Linda Gillingham, nee McBride, listens to her husbands voice for the first time since he was killed in 1945.
Glen McBride’s aircraft was shot down over Japan on 10th August 1945, only five days before the Japanese surrender.
They were married in April 1945 and spent just five weeks together before Glen returned to his role as a spotter in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal New Zealand Navy. He sent voice recordings home to his family during his overseas training and these old records have just been digitised by the Navy Museum.
We took them to Mrs Gillingham and our Photographic Archivist Paul Restall filmed her while she listened to them for the first time.
More to explore.
First Aid at Sea in the Second World War
Medical personnel played a vital role at sea during the Second World War.
The Wartime Artwork of Owen (Miles) Spence
A selection of drawings from Owen (Miles) Spence from the Navy Museum collection.
We Remember
Fleet Air Arm stories for Anzac Day.
The scuttling of the Graf Spee video
Short video of the scuttling of the Battleship the Admiral Graf Spee.
Fleet Air Arm Flight Jacket
Artefact Unpacked – Fleet Air Arm jacket made from leather and sheepskin.
A sailor’s diary – Battle of Kolombangara
AB Johnstone remembers the Battle of Kolombangara in his diary.
Operation Struggle
Midget submarine XE3 carried out a successful attack on a Japanese cruiser.
Signalling Victory and Survival
White Ensign made by New Zealanders in a Japanese POW Camp.
Suitcase with a story
This small brown suitcase has a fascinating story from WW2.
Wrens
Brief history of women’s war service in New Zealand Navy.