Emily
Emily (Em) Barnett
(24 August 1882 - 1 July 1970)
Em's childhood
Emily (Em) Barnett was born at her parent's home at 10 Durham Street, Christchurch, New Zealand on 24 August 1882. She was the fourth child of Walter Henry (Harry) Barnett (1 Aug 1844 - 7 May 1908) and his wife Elizabeth Lanfear (9 Oct 1853 - 17 Aug 1937) who were both English-born immigrants to New Zealand.
Em was one of eleven children:
- Rachel (Ray) Barnett (25 Oct 1877 - 10 Sep 1939)
- Harriet Louisa (Loo/Lou) Barnett (6 Nov 1878 - 22 Mar 1965)
- Isabella (Bell) Barnett (31 Aug 1880 - 16 May 1959)
- Emily (Em) Barnett (24 Aug 1882 - 2 July 1970)
- Sydney (Syd) Walter Barnett (26 June 1884 - 20 Aug 1971)
- Alice Nellie Barnett (8 Aug 1886 - 4 Mar 1888)
- Chrissie Barnett (24 Dec 1888 - 8 Jan 1889)
- Stanley (Stan) James Barnett (20 Dec 1889- 31 July 1964)
- Bertie (Bert) Edward Barnett (31 Dec 1891 - 8 Mar 1917)
- Arthur William Barnett (24 Oct 1895 - 27 Mar 1980)
- Baden (Bay/Barney) Thomas Barnett (29 Aug 1900 - 15 Jan 1993)
On 28 September 1882, when Em was barely a month old, her mother took her to the registry office to register her! Her three older sisters, Rachel (known as Ray), Harriet (known as Loo), and Isabella (known as Bell) were probably also there.
The Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory of 1883-1884 lists Walter Barnett (carpenter) as living on Durham Street South (left hand side from Cashel Street). Living on one side of the Barnett family was a gasfitter, and the other, a butcher! The same directory of 1885-1886 lists Walter Henry Barnett (carpenter) at 10 Durham Street. Interestingly, the same 1885-1886 Wise's Directory lists Walter Barnett (dealer) as operating at 86 Oxford Street which was the corner of Oxford Terrace and Durham Street.
On 26 June 1884, when Em was almost two years old, her brother Sydney (known as Syd) was born. Shortly afterwards, it appears that Em's father decided to move the family to Auckland. The following newspaper advertisement from The Star, 23 September 1884, lists all of the Barnett's household goods, including a horse, a dog with her pups, some chickens, and a family Bible, that were to be sold at auction prior to their relocation to Auckland:
The goods from Harry's shop were advertised for sale in The Press (Christchurch) on Saturday 7 February 1885. The items were sold from the shop premises at 82 and 86 Oxford Terrace. Harry also tried to get someone to buy out his business which including the commitment to take over the remaining part of his lease, which was about two years. His advertisement is below:
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By 1886, (when Em was about three years old), Harry relocated his family to Auckland. We are not sure where they resided, but probably in the central city. Em's six youngest siblings were born in Auckland.
Sadly, two little sisters, Alice and Chrissie, died as infants. Alice died in 1888 aged 18 months following four days of diarrhea and convulsions, and Chrissie was a premature baby who died 15 days after birth, in January 1889. Both were buried in unmarked graves at Waikumete Cemetery. The death certificates of both babies show that the Barnett family lived on James Street (St James Street), Arch Hill, Auckland.
It is interesting to note that the 1890 Electoral Roll indicates that Harry was still living and working in Christchurch, while his family lived in Auckland.
According the the Richmond Road School register, Em was enrolled there as a Standard I student, on 19 May 1891 by her father, Walter. The school register records the Barnett family as living on Hepburn Street at the time. Em had previously spent a brief spell at Newton West School.
Wises NZ Post Office Directories give the following locations for Harry:
Em completed Standard V at Richmond Road School in July 1896. She then left the school for 'home duties'. Her brother Sydney, also attended Richmond Road School, and completed Standard V a month after Em, in August 1896.According the the Richmond Road School register, Em was enrolled there as a Standard I student, on 19 May 1891 by her father, Walter. The school register records the Barnett family as living on Hepburn Street at the time. Em had previously spent a brief spell at Newton West School.
Wises NZ Post Office Directories give the following locations for Harry:
- 1891 - James Street, Arch Hill (Kingsland). From Cracroft street, the house was after the Oxford Street intersection.
- 1892/93 - Richmond Road, on the right hand side from Ponsonby Road, and after the Brown Street intersection.
- 1898/99 - Howe Street - The house was situated after the Beresford Street intersection.
- 1900 - Beresford Street - The home was on the right hand side from Pitt Street, after the Day Street intersection and a few houses before Howe Street.
- 1902 - Arney Street
Em and her siblings were sent by their mother to the Plymouth Brethren Church. Em recalled later that she was 12 and her sister Bell, 14, when they joined the church.
The Barnett family photograph shown below was taken at the end of 1895 or early 1896, when Em was 13 years old. Em is pictured at the back, second from the right.
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| The Barnett family c 1885 Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of L Prole) |
Em's older sister, Loo, left home as a teenager and had a son while unmarried. When the family found out about it, they confronted her. To save face, Loo initially told them that the child was Emily's. This caused a rift between the sisters that lasted many years. The child was adopted out.
Life at home was tough for Em, her mother and siblings. Em's dad was frequently drunk and violent. Em's three older sisters left home as soon as possible, but Em felt obliged to stay for the sake of her mother. Later in life, Em wrote an interesting letter to her son, Maurice, and his wife Irene, and in it spoke of the hardships she faced at home as a teenager:
(Errors have not been corrected.)
July 6th 1964
31 Benfield Ave
Mt Albert SW2
Auckland NZ
My dear Maurice & Ire
It is early, and I haven't done much work but decided to write and ask if its too late to write to a lonely boy you asked me to write to some weeks ago. If you still know his address, and think it will be profitable to still write I'll do my best to write of a few experiences of a couple of instances of youngsters who've had (including me) unhappy experiences in the home of a drunken parent (my Dad) and in order to be obedient to a Godly Mother (and still live in the same home for her sake this was up to the age of 20) and though at times it was very very hard. I only succeeded through earnest prayer several times daily to resist running away from home. Circumstances grew worse and I pleaded with God "that if I stayed with Mother and not leave home, would God be so kind as to reward me?"This thought (that He would grant my request) kept me definitely from running away - though swearing and even a punch between the eyes which was painful indeed, was most humiliating, and very hard to bear, especially too, that my three older sisters had all cleared out without saying they were going. It was a heart break for dear Mum and when one day things got worse and worse with my Father, I said "Mum, can I leave home?" (I felt I couldn't stand another day of his growling.) She looked at me so pathetically and said with such entreaty "Oh! Emily don't you leave me." I'll never forget it. The Girls all were round about Wellington, and dear [Auntie] Bell to my surprise - just a few weeks before she died asked if I'd forgive her, for going away and leaving me in such an unhappy environment. I said "I never could blame you Bell as you went to protect your weaker sister Loo." ...
Well has God rewarded me? I'll say He has. First my two dear sons love and serve Him and endeavoring by His Grace to save others. For myself He [God] placed me in Company with good intelligent people, gifted by an unusual talent for Art, and descended from titled people. (I married at 20, and soon after I was invited to the place called Waiwera and the large beautiful home called 'Wenderholm'. This lady told me that I would be able to paint, that I had the shaped hand and fingers of an artist. She took me to her studio upstairs and gave me paints, brush, and canvas of her own. She was pleased at seeing my first painting. It made me so happy. Then a year ago, a lady visited me and saw "Twinkle Little Star" and at once inquired about it. Was it a painting? And who was the painter? She was amazed and took a step backward. She couldn't believe I did it and said "There's nothing so good at present in our Art Gallery! Do you know that is worth 50 pounds?" Well, guess my surprise. Of! How I thank God for His amazing kindness...
Marriage
Em (20), was the first of her siblings to be married. She married 38 year old English-born Charles (Charlie) Robert Bland (14 Aug 1864 - 13 Feb 1931), on Wednesday 12 November 1902 at the home of Reverend C H Garland of the Methodist Church, who lived on Karangahape Road, Auckland Central. On their marriage certificate, Charlie's father is listed as 'carpenter' and Em's father is listed as a 'general dealer'. It is interesting to note that Em's mother, Elizabeth, immigrated to New Zealand on the Rooparell in 1874, which happened to be the same ship that Charlie and his family came out on!
After they were married, Charlie and Em lived in a two-room house in Birkenhead on Auckland's North Shore, which they called a 'dolls house'.
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| Emily Barnett c1902 Photographer unknown (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Charles and Em Bland c1902 Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of M Osborne) |
Charlie and Em were close to his step-sister Susie and her family, and to his step-brother Jack and his wife Flo. Em was close to her siblings too, especially her sister Bell, and her diaries record their frequent visits.
A family wedding
Em's sister Bell married English born Symon Henry Williams (9 Mar 1870 - 9 Jan 1958) on 24 or 25 December 1902. Symon and Bell lived on a farm in Foxton.
Building a home
In February 1904, Charlie bought a 3/4 acre piece of scrubby land on the corner of Aitkin and Richmond Street (now known as Richbourne Street), Kingsland, Auckland, on which he built the family homestead from native kauri timber. This property was at the end of the street. On the right side of the house was a boggy paddock with a small creek on it. The land sloped down the hill to where the North-Western Motorway now runs. Cows grazed on this paddock. The Electoral Rolls of 1905-06, 1911, 1914, and 1919 show Charlie and Em residing on Richmond Street. They lived there until the late 1920s. Unfortunately, the house was destroyed by fire around 1969.
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The home at 19 Richmond street that Charlie built in the early 1900s.
(Photo courtesy of K J Bland)
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Two family weddings
On 2 March 1907, Em's sister Harriet married Joseph Nicholas Williams (24 July 1886 - 24 Nov 1976) in the registry office, Palmerston North. [Joseph Williams was the brother of Symon Williams, who had married Bell Barnett.]
There was another Barnett wedding in 1907 when Em's brother, Sydney, married Ethel Amy Trevelyan (10 May 1886 - c17 Nov 1976).
"Mrs W and I went to Painting Room and I drew some birds. Mrs W very pleased and tells me I shall become an artist."
Em's 1908 diary indicates that she suffered from frequent illnesses. From it we also know that she took violin lessons on Fridays, and enjoyed painting and socialising. She would often go out to visit friends or family for lunch, and then receive visitors at her home for dinner!
On Good Friday 17 April 1908, Em and Charlie had a delightful day when they went with several married couples to have a picnic at Birkdale. Em wrote in her diary, "Landed at wharf and picnicked on shore. Had our photos taken twice. Mr Frith making us laugh to kill."
In 1908 Captain Whitney (Em called him Major Whitney) asked Charlie to go to his residence in Waiwera (now known as Couldrey House) to work. He was there from 9 - 14 July.
Mrs Whitney sent Charlie and Em another invitation to stay at her home, so they traveled together, arriving on 9 December 1908. Em had been quite ill just before this trip and was still not fully recovered on their arrival. On this visit to the Whitney home Em met the Captain for the first time! While in Waiwera, Charlie built a shed on the Whitney's wharf. Em returned home to Auckland on 23 December while Charlie went back a few days earlier.
Charlie worked for the Whitneys in early 1909 and also in September. He was paid a handsome amount so his work must have been substantial. Em was invited by Mrs Whitney to stay there from 2 to 24 June and then from 19 - 27 November. While there, Em did odd jobs such as waxing the furniture and mending and sewing, and of course, relaxed on the beach.
Painting is a passion
Losing her father
It is interesting to read Em's own account of what happened when her father died. (Errors have not been corrected.)
Sunday 3 May [1908]
Stan called Both went home to see Squire. Very bad and in bed. Had Dr Murray.
Monday 4 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went home early to Mother's. Father very much worse. Unconsious most of the time and suffereing much pain. I mad custard and gave him his port wine. Ray came and asked C to assist with Father.
Tuesday 5 May
Chas at Mother's. Father went in Ambulance accompanied by Charlie and Mother to Hospital. I stayed home at Mother's with Arthur. Spoke to May and Mrs Lauder. Mother back at 1 o'clock. Chas and I had tea at Mum's.
Wednesday 6 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went hom to Mum's. Had lunch. Then Mum, Ray and I went to Hospital to see Father. Very bad and in pain. Ray excited and would not leave when I told her.
Thursday 7 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I going to shop and met Baden telling me to come as Hospital had rung up to say "Wife and family [should come] as soon as possible." I ran to Mrs Fitzjames then caught car home and then went to Hospital. Poor Father in great pain and very week. Nurse informed me no hope. Mother and Mar at Father's bedside.
Friday 8 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went home and on the table lay a note which ran thus, "Dear Em, Father died last night at 11 o'clock. Mother." I very upset and Sid came in. I sent telegram and letter to Bell. Mother went Hospital and saw Dad. Mr Herr (Undertaker) came with Mr Cox. I made arrangements for funeral. Met Mrs Trevelyn and Ethel.
Saturday 9 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. Chas and I slept at home (Mother's). Sid, Ethel, and Ray came home. Chas told me Dad very "cut up" by not being invited to funeral. I went and begged Dad Bland to come but no use. Very affected. Table (Blands) strewn with flowers. Received telegram to say Loo arriving Sunday.
Sunday 10 May
At 2pm all arrived at Hospital including members of Grand Orange Lodge then drove to Waikumete Cemetery. At Kingsland picked up Loo then driver caught up to others. Burial Service read by Grand Master, who was much affected and poor Father laid to rest. I stood beside Mother who bore up very bravely. All left again at 4 o'clock or 3:30pm.
On 2 March 1907, Em's sister Harriet married Joseph Nicholas Williams (24 July 1886 - 24 Nov 1976) in the registry office, Palmerston North. [Joseph Williams was the brother of Symon Williams, who had married Bell Barnett.]
There was another Barnett wedding in 1907 when Em's brother, Sydney, married Ethel Amy Trevelyan (10 May 1886 - c17 Nov 1976).
Socialising
It is unclear how, but Charlie developed a professional friendship with Captain John Whitney (27 June 1836 - 6 Sept 1932) of the Colonial Ammunition Co and later this friendship extended to the two families becoming well acquainted. [Captain Whitney's cousin was the famous Australian singer Gladys Moncrieff (13 April 1892 - 8 Feb 1976).] In March 1908, Mrs Harriet Whitney (maiden name: Harriet Sarah Charworth Musters) (22 July 1834 - 6 Feb 1917) sent a letter inviting Em to stay at her home in Wenderholm. Em accepted the invitation and traveled alone up to Waiwera by boat, and stayed with the Captain's wife (who was in her 70s) from 7 to 16 April. While there Em was able to spend time painting in Mrs Whitney's special painting room (she was a skilled artist). On one occasion Em wrote in her diary:"Mrs W and I went to Painting Room and I drew some birds. Mrs W very pleased and tells me I shall become an artist."
Em's 1908 diary indicates that she suffered from frequent illnesses. From it we also know that she took violin lessons on Fridays, and enjoyed painting and socialising. She would often go out to visit friends or family for lunch, and then receive visitors at her home for dinner!
On Good Friday 17 April 1908, Em and Charlie had a delightful day when they went with several married couples to have a picnic at Birkdale. Em wrote in her diary, "Landed at wharf and picnicked on shore. Had our photos taken twice. Mr Frith making us laugh to kill."
In 1908 Captain Whitney (Em called him Major Whitney) asked Charlie to go to his residence in Waiwera (now known as Couldrey House) to work. He was there from 9 - 14 July.
Mrs Whitney sent Charlie and Em another invitation to stay at her home, so they traveled together, arriving on 9 December 1908. Em had been quite ill just before this trip and was still not fully recovered on their arrival. On this visit to the Whitney home Em met the Captain for the first time! While in Waiwera, Charlie built a shed on the Whitney's wharf. Em returned home to Auckland on 23 December while Charlie went back a few days earlier.
Charlie worked for the Whitneys in early 1909 and also in September. He was paid a handsome amount so his work must have been substantial. Em was invited by Mrs Whitney to stay there from 2 to 24 June and then from 19 - 27 November. While there, Em did odd jobs such as waxing the furniture and mending and sewing, and of course, relaxed on the beach.
Painting is a passion
Em was a talented artist. As mentioned previously, she wrote in her 1908 diary of travelling to the stately home (Now known as Couldrey House) of Captain Whitney and his wife Harriet who was a great artist. There Em and Harriet would often retreat to the painting room to work. On several occasions Mrs Whitney gifted Em with oil paints when she left to return home. While we know that Em painted a lot, we only have one example of her work. The following painting of her daughter, Sylvia was completed in 1913 when Sylvia was barely two years old. This painting hung proudly on the wall of the family home.
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| Em painted this portrait of Sylvia in February 1913. (Photo by K Bland) |
Losing her father
It is interesting to read Em's own account of what happened when her father died. (Errors have not been corrected.)
Sunday 3 May [1908]
Stan called Both went home to see Squire. Very bad and in bed. Had Dr Murray.
Monday 4 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went home early to Mother's. Father very much worse. Unconsious most of the time and suffereing much pain. I mad custard and gave him his port wine. Ray came and asked C to assist with Father.
Tuesday 5 May
Chas at Mother's. Father went in Ambulance accompanied by Charlie and Mother to Hospital. I stayed home at Mother's with Arthur. Spoke to May and Mrs Lauder. Mother back at 1 o'clock. Chas and I had tea at Mum's.
Wednesday 6 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went hom to Mum's. Had lunch. Then Mum, Ray and I went to Hospital to see Father. Very bad and in pain. Ray excited and would not leave when I told her.
Thursday 7 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I going to shop and met Baden telling me to come as Hospital had rung up to say "Wife and family [should come] as soon as possible." I ran to Mrs Fitzjames then caught car home and then went to Hospital. Poor Father in great pain and very week. Nurse informed me no hope. Mother and Mar at Father's bedside.
Friday 8 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. I went home and on the table lay a note which ran thus, "Dear Em, Father died last night at 11 o'clock. Mother." I very upset and Sid came in. I sent telegram and letter to Bell. Mother went Hospital and saw Dad. Mr Herr (Undertaker) came with Mr Cox. I made arrangements for funeral. Met Mrs Trevelyn and Ethel.
Saturday 9 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. Chas and I slept at home (Mother's). Sid, Ethel, and Ray came home. Chas told me Dad very "cut up" by not being invited to funeral. I went and begged Dad Bland to come but no use. Very affected. Table (Blands) strewn with flowers. Received telegram to say Loo arriving Sunday.
Sunday 10 May
At 2pm all arrived at Hospital including members of Grand Orange Lodge then drove to Waikumete Cemetery. At Kingsland picked up Loo then driver caught up to others. Burial Service read by Grand Master, who was much affected and poor Father laid to rest. I stood beside Mother who bore up very bravely. All left again at 4 o'clock or 3:30pm.
Em arranged for the following thank you message to be printed in The Auckland Star on Thursday 14 May 1908, page 10:
MRS. BARNETT AND FAMILY wish to
tender their sincere thanks to the Grand
Master, Chaplain, and all the members of the
Loyal Orange Lodge, especially Mr. Cox,
who gave every assistance to them in their
bereavement.
A wedding and funerals
On Tuesday, 19 May 1908, just 12 days after father Harry's death, Em's eldest sister, Rachel, married John (Jack) Leigh White (22 Sep 1884 - 15 July 1916), the grandson of prominent pioneer missionaries in Northland. Concerning this event, Em wrote:
Tuesday 19 May
Chas at Mr Mc's. Loo went messages for me. I not feeling well. Ray married to Jack White at Parsonage in Ponsonby. I invited but did not go. Loo called to see if I was well. Ray, Jack, Mum and Loo dined at Trevelyans. [Trevelyans probably refers to family friends.]
Em was close to her sister Bell and her support would have been much needed because in 1909, Bell suffered two tragedies. Firstly, her three year old daughter Mavis succumbed to diphtheria, and a month later, she gave birth to a stillborn son.
Family matters
According to her 1909 diary, Baden (known as Bay), Em's youngest brother, lived with Charlie and Em during 1909 while he completed his schooling.
Charlie and Em became first-time parents on 6 December 1910 when Sylvia was born. Two sons were added to their family in later years. Their three children were:
- Sylvia Bland (6 Dec 1910 - 25 Feb 2001)
- Maurice Charles Bland (10 May 1914 - 29 Oct 2002)
- Gordon Joffrey Bland (29 June 1919 - 28 Aug 2017)
In 1911 Em's mother moved to Foxton to be closer to her married daughter Isabella Williams. The photo below, shows Em with baby Sylvia, visiting her mother and sister in Foxton:
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| Em is seated on the right, holding baby Sylvia. With her is her mother, Elizabeth Barnett, nee Lanfear (seated) holding Ivy Williams (later Hewetson), and her sister Isabella (Bell) Williams, nee Barnett. Photo taken 1911. Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
On Saturday 9 May 1914, Charlie and Em enjoyed a day with family. Charlie's step brother John (Jack) Bland, his wife Flo and their children came to their home for lunch. At 10:30 that evening Em roused Charlie and asked him to call the doctor. He rang eight doctors and finally managed to reach Dr Porter! Baby Maurice made his appearance at 2:15 pm the next morning! Four days later the doctor returned and nipped the baby's tongue because he was tongue-tied.
The war years - World War I
New Zealand declared war on the Germans and their allies on Tuesday 4 August 1914 and immediately mobilised thousands of young men to go off to fight in Europe. The war affected all families in New Zealand, including the Barnett and Bland families.
In spite of the outbreak of war, the Bland family still had fun times. Em's diary recorded that Charlie took the family to a friend's birthday party on 25 August 1914 at which Charlie sang the humorous song, "The Old Arm Chair" at the party. Presumably this was the song 'Granny's Old Armchair' by Frank B Carr (1880).
On the last day of 1914, Em wrote in her diary:
Thursday 31 December 1914
... All went [to] Mount Eden to see Janet. Very busy and no time to spare us. Mrs Frith there. Got awful fright over drunken man hugging and kissing Maurice in tramcar, then trying to follow us.
Emily's brother, Bertie (Bert), was working as a chauffeur in Auckland at the beginning of the war. He enlisted to serve as a tunneler, and departed New Zealand on the ship Ruapehu from Auckland, on 18 December 1915. Emily, quite possibly, went to the wharf to see the ship off. She would never see her brother again.
Less than six weeks later, Emily's brother-in-law, John (Jack) White also embarked on a troop ship bound for the war. He too, would never return. He was killed in action in Somme, France, on 15 July 1916, leaving behind a widow and two small children.
Around 1916/17, Charlie also built a less ornate rental property on the back of their Richmond Street home. The new house was situated on Hesketh Street. We believe this property still exists, although modified.
1917 was a year of funerals for the Blands. Firstly, Charlie and Em's friend Harriet Whitney (82) died in Waiwera on 6 February 1917. She was buried in Clevedon. It is unknown if Charlie and Em attended the funeral.
When the Barnett family received word that Bert had died of disease on 8 March 1917, it affected the family deeply, especially Arthur and Stan who had both enlisted and were preparing to head off to front line duties themselves. Arthur wrote to Em from military camp, expressing how he feels after losing Bert. Here is an excerpt of his letter:
"I suppose you heard, Em, of the terrible news concerning poor Bert. Bay [younger brother Baden] sent me a telegram, just as we were about to begin our journey across the Rimutakas. It quite spoiled my trip. Poor fellow, he was constantly in my thoughts. I sometimes expected to hear of his death at the hands of the enemy, but little did I ever dream of the poor old chap going down to any disease."
Another unexpected tragedy struck the Bland family in April 1917. Charlie's seven year old niece, Hazel Margaret Tonson (his sister Susie's daughter) died on 14 April 1917 in an accident on Queen Street in Auckland. After returning from an errand with her older sister Vera, little Hazel ran in front of a taxi which was coming down the street. She was hit and killed. At the time, the Susie Tonson and her children were living with her parents, John and Annie Bland at 108 Grey Street, while her husband worked out of town.
Emily's brothers, Arthur and Stan also served in the Great War. Arthur left for front line duties on 2 April 1917 and Stan departed on 13 October 1917. Charlie's step-brother, Robert William Bland (28 Aug 1877 - 7 Sep 1918), embarked on a troopship bound for Europe on 16 November 1917. Sadly, he was severely wounded in battle, and died from the injuries he sustained, on 7 September 1918.
Charlie and Em and their family spend Christmas 1917 with Em's mother, in Foxton.
Celebrations
World War 1 ended officially on 11 November 1918 and the news reached New Zealanders on the morning of the 12th. The whole country was thrilled and while many of the smaller cities and towns held public celebrations, the celebrations in Auckland were much more muted due to the influenza outbreak. In any case, news that the war was over would have been most welcome to the Bland and Barnett families.
Em's brother Stanley married Mary Pemberton Procter (4 Sep 1897 - 6 Dec 1997) in 1921. Another brother, Arthur, married Elizabeth (Beth) Chamberlain (dates unknown). The marriage date is unknown.
Anzac Day 1922
Here is a wonderful photograph which was printed in the supplement of the Auckland Weekly News, 4 May 1922, p37 which shows a woman leaving a wreath at the temporary cenotaph outside the Auckland Town Hall on Anzac Day. Some family members believe the woman is Em.
Family holidays
Sometimes Charlie would take his family on holiday to Orua Bay, on the Awhitu Peninsula. Their family friends, the Coulthards, owned a two storey holiday house there and would occasionally let Charlie and Em use it. To get to the holiday house, the family journeyed by launch from Onehunga. Sometimes, the trip was quite rough since the coastline was quite exposed to the open sea, causing the children to become seasick. The house that the family stayed at, at Orua Bay, was a double storey home. The top floor had a little bridge structure which led to a nearby cliff. This was an emergency escape route, should an attack occur from the beach. [It is unclear how the Blands and the Coulthards knew each other but family records say that Charlie worked for a time in Orua. A Septimus Coulthard operated a sawmill and local store in Orua Bay in the 1880s, so perhaps Charlie worked for Mr Coulthard or had business dealings with him.]
Em's faith
Em attended the St George Anglican Church, Kingsland, Auckland, and tried to take her children along too. Charlie was not interested in religion and rarely attended. Their son, Maurice, sometimes attended but felt that the services were much too formal for his liking. Around 1926/27, an old Englishman named Mr Collins, would deliver firewood and coal to Em. He would take the time to talk to her about spiritual matters including the second coming of Christ, and about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Em became very interested in these topics.
Em had a lot of trouble with her eye-sight. Corneal ulcers developed in both eyes making her blind in one, and almost blind in the other. Doctors couldn't do anything to help. Her son Maurice recalled much later, "I was about 12 or 13, and remember mum groping around the house. Adventists who lived in the locality encouraged mum to pray for healing. I think she fasted also. In a few weeks her eyesight gradually returned. I remember bringing in the afternoon newspaper (Auckland Star) and mum would hold it up to see if she could read the headlines." Em regarded her healing a miracle and so did her doctor!
Family records show that during 1928 Em attended some religious meetings at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland run by Seventh-day Adventists. The speaker was Pastor Joe Steed. Later, Pastor Jack Thompson studied the Bible with Em, and then Miss Helena Lewin continued the studies. Em was baptised later that year in the Ponsonby Seventh-day Adventist Church by Pastor Butz. This caused quite a lot of opposition and resistance from her family, Charlie, as well as friends and associates from her former church.
In later life, Em wrote the following account of the miracle she had experienced and how it affected her spiritually:
A true answer to prayer
My joy knew no bounds as God had strengthened my eye and I felt certain the sight would be restored. It took some weeks in time according to His will before I could bear the light in it, and remove the eye shade altogether but continually testing it by losing the good eye and using only that blind eye to see the words in my Bible. I found it was six months before I could see clearly from my recently blind eye. Thus encouraged I felt it was time I gave my heart to God. This I did and kept the seventh day holy ever since, which is Saturday.
Em attended the Edendale Seventh-day Adventist Church which later was renamed the Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church. When an Adventist church opened in Avondale, she began attending there, as it was closer to her home.
Maurice recalled that starting from age 12 or 13, and for the following four years, he sometimes attended the Saturday church services, but disliked the formality of the programmes, so avoided attendance if he could.
A new home
In the 1920s Charlie and Em purchased land in Mt Albert on the west corner of Benfield Avenue and Wilcott Strett (previously William Street). Their son, Maurice, recalled that there was blackberry growing on the land which he helped to remove before Charlie built a home there. Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory of 1926 lists Charlie living at Richmond Street. At the time he was probably using any spare time he had to work on the construction of his new family home in Mt Albert. Em's diary records that the family moved into their new home on Monday 19 March 1928 before it had been completed. The other two houses were rented out.
The 1928 Electoral Roll shows that Charlie and Em lived at 19 Williams (now Wilcott) Street, Mt Albert. Charlie was still working as a carpenter. We believe this address was renamed 31 Benfield Avenue in or around 1938 when the street renaming programme began in Mt Albert. At this time the street seems to have been also renumbered. (This home was on a corner section.)
Charlie passes away
While Charlie was on his death bed at the family home Em had a heart to heart conversation with him. She was concerned about his spiritual condition. Charlie's responses led her to believe that he had made peace with God and that they would be reunited in heaven. He passed away on 13 February 1931, aged 66, and was laid to rest at Waikumete Cemetery, Non-conformist Division D, Row 13, Plot 51.
Life without Charlie was challenging for Em. She was fortunate to have a close relationship with her three children who worked together through the depression years, to keep the household running. In a letter addressed to her mother, we get a sense of the hardship Em faced. In her letter, Em refers to her sister Bell (Isabelle), brother Arthur, sister-in-law Susie Tonkin (nee Bland), sister Ray, and brother-in-law Alfred Bland.
March 9th 1931
19 William Street
Mt Albert
My dear Mother,
Thank you very much for the nice letter you sent, also very many thanks for the pound note. It was most acceptable as I was on my last shilling. Bell can tell you I was very careful from day to day. You can just imagine what a pleasant surprise it was to see the note. Another time I was very short again and there was half a crown returned to me. (Out of 7/6- just 5/- was needed to repair a window) and that half crown came when I was just wondering how I would manage. It seemed a wonderful thing, and came in answer to prayer. I said, & Bell it's quite true that "the Lord will provide." Maurice's wages too was a very big help. Now dear Mother you will be very pleased to know that Charlie's Lodge money (sick pay and funeral expenses) came through the post on Friday and I got it cashed today. It amounted to 30 pounds and I am very glad it has come.
I will settle it tomorrow or next day. It will be a relief to get the Doctor paid and the undertaker. the Doctor was very nice all through and a thorough Christian. Charlie liked him very much. He prayed at his bedside three times and I'm ever so glad he was ready to go. It really is a great consolation to me. Sometimes I wish I had started a little earlier in his illness to read the scriptures to him, but I thought their (sic) was no hurry as Doctor told me he would probably last six months. Instead of that he only lasted a few weeks. It was a great surprise to me that he went so quickly But it was better for him as it was distressing to see him suffer.
You cannot imagine how glad I was to have dear Bell with me. She was everything a sister could be. She helped to keep me up in every sense of the word, and I feel sure the Lord will bless her every effort to help. I still miss her and Arthur. I was glad Arthur came and spent a little time with us.
Sylvia went to work today so now that I'm alone I will go out a bit sometimes.
Susie has asked me not to feel lonely and to go and see her at any time, so I will, as it will do no good to fret and I am looking forward some day to meet Charlie again.
I got a letter from Ray. I will answer it soon. Alfred Bland is still here. He came up when Charlie was ill and I don't know when he will return to Wanganui.
Please tell Bell Mr Willmott has not gone to Napier. He got word at the last minute he would not be accepted.
Hoping all are well. With much love to all.
Thank you dear mother for the jam and the pears you so kindly sent with Arthur.
From your loving daughter.
Emily xxxxxx
March 10th
Alf Bland going back by tomorrow's train.
A wedding and several funerals
Em's youngest brother, Baden, married Winifred (Win) Beatrice Howard (29 Dec 1908 - 30 Aug 2004) in 1933.
Em would have attended several other family funerals in the 1930s. Firstly, Annie Maria Bland, Charles' step-mother, died on 18 April 1933. She was buried at Purewa Cemetery. Then, on 17 August 1937, Em's mother, Elizabeth Barnett (83) died in Foxton. She was buried two days later at the Foxton Cemetery, Anglican Block, Row 3, Plot 28. Ray, Em's oldest sister died on 10 September 1939 aged 61. She was buried in Masterton.
During 1938 many Mt Albert streets were renamed and some renumbered. Williams Street was renamed Willcott Street, and Em's house address was changed from 19 Williams Street to 31 Benfield Avenue.
The war years - World War II
New Zealand declared war on Germany on Sunday 3 September 1939. Em's brother, Arthur, enlisted for service on 19 November 1940. He was given home duties.
It is possible that Stan was inspired by Em's story of how her eye sight miraculously returned, and of her new religious beliefs. He received Bible studies from a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, and became a member in 1942.
Em's son, Maurice, married his Australian-born, school teacher wife, Irene Hazel Behrens (27 Feb 1915 - 16 Feb 2006), in Auckland, on 15 March 1943. Maurice worked as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor in various places in the North Island of New Zealand, and later, Australia.
The war years - World War I
New Zealand declared war on the Germans and their allies on Tuesday 4 August 1914 and immediately mobilised thousands of young men to go off to fight in Europe. The war affected all families in New Zealand, including the Barnett and Bland families.
In spite of the outbreak of war, the Bland family still had fun times. Em's diary recorded that Charlie took the family to a friend's birthday party on 25 August 1914 at which Charlie sang the humorous song, "The Old Arm Chair" at the party. Presumably this was the song 'Granny's Old Armchair' by Frank B Carr (1880).
On the last day of 1914, Em wrote in her diary:
Thursday 31 December 1914
... All went [to] Mount Eden to see Janet. Very busy and no time to spare us. Mrs Frith there. Got awful fright over drunken man hugging and kissing Maurice in tramcar, then trying to follow us.
Emily's brother, Bertie (Bert), was working as a chauffeur in Auckland at the beginning of the war. He enlisted to serve as a tunneler, and departed New Zealand on the ship Ruapehu from Auckland, on 18 December 1915. Emily, quite possibly, went to the wharf to see the ship off. She would never see her brother again.
Less than six weeks later, Emily's brother-in-law, John (Jack) White also embarked on a troop ship bound for the war. He too, would never return. He was killed in action in Somme, France, on 15 July 1916, leaving behind a widow and two small children.
Around 1916/17, Charlie also built a less ornate rental property on the back of their Richmond Street home. The new house was situated on Hesketh Street. We believe this property still exists, although modified.
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1917 was a year of funerals for the Blands. Firstly, Charlie and Em's friend Harriet Whitney (82) died in Waiwera on 6 February 1917. She was buried in Clevedon. It is unknown if Charlie and Em attended the funeral.
When the Barnett family received word that Bert had died of disease on 8 March 1917, it affected the family deeply, especially Arthur and Stan who had both enlisted and were preparing to head off to front line duties themselves. Arthur wrote to Em from military camp, expressing how he feels after losing Bert. Here is an excerpt of his letter:
"I suppose you heard, Em, of the terrible news concerning poor Bert. Bay [younger brother Baden] sent me a telegram, just as we were about to begin our journey across the Rimutakas. It quite spoiled my trip. Poor fellow, he was constantly in my thoughts. I sometimes expected to hear of his death at the hands of the enemy, but little did I ever dream of the poor old chap going down to any disease."
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| Letters written by Arthur Barnett to his sister Em in 1917. (Courtesy of K J Bland) |
Another unexpected tragedy struck the Bland family in April 1917. Charlie's seven year old niece, Hazel Margaret Tonson (his sister Susie's daughter) died on 14 April 1917 in an accident on Queen Street in Auckland. After returning from an errand with her older sister Vera, little Hazel ran in front of a taxi which was coming down the street. She was hit and killed. At the time, the Susie Tonson and her children were living with her parents, John and Annie Bland at 108 Grey Street, while her husband worked out of town.
Emily's brothers, Arthur and Stan also served in the Great War. Arthur left for front line duties on 2 April 1917 and Stan departed on 13 October 1917. Charlie's step-brother, Robert William Bland (28 Aug 1877 - 7 Sep 1918), embarked on a troopship bound for Europe on 16 November 1917. Sadly, he was severely wounded in battle, and died from the injuries he sustained, on 7 September 1918.
Charlie and Em and their family spend Christmas 1917 with Em's mother, in Foxton.
1918 was another year of goodbyes for the Bland family. Firstly, Charlie's father, John Richard Bland, died from cancer on 31 March 1918 at his home at 108 Grey Street, Auckland Central. The newspaper notice about his death mentioned that he had endured a long and painful illness. He was 81 years old. John was buried at Purewa Cemetery on 2 April 1918. Block A Row 15, Plot 64.
Em's family would have received news that her brother Stan had received a severe gunshot wound to his chest while on front line duty on 1 September 1918. He was evacuated to a military hospital in England, then eventually sent back to New Zealand where he was discharged from military service due to his wounds.
The second death in the Bland family was Private Robert Bland (known as Bob), who was died of gunshot wounds received in the Somme, France, on 7 September 1918. He was 41 years old.
World War 1 ended officially on 11 November 1918 and the news reached New Zealanders on the morning of the 12th. The whole country was thrilled and while many of the smaller cities and towns held public celebrations, the celebrations in Auckland were much more muted due to the influenza outbreak. In any case, news that the war was over would have been most welcome to the Bland and Barnett families.
Seven and a half months after the war ended, Charlie and Em welcomed their last child, Gordon Joffrey Bland into the world. He was born at the family homestead at 19 Richmond Street, Kingsland, on 29 June 1919. Gordon was a sickly child. Six weeks after his birth Gordon got whooping cough, and then when he was five, he contracted jaundice.
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| Em Bland, with her children, from left, Sylvia, Gordon, and Maurice. 1921 Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland)
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Em's brother Stanley married Mary Pemberton Procter (4 Sep 1897 - 6 Dec 1997) in 1921. Another brother, Arthur, married Elizabeth (Beth) Chamberlain (dates unknown). The marriage date is unknown.
Anzac Day 1922
Here is a wonderful photograph which was printed in the supplement of the Auckland Weekly News, 4 May 1922, p37 which shows a woman leaving a wreath at the temporary cenotaph outside the Auckland Town Hall on Anzac Day. Some family members believe the woman is Em.
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| Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19220504-37-2 |
Family holidays
Sometimes Charlie would take his family on holiday to Orua Bay, on the Awhitu Peninsula. Their family friends, the Coulthards, owned a two storey holiday house there and would occasionally let Charlie and Em use it. To get to the holiday house, the family journeyed by launch from Onehunga. Sometimes, the trip was quite rough since the coastline was quite exposed to the open sea, causing the children to become seasick. The house that the family stayed at, at Orua Bay, was a double storey home. The top floor had a little bridge structure which led to a nearby cliff. This was an emergency escape route, should an attack occur from the beach. [It is unclear how the Blands and the Coulthards knew each other but family records say that Charlie worked for a time in Orua. A Septimus Coulthard operated a sawmill and local store in Orua Bay in the 1880s, so perhaps Charlie worked for Mr Coulthard or had business dealings with him.]
Em's faith
Em attended the St George Anglican Church, Kingsland, Auckland, and tried to take her children along too. Charlie was not interested in religion and rarely attended. Their son, Maurice, sometimes attended but felt that the services were much too formal for his liking. Around 1926/27, an old Englishman named Mr Collins, would deliver firewood and coal to Em. He would take the time to talk to her about spiritual matters including the second coming of Christ, and about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Em became very interested in these topics.
Em had a lot of trouble with her eye-sight. Corneal ulcers developed in both eyes making her blind in one, and almost blind in the other. Doctors couldn't do anything to help. Her son Maurice recalled much later, "I was about 12 or 13, and remember mum groping around the house. Adventists who lived in the locality encouraged mum to pray for healing. I think she fasted also. In a few weeks her eyesight gradually returned. I remember bringing in the afternoon newspaper (Auckland Star) and mum would hold it up to see if she could read the headlines." Em regarded her healing a miracle and so did her doctor!
Family records show that during 1928 Em attended some religious meetings at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland run by Seventh-day Adventists. The speaker was Pastor Joe Steed. Later, Pastor Jack Thompson studied the Bible with Em, and then Miss Helena Lewin continued the studies. Em was baptised later that year in the Ponsonby Seventh-day Adventist Church by Pastor Butz. This caused quite a lot of opposition and resistance from her family, Charlie, as well as friends and associates from her former church.
In later life, Em wrote the following account of the miracle she had experienced and how it affected her spiritually:
A true answer to prayer
My joy knew no bounds as God had strengthened my eye and I felt certain the sight would be restored. It took some weeks in time according to His will before I could bear the light in it, and remove the eye shade altogether but continually testing it by losing the good eye and using only that blind eye to see the words in my Bible. I found it was six months before I could see clearly from my recently blind eye. Thus encouraged I felt it was time I gave my heart to God. This I did and kept the seventh day holy ever since, which is Saturday.
Em attended the Edendale Seventh-day Adventist Church which later was renamed the Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church. When an Adventist church opened in Avondale, she began attending there, as it was closer to her home.
Maurice recalled that starting from age 12 or 13, and for the following four years, he sometimes attended the Saturday church services, but disliked the formality of the programmes, so avoided attendance if he could.
A new home
In the 1920s Charlie and Em purchased land in Mt Albert on the west corner of Benfield Avenue and Wilcott Strett (previously William Street). Their son, Maurice, recalled that there was blackberry growing on the land which he helped to remove before Charlie built a home there. Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory of 1926 lists Charlie living at Richmond Street. At the time he was probably using any spare time he had to work on the construction of his new family home in Mt Albert. Em's diary records that the family moved into their new home on Monday 19 March 1928 before it had been completed. The other two houses were rented out.
The 1928 Electoral Roll shows that Charlie and Em lived at 19 Williams (now Wilcott) Street, Mt Albert. Charlie was still working as a carpenter. We believe this address was renamed 31 Benfield Avenue in or around 1938 when the street renaming programme began in Mt Albert. At this time the street seems to have been also renumbered. (This home was on a corner section.)
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| 31 Benfield Avenue house - Charles Bland built this house, c1926-28, at the end of his life. It wasn't quite finished at his death, and his son Maurice had to complete it. Em, and daughter Sylvia also died in this home. Date and photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
Some troubles
In 1927 the Samuel Brown family, who rented the Hesketh Street house, stopped paying rent. According to her diary, Em went to the Magistrate's Court on Friday 27 July 1927 to get an eviction order for them. On 13 August, Charlie and Em attended the court along with Mr Brown who explained that he had no work and therefore couldn't pay rent. Em records the Magistrate responding angrily as follows, "I'll give you 14 days to clear out."
In 1927 the Samuel Brown family, who rented the Hesketh Street house, stopped paying rent. According to her diary, Em went to the Magistrate's Court on Friday 27 July 1927 to get an eviction order for them. On 13 August, Charlie and Em attended the court along with Mr Brown who explained that he had no work and therefore couldn't pay rent. Em records the Magistrate responding angrily as follows, "I'll give you 14 days to clear out."
Charlie seems to have been working in the Richmond area of Nelson in 1930, then returned home to Auckland, possibly due to ill health. Emily and Sylvia may have been doing house keeping jobs while he was gone, and Maurice was working as a labourer for a fuel deliverer, delivering coal and wood.
Charles was a pipe smoker for much of his life. He contracted cancer of the liver in 1930 which caused him much pain.Charlie passes away
While Charlie was on his death bed at the family home Em had a heart to heart conversation with him. She was concerned about his spiritual condition. Charlie's responses led her to believe that he had made peace with God and that they would be reunited in heaven. He passed away on 13 February 1931, aged 66, and was laid to rest at Waikumete Cemetery, Non-conformist Division D, Row 13, Plot 51.
Life without Charlie was challenging for Em. She was fortunate to have a close relationship with her three children who worked together through the depression years, to keep the household running. In a letter addressed to her mother, we get a sense of the hardship Em faced. In her letter, Em refers to her sister Bell (Isabelle), brother Arthur, sister-in-law Susie Tonkin (nee Bland), sister Ray, and brother-in-law Alfred Bland.
March 9th 1931
19 William Street
Mt Albert
My dear Mother,
Thank you very much for the nice letter you sent, also very many thanks for the pound note. It was most acceptable as I was on my last shilling. Bell can tell you I was very careful from day to day. You can just imagine what a pleasant surprise it was to see the note. Another time I was very short again and there was half a crown returned to me. (Out of 7/6- just 5/- was needed to repair a window) and that half crown came when I was just wondering how I would manage. It seemed a wonderful thing, and came in answer to prayer. I said, & Bell it's quite true that "the Lord will provide." Maurice's wages too was a very big help. Now dear Mother you will be very pleased to know that Charlie's Lodge money (sick pay and funeral expenses) came through the post on Friday and I got it cashed today. It amounted to 30 pounds and I am very glad it has come.
I will settle it tomorrow or next day. It will be a relief to get the Doctor paid and the undertaker. the Doctor was very nice all through and a thorough Christian. Charlie liked him very much. He prayed at his bedside three times and I'm ever so glad he was ready to go. It really is a great consolation to me. Sometimes I wish I had started a little earlier in his illness to read the scriptures to him, but I thought their (sic) was no hurry as Doctor told me he would probably last six months. Instead of that he only lasted a few weeks. It was a great surprise to me that he went so quickly But it was better for him as it was distressing to see him suffer.
You cannot imagine how glad I was to have dear Bell with me. She was everything a sister could be. She helped to keep me up in every sense of the word, and I feel sure the Lord will bless her every effort to help. I still miss her and Arthur. I was glad Arthur came and spent a little time with us.
Sylvia went to work today so now that I'm alone I will go out a bit sometimes.
Susie has asked me not to feel lonely and to go and see her at any time, so I will, as it will do no good to fret and I am looking forward some day to meet Charlie again.
I got a letter from Ray. I will answer it soon. Alfred Bland is still here. He came up when Charlie was ill and I don't know when he will return to Wanganui.
Please tell Bell Mr Willmott has not gone to Napier. He got word at the last minute he would not be accepted.
Hoping all are well. With much love to all.
Thank you dear mother for the jam and the pears you so kindly sent with Arthur.
From your loving daughter.
Emily xxxxxx
March 10th
Alf Bland going back by tomorrow's train.
A wedding and several funerals
Em's youngest brother, Baden, married Winifred (Win) Beatrice Howard (29 Dec 1908 - 30 Aug 2004) in 1933.
Em would have attended several other family funerals in the 1930s. Firstly, Annie Maria Bland, Charles' step-mother, died on 18 April 1933. She was buried at Purewa Cemetery. Then, on 17 August 1937, Em's mother, Elizabeth Barnett (83) died in Foxton. She was buried two days later at the Foxton Cemetery, Anglican Block, Row 3, Plot 28. Ray, Em's oldest sister died on 10 September 1939 aged 61. She was buried in Masterton.
During 1938 many Mt Albert streets were renamed and some renumbered. Williams Street was renamed Willcott Street, and Em's house address was changed from 19 Williams Street to 31 Benfield Avenue.
The war years - World War II
New Zealand declared war on Germany on Sunday 3 September 1939. Em's brother, Arthur, enlisted for service on 19 November 1940. He was given home duties.
It is possible that Stan was inspired by Em's story of how her eye sight miraculously returned, and of her new religious beliefs. He received Bible studies from a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, and became a member in 1942.
Em's son, Maurice, married his Australian-born, school teacher wife, Irene Hazel Behrens (27 Feb 1915 - 16 Feb 2006), in Auckland, on 15 March 1943. Maurice worked as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor in various places in the North Island of New Zealand, and later, Australia.
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| This photo of Em was taken in 1943, at Maurice's wedding Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
Em was close to her sister Lou. There are many photographs of the two of them.
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| Sisters, Em Bland and Lou Williams (both nee Barnett), at a family wedding. The photographer was probably taken by Batchelor's Candid Studio, Auckland. Date unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Jenny Williams and her daughter, Em Bland nee Barnett & Lou Williams nee Barnett. Photo by Batchelor's Candid Studio, Auckland. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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Sisters, Emily Bland and Lou Williams (both nee Barnett) at a family wedding.
The photographer was probably Batchelor's Candid Studio, Auckland. Date unknown.
(Photo courtesy of K J Bland)
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Em's sister, Bell died on 16 May 1959. She was buried in Foxton Cemetery in Plot 25, beside her husband Symon and their daughter Mavis. Their mother's plot is the neighbouring one.
Em's brother Stan passed away on 31 July 1964, aged 74. He was buried at the Foxton Cemetery, Anglican Block 3, Plot 79.
Em passes away
Em passed away at the family home, 31 Benfield Avenue, Mt Albert, on 1 July 1970. She was aged 87. Em had suffered from liver cancer for one year and anemia for six months prior to her death. Sylvia had cared for her mother at the family homestead during her final few weeks. Maurice and Gordon arrived from Australia and were by her side the evening before she died. Em was buried three days later at Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland. Her unmarked grave is with her husband's- Non-conformist Division D, Row 13, Plot 51.
The following obituary for Emily Bland was printed in the Australasian Record, on 27 July 1970:
BLAND. Sister Emily Bland, beloved mother of Pastor Maurice and Brother Gordon Bland of Sydney, New South Wales, and Mrs. Anderson of Napier, New Zealand, was laid to rest beside her husband (who had predeceased her by almost forty years) in the Waikumete cemetery, New Zealand, July 3, 1970. Here was a faithful mother in Israel indeed. The gift of her sons and grandson to the work of Christ these many years is held in the highest respect. In life and in death her love for the truth was undimmed. In her last hour she was appreciatively conscious of her son Maurice reading choice passages from Holy Scripture. Pastor K Parmenter, president of the conference, joined the writer at the graveside in confident ministry of the blessed assurance of immortality through Jesus Christ our Lord.
R Pavitt Brown
The children of Charles & Emily Bland:
Sylvia Anderson
(6 December 1910 - 25 February 2001)
Sylvia was born on Tuesday, 6 December 1910 at her family home at 19 Richmond Road, Kingsland, Auckland.
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| Sylvia on her first birthday 1911. Photo by J C Morton, Auckland (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
Sylvia's father died at their 19 Williams Street home (later renamed & renumbered as 31 Benfield Avenue) in 1931 when she was 20.
Sylvia began working as a house keeper for Norman Gerald Balmain Edwards (16 June 1888 - 25 July 1955) who was known as Gerald. He was a divorcee of Maori heritage, and had three sons who were not much younger than Sylvia. Later in life, Sylvia told Dr S Edwards, her great nephew, that "Gerald was a fine-looking man, [had] a beautiful smile and a terrific sense of humour and [was] very popular." She was also attracted to Gerald because he was a talented musician. He could play the cornet, piano accordion, and violin.
In June 1934, Sylvia (23) and Gerald (46) married in a civil ceremony at the Town Hall. They settled in Arch Hill. Gerald owned a factory called Crystal Aerated Waters, which was located in Sandringham, Auckland. According to the recollections of Sylvia's second cousin [L L], he would drive a truck around town and make deliveries of soft drinks to dairies.
NOTE: Gerald's first wife was Sylvia May Hughes*. later McRobbie (16 Aug 1892 - 24 June 1985). They married on 27 August 1913 and were divorced in 1925.
Gerald and his first wife had three sons:
- Gerald Balmain Edwards (1914 - 26 January 1933)
- Albert Alva Edwards (1916 - 1 Dec 1941)
- Mervyn Somers Edwards (1 Aug 1917 - 6 July 1993)
According to the 1935 and 1938 Electoral Rolls, Gerald and Sylvia lived at 33a Third Avenue, Kingsland, Auckland. Gerald is listed as a 'motor driver'.
Gerald and Sylvia's son Charles (Charlie) Edwards (1935 - 15 July 1989) was born on 30 August 1935. He was a sickly child, and suffered from heart trouble and seizures. Later he also developed diabetes.
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| Sylvia (centre with white hat) and Gerald (left back, partly obscured) and their son Charlie (in front of Sylvia, in white top). Eastern Beach, Auckland 1937. Unknown photographer. (Photo courtesy of Dr S Edwards) |
Following Sylvia's separation from Gerald, she had her surname, and Charlie's, changed by Deed Poll, to Anderson in order to keep Gerald from locating them. Charlie also used the alias Andy Anderson.
Sylvia started a new life for herself and her son in Tauranga. Charlie went to Bethlehem School on Cameron Road. Many of his classmates were Maori. He got on well with them. When Charlie was 17 years old he spent one year at the New Zealand Missionary College, in Longburn, Palmerston North. Sylvia worked as an assistant matron at the college during that period.
Sylvia enjoyed performing. She sometimes sang at parties and Charlie would accompany her on the piano. Charlie was also an accomplished accordion player. Sylvia was a member of a 'Friendship Club' at which she performed. It also appears that Charlie participated at Talent Quests in Wanganui.
Sylvia had an interest in collecting first day issues of stamps and amassed a fair collection. She also had a love for animals and had several pet dogs during her lifetime.
Sylvia lived at the following locations:
Gerald Edwards died on 1 July 1955. His ashes were buried at the Waikumete Cemetery, Columbarium Niche Wall VLT Row Vlt, Plot 3VL.
- Around 1941 - Devonport Road, Tauranga
- 1951-52 - lived at Longburn, Palmerston North
- 1953-54 - Lived at Wanganui (Her brother Maurice and his family also lived there at the time.)
- 1954 - 71 Bell Street, Wanganui (dressmaker)
- 1957 - 71 Bell Street, Wanganui. (Interestingly, Sylvia is listed as married even though Gerald passed away two years previously.)
- 1963 - 84 Keith Street, Wanganui (married). Horace Broadmore was her neighbour at number 82.
- 1967 - 1969 - 6 Ladywood Road, Bay View, Napier (divorcee)
- 1970 - 1971 - Sylvia lived at 31 Benfield Avenue, Mt Albert, Auckland.
- 1972, 1978 - 6 Ladywood Road, Bay View, Napier (widow) Also living there at the time was Mr Hugh James Young (1896 - 1980), a twice married bar-man, who occupied a small unit at the rear of Sylvia's property. It appears he lived at Sylvia's property until the end of his life.
- 1980s - Sylvia moved to the home her father built at 31 Bayfield Road, Mt Albert, Auckland.
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| Sylvia Anderson c1952. Unknown photographer (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Sylvia Anderson with her 17 year old son, Charles. 1952. Unknown photographer. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland)
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Sylvia's son, Charlie, worked as a clerk for the courts, starting his career in Wanganui as a teenager, then was transferred to work at the Supreme Court in Napier. When he moved up to Auckland, he gained the position of Deputy Registrar at the Auckland District Court. Altogether, he worked in the courts for 30 years. He resigned his job in 1984 due to ill health.
Charlie had to have a leg amputated as a result of diabetes. Because of his disability, he became a sickness beneficiary and spent his last years at the Sunset Home, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland. Charlie died suddenly at Auckland Hospital on 15 July 1989, aged 54. His funeral was held at the Avondale Seventh-day Adventist Church and afterwards his body was cremated.
Sylvia died on 25 February 2001, at her Benfield Avenue home. Her funeral was held in the flower garden of her front yard. Sylvia's body was also cremated. At her death she left the family homestead to the charity, 'Save Animals From Experimentation'.
(10 May 1914 - 29 October 2002)
Maurice was born at the family homestead at 19 Richmond Road, Kingsland, Auckland. He attended the Newton West School, as did his younger brother Gordon.
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| Maurice Bland (marked with an x), with his Primer III class at Newton West School 1922. Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Maurice Bland is holding the boat in this class photo. Newton West School Standard IV, 1925. Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
Maurice didn't enjoy attending church with his mother. She initially took him to services at the St George Anglican Church in Kingsland, and later tried to drag him along to Seventh-day Adventist services when he was about 12 years of age. Maurice considered the services to be too formal.
While still a teenager, Maurice had several jobs. He worked at the Sanitarium shop and cafe on Queen Street, Auckland, for two years, as a message boy. During the school holidays, Maurice would sometimes visit his mother's family in and around Foxton.
After his father died in 1931, Maurice worked on several farms down country, including his Uncle Symon's farm in Tokomaru, near Palmerston North. (Symon Williams was his mother's brother-in-law.) In his free time Maurice met girls and attended dances and the theatre, searching for happiness. It was elusive.
Maurice returned to live at his mother's home around 1937. It was at this time, he had an encounter with God which turned his life around. After his conversion experience, Maurice became a Seventh-day Adventist and did theological training at the New Zealand Missionary College, graduating in 1940 (as president of his class), them worked as a church minister (ordained 1950). He worked in many of New Zealand's North Island towns, and also in Victoria, Australia.
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| Irene Behrens and Maurice Bland, the day after they announced their engagement. Epsom Seventh-day Adventist Camp, Auckland. Photograph by K Photo's - 1 January 1940 (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
Maurice married Irene Hazel Behrens (27 Feb 1915 - 16 Feb 2007), an Australian-born school teacher of German and English descent, in Auckland, on 15 March 1943. They had three children, all born in New Zealand:
Maurice and Irene retired in Manjimup, Western Australia. They celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in the evening of 14 March 1993 with a shared meal. In the invitations they politely asked their family and friends not to give them cards and presents, but instead to donate a "golden cash gift for the urgently needed en-suites" for their retirement lodge.
The following obituary for Maurice was printed in The Australasian Record on 11 January 2003:
Gordon Joffrey Bland
- K J Bland (still living)
- Ngareta Joy Bylund (11 June 1946 - 11 Jan 2004)
- Ngareta was born in Auckland. She married T B and they had a daughter and a son. She died in 2004, at Kalamunda, Western Australia after a long illness.
- D K Bland (still living)
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Maurice and Irene with their two oldest children.
Photographer unknown. Photo taken around 1946.
(Photo courtesy of K J Bland.)
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The following obituary for Maurice was printed in The Australasian Record on 11 January 2003:
Bland, Pastor Maurice Charles, born 10.5.1914 at Kingsland, Auckland, NNZ: died 29.10.02 in Fremantle Hospital, WA, after a brief illness. On 15.3..43 he married Irene Behrens. He is survived by his wife (Rossmoyne); his children, Pastor Kyrill Bland (Whakatane, NNZ), Ngareta Bylund (Carmel, WA), David (Redlands, California, USA); and his brother, Gordon (Wahroonga, NSW). Maurice was ordained to the ministry at the Longburn camp meeting on 17 January 1950. He assisted and then ran mission programs in NNZ and pastored many churches. In 1958 he transferred to Victoria where he continued in ministry. In 1976 he retired in Manjimup, WA; then in 1985 they moved to Rossmoyne.
Murray House, Pat Downey
The following obituary for Irene was printed in The Australasian Record on 14 April 2007:
Bland, Irene Hazel (nee Behrens), born 27.2.1915 at Warburton, Vic; died 16.2.07 at Rossmoyne, WA. On 15.3.43 she married Pastor Maurice Bland, who predeceased her on 29.10.02. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Ngareta Bylund, on 11.1.04. She is survived by her sons, Kyrill (Whakatane, NZ) and Dr David Bland (Redlands, California, USA); their families, and her sister-in-law, Eva Behrens (Warburton, Vic). Irene taught in our SDA schools for 12 years at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, and was later a preschool teacher for two years.
Pat Downey, Kyrill Bland, Philip Rhodes
Gordon Joffrey Bland
(29 June 1919 - 28 Aug 2017)
Gordon Joffrey Bland was born on 29 June 1919 at his parent's 19 Richmond Street home, in Kingsland, Auckland. He was a sickly child. Six weeks after his birth he got whooping cough, and then when he was five, he contracted jaundice.
Gordon attended the Newton West School, and later went to Mt Albert Grammar School.
During mid-1930, Charlie wrote letters to his son from Richmond, Nelson. Family are in possession of at least two of these. In the one pictured below, Charlie inquires about his fruit trees, the neighbours, and even expressed hope that Gordon was given permission to go to the movies! It appears from the letter, that Maurice may have been working at this time. The letters also indicate that Charlie had not received much schooling. They also show that he had a good sense of humour!
Gordon's father died at the family home, 19 Williams (later Wilcott) Street, in 1931, when he was 11 years old.
Gordon Joffrey Bland was born on 29 June 1919 at his parent's 19 Richmond Street home, in Kingsland, Auckland. He was a sickly child. Six weeks after his birth he got whooping cough, and then when he was five, he contracted jaundice.
Gordon attended the Newton West School, and later went to Mt Albert Grammar School.
During mid-1930, Charlie wrote letters to his son from Richmond, Nelson. Family are in possession of at least two of these. In the one pictured below, Charlie inquires about his fruit trees, the neighbours, and even expressed hope that Gordon was given permission to go to the movies! It appears from the letter, that Maurice may have been working at this time. The letters also indicate that Charlie had not received much schooling. They also show that he had a good sense of humour!
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| A letter that Charlie wrote to his son Gordon. Date unknown. (Courtesy of M Osborne) |
Gordon's father died at the family home, 19 Williams (later Wilcott) Street, in 1931, when he was 11 years old.
Gordon completed his Leaving Certificate, then at age 17, trained as an accountant at Longburn Adventist College. The photo below records his graduation day:
After graduating from his accounting studies, Gordon began working for the Sanitarium Health Food Company in Christchurch. He boarded at the home of Mary Baynes, the mother of Ruth, his Longburn classmate. During this time, Gordon worked, completed advanced studies in accounting, and won the heart of Ruth's sister Ethel.
Gordon married Florence Alma Ethel Baynes (known as Ethel) (21 Nov 1915 - 6 Aug 2008), on 18 November 1941, at the ld Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church, Wiremu Street, Auckland.
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| Gordon J Bland's graduation day. Gordon is seated at the far left. Date & photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
After graduating from his accounting studies, Gordon began working for the Sanitarium Health Food Company in Christchurch. He boarded at the home of Mary Baynes, the mother of Ruth, his Longburn classmate. During this time, Gordon worked, completed advanced studies in accounting, and won the heart of Ruth's sister Ethel.
Gordon married Florence Alma Ethel Baynes (known as Ethel) (21 Nov 1915 - 6 Aug 2008), on 18 November 1941, at the ld Balmoral Seventh-day Adventist Church, Wiremu Street, Auckland.
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| The wedding of Gordon Bland and Ethel Baynes Left to right: unknown flower girl, Ron Pengilly, Gordon Bland, Ethel Baynes, Ruth Baynes, unknown page boy (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
Gordon was drafted for military service two months prior to his wedding. As he was a conscientious objector, he was put to work in the field ambulance unit and later in stores. By the end of his time of service, Gordon was in charge of stores for the South Island and had risen to the rank of Staff Sargent.
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| Gordon J Bland and his wife Ethel Bland (nee Baynes). Photographer unknown. Photo taken in the 1940s. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
Gordon and Ethel were unable to have children of their own but adopted two girls and a boy:
- N C Bland
- M Bland
- Warwick Gordon Bland (23 Sep 1960 - 1 Sep 2020)
Ethel passed away on 6 August 2008, in New South Wales, Australia. Her obituary was published in the Australasian Record 30 August 2008:
Bland, Ethel (nee Baynes), born 21.11.1915
at Christchurch, NZ; died 6.8.08 in Avon-
dale Aged Care Facility, NSW. She is sur-
vived by her husband, Gordon, her three
adopted children, her three grandchildren,
and her three great grandchildren. In ad-
dition to rearing 3 children, Ethel worked
for over 40 years in various positions and
locations. She was only 13 years of age
when commencing work at the Christch-
urch SHF factory, where she spent 16 and
a half years. She also served with distin-
ction in other branches of the company
in NZ. Later, she served 22 years at the
"SAN" in Sydney in various departments.
In recent years, she was a faithful mem-
ber and helper at Wahroonga church. She
loved her Lord, her church, her family and
her garden. Her friendly smile and helpful
spirit blessed many. She went to her final
rest confident of the Resurrection day.
Claude Judd, John Lee
Gordon died on 28 August 2017.
Bland, Ethel (nee Baynes), born 21.11.1915
at Christchurch, NZ; died 6.8.08 in Avon-
dale Aged Care Facility, NSW. She is sur-
vived by her husband, Gordon, her three
adopted children, her three grandchildren,
and her three great grandchildren. In ad-
dition to rearing 3 children, Ethel worked
for over 40 years in various positions and
locations. She was only 13 years of age
when commencing work at the Christch-
urch SHF factory, where she spent 16 and
a half years. She also served with distin-
ction in other branches of the company
in NZ. Later, she served 22 years at the
"SAN" in Sydney in various departments.
In recent years, she was a faithful mem-
ber and helper at Wahroonga church. She
loved her Lord, her church, her family and
her garden. Her friendly smile and helpful
spirit blessed many. She went to her final
rest confident of the Resurrection day.
Claude Judd, John Lee
Gordon died on 28 August 2017.
Bibliography
Ancestry.com. New Zealand Army WWII Nominal Rolls, 1939-1948 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
Ancestry.com. New Zealand, City & Area Directories, 1866-1954 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors.
Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
Anonymous. (1884, September 23). Advertisements. The Star. 2. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18840923.2.10.6
Anonymous. (1885, February 7.) Auctions. The Press. Retrieved from https:paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18850207.2.26.2
Anonymous. (1917, February 6.) Obituary. Mrs. John Whitney. New Zealand Herald. 9. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19170209.2.83
Anonymous. (1933, January 26.) Deaths. Auckland Star. 1. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19330126.2.3
Anonymous. (1933, January 27.) Accidents and Fatalities. Apprentice Jockey Killed. Otago Daily Times. 8. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19330127.2.69
Anonymous. (1933, January 31.) Funeral of Jockey. Evening Post. 4. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19330131.2.24.4
Anonymous. (1942, March 7.) Auckland Star. 9. Retrieved from https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19420307.2.110
'Armistice Day and the flu', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/armistice-day/armistice-day-and-flu, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 27-Aug-2014
Other sources of information
Family records from the Tonson family, Maurice Bland, K J Bland, M Osborne, G & F Barnett, Dr S Edwards
Diaries of Emily Bland 1908, 1909, 1914, 1927
Recollections of Sylvia Anderson, also endorsed by notes from G & F Barnett
Recollections of L L (daughter of John R Bland II)
Photographs courtesy of K J Bland, M Osborne, L Prole, A Kerr & Dr S Edwards
Death certificates - courtesy of L Prole
- Ancestry.com
- Auckland Council - Cemetery Search
- Auckland Council Libraries. Heritage Images
- Papers Past
- NZ Births Deaths and Marriages
- Archives NZ
- Ancestry.com. New Zealand, City & Area Directories, 1866-1954 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Projectcontributors.
- Wiki Tree - Sylvia Anderson
- Hokianga History & Memorabilia website
- Mt Albert Historical Society Newsletter 3 March 2007
- Australasian Record Archives
- Auckland War Memorial Museum - Online Cenotaph - Albert Alva Edwards
- Richmond Road School. Registers of admissions, progress and withdrawals, 1885 - 1987. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-2002-116. Accessed 27 May 2016.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
*Sylvia May Hughes
Sylvia May Hughes (16 Aug 1892 - 24 June 1985) was the daughter of David Edward Hughes (1866 - 1941) and his wife, Mary Jane Bond (1878 - 1958). David Hughes was a dairyman at the time of his daughter's birth. Family records obtained from Dr S Edwards state that he was a horse trainer.
It is assumed that Norman Gerald Balmain Edwards (16 June 1888 - 25 July 1955) met the Hughes family through their shared interest in horses. Gerald and Sylvia married on 24 August 1913. The year prior to their marriage, Gerald and his brother Henry had filed for bankruptcy after their grocery business on Karangahape Road, Auckland, 'Edwards Bros', failed.
During the early period of Gerald and Sylvia's marriage, Gerald worked as a wire mattress manufacturer (probably with his brother Henry) and then became a labourer. The couple lived at 33 Princes Street, Richmond, Auckland.
Gerald and Sylvia had three sons:
- Gerald Balmain Edwards (1914 - 26 Jan 1933)
- Albert Alva Edwards (1916 - 1 Dec 1941) who was known as Alva.
- Mervyn (Merv) Somers Edwards (1 Aug 1917 - 6 July 1993) (Merv's middle name Somers is after his father's younger brother)
Interestingly, the 1919 Electoral Roll shows Sylvia living at two addresses: 62 Anglesea Street and on Panmure Road, Otahuhu. Gerald is only listed as residing at the latter address. His occupation is listed as chemical worker.
The marriage did not last. There are reports from one of Gerald's nieces that Sylvia was often beaten by her husband. It appears that Sylvia left Gerald and at some point moved to Christchurch. Divorce proceedings began in 1925.
According to family records from Dr S Edwards, Mervyn (Merv) Edwards, wrote in his diary that he attended the Richmond Road Primary School, Ponsonby, and that he lived on Pollen Street, Grey Lynn. He also noted that around 1920, his dad drove for XLO Soft Drinks. Merv recalled that his father employed a house keeper named Mabel for about 8 years. Following Mabel, the next house keeper was Sylvia Bland. Gerald married her in 1934.
Sylvia Edwards (nee Hughes) began a relationship with Scotsman,William John McRobbie (9 Jan 1889 - 3 Dec 1938) who was a tailor. They had two daughters, one prior to their marriage, and one afterwards:
- Jessie Elizabeth McRobbie (29 May 1923 - 26 July 2004) who was known as Jay
- Valerie Lydia McRobbie (17 June 1927 - 22 Jan 2017)
Sylvia's divorce from Gerald was finalised on 9 March 1926. She married William three weeks later, on 30 March 1926, in Linwood, Christchurch,
Sadly, Gerald Jnr (the son of Gerald and his first wife, Sylvia), an apprentice jockey, died aged 18 as a result of a horse riding accident at the Takanini Training Course on the morning of 26 January 1933. His death notice appeared in the Auckland Star the same day and is shown below:
The story of Gerald Jnr's unexpected death was printed in the Otago Daily Times on 27 January 1933,
as follows:
A short summary of Gerald Jnr's funeral was printed in the Evening Post on 31 January 1933:
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Information from Dr S Edwards states that Gerald Snr was paid $60 000 in compensation by Mr Patrick E Pope, who owned the horse that Gerald Jnr was riding at the time of his accident. Gerald Snr used the money to buy an ice cream factory on Sandringham Road, opposite Eden Park. Gerald Snr's brother Albert worked at the factory. A sad family story from this time was noted by Dr S Edward in his family notes. recalled by Hinemoa Edwards. She remembered an occasion in which Albert took Gerald out in his van. Albert parked in a drive way and got out. While he was gone, Gerald, who had no driver's licence, got into the driver's seat and backed the van out of the driveway as a child ran past. The child was hit by the van and died. The story goes that Albert took the blame for the accident as he didn't want his unlicensed brother getting into trouble.
Gerald and Sylvia's second son Alva worked as a telephonist prior to serving in the New Zealand Army during World War 11. His last address in New Zealand was 11 St Albans Avenue, Auckland. His next of kin was his mother, S Edwards, residing at 165 Bletsoe Avenue, Spreydon, Christchurch.
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| Albert Alva Edwards c1940 in Egypt Unknown photographer (Photo courtesy of A Kerr) |
He worked as a signalman during the war. His Military Number was 4609. Sadly, Alva died in Lybia, Africa, on 1 December 1941, aged 25. He was buried in the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Lybia. The following photo of Albert was also printed in the Auckland Star 1942 to commemorate his death:
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| Death notice for Albert Alva Edwards Printed in the Auckland Star 7 March 1942 |
In 1942, just before heading off to the war, Merv married Ellen (Nell) Marjorie Drummond (1920 - 9 Jan 1987) and they lived on Main Road, Riwaka, a tiny town of less than 1000 people in the Tasman district of the South Island. They had three daughters and a son.
Merv embarked for the war at the end of 1942.
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| Mervyn Somers Edwards c1942 Unknown photographer (Photo courtesy of Dr S Edwards) |
Sylvia's husband, William, died on 3 December 1938 and was buried at Bromley Cemetery, Christchurch.
After William McRobbie's death, Sylvia married again. Her third husband was James Tasman Smith (1 Aug 1888 - 9 Jan 1956), a moulder. James and Sylvia married in 1948. James Smith was a World War I veteran. [James's first wife was Sarah Muncey (1892 - ?). They married in 1917 and had one son, Frederick James Aubrey Smith (28 July 1918 - 22 Feb 1967).] James and Sylvia Smith are listed in the 1949 Electoral Roll as living at 162 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland city. James died aged 66 and was buried at Purewa Cemetery, Auckland at Block J, Row 026, Plot 102. His last occupation was Watchman for the N.Z.R. (Railways?) and his last address was 162 Khyber Pass Road.
Sylvia's fourth husband was Wilfred James Plumb (1907 - 17 Mar 1964) a fitter. He was also a returned serviceman (military number 243942), who had served with the New Zealand Army during World War II. Wilfred and Sylvia married around 1952. The 1949 and 1954 show that Wilfred was living at 162 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland (the home where Sylvia lived with her husband James Smith). He was listed as an engineer. Sylvia is not listed in those Electoral Rolls. Both Wilfred and Sylvia are listed in the 1957 and 1963 Electoral Rolls and were living at 162 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland. It appears from Wilfred's will (seen on the Archway Archives website) that he adopted Sylvia's two daughters and made them all beneficiaries of his will. Wilfred, died on or about 17 March 1964.
Sylvia died on 24 June 1985 and was buried with her second husband, William, at Bromley Cemetery, Christchurch.
Sylvia's fourth husband was Wilfred James Plumb (1907 - 17 Mar 1964) a fitter. He was also a returned serviceman (military number 243942), who had served with the New Zealand Army during World War II. Wilfred and Sylvia married around 1952. The 1949 and 1954 show that Wilfred was living at 162 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland (the home where Sylvia lived with her husband James Smith). He was listed as an engineer. Sylvia is not listed in those Electoral Rolls. Both Wilfred and Sylvia are listed in the 1957 and 1963 Electoral Rolls and were living at 162 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland. It appears from Wilfred's will (seen on the Archway Archives website) that he adopted Sylvia's two daughters and made them all beneficiaries of his will. Wilfred, died on or about 17 March 1964.
Sylvia died on 24 June 1985 and was buried with her second husband, William, at Bromley Cemetery, Christchurch.
Merv and Ellen (Nell) Edwards are buried together at the Riwaka Cemetery, Block B, Row 7, Plot 6 (Motueka Ward).
Last updated 30 November 2022
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