-
Blue Star Taxis In South Island First – 1947
In 1947, Blue Star Taxis, a Christchurch founded company, introduced two way radios to their cabs – the first to do so in the South Island. Blue Star Taxis began operation in 1929 with 15 cabs. They introduced a unique and still-in-place working scheme where those who drive the cabs, own the cabs. In 1930, …
Share this:
-
The Last Canterbury Association Settler Died – 13th September 1945
Reverend Frederick George Brittan was only two years old when he and his family arrived in Lyttelton aboard the Canterbury Association’s 3rd ship, the ‘Sir George Seymour’. A few days later, his father William Guise Brittan would lead the first meeting with our settlers concerning their land orders and how things were to proceed. Little …
Share this:
-
Second Victoria Cross For Cantab War Hero – 26th August 1945
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 …
Share this:
-
Papanui Streets Made Into Living WWII Memorial – 1st June 1945
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 …
Share this:
