Overview In this interview Jack talks of his family history and grandparent’s employment with mining e.g. Nightcaps and Linton Coal Company; the family orchard in McIvor Road. Jack goes on to recall his own education, employment with the Post Office and war experiences where he was in the Army Signals in 21st battalion posted in the Middle East. In 1945 he returned to the Post Office transferring to Wellington-Lower Hutt exchange. In 1956 he and wife Thelma returned to Southland and purchased a small...

Overview In this interview Thomas talks of his early years growing up on a farm at Ermedale. His father was a contractor building roads around Ermedale. He talks of marrying during the war years and his return after the war when he purchased a home at Gummies Bush. Thomas goes on to talk about the mechanisation of the contracting business and working for Wallace County as well as for farmers. He shares stories of road constructed and anecdotes of things that happened to him during this time. He goes on...