A century for Irene
Irene Earnshaw turned 100 recently, and son Neil recollects his mum’s life.
Rene was born in a nursing home in Thackeray Street, Napier on August 13, 1918, to Daisy Mary and James Samuel Tonkin. She was raised in the family home in Carnell Street and had two younger sisters — Lorna and Beryl, both deceased.
Rene started her education at Nelson Park Primary School. A few years later and on her first day at Napier Technical College, the day ended abruptly when the 1931 earthquake struck. Rene’s classroom was on the top floor, the building concertinaed down and the ceiling ended up resting on the wooden desks. Men made a hole into the room from the roof. The children crawled on the floor and were hoisted free. Rene was lowered to the ground and told to make her way home. She remembers having a significant wound to her head, being dazed and seeing the large pall of smoke and dust over the town centre. The family spent the night sheltering on Napier Hill.
Their mum Daisy, the girls and Daisy’s father Tom Button were evacuated to Dannevirke for three months. Dad Jim Tonkin visited once from Napier, travelling by train once the rail lines had been repaired. Back in Napier, Rene attended Napier Girl’s High School, excelling in shorthand typing. In 1935 she was appointed a prefect, but during the year took up employment at the Public Works Department, where she progressed through the ranks, becoming head typist and private secretary to Mr Dinnie, the District Commissioner of Works.
Rene participated in activities including marching, table tennis, and a lunchtime swimming group called the 12 o’clockers. In 1936 she joined the Loyal Napier Lodge of Manchester Unity. She is a Past Noble Grand and in 2016 was awarded her 80-year membership certificate. When the world became embroiled in World War II, Rene in her role as head typist typed many secret and lengthy documents for construction of local defence fortifications and storage and requirements for explosives for use in