Disaster, Ballentynes d. November 18, 1947 Covering over an acre of land in central Christchurch, New Zealand. Ballentynes Department store, which was considered the "Harrods" of New Zealand, was engulfed by flames within a matter of minutes, killing 41 people. It was the worst fire disaster in New Zealand to this day. All 41 people including 31 women were buried in a mass grave at Ruru Cemetery in Christchurch. The Coroner found that delays in calling the fire brigade, had contributed to the disaster. (Bio by: Jeff J) Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Hinton, John Daniel b. September 17, 1909 d. June 28, 1997 World War II Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Sergeant in 20th Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Division. On the night of April 28, 1941, his group was in reserve at the port of Kalamata, Greece, when ordered to evacuate. Under German attack, Sergeant Hinton fought his way down a narrow street, destroying several machine gun posts and attacking an armored propelled gun, before being severely wounded in the stomach. Attempts to evacuate Kalamata were abandoned and the remaining Allied...[Read More] (Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith) Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Kirk, Norman Eric 'Big Norm' b. January 6, 1923 d. August 31, 1974 New Zealand Labour Party Prime Minister. Affectionatly known as "Big Norm," he served as Prime Minister from December 8, 1972, to August 31, 1974. He joined the Labour Party in 1943 and in 1953 was elected the youngest Mayor in New Zealand aged 30. As Prime Minister, he canceled the South African Springbok rugby tour and protested against French Nuclear Testing at Mururoa. His sudden death came as a huge shock to the New Zealand public. He had a State Funeral in the Capital City, then was...[Read More] (Bio by: Jeff J) Waimate Lawn Cemetery, Waimate, Canterbury, New Zealand Plot: 1626
Marsh, Ngaio b. 1895 d. 1982 Writer of detective fiction from New Zealand. Along with Agatha Christie, she is considered to be one of the main female British crime writers of the 1930s and 1940s. She was born in Christchurch, New Zealand and her first name is a Maori word which translates as ‘Reflections on the water'. Her first love was not writing, but the theatre and in New Zealand she is best remembered for her work on the stage rather than her fiction. From 1928 she split her time between the United Kingdom and New...[Read More] (Bio by: Bunny Boiler) Church of the Holy Innocents, Geraldine, Canterbury, New Zealand Plot: The Church of the Holy Innocents, Mount Peel Station, Canterbury, New Zealand
d. November 18, 1947
