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The Goldfish Club: Roll of Honour, 1954 - 2003

documentary heritage
  • Description

    Contains photocopied material. Indexed ring binder (31 cm) containing ditching details of ninety-five (95) New Zealand airmen who survived after being shot down or forced to ditch their aircraft into various bodies of water (sea, river, lake, canal) during World War II.

    Also included is a short history of the parent club in Britain (1 leaf); a typescript photocopy (1 leaf) of minutes relating to the formation of a New Zealand chapter, initially in Auckland, dated 26 November 1954; a typescript article (3 leaves) entitled 'In at the deep end', written by David Allsop for SAGA magazine (October 2002, pp. 76-79); and a list (1 leaf) outlining several life saving organisations (including the Goldfish Club): Guinea Pig Club, Caterpillar Club and Flying (Winged) Boot Club.

  • Other Id

    3466 (Presto content ID)

    MS-2004-32 (Reference Number)

    42672 (DBTextworks system ID)

    2004/32 (Registration number)

  • Department

    Manuscripts

Images and documents

    Catalogue

    • Object Type

      manuscript

    • Name/Title
      The Goldfish Club: Roll of Honour, 1954 - 2003
    • Primary Maker

       Goldfish Club New Zealand Branch

    • Date
      1954-2003
    • Physical Description

      1 x ring binder

    • Level of Current Record
      Parent
    • Subject Notes
      The Goldfish Club was founded in Britain in November 1942 by Charles A. Robertson, who was at that time chief draughtsman of Messrs P.B. Cow & Co. Ltd, one of the largest manufacturers of Air Sea Rescue equipment in the world. It was formed as an exclusive club for wartime airmen who survived after being shot down or forced to ditch their aircraft into various bodies of water. Most of them owed their lives to the successful deployment and use of their rescue equipment. Eligible members were presented with a heat-sealed waterproof membership card and an embroidered badge (white-winged goldfish flying above two symbolic blue waves). The club derived its name from 'Gold for the value of life. Fish for the sea.' By war's end the club had grown to 9000 members. In 2003 this membership was down to about 600 worldwide. During the 1950s a New Zealand chapter was formed in Auckland.
    • Credit Line
      Donated by the Goldfish Club, New Zealand Branch, in 2003.
    • Last Update
      07 Jul 2023
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