The Southern NZ Tattersfield Family

This account was written and kindly contributed by Trevor Marshall Tattersfield, one of the Tattersfields who live on the South Island of New Zealand. Trevor’s forebears were from the London Branch of the Tattersfield family, and his ancestry is as follows : John (d. 1790) | James Ware (1787 – 1848) | James (Ware?) (1817 – 1896) | Henry | James Henry | Lloyd Albert .

More details of the family members mentioned can be found in Chart 7 of the Family Tree. These include full christian names, and dates and places of birth, marriage and death, where known.

Introduction

This project was inspired by the receipt of ‘Chart 7’ from John Tattersfield, in Kent, UK, in 1983. He had been researching the family tree, and was perplexed to find the birth notice of Garth’s son Oliver, in Stroud, Gloucestershire, in 1975, and could not trace the origins. While he had records of the Auckland Tattersfield family, he had not learnt of the existence of our South Island family. As John explains in the Tattersfield Website, our surname is quite unique (compared to Smith, Brown, Jones, etc).

We visited John in 1984, and were able to view the extensive family tree dating back to the 1700s, of which ‘Chart 7’ is but a small part. Since then I have accumulated various information, cuttings and photos, together with some limited research.

Our family never spoke of our great grandparents, nor did we ask , save for the very few visits of a Great Aunt or Uncle. Accordingly I thought it important to collate what information we have, for the interest of future generations. This is written from my own perspective, with notes on only those ancestors we have had knowledge of, or contact with. I have gone back only as far as our great grandparents, who emigrated from the UK, and have left our current generation as a project for the next.

I am very grateful for the assistance provided by Carolyn Lott (James (Ware) 1817-96 | Henry | Daphne Eunice | Gwyneth Ethel | Christopher Lott m Carolyn) and Shirley Downward (James (Ware) 1817-96 | Henry | Muriel Millicent | Elvia Burrow | Shirley), as well as for on-going support from John T.

I commend you to the Website www.tattersfield.net. To complement this, I have a separate folder containing hard copies of cuttings, supporting records, and photos etc.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

Trevor Tattersfield
June 2020

Updated: 8/6/2022

OUR GREAT GRANDPARENTS

• HENRY (EDWARD) TATTERSFIELD 1850 – 1928
• HARRIET TALL 1857 – 1935
• JAMES MILLER 1854 – 1910
• ELIZABETH SMITH 1855 – 1911

HENRY (EDWARD) TATTERSFIELD

He arrived in Port Chalmers on September 10, 1871. There is no record of his passage
as he was not one of the four cabin passengers, and would have been one of 59 in
steerage.

The notes compiled by Carolyn suggest he may have chosen to seek his fortune in
Dunedin, which was booming from the proceeds of the Central Otago gold rush.
However the gold rush had started in 1862 and by the time he arrived was running
down.

The first record of Henry was in an advertisement in the ‘Tuapeka Times’ of 14th March 1872:

“Smith & Tattersfield Builders and Contractors Roxburgh
Every description of Carpenters and Joiners work Executed on the shortest notice. Plans and
Specifications drawn out, and estimates given for buildings and repairs.
NB – All orders punctually attended to”.

However that was followed in August 1872 by a similar notice dissolving the partnership,
with the debts being taken over by Mr Smith.

The next record of Henry is in the Tuapeka Times September 1873, reporting an
amateur concert in Alexandra where:

“the comic element was strongly represented a Mr Tattersfield convulsing the audience by the
irresistibly droll manner in which he sang several songs.”

Tuapeka’s claim to fame was as the centre of the Central Otago gold rush, with the
discovery of gold in Gabriels Gully near Lawrence.

The Otago Daily Times reported Henry adjudged bankrupt in August 1875, and
discharged later the same year.

In February 1876 he played in a cricket match for Balclutha, against Tapanui.

He married Harriet Tall on 12 July 1877 in St.Pauls Church Dunedin, “a bachelor, builder,
full age; she a spinster aged 20.”

Carolyn’s research shows various Otago court reports during 1878, 1879, and 1880; and on electoral rolls in Canterbury 1885/86, as a builder in Levin 1893, and Manawatu/Otaki 1896-1906.

Henry and Harriet had eight children :

• James Henry 1877 Dunedin
• Harriet Martha (Cissie) 1879 Dunedin
• Walter Jeffrey Stephen 1881 Dunedin
• Ernest Alfred 1882 Dunedin
• Ruby Agnes 1884 Dunedin
• Muriel Millicent 1886 Christchurch
• Winifred Irene 1888 Christchurch
• Daphne Eunice 1890 Dunedin

The notes from Noel Dodd say that Henry abandoned his family shortly after the birth
of Daphne in 1890, and they had no idea what happened to him. Their story that he left
for work one morning and never came home could well be true – as other parts emerge,
it could be concluded he had an issue with drink and providing for his family.

He is next recorded on the electoral roll in Levin 1893 as a builder, and from a tiny
record in papers of the time, we know Henry was in Jubilee House, a charity home
in Whanganui, in December 1920 – at age 70, – where he stayed until he died in
Whanganui Hospital on 02 March 1928.

He is buried in the Whanganui Aramaho cemeterey, Block F, Row 4, Plot 263 as “Harry”
Tattersfield.

Certainly, our immediate family in Southland NZ, did not speak of him at all. His life story
is very well detailed in the research notes by Carolyn Lott.

HARRIET TALL

She is noted in a Womens Suffrage petition in 1893 at 4530 Great King St, Dunedin, and on electoral rolls in 1896, 1900, 1905/6 and 1911.

Wise’s directory 1898-99 shows Mrs Harriet T, dressmaker, at the same address, – with same entries in 1900, 01, and 02.

She is also recorded as living in 1905 at 393 Castle St, in 1915 at 671 Castle St, and in 1930 at 107 Highgate, Dunedin, where she died 07 July 1935, aged 78.

She is buried in the Dunedin North cemetery, Block 191/32, which she shares with her mother (Martha)
and brothers Harry, Stephen and Edwin.

The Tall family is well known in Southland through fishing and cycling.

Brother Brian recalls visiting (with our father Lloyd Albert), two of Harriet’s brothers and a wife, who farmed at the head of Waituna Lagoon (near Fortrose), with the only access along the beach at low tide.

JAMES MILLER

James was born c.1854 and lived in Stirling, Scotland. His occupation was noted as a ‘textile designer’.

He married Elizabeth Smith, from Glasgow, (we think marriage is that recorded on 2 October 1875) in Stirling. Their eldest daughter Elizabeth (our grandmother) was born on 13 July 1879, recorded in 1881 Scottish census at 2 Wellington St., Hawick, Roxburghshire, with James occupation as a ‘tweed pattern designer’

We visited Hawick during our UK trips in 1984 and 2001, – it is indeed a ‘mill town’, with ‘Miller’ a very common surname.

At some time while daughter Elizabeth was quite young, they emigrated to NZ, where James was employed at the Mosgiel Woollen Mills, – located in Mosgiel, in the Dunedin district.

He is recorded in NZ Wise’s Directory 1892/93 in Mosgiel, as a ‘designer’, and in 1900 Electoral Roll Otago-Tairei, again as a ‘designer’.

At the time of his death, on 03 September 1910, the family was living in High Street, Mosgiel.

ELIZABETH SMITH

Elizabeth was born c. 1858, and she is recorded as coming from Glasgow.

To our knowledge, James and Elizabeth’s children were;

• William – Uncle Bill Miller
• Elizabeth (Smith) – our Gran
• Budge – Auntie Budge
• Minnie – Auntie Min.
• J Mck (?) Miller – Uncle Mac
• Ann Miller
• Kate (m. Tom Cairns)

The lovely photo supplied by Margaret Miller 4, of Gore, – taken at “Grannie Miller’s home” in 1910, on the occasion of the wedding of daughter Kate to Tom Cairns, shows amongst others;

• Mr J Tattersfield – son in law,
  (James Henry – our grandfather)
• The bride Kate Miller
• Mr J. McK Miller – (Uncle Mac ?)
• Miss Ann Miller – daughter
• Miss Budge Miller – (Auntie Budge)
• Miss Min Miller – bridesmaid (Auntie Min)
• ‘Grannie’ Miller
• Mrs J Tattersfield (our Gran)
• Baby on knee would be Walter James

Children Sitting;
Bessie and brother Tattersfield would be
Elizabeth Iris (Auntie Bessie), and our
father Lloyd Albert – who would have
been 6/7 at the time.

Elizabeth died on 29 July 1911, and is buried with James in the East Taieri Cemetery Block PA, plot 145. Others in the plot are “A Miller” (Gran’s sister) and to the left. K (Kate) Cairns, T (Tom) Cairns, and presumably their daughter “Bessie Cairns”, who Gran used to speak of.

OUR GRANDPARENTS

Our grand parents were;

• JAMES HENRY TATTERSFIELD 1877 – 1938
• ELIZABETH (SMITH) MILLER 1879 – 1973

JAMES HENRY TATTERSFIELD.

James was born on 27 October 1877 in Athol Place, Dunedin. He would have been brought up largely by his mother Harriett, a very strong lady, the family noted as living in various Dunedin addresses, – Castle St, St Kilda, and Highgate, and also in Christchurch where two of his siblings were born.

He married Elizabeth Smith Miller on 04 February 1901, in the house of Rev James Guy, Dunedin, – with the first record of him in Wise’s 1901 at Outram, 1903-4 at 7 Lambeth Rd, Dunedin, as a ‘saddlier’. Their second child Lloyd Albert (our father), was born on 28 December 1903, and shown clearly in the lovely
family photo of 1907.

We are not sure when they moved to Invercargill, but in the letter to the paper from Arthur S. Russell regarding an ‘Old Time Motor Race’ he writes – “In 1906 Robert Murie had a cycle shop in the old Prince of Wales Hotel where the Grand Hotel now stands…situated down the right-of-way. Early in 1906 I purchased all his motor gear and accessories, …and took over his workshop and employees. The late Mr James Tattersfield was garage foreman”. (Letter by Arthur S. Russell, well known in the motor business and proprietor of motor garage A Russell & Co, subsequently GWD Russells Ltd.)

Indeed James is next recorded in Stones Directory 1907, as in Leet St Invercargill, on the left from Leven St. as – ‘of Russell and Tattersfield, Cycle Engineers’. – And later in Wise’s 1910 in Tweed St as a cycle mechanic, and 1913 in Ritchie St as a motor mechanic. The Otago Daily Times 11 September notes him as a ‘special guest D.P.’ at a Druids Lodge meeting in Dunedin, and he is recorded in the 1911 Invercargill electoral roll at 87 Ritchie St.

Brian and Donnese remember him as being quite musical, and the Southland Times 1915 has several reports of him as a featured singer at “PoPs” concerts in August, September and November.

On 16 September 1915 the Southland Times notes he also ‘superintended an obstacle race for motor cycles’ at the A&P Show.

We are not sure when James formally started his motor business, but probably from his association with Arthur Russell in 1907. There is continuous advertising in the Southland Times from 1915 thru to 1920, featuring Jewett, Maxwell, Overland and Hupmobile cars, together with parts for Ford Cars, – all from his ‘Northend Garage’, – which would have been at 206 Dee St – now the site of a Z Service station.

Certainly, at the time it would have been one of the early motor businesses in Invercargill. We think
the car in the photo is a 1915/16 Maxwell, and James is one of the gentlemen standing outside the garage.

In 1926 the business moved to 107-109 Spey St, and in 1935 is registered as ‘J H Tattersfield and Son Ltd ‘.
James sold the business to Beck and McKenzie before he died in 1938 – it later became Beck Motors.

James must have been keen on boating – he is reported in the Southland Times, January 1925, at a meeting of the Invercargill Regatta Club, whose activities are so adequately described in ‘Huntley Dunlop’s Memories’ in the Southland Daily News, June 23 1951. Huntley mentions a “35 foot launch, the Constance” which according to our father, was acquired by James, possibly in settlement of a business debt, – and was a familiar site on Invercargill’s Avenal Harbour, Bluff Harbour and Stewart Island. (From an Article in the Southland Daily News, June 23 1951, by Huntley Dunlop, a well known boating identity and a household name in our family.)

I can vaguely recall seeing a photo of the craft moored in Stewart Island, with the family, including James’s young children, aboard.

At some time the ‘Constance’ was taken over by Les Murrell of Manapouri, and was the first tourist launch on Doubtful Sound (Les’ tourist business eventually became ‘Fiordland Travel’, and more latterly ‘Real
Journeys’ – currently a major NZ operator.)

For many years it was moored on Lake Manapouri, and used to tow barges from Supply Bay to Deep
Cove during the Manapouri Power project.

In describing a regatta at Avenal, Huntley notes that – “outboards would soon be popular. Jim Tattersfield already had an outfit, the first on the river, the Miss Oreti” – and further on “we were all keen and took quickly to the new sport…..Jim Tattersfield built a Miss Oreti 11, and his son (Lloyd) came to light with a ‘cackerjack’ Miss Oreti 111“. And “Most enthusiastic officials of the first outboard club were: J Tattersfield, A
Hamilton…and others.”

I recall our father saying one of his ‘Miss Oreti’ speedboats ended up lying in the silt under the Oreti River Bridge – an appropriate final rest !

James was clearly widely involved in the community and served three terms on the Invercargill City Council from 1927, 1931, and 1935-38, and also as a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Brian and Donnese remember James ( known affectionately as ‘Da’) as a big, kindly man with a booming voice, and very generous. He was very musical and could pick up any instrument, especially his ’swanee whistle’. They have fond childhood memories of happy times at the family ‘crib’ in Otatara – on the left of the main road, just before the Oreti River bridge.

He must have been quite an entrepreneur, owning approx 5 residential properties at the time of his death.

James and Elizabeth had three children;

• Elizabeth Iris – Auntie Bessie
• Lloyd Albert – our father
• Walter James – Uncle Walter

Sadly, there were two more births in 1911 and 1912, recorded as ‘stillborn’.

James died quite suddenly on 02 October 1938 of peritonitis, in Cairnsmore Hospital, Invercargill, – a well
respected citizen, as evidenced by the Southland Times report of his funeral. At that time he was living at 319 Connon St. He is buried in the family plot in the Eastern Cemetery. Others in the plot are Walter James, Florence Myrtle and more recently Stuart Lloyd.

The only siblings of James H we have had contact with are;

• The son of Harriet Martha (Cissie), Vernon (George) Tyrell of Oamaru.

Our father kept some contact with Vernon, and stayed on their property on the outskirts of Oamaru, when touring the South Island after he retired.

Walter Jeffrey

We understand ‘Great Uncle Walter’ was born in Dunedin and moved to Central Otago when quite young, for the sake of his health, – and lived in Clyde all his life. He married Annie Manson in 1911 in Invercargill.

I recall visiting them as a child, when our family holidayed in Central Otago – their house, down a long dusty driveway off Muttontown Road, is still clearly visible next to the now Dunstan Hospital.

Uncle Walter was a slight, kindly man, with a twinkle in his eye, a leathery complexion, and an ‘adams apple’.

They lived on a small orchard on the banks of the Kawarau River (now just below the Clyde dam), and also operated a small haberdashery shop on the main street. They were very kindly hosts and Auntie Annie’s baking was legendary – I can still recall the aroma in her kitchen.

There are numerous newspaper reports of his success with ‘pigeon showing competitions’.

Their son Hugh (Dad’s cousin), had a motor garage on the main street on the site of now “Olivers Café.” – and owned a quite unique three-wheeled BSA sports car, (now a collectors item).

He never married, lived in Bligh St, Clyde for many years, and I am told he died while sitting in his armchair watching TV – and was found with a glass of scotch still in hand !

Walter, at one time was NZ’s oldest licensed driver, and lived till he was 100, – the climate must have been good for him.

Walter and Annie had two children;

• Jeffrey Hugh – who never married.
• Thelma Barbara – m. John Labes, a farmer from Lawrence.

Daphne Eunice

Daphne Eunice was the last of eight children.

Shirley Downward has compiled extensive notes on ‘Great Aunty Daphne’s’ celebrated career as an opera singer. When young she must have lived in Invercargill at some time with James, where she is recorded with success in local singing competitions.

I recall her visiting Invercargill c.1947- 49, when she stayed with our Gran. We had a family gathering at our house one evening, when she actually sang for us. A memorable performance !

Ernest Alfred

Ernest married Mary Ellen Woodward in Dunedin in about 1906.

G. Aunty Mary visited us in Connon St, and, although she had lost an arm, Donnese recalls her being an adept knitter.

Ernest Alfred and Mary had five children.

The eldest, Leslie Alfred, had served in the Navy during WW11, and visited us in Invercargill from
time to time.

They lived in/near Levin and his first wife Jo was killed in a motor accident in the North
Island. They had a daughter named Claudia.

Ernest’s second son, Harold, we understand was a NZ rifle shooting champion.

Eileen Mary – born 3 Feb 1915, married Barney Finch in 1939 and lived in Whangarei. Brother Garth kept in touch with her, during the period he lived in Whangarei.

ELIZABETH (SMITH) MILLER

Elizabeth (known affectionately by us as ‘Gran’) was born on 13 July 1879, in Hawick, a border mill town in Scotland. We visited Hawick in 1984 and 2001, and on enquiry found ‘Miller’ a very common surname. We understand she emigrated to Dunedin NZ with her parents, as quite a young girl, living in Mosgiel, where her father James worked in the Mosgiel Woollen Mills as a textile designer.

She married James Henry on 04 February 1901, in Dunedin, and our first record of her is in the photo of the wedding party of her sister Kate in Mosgiel, in 1910, which was shown earlier in this essay.

As a child, Gran was our only living grandparent, and it never occurred to us to ask of the others, nor were they talked of. She often referred to Scotland as ‘Home’ or ‘the old country’ and spoke of her brother “Mac”, and sisters “Budge” and “Min”.

Our early recollections of her, living at 62 Selwyn St Invercargill, (immediately next door to son Walter James (Uncle Walter) at 64 Selwyn St,) were of a quite dour, stern, but kindly lady, with a broad Scots accent.

She regaled us with a story that Dr Livingstone (the explorer I presume!) was her great uncle .

At the time we lived at 319 Connon St just around the corner, so we were quite close and she had a strong presence in our family. In particular, she largely assumed the ‘paternal’ role in Walter’s family while he was away at the war. She was also very good to their eldest son Stuart, who had suffered some disability during an infantile paralysis epidemic.

Our two families frequently holidayed together in Te Anau, where we had adjacent ‘cribs’. – Gran would come with us, staying in a small cabin Walter had built. I recall her living with our family in Miller St for some time, when Walter and Flo were away.

She lived for many years after James had died, and eventually moved to ‘Peacehaven’ care home in
Invercargill, suffering some dementia. She died on 15 march 1973, aged 93, and is buried with James
in the Eastern cemetery.

The siblings of Gran that we have knowledge of are;

William – our parents stayed with Uncle Bill Miller when they toured the North Island in 1939. He was manager of the Onehunga Woollen Mills

Budge – As a child, I fondly recall Auntie Budge and Uncle Bob Walker visiting us in Connon St from time to time. They were real characters with friendly (humorous) banter from the time they arrived until they left .

Bob was the village baker at Woodlands, just out of Invercargill, and I recall him mixing dough in a huge bathtub. The bakery building was standing till quite recently.

His son Keith Walker, flew flying boats in the Islands during WW11 as a Squadron-leader and would call when in our area.

Minnie – ‘Aunty Min’ married James Greer and lived on the corner of Newcastle and Sydney St. Invercargill.

J McKenzie – ‘Uncle Mac’ was principal of the Opoho school in Dunedin.

OUR PARENTS

LLOYD ALBERT TATTERSFIELD

Dad was born in Dunedin on 28 December 1903, his parents then recorded as at 7 Lambeth Rd, moving to Invercargill some time before 1906.

He is reported in the Southland Times 1916 in the Middle School prize list, and later attending the Southland Technical College, and as a young man worked in his father’s motor garage in Spey St, training as a motor mechanic. Prior to his marriage he served some of his apprenticeship at the motor garage in Edendale – eventually qualifying as an ‘A-Grade Motor Engineer’.

In 1922 the Southland Times proudly noted – ‘Invercargill can lay claim to having produced NZ’s first “aero-car”…a youthful enthusiastic mechanic…set to work…’ (refer full article below).

He is also noted in “Huntley Dunlop’s Memories” article (Southland Daily News 1951), accounting the ‘Arrival of Power Boats’, where ‘Jim Tattersfield built a Miss Oreti 11, and his son Lloyd came to light with a ‘Crackerjack Miss Oreti 111’…and…most enthusiastic officials of the first power boat club were: J Tattersfield….Lloyd Tattersfield…. and later on….in a 7mile race, at Otatara Lloyd Tattersfield’s Miss Oreti 11 did the distance in 13min, 19sec.’

Mum and Dad were married in St Paul’s Church, Invercargill on 5th September 1928, and took up residence at 5 Windsor St, which we understand may have been a wedding present from his father.
Brian and Donnese were born while at that address.

He must have had a keen interest in motor cycles and is recorded as racing on Oreti Beach, around the time of (now famous) Bert Munroe (Bert Munroe was a household name in Invercargill and featured in the hit movie ‘World’s Fastest Indian”), and held a particular record, which stood for some time. He is documented as vice-president of the Southland Motor Cycle Club in 1930.

He also held a private pilots license in 1934/35 and was a member of the Southland Aero Club, licensed
to fly a ‘De Haviland Moth’.

In late 1938 his father sold the garage business shortly before he died. Given depression times, with
war imminent, after a short tour of the North Island, Dad managed to find a position at a motor garage in
Masterton. At this time he was living in 183 McMaster St. Accordingly, the family left Invercargill some time in 1939 (refer family album) but on arrival in Wellington, found the Masterton job had been cancelled by the war.

They stayed in Wellington with Mum’s cousin (Maude and Law Atkinson) for a short time, and then lived
at 20 Buckingham St, Lyall Bay. During this time Dad worked at Todd Motors, and at the Wellington
Bus Garage, before taking a position with the NZ Transport Dept, as a vehicle inspector in Greymouth.

Part of the duties at the time was to inspect and commandeer farm vehicles for the war effort – not a pleasant or popular task!

I was born during their time in Greymouth in January 1941, – a few months later Dad took a transfer opportunity, and the family moved back to Invercargill, at 274 Crinan St.

My earliest recollections as a young child are of 21 McMaster St, with Dad working at the Transport Dept in 1946/7. During this time the polio epidemic closed schools in the first term of 1948, with our home lessons by correspondence!

Dad had a continued interest in cars, often buying and selling to supplement income. I well remember he purchased a brand new 1947 Stylemaster Chev (quite a car of the day!) for 800 pounds, and sold it later for 1200!

In 1948 we moved to 319 Connon St. at the time still owned by Gran, but which he subsequently bought. Both Brian and Donnese were married from this house. It was about this time that he started his own practice as an independent automotive insurance assessor, working from a shared office in Esk St.

Dad was quite a competent flautist, and we often fell to sleep at night hearing him practice his favourite classical solos. He played regularly in the Orphans Club Orchestra, the Invercargill City Orchestra, and later in the pit orchestra for the Inv Operatic Society, – always dressed in the required full dinner suit! He also taught flute at the Southland Technical College evening classes.

I recall that for one Operatic production ( My Fair Lady?) there were four Tattersfields involved – Uncle Walter played oboe, Dad the flute, I played trumpet, and cousin Jim (James Linton) was on stage!

Around 1950 he had bought an old ‘Reo’ passenger bus from H&H Motors, and set about converting it into a fully appointed caravan – quite innovative at the time, and probably one of the region’s first ‘motor-homes’. I well recall Dad manoeuvering same around the ‘Devil’s Staircase’ on the Lake Road, enroute to holiday in Queenstown!

Following the bus project, with the new development of Te Anau township, he and Uncle Walter bought adjacent sections in Fergus Square, for the princely sum of 50 pounds each. At the time the whole area was covered in thick manuka scrub some 9ft high, – I recall cutting a track and clearing where we built a very basic ‘crib’, and many happy holidays as a teenager.

In 1954 we moved to 22 Miller St where he continued working as an insurance assessor until he retired.

He was always keen on boating and during retirement designed and built one of the town’s first ‘fibreglass’ craft – a 16ft dinghy with the fibreglass skin stretched over a wooden batten frame – quite innovative at the time. I recall the launching at Bluegum Point Lake Te Anau – unfortunately the craft was so light as to be impossible to control in the wind, and sadly was later destroyed. He also restored a Saunders Cup class yacht hull, with an ingenious one-man lifting device for beach launching.

By this time all the family had moved on, so in search of warmer climes, Mum and Dad toured the South Island for some time before settling in Christchurch (where Brian was living at the time), and later in Timaru.

With Mum’s health failing they eventually moved back to Antrim St, Invercargill.

After Mum died in 1983, Dad took a studio unit in Peacehaven Village, where he lived until he died in his sleep on 12th February 1989 aged 85. – (cause of death later diagnosed as a ruptured aortic aneurysm).

His ashes are interred in the crematorium section of the Invercargill East cemetery.

Lloyd’s siblings were;

Elizabeth Iris

Elizabeth Iris – our ‘Aunty Bessie’ – Born 05 May 1902 in Dunedin, married Charles Edward Smith, (born 11 September 1902 in Otautau) in St John’s Church, Invercargill in 1925.

As a child, I recall Aunty Bessie, as a bright jovial lady, quite a heavy smoker (unusual for ladies in those days), with slightly leathery complexion.

They lived not far from us in Connon St. and their daughters, Coralie and Marilyn, as children, were quite close to Brian and Donnese.

Around 1951 they moved to Ohakune Junction in the North Island where Uncle Charlie had a senior position with the NZ Railways. On his retirement they moved to Cornfoot St, Castlecliff, Wanganui, where Bessie died on 22 November 1975.

Charlie was always a bright, outgoing man, and would visit us regularly when we lived in Heretaunga. He died on 05 April 1986 in Dunedin Hospital.

Bessie and Charlie had two children;

• Coralie June 1928 – 2000
• Marilyn Dawn 1930 – 2020

Walter James

Walter James – ‘Uncle Walter’ was born on 16 June 1908, in Invercargill, and married Florence Myrtle Whitely (Aunty Flo), in Christchuch in 1936.

He graduated from Canterbury University with a BE, and being depression times, found work on the construction of the Homer Tunnel project, on the Milford Road – where he took his new wife to live in a ‘workers hut’ at the Cascade Creek camp. I recall seeing the primitive foundations in the bush– it must have been very rugged and cold in winter.

He served during WW11 with the NZ Engineers Div in Crete, and on return was one of the first employees as a civil engineer with the newly-formed Southland Catchment Board (now Environment Southland) – where he worked until retirement.

They lived at 64 Selwyn Street, next door to ‘Gran’, with sons Stuart Lloyd and Jim (James Linton). We were quite close at 319 Connon Street so virtually grew up together. Mum, Aunty Flo, and Gran also spent a lot of time together.

Walter was a fine musician, with a very good ear, and a lovely tone on clarinet and saxophone. He played in the renowned ‘Kiwi Concert Party’ during the war, and for some 20 years played in Jack Wills band at St. Mary’s dances in Invercargill. He later played oboe with the City Orchestra, and the Operatic Society.

Aunty Flo died on 4 January 1981, and Walter later moved to Gore where son Jim had taken over a pharmacy business.

He died on 07 September 1997, and is buried in the family plot in the Invercargill East cemetery.

Walter and Flo had two children;

• Stuart Lloyd 1937
• James Linton 1943

MYRTLE MAUDE MARSHALL

Our mother was born on 11th May 1904, in Invercargill, where her father is recorded in 1905-6 as living
in Leet St. She attended Middle School, gaining ‘Proficiency’ in 1917.

I understand on leaving school she worked in the office of the Southland Dairy Co. and H & J Smith Ltd, and played hockey as a young girl.

She was brought up in the family home at 141 Esk St. next to the original Invercargill Fire station.

As noted above, Mum and Dad were married in St Paul’s Church Invercargill, on 5th September 1928,
by the Very Reverend Tocker, – a fearsome orator.

Mum was a devoted and prudent homemaker, being a product of the depression – this in the days before
modern appliances.

We always had a two course dinner at noon, with ‘tea’ at night, and in those days, like most ladies, she did not drive.

She would meet her sisters (and friends) at H&J Smith’s Tearooms on a Wednesday afternoon, to catch up with news of the day, and regularly attended Country Women’s Institute gatherings. For some years she was secretary of the Southern Cross scout group.

After failing health, she died in Kew hospital on 1st August 1983, in her 80th year. Her ashes are interred next to Dad in the crematorium section of the Eastern cemetery.

Lloyd and Myrtle had five children;

• Brian James 1929
• Donnese (Denise) Margaret 1932 – 2023
• Trevor Marshall 1941
• Elaine Myrtle 1942 – 1998
• Garth Walter 1945

Our Mother’s siblings were;

Ethel

Ethel – our ‘Aunty Ethel’ was born on 18 August 1896, and worked in help in her teens. She married Robert Melrose (Uncle Bob) who worked at the Invercargill Electricity Dept. They lived for many years in a flat at 78 Russell St. – (which, coincidently became our first property when first married).

She was a kindly lady, and often looked after us if Mum was ill, spoiling us rotten!

They later built a small house in Inglewood Rd, and after failing health she died in Riverton Hospital on 26 August 1976, aged 80.

James Robert

James Robert – our ‘Uncle Jim’ was born on 12 October 1901, registered as in ‘Wakatipu’. (his parents were married in Queenstown). He never married, and was known as a fine musician, playing trombone in dance bands and orchestras of the day.

He went on to be a NZ Champion soloist, (see photo in family album), was well respected in brass band circles, and based in Wellington, played professionally in pit orchestras and touring shows for many years.

Unfortunately his reputation became tarnished in later life with addiction to alcohol, and his health deteriorated. I recall visiting him c.1963 in the Salvation Army Eventide home, in Miramar, where he lived under their care, until his death on 30th October 1979.

Edith Annie

Edith Annie – our ‘Aunty Edie’ was born in Invercargill on 12 June 1906, and married Gordon Webb, a plumber by trade, and on first impressions, quite a stern man.

I recall they lived in quite a distinctive house, with rock-clad walls, at 416 Dee St, immediately opposite Herbert St, and the then northern tram terminus.

She was always a very gracious lady and would also look after us if mum was ill. She enjoyed the travel club and other Gladstone activities.

Later in life they retired to Wai-iti Rd Timaru, where Uncle Gordon died. Edie lived until she was 96, and died on the 11 March 2003, in the Admatha Rest Home, Christchurch.

Edie and Gordon had four children;

• Valma Audrey 1930
• Peggy Erin 1934 – 98
• William James 1936 –
• Ronald George 1939 – 96

Margaret Mary

Margaret Mary – known affectionally as ‘Googoo’, was born in Invercargill on 13 September 1908. She married William Ritchie in 1934, and died from tuberculosis on 4 November 1945, aged 37. She is buried in the Eastern Cemetery, Block 45, as Margaret Ritchie.

Donnese recalls our mother nursing her final days, in our home at 21 McMaster St.

Linda

Linda – our ‘Aunty Linda’ was born in Invercargill, on 7 January 1911. She married Stewart Daniels (Uncle ‘Tiny’) and lived in Pine Hill, Dunedin. She suffered some health problems at an early age, as evidenced in
the letter by Aunty Edie, and later, I recall Lois and Noeline staying with us in Miller St, when she was not well.

She died suddenly, of a brain hemorrhage, on 18 December 1968.

Linda and Stewart had two children;

• Lois Clare 1943
• Noeline Patricia 1945.

Header Image: A panoramic view of a green forest against the sea in Invercargill, New Zealand on a cloudy day. Photo taken from the nearby Bluff Hill.  Wirestock.io / iStockPhoto.com.