Thank you for using Neighbourly
This is a post from New Zealand Remembrance Army that is shared from Facebook.
An amazing story behind the grave recently cleaned by our team in Napier. Leonard Delabere Bestall was wounded serving as a medic during the First World War, and went on to provide critical welfare support to Kiwi … View moreThis is a post from New Zealand Remembrance Army that is shared from Facebook.
An amazing story behind the grave recently cleaned by our team in Napier. Leonard Delabere Bestall was wounded serving as a medic during the First World War, and went on to provide critical welfare support to Kiwi soldiers in Egypt during the Second World War.
The son of a Napier drapery shop owner, he trained as an architect in Christchurch where he served as a Territorial Force member of No.3 Field Ambulance Corps. When war broke out he enlisted in the 11th Reinforcements of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in December 1915.
Posted as a Private in the New Zealand Army Medical Corps, Leonard arrived in France in July 1916. He joined No.1 Field Ambulance Company, supporting the 1st (New Zealand) Infantry Brigade, with which he first saw action in the Battle of the Somme in September 1916.
Caring for battle casualties again at Messines in July and Passchendaele in early October 1917, Leonard was wounded in action on 22 October when he succumbed to the effects of a German gas shell.
After two months in hospital, and a one month with the Kiwi reinforcements group at Etaples, he rejoined his unit in January 1918. Part of the New Zealand Division's blunting of the enemy's advance during the German Spring Offensive in March, he fell seriously ill in May 1918.
Diagnosed with 'trench fever' he was evacuated to England, where he recovered at Broadhurst Hospital. Despite being discharged for duty a month later, he was classified as unfit for further service and so remained attached to the hospital staff for the rest of the War.
While in England Leonard met Frances Mary Ambler Widdowson of Lincolnshire. She followed him out to New Zealand after his return in April 1919. They were married in Napier in December 1920.
Returning to work in his father's drapery shop, he was also attracted to the arts and was a founder member of the Napier Society of Arts and Crafts. Leonard was also critical in helping raise funds to build the Hawkes Bay Art Gallery and Museum, despite the earthquake in 1931.
Awarded a Coronation Medal in 1937, he was touring the United States and Britain on a Carnegie fellowship when the War broke out in 1939. A dedicated Christian, Leonard volunteered for service with the Church Army in December 1941.
Enlisted in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force as a Private, he was generally referred to as Mr Bestall, and was posted to the Kiwi base at Maadi Camp, near Cairo in May 1942.
Eventually appointed an Honorary Captain, "he was responsible for the morale, spiritual welfare and recreational needs of New Zealand soldiers" who rotated through Maadi.
Although well behind the lines, Leonard still had to endure the harsh desert environment and was admitted to hospital for a month in September 1942.
Awarded the Africa Star in 1943, he fell critically ill again in February 1944 and was admitted to hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. After recovering, Leonard spent six weeks working at the New Zealand base camp in Italy, before returning to Egypt.
He departed Suez in August 1944 and returned to New Zealand via Bombay, India. Discharged from the military in November he returned to the family business in Napier.
Continuing his leadership of the art gallery and museum, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the King's Birthday honours list in 1949, "for services in the fields of art and music."
Leonard was director of the gallery and museum when he passed away in 1959. He created an endowment fund and bequeathed a large sum to the museum. Bestall Street in Maraenui was named after him in the early 1960s.
The humble epitaph on his grave provides just a small hint of his wartime service, but little indication of the major contribution he made to community of Napier and the Hawke's Bay.
A brave man who endured significant deprivations on the battlegrounds of the Western Front, he followed this by making a enduring contribution to welfare of Kiwi soldiers a generation later. Lest we forget.
References:
www.aucklandmuseum.com...
teara.govt.nz...
collection.mtghawkesbay.com...
collection.mtghawkesbay.com...
Does anyone have a sewing machine they no longer want, even if its not working, My 4 year old likes to take things apart , please pm if you have one thanks
Here is a weekend puzzle for those of you who enjoyed the last one. Answer to follow on Monday.
Kia ora Hawkes Bay neighbours!
We hope that you are safe and sound with your bubbles at home.
With two weeks to go until nominations close – it's time to lockdown your nomination for 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. We're looking for that special person in this community – … View moreKia ora Hawkes Bay neighbours!
We hope that you are safe and sound with your bubbles at home.
With two weeks to go until nominations close – it's time to lockdown your nomination for 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. We're looking for that special person in this community – the one doing exceptional mahi to make the Hawkes Bay a better place.
Nominations close 31 August and only take 5 minutes.
Get in quick – www.nzawards.co.nz...
Unfortunately, it’s not looking good. RNZ has reported there are Delta cases in Wellington.
But we got this team. We’ve done it before, we can do it again. Let’s show the rest of the world how to do it right.
Masks up, sanitiser at the ready, and by now we all know how far 2 metres is.
… View moreUnfortunately, it’s not looking good. RNZ has reported there are Delta cases in Wellington.
But we got this team. We’ve done it before, we can do it again. Let’s show the rest of the world how to do it right.
Masks up, sanitiser at the ready, and by now we all know how far 2 metres is.
And if you find you are struggling, you aren’t alone. Check up on each other.
If you see, or even have a feeling, that someone is struggling, reach out. Don’t just assume someone else will. That’s called diffusion of responsibility, and it’s, sadly, what leads to no one doing anything to help.
Even if you think someone else will help, offer. You may be the only one.
We are stronger, better, together apart.
Teaching values and life skills to young Kiwis across Aotearoa is important so we want to make sure everyone has accessibility to Tamariki Talks no matter what level you are in. Tamariki Talks brings Kiwi Can to you!
Check out our Tamariki Talks Challenges offering a range of fun activities to … View moreTeaching values and life skills to young Kiwis across Aotearoa is important so we want to make sure everyone has accessibility to Tamariki Talks no matter what level you are in. Tamariki Talks brings Kiwi Can to you!
Check out our Tamariki Talks Challenges offering a range of fun activities to keep tamariki entertained, let us know how they go!
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for rocket recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before Aug 31, 2021.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.
At Curtain Clean we take care of all types of repairs!
- Repair undone hems
- Repair rips and broken bartacks
- Repair ripped sides of curtains
- Shortening of curtains
If you have curtain problems we can probably fix them! Call us on 0800 579 0501 if you have something you would like to … View moreAt Curtain Clean we take care of all types of repairs!
- Repair undone hems
- Repair rips and broken bartacks
- Repair ripped sides of curtains
- Shortening of curtains
If you have curtain problems we can probably fix them! Call us on 0800 579 0501 if you have something you would like to discuss with us, or click the link to contact us by email.
Lockdowns are tough for many in business, so let us share the load.
Whether it's setting up technology to keep your business running smoothly, or advice on working remotely.
Get in touch with us, we’d love to help.
Is this you?
You know building the skills and capability of your staff is vital, but it’s hard to know where to start or even where to turn for advice, so it keeps sliding down your to-do list.
Use this guidebook to develop your company’s capability and improve your bottom line.
In 2050, the human population is expected to exceed 10 Billion people globally. Even now, we face unprecedented environmental challenges and ever-growing numbers of diet-related illnesses, food insecurity, supply chain disruptions and many more challenges. How will we ever feed 10 Billion people … View moreIn 2050, the human population is expected to exceed 10 Billion people globally. Even now, we face unprecedented environmental challenges and ever-growing numbers of diet-related illnesses, food insecurity, supply chain disruptions and many more challenges. How will we ever feed 10 Billion people fresh, healthy, nutritious food without it costing the earth?
Come along to our public talk to find out what simple solution we can all participate in that will help us get there, and improve our environment and society in the process.
www.neighbourly.co.nz...
Wear a mask during while buying groceries, exercising or receiving healthcare, and practice social distancing.
These are just few of many messages conveyed by the Hastings District Council after New Zealand suddenly plunged into Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Tuesday night.
The council’s essential … View moreWear a mask during while buying groceries, exercising or receiving healthcare, and practice social distancing.
These are just few of many messages conveyed by the Hastings District Council after New Zealand suddenly plunged into Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Tuesday night.
The council’s essential services were still operating during lock-down, but other restrictions and closures were in place in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.
Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said council was well-prepared for any shift in alert levels, and ready to respond to keep people safe.
“Although it’s disappointing to be back in this situation again, all of our teams are working hard to keep essential services operating and help our community get through this,” she said.
All council facilities were shut, including public toilets, public drinking water fountains and chlorine-removed taps.
Kerbside waste collections were still running as normal, but the transfer stations and rural recycling stations were closed, except for essential workers.
All playgrounds were closed, but parks and reserves remained open for people to walk and exercise in, but they were asked to follow the advice to wear masks, stay two metres apart, remain at home if they feel unwell, and not take part in any activities that could result in injury requiring emergency help.
Council’s Lyndon Road customer service centre was closed to the public, but the team will be responding to enquiries.
The Animal Control Centre was also closed to the public and officers, only responding to call-outs where there was a “threat to public safety or livestock”.
“The best thing we can all do right now is stick to the health advice which is keeping us safe.
“Once again, we need to look out for each other, be kind and keep to the government guidelines to stay safe and do what we can together so we can get back to normal as soon as possible,” Hazlehurst said.
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council said the GoBay bus services had moved to a Saturday timetable, with the addition of the regular routes.
Council said GoBay services would be available for essential service workers, and for communities to access supermarkets, pharmacies and health facilities in accordance with Government directions.
Face coverings were mandatory on all public transport services, with council asking travellers to bring their own mask and put it on before boarding.
Fares would remain in place across the region, but cash handling will be removed.
*For any further information please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the council website www.hastingsdc.govt.nz... or call customer service on 871 5000.
UPDATE
August 18
1.16pm
The Prime Minister and the Director-General of Health are currently giving an update to the nation at the Beehive.
Here's what you need to know:
- Genome sequencing was undertaken last night and it has been confirmed that this is linked to the NSW outbreak.
- … View moreUPDATE
August 18
1.16pm
The Prime Minister and the Director-General of Health are currently giving an update to the nation at the Beehive.
Here's what you need to know:
- Genome sequencing was undertaken last night and it has been confirmed that this is linked to the NSW outbreak.
- There are no genomic matches to those cases at the border to this case.
- There are a further two cases to report in the community.
- From 11:59pm, it will be compulsory to wear masks when accessing essential services.
- From 8am tomorrow, the Covid-19 vaccination programme will resume.
___________________________________________________________
UPDATE
August 18
9.10am
- Four new cases have been identified, all genomically linked to the original case
- The original case has been confirmed as having the Delta variant
___________________________________________________________
New Zealand will move to a Level 4 lockdown after a community case was detected in Auckland.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was joined by Ashley Bloomfield at a press conference, where she confirmed that Auckland and Coromandel would move to Alert Level 4 from 11.59pm for seven days, while the rest of the country will be under Level 4 conditions for three days.
It is unknown whether this case is that of the Delta variant. Bloomfield stated that genome sequencing will be completed by tomorrow morning.
There is currently 23 locations of interest, 10 in Auckland and 13 in Coromandel. Current locations of interest can be found here.
The case has no links to the border and interviews are currently being undertaken with the case to find any possible locations of interest and how they came to be in contact with Covid-19.
Here's what you need to know:
- A refresh on Level restrictions and what it means for you.
- Here are the locations of interest.
- If you have any flu-like symptoms, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or ring your GP.
- Find your closest Covid-19 testing location on the Healthpoint website
- Essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.
For more information, visit covid19.govt.nz.
Asking on behalf of, is anyone selling a sofa bed? Please n thank you, aw if you do please message me
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…
