Soldier’s war work turned into a career
married Patricia Dougal and their first of five children was born the day before he was deployed into the Pacific theatre and the campaign against the Japanese.
Vahry served in the Pacific from February to October 1945, in the Solomon Islands and specifically the Guadalcanal theatre, conducting offensive photographic and intelligence operations – taking pictures of the aftermath of the fierce battles between the Japanese and Allied (often American) forces.
At one point he was taken to meet US General Douglas MacArthur to talk to him about the Japanese occupation of the island DH, says Peter, as it seemed odd referring to him as ‘‘dad’’ at work.
A keen fisherman, it was perhaps inevitable that years of visiting Taupo¯ for the trout would eventually result in him buying a bach at Rainbow Point in the late 1970s.
To the age-old question, ‘‘What’s the secret of such a long life?’’– his answer was: ‘‘Just keep breathing in and out.’’
His family say he had a dogged self-belief once he set his mind on something. His ‘‘I’m going to do it’’ became in later years ‘‘I’m not going to die’’.
His entrepreneurial spirit was revealed at his funeral with the story of one of his ventures to make money during the war. He persuaded his barrack mate, a doctor, to accompany him on a trip behind enemy lines to purchase bows and arrows from the local tribesmen for resale as souvenirs to the American troops.
He was perhaps too gentlemanly for this Milo Minderbinder-style profiteering, as he admitted later he made very little on the deal – but ‘‘it was a hell of an adventure’’.
For his services to New Zealand, Flying Officer Vahry was awarded the 1939-45 Star, The Pacific Star, The War Medal 1939/45 and the New Zealand War Service Medal.
Douglas Haswell Vahry is survived by his five children, 20 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. – By Chris Marshall