Portraits and scenes around Christchurch

1936

Page 44 of photograph album. Portraits, Victoria Park, and sailing vessel on the estuary. [Top left] A view of Victoria Park and the domed pavilion. Caption: In Victoria Park 1936. [Top centre] Arnold Walsh holding a pigeon in his hand, standing outside the dovecote. Caption: Arnie & his pidgeons 1936. [Top right] Sailing boat, Friendship, at anchor in the estuary. Caption: 'Friendship' in estuary 1936. [Bottom left] Portrait of Cliff Overton. Caption: Cliff Overton 1936. [Bottom centre] Portrait of Muriel, standing in a garden. Caption: Muriel 1936. [Bottom right] Portrait of Muriel, standing outside the Walsh family home in Vogel Street. Caption: Muriel again 1936.

Contributors note: "The photographs in the album were taken by my father, Edward (Eddie) Walsh. He was one of ten children. His father, George Senior, died due to workplace poisoning when Eddie was 16, and to compensate the family for their loss, my father was offered a position at George's place of work, Bunting and Co. The family was very religious, and during World War II, was a conscientious objector. He was imprisoned at the detention camp at Balmoral, in the Hurunui. As he was very mechanically minded, my father worked on the forestry blocks fixing the trucks, which meant he had some freedom from the detention camp. At the time of his imprisonment, he was married, with a son. My mother had relocated to the area and was helping a family with six children under five – a set of triplets, twins and a singleton. Before moving to the Hurunui, she and her son lived with her mother-in-law in Vogel Street. Having a husband as a conscientious object was very difficult for her when meeting other women whose husbands were fighting in the war."

Creator: Eddie Walsh

Contributor: Walsh Family

Source: Entry in the 2025 Christchurch City Libraries Photo Hunt.

Reference ID: CCL-PH25-2045

Uploaded by: CCL Photo Hunt

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