From The Collection of...Ces Gledhill

摘要

Born in Nelson in 1905, Cecil Howard Gledhill was known universally to his friends and workmates as Ces. Starting his childhood at the top of the Toitoi Valley within earshot of trains climbing the Bishopdale hill, these formative years were set to establish a life long interest in railways, especially steam locomotives. At the age of 21 Ces signed on with NZR at Wellington. Forever the rolling stone in search of better money, overtime, and promotion, he transferred to the isolated outpost of Whangamomona, at that time an engine terminus on the old Toko Branch. Moving three times in 1929, he left to go to Auckland, then Taihape, and onward to Greymouth. Within nine months Ces had resigned the service and headed off to the western states of USA, taking in the sights of large steam power.