Overview This interview was commissioned by Women's Division of Federated Farmers for a project entitled Pioneer Women. Violet Elizabeth Peggy Soderstrom was born Torquay, England. In this interview Peggy gives her family background - father a teacher at Torquay School of Art. She describes her education at a Convent School run by French Nuns, her first employment and her enlistment as a WREN in 1916 at Torquay. She gives her reasons for coming to New Zealand and mentions the Victorious Scheme for the...

Overview This interview looks at family history, siblings, education, employment and marriage. It also covers social issues/happenings of the time and the building up of a footwear business which became the largest footwear retailer in NZ, and husband became Mayor of Invercargill and Mabel was involved in many organisations and was awarded an MBE.