Hocken Digital Collections

Edwards, Sue : Edwards family papers

Details

Reference NumberMS-4786Datec.1911-1974CreatorEdwards, Sue, 1946-DescriptionThe collection includes Allan Edwards's Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot's flying log book. Following his death, his family pasted into the book some of his letters, photographs, notifications and condolence letters on his death, and his military medals. Also included are some cards, letters and clippings relating to Allan Edwards. There are also two biographies written by Sue Edwards - one about Lewis Edwards and family, and the other about Allan Edwards.
Only part of this collection is digitised and available through Digital Collections. Information about other items can be found on the Hākena catalogue, through the Library Catalogues link above.History / BiographyLouis Edwards, originally from Sweden but naturalised as an American citizen, was a sailor on the migrant ship 'Larkins', which arrived at Port Chalmers in 1849. In 1850 he married Margaret Duff, one of the Scottish migrants who arrived on the same ship. They lived at Macandrew Bay. Lewis Edwards (1857-1933) was one of Louis and Margaret Edwards's sons. He married Alice Hellyer. He managed James Macandrew's farm at Macandrew Bay, before moving into Dunedin, where he was foreman of the Ocean Beach Domain Board. Allan James Edwards (1920-1942) was a grandson of Lewis and Alice Edwards. He volunteered for the New Zealand Airforce in 1940 and began pilot training in 1941. In 1942 he joined the No.129 Mysore Spitfire Squadron, based at Tangmere on the south coast of England. He served numerous missions as a spitfire pilot, surviving one incident where his plane was shot down and he parachuted into the sea. A few weeks later, in August 1942, his plane crashed over the Channel and he was killed. Sue Edwards is a niece of Allan Edwards. She has researched and written about him and their Edwards ancestors.

Archival Text

Allan Edwards' pilot's flying log book

Depicts Or Relates To

NamesEdwards, Sue, 1946-Edwards familyEdwards, Allan James, 1920-1942Edwards, Lewis, 1857-1933PlacesEnglandSubjectsWorld War, 1939-1945Family history

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Edwards, Sue : Edwards family papers

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