Ronald Leslie Pelvin - Born 04 Apr
1917 Waimate; Died 16 Aug 2009 L. Hutt.Les went to school at Waimate,
to the Waimaitai School and in 1930 the family moved to Totara
Valley near Pleasant Point to take up a farm there enjoying a life
typical of country lads of the day.
During the War years he saw action in North Africa and
Egypt and he started his career as a Traffic Officer with the Timau
City Council immediately after returning from active service in WW2.
In 1955 he took his family to live in Carterton in the Wairarapa
serving there until until 1977.
Respected for his well mannered and polite air of
authority he brought the erring road law breakers into his
confidence and dealt firmly and with those who persisted - an
impeccable "nice guy traffic cop" image gaining respect from
all.
Many a nervous
applicant taking their first driving licence were put at ease
with his kind and helpful words during a practical road test or when
involved in unfortunate accident scenes, Les would efficiently and
quickly direct services to help injured so the road could be
cleared. He set up School Road patrols and visited schools bring
safety to thousands of children over the years.
Les was awarded the Long
Service medal and Good Conduct Medal for his work with the Ministry
of Transport.
In Carterton he is best remembered as the
craggy-faced, barrel chested traffic cop who jealously guarded his
patch, enforcing the law in an even-handed and fair manner while
retaining the respect of the travelling public who knew he was boss.
In retirement, he was an active member of the
Carterton RSA club and the Golf Club and drove the school bus and
gardened for the Carterton Town Council so keeping active and
involved.
In 1984 he remarried and he and
Madeline moved to Hutt ten years later. Recent health concerns
meant a period at the Riverlea Home before they moved to a
unit and regained their independance.
Les will be remembered for the gentleman he was - for
his contribution to others and the gift of happy memories left with
those he loved and those that loved and respected
him.
Officer R L Pelvin outside his Kiwi Drive home, Timaru, 1947
