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envelope, postage

human history
  • Other Name

    Registered envelope (cover) containing medals, WW1 (descriptive name)

    3/537 Trooper Victor Albert Olen, Auckland Mounted Rifles, NZEF (associated name)

  • Description

    Registered envelope, WW1

    Envelope used to send medals of 13/537 Trooper Victor Albert Olen, Auckland Mounted Rifles, NZEF, to next-of-kin, Mrs F. Olen of Taneatua.

    manila envelope marked with black cross on both sides

    obverse: printed on rhs with number in red pencil: DEFENCE / HEADQRTS. / R 4001

    printed on lhs: 5d. Paid. / Wellington, N.Z. / Permit no 137.

    postmark on lhs: 15 NO / [WELLINGTON]

    addressed in ink: Mrs .F. Olen / PO Box 30 / Taneatua

    reverse: postmarked: TANEATUA / NZ / 17 NO . 2.03

    remains of green paper sticker

  • Place
  • Associated Place
  • Accession Number
    2016.35.5
  • Accession Date
    16 Jun 2016
  • Department
envelope, postal medal

Images and documents

Images

Artefact

  • Credit Line
    Collection of Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, 2016.35.5
    Purchase
  • Primary Maker
  • Place
  • Date
    1920
  • Associated Notes

    Registered envelope, WW1

    Envelope used to send medals of 13/537 Trooper Victor Albert Olen, Auckland Mounted Rifles, NZEF, to next-of-kin, Mrs F. Olen of Taneatua.

    Victor Albert Olen, son of Edward and Annie Olen, was born at Blackall, Queensland, Australia, on 7 May 1886.At the time of his enlistment with the 11th North Auckland Squadron, Auckland Mounted Rifles, he was employed in Whangarei as an assistant surveyor for the Public Works Department, and his parents were living at Taneatua, near Whakatane.

    He arrived on Gallipoli on 12th May 1915, and was killed in action on Chunuk Bair on 8th August 1915. His body was never found and his file states: "Missing in action. Reasonable to suppose dead." His death is commemorated on the Chunuk Bair Memorial.

    "According to Trooper Stevens, Troopeers Champney, Mason, Olen and Palmer were particularly active in throwing back Turkish bombs. Olen and Palmer were both killee, Mason badly wounded when shot through the face and Champney wounded. "

    Quoted from Bloody Gallipoli, by Richard Stowers, with reference from Trooper Stevens, Maungatapere: A history and reminiscence.

  • Associated Event
    WW1; 1914-1918
  • Associated Person
  • Associated Place
  • Associated Date
    08 Aug 1915
  • Period
  • Signature/marks

    "Mrs A F Olen / P O Box 30 / / Taneatua" (recipient's name and address)

    "5d. Paid. / Wellington, N.Z. / Permit No. 137." (price)

    "DEFENCE / HEADQRTS. / R 4901" (military issue)

  • Media
  • Measurement Reading

    83mm

    136mm

  • Subject Category
  • Classification
  • Last Update
    15 May 2023
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