Letter, Ella McLeod

Maker
McLeod, Ella
Production date
01 Mar 2001

Object detail

Brief Description
A three-page letter written by Ella McLeod, recalling memories of the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. Ella has written the letter signing under her married name Thew, but mentions that her maiden name is McLeod.

Ella was twelve and in Standard 5 at Havelock North School at the time of the earthquake. Her sister Iris was in Standard 6 and had gone to the swimming baths with the primmer classes. Their father came to take them home and they were away from school for two or three weeks.

Ella's sister Ida worked at their uncle's chemist shop in Hastings and both had to scramble over rubble to get out. Ella writes that the sound of the fire and the continuing earthquakes, especially the second big shake at around 9 o'clock, was frightening. Her father was on picket duty at night to help to guard the town. They lived in an army Bell tent and cooked outside.
Production date
01 Mar 2001
Production period
Production technique
Media/Materials description
Handwritten in blue ink on lined paper.
Measurements
Height x Width: 222 x 158mm
Subject period
Subject date
03 Feb 1931
Post 03 Feb 1931
Other number(s)
73453

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