Abstract of Raewyn Dorothy STILES, 2024
Item — Box: 34
Identifier: H02730002
Abstract
H0273 Raewyn Dorothy Stiles
Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen
Abstractors: Barbara Gillam and Rosie Stather
Interview date: 13th August 2016
0.01 Raewyn Stiles. GRANDFATHER was WILLIAM BENJAMIN HOLDING. Maternal Grandfather. From BOOTLE ENGLAND. Arrived 1923
1.24 Was a JOINER, worked for GEORGE POOLE.
1.40 Changed occupation and became a sign writer.
1.51 Was a self-taught PAINTER.
2.20 Painting done on his return to England in 1954-55
2.50 Amateur PHOTOGRAPHER: took photos and printed them. Also had a movie camera
3.14 Worked at the old REGENT THEATRE: showing films and doing maintenance (after WW2)
3.32 Grandfather served in the ROYAL ENGINEERS (in England) in WW1
3.40 In WW2; was in ENGINEERS in NEW ZEALAND. Was a LANCE COPORAL.
4.10 Started HOLDING SIGNS – possibly taken over by SINGLETON SIGNS
4.40 Was stationed in NZ during WW2. Had a son in the air force, a son in the navy and a son in law in the army. All came through the war
6.00 Some of his old films put on video tape.
7.30 Painting of THE QUEEN done in 1954 for the Queen’s visit. Copy of another painting. Made the frame as well
8.28 Queen’s visit – stayed at the Grand Hotel. Grandfather and friend took the painting to a jeweller’s shop across the road (Warburtons), went out through an upstairs window and stood on the veranda - held the painting between them so that when she came out she could see it.
8.58 Brought the painting home. Grandmother used to curtsy to it. Her mum did the same. It is now at the museum.
10.12 Very accomplished painter. Could have done more but raised 5 children
10.30 Remembers Grandfather clearly. Almost 13 when he died.
11.10 Did STRONGMAN acts at the CIVIC THEATRE. Practiced at home. Athletic
11.56 Great loss when he died.
12.33 Photos of acts at CIVIC THEATRE. Stunt involving MOTORBIKES.
13.00 STRONGMAN ACTS – describes. Did this before she was born.
13.44 Motorbike acts done in Tweed Street. INDIAN SCOUT motorbikes (date on photo 1925)
14.33 Civic Theatre did a lot of variety acts
14.44 Was a WRESTLER before he came to NZ. Won medals for WRESTLING. Medals were stolen
TRACK 2
0.00 Contacted Liverpool Wrestling Club to find out more. Wrestling name was THE LITTLE BATTLER
0.40 Gave up wrestling
1.05 Became very involved with the THISTLE SOCCER CLUB. Trainer for them
1.54 Eldest son – Uncle Ken – started the ENWOOD CLUB. Wore the Liverpool strip
2.26 Uncle died in 2014. Carried from Chapel to YOU NEVER WALK ALONE. Strong Liverpool roots in the family. Only 2 NZ born children. Only a second generation New Zealander
438 Grandfathers funeral cost 67 POUNDS
5.00 Grandfather was 71 when he died. Died 7.12.1961 at KEW Hospital (infection after an operation). Born June 1890.
7.14 Grandparents had large vegetable garden
7.40 Always lived in TWEED STREET. Children went to St George School. Very rural.
8.20 Grandparents bought house on TWEED STREET. When Invercargill was more rural.
8.38 Remembers taking TRAMS
End of Interview
Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen
Abstractors: Barbara Gillam and Rosie Stather
Interview date: 13th August 2016
0.01 Raewyn Stiles. GRANDFATHER was WILLIAM BENJAMIN HOLDING. Maternal Grandfather. From BOOTLE ENGLAND. Arrived 1923
1.24 Was a JOINER, worked for GEORGE POOLE.
1.40 Changed occupation and became a sign writer.
1.51 Was a self-taught PAINTER.
2.20 Painting done on his return to England in 1954-55
2.50 Amateur PHOTOGRAPHER: took photos and printed them. Also had a movie camera
3.14 Worked at the old REGENT THEATRE: showing films and doing maintenance (after WW2)
3.32 Grandfather served in the ROYAL ENGINEERS (in England) in WW1
3.40 In WW2; was in ENGINEERS in NEW ZEALAND. Was a LANCE COPORAL.
4.10 Started HOLDING SIGNS – possibly taken over by SINGLETON SIGNS
4.40 Was stationed in NZ during WW2. Had a son in the air force, a son in the navy and a son in law in the army. All came through the war
6.00 Some of his old films put on video tape.
7.30 Painting of THE QUEEN done in 1954 for the Queen’s visit. Copy of another painting. Made the frame as well
8.28 Queen’s visit – stayed at the Grand Hotel. Grandfather and friend took the painting to a jeweller’s shop across the road (Warburtons), went out through an upstairs window and stood on the veranda - held the painting between them so that when she came out she could see it.
8.58 Brought the painting home. Grandmother used to curtsy to it. Her mum did the same. It is now at the museum.
10.12 Very accomplished painter. Could have done more but raised 5 children
10.30 Remembers Grandfather clearly. Almost 13 when he died.
11.10 Did STRONGMAN acts at the CIVIC THEATRE. Practiced at home. Athletic
11.56 Great loss when he died.
12.33 Photos of acts at CIVIC THEATRE. Stunt involving MOTORBIKES.
13.00 STRONGMAN ACTS – describes. Did this before she was born.
13.44 Motorbike acts done in Tweed Street. INDIAN SCOUT motorbikes (date on photo 1925)
14.33 Civic Theatre did a lot of variety acts
14.44 Was a WRESTLER before he came to NZ. Won medals for WRESTLING. Medals were stolen
TRACK 2
0.00 Contacted Liverpool Wrestling Club to find out more. Wrestling name was THE LITTLE BATTLER
0.40 Gave up wrestling
1.05 Became very involved with the THISTLE SOCCER CLUB. Trainer for them
1.54 Eldest son – Uncle Ken – started the ENWOOD CLUB. Wore the Liverpool strip
2.26 Uncle died in 2014. Carried from Chapel to YOU NEVER WALK ALONE. Strong Liverpool roots in the family. Only 2 NZ born children. Only a second generation New Zealander
438 Grandfathers funeral cost 67 POUNDS
5.00 Grandfather was 71 when he died. Died 7.12.1961 at KEW Hospital (infection after an operation). Born June 1890.
7.14 Grandparents had large vegetable garden
7.40 Always lived in TWEED STREET. Children went to St George School. Very rural.
8.20 Grandparents bought house on TWEED STREET. When Invercargill was more rural.
8.38 Remembers taking TRAMS
End of Interview
Dates
- 2024
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Conditions Governing Use
The contents of Southland Oral History Project collections are subject to the conditions of the Copyright Act 1994. Please note that in accordance with agreements held with interviewees additional conditions regarding the reproduction [copying] and use of items in the Southland Oral History Project collections may apply. Please contact the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator for further information at sohp@ilibrary.co.nz.
Extent
From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)
Language of Materials
From the Record Group: English
Creator
- From the Record Group: Amundsen, Rebecca (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository
