Letters from Myrtle Ward to 'Blue Bell' and materials relating to Pitcairn Island

MLMSS 10556

fonds

approximately 1938-1960

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Photographs

9657964

0.01 metres of textual material (1 folder), includes photographs - manuscript, typescript

Myrtle Ward (nee Marrett) and her husband, Frederick Ward served as Seventh-day Adventist missionaries on Pitcairn Island from 1938 to 1944.
Reference:
"Ward, Frederick Percival (1891-1991) and Myrtle Lewis (Marrett) Ward (1894-1987)". Encyclopedia of Seventh-Day Adventists. Accessed 7 June 2021. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=587D#fn15

Acquired by vendor from Melbourne bookseller, John Dean in 2018.

Includes six handwritten and typed letters from Myrtle Ward to 'Blue Bell'; handwritten note by Myrtle Ward; 2 photographs; typed poem by Roy Clark; handwritten letter from Robert Christian to “Blue Bell”; manuscript, 'Story of Pitcairn Island' possibly by Blue Bell.

Letters from Myrtle Ward to 'Blue Bell':
Handwritten letter on RMS Mataroa stationery, 19 June 1938. Ward provides an account of her voyage from Sydney to Auckland on the Niagara, on the way to Pitcairn Island.

Handwritten letter on RMS Niagara Canadian Australasian Line stationery, June 1938. A second message is written and dated 2 July on the final page, describing Myrtle and Fred Ward's arrival to Pitcairn Island on 26 June.

Typed letter, 13 February 1939. Ward describes in detail the biodiversity, geography, language, social life and customs of Pitcairn Island.

Handwritten letter on the verso of Edgell Split Carrots tin labels, 19 September 1941. Ward accounts the passing of ships close to Pitcairn Island and the uneasiness she experiences when dark painted, war like ships are seen, "never know[ing] if it is a British or an enemy ship till close up".

Typed letter, 22 December 1941. Ward provides accounts of two incidents, which caused panic among the islanders, who feared of a Japanese invasion and the arrival of a German spy.

Handwritten letter, 2 January 1943. Ward shares news of a new appointment to teach in the North Island of New Zealand, received via a radio message. Ward shares the anxiety felt to listen out for the "Sail oh" call when ships pass for possible passage and to be ready to "run for the landing".

Handwritten note referring to a small fragment from the rudder of the Bounty, salvaged from sea approximately in 1936.

Other materials related to Pitcairn Island:
Typed poem titled, "To go or not to go", signed by Roy P. Clark and dedicated to Fred and Myrtle Ward.

Handwritten letter from Robert Christian to Mrs Lynch, dated 25 July 1952. Christian expresses his support of the Wards' missionary work on Pitcairn.

Handwritten manuscript titled, "The story of Pitcairn Island", [between 1950 and 1960], with annotation "Read over 3SR Shep[parton] for Kyvalley C.W.A.". Provides a brief history of the people, and describes the biodiversity, geography, social life and customs of Pitcairn Island.

Photographs including hand-coloured sepia portrait photograph of Myrtle and Frederick Ward, 1946 or 1947. Inscribed on verso, "To dear Blue Bell wishing you a Happy New Year. Taken just before we came to Pitcairn this time". Black and white photograph of coconut tress, approximately 1940, inscribed on verso, "Millie climbs our tree to get a cocoanut".

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder

Earliest date (1938) from item; latest date (between 1950 and 1960) supplied by vendor in relation to manuscript titled, "The story of Pitcairn Island".