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Derek Erskine; 'unsung hero', 1993
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DescriptionThe August 16, 1993 'Leader' printed this picture in greyscale; it shows Derek with the 1993 'unsung heroes' plaque and $500-worth of Caltex vouchers. The couple had been involved in the Order of St Luke Christian counselling and telephone counselling for Radio Rhema. Derek had been involved in Rotary and the Order of St John for many years (secretary for eight), was responsible for social services at Upper Hutt Baptist Church, and was a foodbank committee member and a member of Probus.
The October 23, 1996 'Leader' pictured them after their golden wedding. They had met in Canada; Derek, born in England, was being trained as an RAF pilot and later flew Hurricanes and Spitfires; Ellen was a Calgary native. They both survived WWII and married in Derek's home town, Newcastle-on-Tyne, in 1946. They migrated here after 15 months. Derek flew aerial topdressing, but gave up at 51, moved to Upper Hutt and worked at Unilever. Both were members of Upper Hutt Baptist Church.
He and his wife, Ellen, were industrial chaplains; she worked at Standard Telephones and Cables; he was at Dunlop, after retiring from Unilever.
Date TakenAugust 1993
The October 23, 1996 'Leader' pictured them after their golden wedding. They had met in Canada; Derek, born in England, was being trained as an RAF pilot and later flew Hurricanes and Spitfires; Ellen was a Calgary native. They both survived WWII and married in Derek's home town, Newcastle-on-Tyne, in 1946. They migrated here after 15 months. Derek flew aerial topdressing, but gave up at 51, moved to Upper Hutt and worked at Unilever. Both were members of Upper Hutt Baptist Church.
He and his wife, Ellen, were industrial chaplains; she worked at Standard Telephones and Cables; he was at Dunlop, after retiring from Unilever.
Date TakenAugust 1993Part of
About the original
Reference1993 08 16 11FormatColour printSize152 x 102 mm
FormatColour printSize152 x 102 mmScanned byDon McLeod
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Derek Erskine; 'unsung hero', 1993. Upper Hutt Libraries, accessed 22/08/2026, https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/25776