Ken Morrison interview with Mary O'Neill - Radio Kidnappers April 2020

Anzac grandad's improvised toy

This is a match box from the early 1970s  Thomas O'Neill got from his grandfather who used to visit nearly every day. On the match box is written name Thomas. Thomas's brother Brian would also get a match box with his name on it. The rest of Thomas's two brothers and two sisters were already grown up.

Most days grandfather would give Thomas a matchbox with 20 c inside, often a big block of chocolate. Thomas kept one of those match boxes he used to get from his grandfather Jack Menzies. It was a toy and reward present for Thomas. "The matchbox with a coin (penny) in it was a trick thing where the coin would disappear when it was closed and then opened again" Thomas's oldest brother Michael O'Neill remembers.

Jack's older brother James went to South Africa in the Boer wars, and Jack, James and his brothers Stuart and Duncan joined the army in 1915, and went to Galipoli. Stuart and Duncan (below) were killed in action, James was wounded three  times and ultimately was discharged with shell shock in 1919, Jack returned home and married his English bride  Florence Williams whom he met in Southampton.(Pictured 1 penny in the match box.)

Stuart (left) and Duncan (right)

NZ Anzac centenary 2016: WW I NZ nurse dolls created for RSA Napier Women's Goup display

NZ Anzac Centenary 2016: two WW I nurse dolls created for RSA Napier Women's Group display. Dolls created by Mary O'Neill; exhibited at the RSA Napier on Monday 17 April 2016. Dorothy Cantlay (a story teller) said that the first Anzac casualties were NZ nurses.

Welcome to Mary O'Neill Doll Museum online

The exhibitions are in storage waiting for a venue. We are sorry the exhibitions are not available to see in person.Welcome to Mary O'Neill Doll Museum online . Enjoy your visit!

 

 

Roddy doll made in the1960s

This is an example of the Roddy plastic doll made in England in 1960s. This doll portrays a royal guard of  Buckingham Palace wearing  a white tall beaver hat. Although this doll  is a souvenir doll it has been made as a child's toy. Doll stands  42 cm tall.
A  common problem with this type of Roddy doll is  that eyes come loose in the head.
The doll mark on the back of its neck - "Roddy" Made in England