Gerald Shone. Picture by Paul Rickard
Gisborne born-and-bred author of U-Boat in New Zealand Waters, Gerald Anthony Shone, has died in Palmerston North.
He was 71.
Mr Shone’s good nature, sense of humour and generosity of spirit continued to delight friends as he battled cancer in the last 12 months of his life.
About 25 years ago, Mr Shone moved to Pahiatua, where a number of his relatives lived.
He decided to complete a BSc degree at nearby Massey University and to study music and German.
He made use of his German language skills when he travelled to Germany and Austria to research U-boats and to interview the crew of U-862 — the only U-boat to sail to New Zealand during World War 2.
Later he was to write a history of U-862’s intrusion into New Zealand waters in January 1945, including entering Gisborne harbour on the surface one night.
It took 10 years of hard work, much travel and dedication to produce the book.
Mr Shone interviewed first watch officer Gunther Reiffenstuhl after he published his personal war diaries.
“It is pure luck that the first watch officer decided to make his diaries public,” Mr Shone told The Gisborne Herald two years ago.
“Without them, we may never have known.”
Mr Shone was invited to Austria for a reunion of the submarine’s crew in 1997.
“The U-boat men were quite interested in talking about what had happened during their three months travelling around Australia and New Zealand, and they were very forthcoming in giving me information.
“Their attitude was that after 52 years, they were more than happy to discuss it.”
Mr Shone said the U-Boat’s exploits in New Zealand were worth acknowledging.
“It’s an important, historical event and it is worth recalling that this happened 70 years ago, especially now only three or four of the crew are still alive.”
Mr Shone was educated at St Mary’s School and was a foundation student at Edmund Campion College, where he excelled at languages and set a school record for the mile.
His first job was at Cook Hospital, where he qualified as a medical laboratory scientist.
He worked in medical laboratories in New Zealand, Australia and in the Pacific.
It was during his time in the Pacific, particularly in Nauru and Kiribati, that he started to take an interest in local events during World War 2.
Mr Shone was a well-read man with a wide range of interests, including history, politics, social issues, religion and philosophy, and he retained a strong Catholic faith.
He enjoyed genealogy and was a researcher and archivist of family history of New Zealand and Australian ancestors.
Mr Shone loved music, played the piano and owned a wide range of classical and jazz CDs and DVDs.
His powerful memory allowed him to quote comic moments from favourite comedy shows from radio and television.
He was active in the Pahiatua community and gave generously of his time, helping locals with advice, representation and written communication.
Mr Shone was the second son of John Bell Shone, born in Gisborne, and Kathleen (Cassie) Duigan, born in Mt Gambier, South Australia.
He remained single and is survived by older brother Mike (Auckland), younger sisters Sue (Wellington) and Jan (Adelaide) and large extended family in New Zealand and Australia.
Family and friends from Pahiatua and from around New Zealand, as well as a cousin from Tasmania, honoured him with a warm presence at his memorial service in St Brigid’s Catholic Church, Pahiatua.
In honour of his life and military research work, the Gisborne RSA flew its flag at half-mast.