Military history enthusiast Peter Trevathan said he had been curious about the Nissen hut at the Otago Regional Council (ORC) Balclutha depot for many years, but began researching it in earnest last year.
The huts were prefabricated, semi-cylindrical steel buildings made of corrugated iron stretched over a steel and wood frame.
Invented in 1916 by British engineer Major Peter Norman Nissen, they were widely mass-produced during World War 1 and 2 to serve as temporary military barracks, field hospitals, and storage.
Mr Trevathan said the simplicity and sturdiness of the design meant they had been repurposed by other organisations after World War 2, and some — like the Balclutha storage shed — persisted to this day.
‘‘I’ve been in touch with ORC, and they don’t have many details about its origins, and there doesn’t seem to be much online or from other sources who may have used the hut over the years.
‘‘I’m having a formal meeting with ORC in September to discuss what we might do with the hut to conserve it, and mark any possible military connections, but in the meantime I’m appealing to the public for whatever information they may have.’’
He said possibilities raised to date included use by the Balclutha Home Guard, or a former life at Waiwera South Military Camp, which operated from 1942 to 1946.
‘‘If it’s World War 2 that means it’s stood for at least 80 years, which is pretty good for what’s meant to be a temporary building.
‘‘Subject to ORC being willing, it might be nice to transport it to a heritage park and repurpose it as a memorial or museum, perhaps to Kiwi pilots from the Battle of Britain.’’
It had been used as a social, training and storage space during the intervening years, although was now solely used for storage.
‘‘There used to be a pool table and darts in there, and there’s a galley kitchen.
‘‘It’s in pretty good condition still, with no signs of leakage, although the window frames could do with some attention. It would be nice to see it get a new lease on life.’’
