DEPARTURE from England to NZ of Charles Robert Matthews

[butterlily]

Our Grandfather Charles Robert Matthews arrived in Auckland on the "Ruapehu" on 27 August 1894 from England.   We would like to know the date of departure from England.

Also, we believe he was a corporal in the veterinary corps in the First World War and went to Samoa in charge of horses.  The ship carrying them was the
"Talune".  We can't seem to find confirmation of this. 

[spades]

Hi butterlily,

Not sure if this is your man, but Archives NZ http://www.archives.govt.nz/ Archway lists this probate:

Title years: 1918
MATTHEWS, Charles Robert

agency series accession box / item record part alternative no.
AAOM  6029  W3265   24911/1918

If he enlisted in the NZEF during WW1 Archives NZ Wellington office should have his military records. See the website above for contact details. Ths should include travel by ship to and from.

Regards, riley

[butterlily]

Thank you Riley for replying to our query.  We have looked up the relevant website and found where it lists the probate record.  We will contact Archives NZ to obtain the records.  We will also email the Archives NZ for further info on his military records.  He could have been a member of the militia as he was 47 years old in 1915.

[spades]

Hi butterlily,

I have found another reference to this probate stating his occupation was Meat Inspector and he died at Lower Hutt, Wellington. And there is a 1904 mariage of a Charles Robert MATTHEWS to a Elizabeth Moffat RUSSELL.

I can't find an on-line list for the Ruapehu for 1894, sorry.

Regards, riley

[liverpool annie]

Hi butterlily !

I can't answer your question I'm afraid - but I thought you might be interested in this !!

The "Ruapehu" was built by John Elder & Co, Glasgow for the New Zealand Shipping Co and was launched on 19/11/1883. She was a 4,262 gross ton ship, length 389ft x beam 46ft, clipper stem, one funnel, three masts (rigged for sail), single screw and a speed of 12 knots. There was accommodation for 80-1st, 80-2nd and 250-3rd class passengers. Her first voyage started on 10/1/1884 when she left London for Cape Town, Auckland and Wellington. Her last sailing on this route started on 15/9/1898 and she was then chartered to the Beaver Line. Commenced the first of two sailings from Liverpool to Quebec and Montreal on 15/4/1899 and on 14th October 1899 she was purchased by British India Steam Nav.Co and renamed "Zayathla". Put onto the Bengal service until 24th August 1900, when she was chartered to the Maharajah of Gwalior for use as a Boer War Hospital ship. She was converted at Calcutta and renamed "Gwalior" and served also to China during the Boxer Rebellion. In 1902 she returned to BISN Co, but retained the name of "Gwalior". In June 1911 she was sold, and arrived in Italy for breaking up on November 4th. [Merchant Fleets, vol.11, British India S.N.Co by Duncan Haws][North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P. Bonsor, vol.3, p.976] [North Star to Southern Cross by John M.Maber]

http://static.flickr.com/54/132617214_f58e8e6791_o.jpg

Annie 

[butterlily]

Hello Riley, Yes, he indeed was a gardener on his marriage certificate then became a Meat Inspector. He worked and (?lived) at the Wallaceville Laboratory -18 miles north of Wellington from 1905 to 1917 and studied to be a Meat Inspector. Then shifted to Lower Hutt. He worked at various meatworks relieving.  Not long after returning from Samoa in charge of horses for the NZ Army, he was put in hospital. Then he was sent to Westport Meat Abbatoir on the South Island in charge of an abbatoir.

He died in Wellington Hospital on 20 November 1918.

He married our Grandmother Elizabeth Moffatt RUSSELL in Wellington on 4 April 1904.

[butterlily]

Hello Annie.  Thank you for the trouble you have gone to to supply us with info on the "Ruapehu".  Much appreciated.

Butterlily

[ken72]

Hi

Nothing to do with your original question but my Gt Grandmother was a Moffatt and I am a Russell. Curiosity prompts me to ask where your Grandmothers family came from. My ancestors are from Lanarkshire, Scotland, the Russell side from Airdrie.

Cheers
Ken Russell

[butterlily]

Hello Ken

Thank you for your enquiry re Moffatt and Russell. 

My father's mother was Elizabeth Moffatt Russell.  She was born 19.12.1868 in Kilsyth to William Russell and Catherine Russell (nee McKenzie).   This was William's second marriage as his first wife Elizabeth Laing died in 1860.   William was born 3.5.1832 to Robert Russell and Agnes Baird in Kilsyth.  As far as I am aware, the parents of Agnes Baird were James Baird and Elizabeth Moffatt who were married in Kilsyth on 13.12.1800.

In the 1871 census the family lived in Main Street A Chalmers Property
In the 1881 census - at 40 High Street, New Monkland, Kilsyth
In 1891 census - at 15 Mack Street, Airdrie
in 1901 census - at 15 Mack Street, Airdrie

Looking forward to your reply

Lynette