Display honours fallen soldier’s memory
Dapper in his uniform, a slight, modest smile captured forever, fighter pilot Sergeant John (Jack) Leonard Doggett died at the tender age of just 19.
His black-and-white photograph has sat proudly in his family home in Blenheim for decades.
So it was with a sense of quiet pride that decades on, his family found Jack’s portrait forming the centrepiece of a special commemorative display in Blenheim’s town centre.
Blenheim artists Brian Badcock and Gerard Verkaaik created the tribute as part of the town’s Anzac tributes to those who served overseas.
The enlarged portrait is the work of Captain Deane Goldsack of the Salvation Army where the Doggetts were active members. For Doggett’s niece, Marion Vercoe, the display gracing the window of Barry Gainford Eyecare is an ‘‘honour’’.
‘‘We’re honoured that he’s been thought about in this way.
‘‘We’ve always known about uncle Jack but haven’t known a lot about his history as nobody really spoke about it back then,’’ she said.
Doggett served in the Pacific and his brothers, Ronald and David, also signed-up, both with the army. They both survived the war.
He had joined-up straight from Marlborough Boys’ College and quickly got his pilot’s licence. He dreamed about serving overseas but had to seek permission from his parents John William and Helen Doggett first. It was wish they granted.
He joined the RNZAF and was soon flying Corsairs in the Pacific.
Doggett died on May 22, 1944 after his fighter plane spiralled out of control and crashed into the sea.
His heartbroken parents received a letter from King George VI informing them their youngest son had died, said Vercoe.
‘‘I know his death broke my grandmother’s heart,’’ she says.
Among the red poppies and white crosses in the window is a white heart with a rustic cross created by sculptor Verkaaik.
The sculpture, which took about 12 hours to create, is symbolic of love and loss he said.
Verkaaik says the Oamarustone heart depicts the heartache suffered by the hundreds of thousands of families who lost a loved one in the war.
The former RNZAF recruit also served in Vietnam as part of the New Zealand Surgical team. Verkaaik has also been Artist-inresidence at Forrest Estate Winery since 2008.
‘‘I know a bit about what it’s like and I hope to bring that to life.
‘‘The loss is not something you ever get over,’’ he says.
Doggett is buried at the Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery in New Caledonia.
Interim chairman
Former chief of Nga¯i Tahu Ta¯ Mark Solomon has taken an interim position as chairman of Rangita¯ne o Wairau’s asset holding companies. Dr Andrew West has resigned as board chairman of Rangita¯ne Holdings Ltd and Rangita¯ne Investments Ltd, a statement released on Thursday said. Rangita¯ne chairwoman Wendy
Hynes said West resigned due to ‘‘an increase in commitments to other business interests’’. Solomon would be chairman until the trust appointed a new chairman, which could take up to 12 months, Hynes said. ‘‘We are privileged to have Ta¯ Mark’s leadership and expertise in our midst. His knowledge, experience and networks will be of great benefit to us as we move into the next stage of our journey.’’
Energyclubnz
A new energy club helping homeowners save between eight and 13 per cent annually on electricity is being rolled out in Marlborough. Energyclubnz, a power company which has teamed up with Stuff, says it won’t bite customers in the back pocket for using more electricity. Customers will pay a small weekly club fee, like a membership, to get electricity at cost price. Chief executive officer David Goadby said it meant Energyclubnz offered a ‘‘fairer deal’’ on electricity than many other power companies as they didn’t put a markup on the service. ‘‘You’ll be using an electricity retailer who isn’t really bothered about how much you use overall. In fact it is in their interest for you to use more electricity because they make money off of every kilowatt that you use.’’ ‘‘[We] do not make any money if you and your family use more electricity,’’ he said. Energyclubnz charged people for their power on a weekly basis. Goadby said this helped customers monitor their usage and what appliances or technology were using the most power, saving them money in the long-term. Customers would be charged a weekly club fee of either $2.40 or $5.00 depending on their usage to get the power at cost price. Stuff has a 49 per cent share in the business with the remaining share held by a management company. Stuff chief executive officer Sinead Boucher said ‘‘partnering with Energyclubnz is our next step in helping our communities connect and thrive. We believe this product is designed to give people a fairer deal on their energy costs.’’
Mental health
Two fundraising groups fighting mental health met this week to discuss their experiences. Skateboarder Blair Benefield spoke with Seddon Youth Group at Seddon train station about New Zealand’s ‘‘huge mental health situation’’. ‘‘We have the second highest suicide rate per capita in the world,’’ Benefield said. ‘‘We must learn to seek help when needed and accept help when offered.’’ Benefield stopped at Seddon during his Ride Against Depression campaign, which he started to raise funds for mental health charities through skateboarding the length of New Zealand. ‘‘I will be promoting the youth groups fundraiser on the go and encourage people to get on board,’’ Benefield said.
"We've always known about uncle Jack but haven't known a lot about his history as nobody really spoke about it back then." Marion Vercoe