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Reminiscences by Colin Bassett about Trevor Yde going to WW2, and his subsequent death.
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DescriptionMy family lived on the north side of the Taramakau River. We knew Sammy because he sometimes rode over to our side probably to muster sheep because the very wide river bed was sort of a communal run
When Trevor applied to join the armed forces, he was turned down because of his alien status. Sam asked my father Louis William Bassett, who was a Justice of the Peace, to help get that decision
overturned. My father obliged, writing to the authorities in support of Trevor's application. I have no idea whether he wrote more than just a single letter but in any case Trevor was then accepted.
When I heard of Trevor's death later on I was quite upset, because two older men had sent a youth to war and to his death. My brother Ralph Bassett (now deceased), who knew Sam quite well, told me
years later that Sam erected some kind of memorial or plaque to Trevor in Kumara. I haven't seen it. I hope this information is of interest.
I'm 91 this month but my memory of those times is pretty good.
Photo originally posted by Christine Banks.Map[1] Contributor Colin Bassett
When Trevor applied to join the armed forces, he was turned down because of his alien status. Sam asked my father Louis William Bassett, who was a Justice of the Peace, to help get that decision
overturned. My father obliged, writing to the authorities in support of Trevor's application. I have no idea whether he wrote more than just a single letter but in any case Trevor was then accepted.
When I heard of Trevor's death later on I was quite upset, because two older men had sent a youth to war and to his death. My brother Ralph Bassett (now deceased), who knew Sam quite well, told me
years later that Sam erected some kind of memorial or plaque to Trevor in Kumara. I haven't seen it. I hope this information is of interest.
I'm 91 this month but my memory of those times is pretty good.
Photo originally posted by Christine Banks.Map[1] Contributor Colin Bassett
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Location (city or town)TaramakauPersonColin Bassett Trevor YdeEvent Reminiscences by Colin Bassett about Trevor Yde going to WW2, and his subsequent death.
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Date Created11th February 2020CommentsHarold Lee is there a photo of the plaque and where inKumara is this located.
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Heather Newby This is what Colin Bassett said.." My brother Ralph Bassett (now deceased), who knew Sam quite well, told me years later that Sam erected some kind of memorial or plaque to Trevor in Kumara. I haven't seen it. I hope this information is of interest."
Rob Pate would be interesting to find out more about this young man, where he came from, what happened to him.
Lyn Moe Great story it would be good if it turned up in Kumara, sad picture that one. Sam was a Belgian who emigrated to Canada then NZ. He was a good stage coach driver who took over the Otira Hotel at the start of the Gorge from Cassidy who he was driving for at the time. There is a story of him and his son almost perishing in a snow storm.
Wendy Dense Also interested to know if there is a memorial plaque, Trevor my fathers cousin. Mannix Neame.
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Hugh Winters
Hugh Winters Yde is a most uncommon surname. Some of my Yde cousins were Australia in 1800s and 1900s.
Lance Neame https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/trevor-victor-yde
Manage
Trevor Victor Yde | New Zealand War Graves Project
NZWARGRAVES.ORG.NZ
Trevor Victor Yde | New Zealand War Graves Project
Trevor Victor Yde | New Zealand War Graves Project
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/.../online.../record/C21057
Manage
Trevor Victor Yde
AUCKLANDMUSEUM.COM
Trevor Victor Yde
Lance Neame Heather Newby please thank Mr Colin Bassett, any other information would also be welcome.
Moi Mclaughlin Was it in Kumara that they had 3 Greenstone plaque memorials on the wall of the Hall? They commemorated those who went to war I think.
Ian Gilbertson Sam bought the hall stagecoach now at the heritage park in hokitika.
Harold Lee Yes plaque memorials are installed in the wall of the memorial hall and previous to this hall they were on a cenotaph just beside where the wall is now.
Anthea Keenan Hello to Colin Bassett from ol' Forestry Workers Hoki.. we regularly reminisce and enjoyed his rugby trip story :)
Christine Banks Hi Colin Bassett, it was sad to read about Trevor and only son of Sammy Yde. Trevor died in Britain on a training flight and is buried in Britain. My dad, Terry Neame and Trevor were cousins and lived near each other. They looked very much alike but my…See More
Christine Banks Trevor joined the Initial training Wing in January 1941 and trained in Canada as an wireless air gunner and was promoted to sergeant before being posted to Britain. On 14 April 1942 in a cross country flight, he and others on the Wellington bomber, lost their lives.
Trevor Keith Scott To you my love I understand to a certain degree, I was Sargent in the NZ Army ...Artillery, when I was 44 I asked my Dad over a bottle of Johnny Walker, why he brought us to NZ in 1954. Dad was in the second world war as Engineer, what he told me came as no surprise, they were in Egypt ad every where there was sand. Him and the English were under fire most times but what made him look up was the fact that the KIWI'S were always happy, proud, and enjoyed life, they always seemed to have a smoke and a beer no matter what. my Dad thought ...hell we got to look after these people too?? beside ourselves?? But when the fighting started Dad was shocked at the way the KIWI'S got stuck in. When he got back to Blighty, he thought that if that country was 1/2 as good as those KIWI fighters it must be a mighty Country and that is why we are here today from 1954. And my Dad was dam right!!
Trevor Keith Scott To you my love I understand to a certain degree, I was Sargent in the NZ Army ...Artillery, when I was 44 I asked my Dad over a bottle of Johnny Walker, why he brought us to NZ in 1954. Dad was in the second world war as Engineer, what he told me came as no surprise, they were in Egypt ad every where there was sand. Him and the English were under fire most times but what made him look up was the fact that the KIWI'S were always happy, proud, and enjoyed life, they always seemed to have a smoke and a beer no matter what. my Dad thought ...hell we got to look after these people too?? beside ourselves?? But when the fighting started Dad was shocked at the way the KIWI'S got stuck in. When he got back to Blighty, he thought that if that country was 1/2 as good as those KIWI fighters it must be a mighty Country and that is why we are here today from 1954. And my Dad was dam right
Christine Banks Hi Colin Bassett, it was sad to read about Trevor and only son of Sammy Yde. Trevor died in Britain on a training flight and is buried in Britain. My dad, Terry Neame and Trevor were cousins and lived near each other. They looked very much alike but my…See More
Christine Banks Trevor joined the Initial training Wing in January 1941 and trained in Canada as an wireless air gunner and was promoted to sergeant before being posted to Britain. On 14 April 1942 in a cross country flight, he and others on the Wellington bomber, lost their lives.
Trevor Keith Scott To you my love I understand to a certain degree, I was Sargent in the NZ Army ...Artillery, when I was 44 I asked my Dad over a bottle of Johnny Walker, why he brought us to NZ in 1954. Dad was in the second world war as Engineer, what he told me came as no surprise, they were in Egypt ad every where there was sand. Him and the English were under fire most times but what made him look up was the fact that the KIWI'S were always happy, proud, and enjoyed life, they always seemed to have a smoke and a beer no matter what. my Dad thought ...hell we got to look after these people too?? beside ourselves?? But when the fighting started Dad was shocked at the way the KIWI'S got stuck in. When he got back to Blighty, he thought that if that country was 1/2 as good as those KIWI fighters it must be a mighty Country and that is why we are here today from 1954. And my Dad was dam right!!
Trevor Keith Scott To you my love I understand to a certain degree, I was Sargent in the NZ Army ...Artillery, when I was 44 I asked my Dad over a bottle of Johnny Walker, why he brought us to NZ in 1954. Dad was in the second world war as Engineer, what he told me came as no surprise, they were in Egypt ad every where there was sand. Him and the English were under fire most times but what made him look up was the fact that the KIWI'S were always happy, proud, and enjoyed life, they always seemed to have a smoke and a beer no matter what. my Dad thought ...hell we got to look after these people too?? beside ourselves?? But when the fighting started Dad was shocked at the way the KIWI'S got stuck in. When he got back to Blighty, he thought that if that country was 1/2 as good as those KIWI fighters it must be a mighty Country and that is why we are here today from 1954. And my Dad was dam right
June Griggs Hi Trevor Keith Scott. Your story is exactly the same as my fathers.He was a dispatch rider with the Royal Corp of Signals and was posted with the NZ 24th battalion. He said their acceptance of him and Fred was fantastic. They became part of the even to extent when the kiwis received parcels from the red cross they shared it made sure that the 2 tommies got the same. Dad loved the kiwi's and always said if he got the chance he would come here. So in 1956 we made the move and arrived in Greymouth, the best thing Dad ever did.He never left it and is buried in the Karoro Cemetary.
Manage
Heather Newby This is what Colin Bassett said.." My brother Ralph Bassett (now deceased), who knew Sam quite well, told me years later that Sam erected some kind of memorial or plaque to Trevor in Kumara. I haven't seen it. I hope this information is of interest."
Rob Pate would be interesting to find out more about this young man, where he came from, what happened to him.
Lyn Moe Great story it would be good if it turned up in Kumara, sad picture that one. Sam was a Belgian who emigrated to Canada then NZ. He was a good stage coach driver who took over the Otira Hotel at the start of the Gorge from Cassidy who he was driving for at the time. There is a story of him and his son almost perishing in a snow storm.
Wendy Dense Also interested to know if there is a memorial plaque, Trevor my fathers cousin. Mannix Neame.
2
Manage
Like
· Reply · 1h
Hugh Winters
Hugh Winters Yde is a most uncommon surname. Some of my Yde cousins were Australia in 1800s and 1900s.
Lance Neame https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/trevor-victor-yde
Manage
Trevor Victor Yde | New Zealand War Graves Project
NZWARGRAVES.ORG.NZ
Trevor Victor Yde | New Zealand War Graves Project
Trevor Victor Yde | New Zealand War Graves Project
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/.../online.../record/C21057
Manage
Trevor Victor Yde
AUCKLANDMUSEUM.COM
Trevor Victor Yde
Lance Neame Heather Newby please thank Mr Colin Bassett, any other information would also be welcome.
Moi Mclaughlin Was it in Kumara that they had 3 Greenstone plaque memorials on the wall of the Hall? They commemorated those who went to war I think.
Ian Gilbertson Sam bought the hall stagecoach now at the heritage park in hokitika.
Harold Lee Yes plaque memorials are installed in the wall of the memorial hall and previous to this hall they were on a cenotaph just beside where the wall is now.
Anthea Keenan Hello to Colin Bassett from ol' Forestry Workers Hoki.. we regularly reminisce and enjoyed his rugby trip story :)
Christine Banks Hi Colin Bassett, it was sad to read about Trevor and only son of Sammy Yde. Trevor died in Britain on a training flight and is buried in Britain. My dad, Terry Neame and Trevor were cousins and lived near each other. They looked very much alike but my…See More
Christine Banks Trevor joined the Initial training Wing in January 1941 and trained in Canada as an wireless air gunner and was promoted to sergeant before being posted to Britain. On 14 April 1942 in a cross country flight, he and others on the Wellington bomber, lost their lives.
Trevor Keith Scott To you my love I understand to a certain degree, I was Sargent in the NZ Army ...Artillery, when I was 44 I asked my Dad over a bottle of Johnny Walker, why he brought us to NZ in 1954. Dad was in the second world war as Engineer, what he told me came as no surprise, they were in Egypt ad every where there was sand. Him and the English were under fire most times but what made him look up was the fact that the KIWI'S were always happy, proud, and enjoyed life, they always seemed to have a smoke and a beer no matter what. my Dad thought ...hell we got to look after these people too?? beside ourselves?? But when the fighting started Dad was shocked at the way the KIWI'S got stuck in. When he got back to Blighty, he thought that if that country was 1/2 as good as those KIWI fighters it must be a mighty Country and that is why we are here today from 1954. And my Dad was dam right!!
Trevor Keith Scott To you my love I understand to a certain degree, I was Sargent in the NZ Army ...Artillery, when I was 44 I asked my Dad over a bottle of Johnny Walker, why he brought us to NZ in 1954. Dad was in the second world war as Engineer, what he told me came as no surprise, they were in Egypt ad every where there was sand. Him and the English were under fire most times but what made him look up was the fact that the KIWI'S were always happy, proud, and enjoyed life, they always seemed to have a smoke and a beer no matter what. my Dad thought ...hell we got to look after these people too?? beside ourselves?? But when the fighting started Dad was shocked at the way the KIWI'S got stuck in. When he got back to Blighty, he thought that if that country was 1/2 as good as those KIWI fighters it must be a mighty Country and that is why we are here today from 1954. And my Dad was dam right
Christine Banks Hi Colin Bassett, it was sad to read about Trevor and only son of Sammy Yde. Trevor died in Britain on a training flight and is buried in Britain. My dad, Terry Neame and Trevor were cousins and lived near each other. They looked very much alike but my…See More
Christine Banks Trevor joined the Initial training Wing in January 1941 and trained in Canada as an wireless air gunner and was promoted to sergeant before being posted to Britain. On 14 April 1942 in a cross country flight, he and others on the Wellington bomber, lost their lives.
Trevor Keith Scott To you my love I understand to a certain degree, I was Sargent in the NZ Army ...Artillery, when I was 44 I asked my Dad over a bottle of Johnny Walker, why he brought us to NZ in 1954. Dad was in the second world war as Engineer, what he told me came as no surprise, they were in Egypt ad every where there was sand. Him and the English were under fire most times but what made him look up was the fact that the KIWI'S were always happy, proud, and enjoyed life, they always seemed to have a smoke and a beer no matter what. my Dad thought ...hell we got to look after these people too?? beside ourselves?? But when the fighting started Dad was shocked at the way the KIWI'S got stuck in. When he got back to Blighty, he thought that if that country was 1/2 as good as those KIWI fighters it must be a mighty Country and that is why we are here today from 1954. And my Dad was dam right!!
Trevor Keith Scott To you my love I understand to a certain degree, I was Sargent in the NZ Army ...Artillery, when I was 44 I asked my Dad over a bottle of Johnny Walker, why he brought us to NZ in 1954. Dad was in the second world war as Engineer, what he told me came as no surprise, they were in Egypt ad every where there was sand. Him and the English were under fire most times but what made him look up was the fact that the KIWI'S were always happy, proud, and enjoyed life, they always seemed to have a smoke and a beer no matter what. my Dad thought ...hell we got to look after these people too?? beside ourselves?? But when the fighting started Dad was shocked at the way the KIWI'S got stuck in. When he got back to Blighty, he thought that if that country was 1/2 as good as those KIWI fighters it must be a mighty Country and that is why we are here today from 1954. And my Dad was dam right
June Griggs Hi Trevor Keith Scott. Your story is exactly the same as my fathers.He was a dispatch rider with the Royal Corp of Signals and was posted with the NZ 24th battalion. He said their acceptance of him and Fred was fantastic. They became part of the even to extent when the kiwis received parcels from the red cross they shared it made sure that the 2 tommies got the same. Dad loved the kiwi's and always said if he got the chance he would come here. So in 1956 we made the move and arrived in Greymouth, the best thing Dad ever did.He never left it and is buried in the Karoro Cemetary.
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West Coast New Zealand History (12th Feb 2020). Reminiscences by Colin Bassett about Trevor Yde going to WW2, and his subsequent death.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 25th Apr 2026 13:15, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/27061