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From issue: Autumn 2004

War Effort Engraved in a Paua Memory

by Christopher Moor

Tucked away in the Alexander Turnbull Library is a delicate paua shell and gold necklace crafted by New Zealand servicemen for a woman who touched the hearts of thousands during the Second World War.

Nola Luxford receives the paua shell necklace in a wooden presentation box from Prime Minister Peter Fraser at Parliament Buildings in 1947. Image: Alexander Turnball Library* PA/-q-760-01

New Zealand-born actress and broadcaster Nola Luxford's war efforts as the founder and hostess of the Anzac Club in New York City were recognised with the gift from the Government of New Zealand in 1947.

The necklace was presented by Prime Minister Peter Fraser at Parliament Buildings. Fraser told the invited guests he was particularly proud of the workmanship by the disabled servicemen, who had put their hearts and souls into making the necklace.

He praised the assistance the New York Anzac Club had given to thousands of New Zealand servicemen. New Zealanders and Australians were welcome at the club, where they wanted for nothing and everything possible was done to entertain them.

Nola Luxford's paua and gold necklace,made by disabled servicemen. Image: Alexander Turnball Library* Curios-029-021-001

A delighted Luxford insisted on wearing the necklace immediately. She said: "I feel the meaning [at the] back of it is a 'thank you' to those who did not only a job for the boys, but for international goodwill relationships."

When she returned to America, she promised she would tell the other volunteers how much their work was appreciated by New Zealanders.

Luxford established the Anzac Club at the Phi Gamma Delta clubrooms, near Central Park, in 1941. Before organising the club, she had made her flat a home away from home for visiting New Zealand servicemen. Like the other volunteers who put in 15-hour days, her work was unpaid.

Luxford is as well remembered for producing more than 200 episodes of The Anzac Hour radio programme, which was often the last time New Zealand and Australian families heard the voice of a loved one in the services.

She was awarded an OBE in 1947 and a belated QSM for her war efforts in 1989. American President Harry Truman bestowed a certificate of merit on her for that work in 1947.At the time she received this prestigious American award, only two other women had earned the honour.

Luxford died in California in 1994, aged 98 years. Her paua shell necklace was among the personal memorabilia she presented to the Alexander Turnbull Library in 1993. Nola Luxford's necklace can be viewed on request at the library.