland arrived at Lyttelton in 1854. No one today could begin to relate to what was going through Annie’s mind as she was led over the Bridle Path on the back of a white bullock! …
On 1 April 1945, McCormacks Bay joined the Greater Christchurch and came under the care of the C.C.C. As the ‘Charlotte Jane’, the Canterbury Association’s first ship, sailed into Lyttelton Harbour that fine morning of 16 December 1850, William McCormack was ready to leave his steerage voyage behind him and make a go at a …
On 24th January 1944, Robert ‘Shiny Bob’ Allen took his beloved Hansom Cab onto the streets of Christchurch for the very last time. He wasn’t out looking for fares but headed towards the Canterbury Museum, steering his horse and cab right up to the required door before handing the reigns over to the Museum Curator, …
On 1st April 1943, Mt Pleasant joined the Greater Christchurch and came under the care of the C.C.C. Tauhinu Korokio was the site of an Ngati Mamoe Pa. It was a superior location due to its 360 degree views, its ample wood supply and many water springs. The name came from two native shrubs that …
On 16 December 1942, the Christchurch City Council took over the construction of the uncompleted Sign of the Takahe. Harry Ell (Christchurch City Coucillor 1903 & 1917 – 1919 and New Zealand Member of Parliament 1899 – 1919) had always been passionate about Christchurch’s natural heritage. He envisioned a network of scenic reserves across the …
Following the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941, New Zealand was gripped in fear of an invasion. A plan would have to be made so that the Government could continue to govern if such an event should take place. The cities of Wellington and Christchurch were chosen to house two …
On 25 June 1941, a German minelayer named ‘Adjutant’ (pictured) successfully laid 10 mines at the entrance of Lyttelton Harbour without anyone knowing. We only found out through captured German papers four years later. They were buried between 16 to 22 metres deep and the nearest was just 5km from the coast line, near Godley …
