A Story of Clive and Evelyn
In December 1910 Clive left school. It was the end of his Standard six year, and he began working on the family farm. In 1914 the War in Europe was looming and along with some mates Clive joined the Army Service Corps. It was just days before the Advance Party was consigned to Samoa in August 1914 - he was included in the party. They arrived in Samoa landing at Apia on the 29th August and quickly settled in. Their role was to annex the islands from German control. Clive sent a postcard home to young brother Arthur.
However, news reached Clive that his mother Annie was seriously unwell and on 04 Oct Annie died. Clive suffered badly from grief and homesickness and as a result, Clive`s stay in Samoa was rather short-lived. After only eight weeks in Samoa, Clive was declared "medically unfit" and was despatched home (31st Oct) to New Zealand per the "SS Navua" arriving in Auckland on the 9th November - too latefor the funeral. He returned to a very sad household at Aokautere and resumed working on the farm.
Evelyn had been born not far away near Feilding and started school at Parewanui on 30 Jan 1899. In 1910, she joined the teaching profession and had postings to Bulls and nearby Sanson.
Clive met Evelyn when she was appointed to teach the junior class at Fitzherbert East School in January 1915. His young brother, Arthur, was aged 7 and in "Miss Howie's" class so Clive could ask after her almost every day. On Clive's part it was an instant if shy attraction. Evelyn was an accomplished pianist and soon sought after to play piano socially in the district.
In early 1915, it was apparent that the War was not going to end soon, Gallipoli was in "stalemate" and NZ was "gearing up" to send more reinforcements to Europe. By October, Clive and his two mates, Arthur Bryant and James Krivan, re-enlisted and were required to go into camp on the 12th October.