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John Charles Oral History part 1 of 3
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TitleJohn Charles Oral History part 1 of 3
DescriptionThe first in a series of three files of the oral history of John Charles of Arthur's Pass.
Part 1:
This oral history follows the life of John Oliver Charles growing up in rural Canterbury in the 1950s and how the Second World War's impact influenced social relationships in small communities years after its end.
Born on February 6, 1942, in Darfield, New Zealand, John grew up in Coalgate where his
father Trevor was a potato farmer (among other occupations) and his mother Doris (née
Oliver) was a housewife from a large farming family.
John's childhood in Coalgate is highlighted by outdoor activities - swimming in the Selwyn
River, trapping rabbits, and helping his father with potato farming. His father, who had been in a reserved occupation as a producer, wasn't allowed to serve during WWII. Feeling socially disconnected, John’s father could not share in the collective memory with the returned servicemen in their community.
A significant part of John's youth revolved around the Hororātā Scout Group. He earned
numerous badges, including his Queen's Scout badge. In 1957, age 14, he was selected to
attend the international Scout Jamboree in the U.K., travelling by sea on a remarkable
six-month journey. The trip took him through Australia, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), the Suez Canal
(during a period of conflict between Israel and Egypt), Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium,
and England, before returning via Panama and Pitcairn Island.
Upon returning home, John struggled to readjust to school life, finding it difficult to relate to classroom teachings about places he had visited firsthand, and struggled with reading. He decided to leave school after failing his School Certificate and explored other career options.
Part 2:
The interview continues with John finding a new career path after meeting Fred Dyke, while
peeling logs for the Selwyn Plantation Board. Dyke, a former deer culler, encouraged him to join the New Zealand Forest Service rather than pursue his initial interest as a police cadet. John began his training as a deer culler in the Harper Avoca area, where he participated in a research programme that required cullers to perform autopsies on killed deer. He describes his living conditions as basic, with hunters staying in rudimentary huts with sack bunks and shingle floors. Their diet consisted mainly of service biscuits, dehydrated vegetables, and venison.
The interview transitions to John discussing the evolution into a ranger role, coinciding with the standardisation of the National Parks system in the early 1960s under Ray Cleland. Prior to the standardisation, each park had its own unique signage colours and uniforms. The role initially focused on field work which included building tracks and huts, with minimal public interaction.
John describes life in Arthur's Pass during the late 1950s, focusing on the railway community.
The local store was, run by Alf Long, who provided delivery services to railway workers'
families. Women would make weekly social trips to Springfield using railway privileges for
shopping and socialising.
The interview shifts to John reflecting on his extensive career and community contributions including the boys and girls camps he orchestrated in order to instill an appreciation for nature in the younger generations.
He talks about early Search and Rescue Operations he participated in explaining the evolution of how operations were executed. He discusses the progression of Park Rangers from being hands-on, building park infrastructure and practical outdoor work to dealing with bureaucratic changes. John became disillusioned with the new management, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the park in the late 1980s.
Now free from indoor administrative work, John contributes to various community-building
tasks, including working on the railways and assisting in educational and conservation
projects. He shares entertaining stories about his life and friendship with Oscar Coberger, a gruff, but likeable, Arthur’s Pass resident known for his alpine equipment shop and paua shell carvings.
Part 3:
The interview concludes with John detailing the span of his career, highlighting his application to Antarctica and his significant job as Deputy Officer in Charge at Scott Base.
He reflects on the stark but extraordinary environment on the ice and how his days there
reinvigorated him and further fuelled his passion for the outdoors and Arthur’s Pass.
After years of working in higher administration, John decides to opt out and return to field work, volunteering and participating in projects that include track development and historical hut restoration.
He reflects on his work with young people and how his experience in the Scouts shaped him
and his desire to do the same for the next generation.
John ends the interview describing life in Arthur’s Pass over several decades, family and
retirement. He reflects on his legacy, the overall satisfaction of his life and his life-long career in the preservation and conservation of nature.CreatorSarah Davy and Marcy RogersDate09 May 2024LocationArthur's PassRecorded BySarah Davy
DescriptionThe first in a series of three files of the oral history of John Charles of Arthur's Pass.Part 1:
This oral history follows the life of John Oliver Charles growing up in rural Canterbury in the 1950s and how the Second World War's impact influenced social relationships in small communities years after its end.
Born on February 6, 1942, in Darfield, New Zealand, John grew up in Coalgate where his
father Trevor was a potato farmer (among other occupations) and his mother Doris (née
Oliver) was a housewife from a large farming family.
John's childhood in Coalgate is highlighted by outdoor activities - swimming in the Selwyn
River, trapping rabbits, and helping his father with potato farming. His father, who had been in a reserved occupation as a producer, wasn't allowed to serve during WWII. Feeling socially disconnected, John’s father could not share in the collective memory with the returned servicemen in their community.
A significant part of John's youth revolved around the Hororātā Scout Group. He earned
numerous badges, including his Queen's Scout badge. In 1957, age 14, he was selected to
attend the international Scout Jamboree in the U.K., travelling by sea on a remarkable
six-month journey. The trip took him through Australia, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), the Suez Canal
(during a period of conflict between Israel and Egypt), Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium,
and England, before returning via Panama and Pitcairn Island.
Upon returning home, John struggled to readjust to school life, finding it difficult to relate to classroom teachings about places he had visited firsthand, and struggled with reading. He decided to leave school after failing his School Certificate and explored other career options.
Part 2:
The interview continues with John finding a new career path after meeting Fred Dyke, while
peeling logs for the Selwyn Plantation Board. Dyke, a former deer culler, encouraged him to join the New Zealand Forest Service rather than pursue his initial interest as a police cadet. John began his training as a deer culler in the Harper Avoca area, where he participated in a research programme that required cullers to perform autopsies on killed deer. He describes his living conditions as basic, with hunters staying in rudimentary huts with sack bunks and shingle floors. Their diet consisted mainly of service biscuits, dehydrated vegetables, and venison.
The interview transitions to John discussing the evolution into a ranger role, coinciding with the standardisation of the National Parks system in the early 1960s under Ray Cleland. Prior to the standardisation, each park had its own unique signage colours and uniforms. The role initially focused on field work which included building tracks and huts, with minimal public interaction.
John describes life in Arthur's Pass during the late 1950s, focusing on the railway community.
The local store was, run by Alf Long, who provided delivery services to railway workers'
families. Women would make weekly social trips to Springfield using railway privileges for
shopping and socialising.
The interview shifts to John reflecting on his extensive career and community contributions including the boys and girls camps he orchestrated in order to instill an appreciation for nature in the younger generations.
He talks about early Search and Rescue Operations he participated in explaining the evolution of how operations were executed. He discusses the progression of Park Rangers from being hands-on, building park infrastructure and practical outdoor work to dealing with bureaucratic changes. John became disillusioned with the new management, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the park in the late 1980s.
Now free from indoor administrative work, John contributes to various community-building
tasks, including working on the railways and assisting in educational and conservation
projects. He shares entertaining stories about his life and friendship with Oscar Coberger, a gruff, but likeable, Arthur’s Pass resident known for his alpine equipment shop and paua shell carvings.
Part 3:
The interview concludes with John detailing the span of his career, highlighting his application to Antarctica and his significant job as Deputy Officer in Charge at Scott Base.
He reflects on the stark but extraordinary environment on the ice and how his days there
reinvigorated him and further fuelled his passion for the outdoors and Arthur’s Pass.
After years of working in higher administration, John decides to opt out and return to field work, volunteering and participating in projects that include track development and historical hut restoration.
He reflects on his work with young people and how his experience in the Scouts shaped him
and his desire to do the same for the next generation.
John ends the interview describing life in Arthur’s Pass over several decades, family and
retirement. He reflects on his legacy, the overall satisfaction of his life and his life-long career in the preservation and conservation of nature.
CreatorSarah Davy and Marcy RogersDate09 May 2024LocationArthur's PassRecorded BySarah DavyConnections
PlaceArthur's Pass
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Sarah Davy and Marcy Rogers, John Charles Oral History part 1 of 3 (09 May 2024). Selwyn Stories, accessed 21/01/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6833
