Francis E O Couzens (1893-1980)

[Printer]

Hello,

I am hoping someone can help sort out the mystery about Francis Edward Oliver Couzens, known as Frank. He was born in Christchurch, NZ on 17 July 1893 (s/o John Robert Couzens & Hannah nee Paget).

In 1930, in August, Frank arrived in San Francisco, from NZ on "R.M.S. Tofua". He married, sometime before the birth of two children: ^(*) (1924) and Charles Robert (1926) in Chicago, Illinois. But then the mystery turns, and he is apparently married again, to Florence Drury, but then also arrives in Australia in the 1930's. Then War is declared, and the family are separated, but still living in Sydney, NSW then return to the US. Both brothers enlist in the US late 1940's.

In 1946, Francis arrives in San Francisco from Sydney, NSW, on "Mariposa". Destination Tacoma WA.

What I am wanting to know is any details, and names, of marriages, in Chicago, Illinois, and when did the family go to Australia, and when did they return to the US?

Francis Edward Oliver Couzens died 28 May 1980 Sonoma, California.

Any help and information would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Printer



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[ciderdrinker]

Arrival San Francisco 15.8.1920 on RMS Tofua
Francis Couzens 27 born NZ to Posatello Idaho  relative C Couzens 25 Cromwell Park Avenue Auckland

Ciderdrnker

[Printer]

Hello ciderdrinker,

Thank you, I put the wrong date of arrival, should have been 1920!

Printer

[shellyesq]

There is a family tree that says the mother of Francis' sons was named Margaret Lewis, who was born in 1903. 

That tree mentions that Charles had died, but the older son is listed as private.  Do you know if the older son is definitely deceased?

[Printer]

Hello shellyesq,

The older son is still living. I am only trying to discover the mystery surrounding Francis E O Couzens and the family early in the twentieth century. No details of living persons are required. Thank you.

Printer

[AMBLY]

Hi

I was looking at this one last night, the following is probably all known to you Printer?, but it does clarify some things for us:

1931 MARRIED:  in New Zealand to Florence Amelia DRURY
https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/search/

1939 TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA, Wellington to Sydney
https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1609792
From New Zealand, on ship 'Wanganella', Embarked 13 April 1939
Mr F.E. COUZENS age 44, Signwriter, b NZ
Mrs F.A. COUZENS age 36, D. D., b NZ
Master F  COUZENS age 14, b America
Master C.R. COUZENS age 11, b America

1942 SIGN UP WW2: 
www.naa.gov.au/
In Australia 14th Dec,  Francis Edward COUZENS , b 7 Jul 1893 ChCh NZ, Signwriter, Painter.  NOK: Wife: Florence Amelia COUZENS  of Ismay Avenue, Homebush NSW. Signs up for 2 years or duration of war, whichever is the greater. Description:  5'2", Brown hair & Eyes, Fair complexion, Tattoo Lt Forearm. Engaged on the Ship 'Penguin', Rating: Constable (GS), from 4 Dec 1942 to 13 Apr 1946. Remarks: 1946 - Approval given for demobilization as convenient when passage arrangements to America are known or --- his normal demobilization date whichever is the earlier vide ….."

1943: NEWS AU
http://trove.nla.gov.au/
May 1943:  Eldest son COUZENS, age 18, first ex-cadet of RAAF Training Corps  to enlist in US Air Corps as Ground Staff Wireless Operator. Of Ismay Ave, Homebush NSW. Enlisted in ATC July 1942. Enlisted in Air Corps 'last year'; Believed to be in New Guinea.

1944 NEWS AU
http://trove.nla.gov.au/
Sept 1944:  Eldest son , first ex-cadet of RAAF Training Corps (son of father NZEF, now member of Homebush Strathfield-Flemington NSW) to enlist in US Air Force by virtue of his US Citizenship.

1946 TRAVEL TO US: Frank, aged 53, married male, Signwriter,  arrives in San Francisco with wife Florence A,  from Sydney, NSW, on "Mariposa".  Going to:  brother C COUZENS, in Tacoma. He stated he had last left the US in 1926 and had prior to that, been 7 years in Illinois.   Florence was stated never to have been in the US prior to 1946.

So to me, it look like:
1926 about: With or without the (unknown?) mother of the boys - left the US shortly after the  second son was born & went to NZ.
1931: Frank married Florence in NZ
1939: The family immigrated to Australia from NZ (that's if this was their first travel to AU)
1942: Frank enlisted in Australia, and his eldest son at least, became an Australian Airforce Cadet
1942: Eldest son, enlisted in US Airforce  in Nov 1942.
1943: Frank and Florence are in the NSW Electoral Rolls at Ismay Ave, Homebush
1945: Younger son also enlists in US Air Corps.
1942-1946: Frank is  seemingly engaged in service on the "Penguin" - so away from home? The Boys are following their careers in the Air Force. So perhaps not a split family in the way of  domestic disharmony, but rather due to the war.

The boys return to the US is very likely to have been via Services transport, and you're unlikely to find a manifest for that via the usual  sources available for  travel.

Do you know the name of the boys' mother? 

Cheers
AMBLY

[Printer]

Hello Ambly,

Wow! That has cleared-up a few questions. The boys mother was Margaret Lewis, no idea of date of marriage, or divorce, but would like to know more about her.  Do you have the name of the ship in 1939 please? Thank you.

Printer

[AMBLY]

Hi Printer

I added the name of the ship, above - and the source! This should take you to the image of the manifest:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12569-50977-80?cc=1609792

Re: Margaret Lewis.  Is the source of this name from  the eldest son or if not,  has it been proven by other means?

I only ask, because in the US was another family - centered around Detroit Michigan.
The Father & son both named Frank and similar ages to your two. The mother was a Margaret L.
I found them on a Travel manifest first  (in the 20's) and thought it was your family, but then found them in 1930 US Census so discarded.

Cheers
AMBLY

[Printer]

Hi Ambly,

Sorry, I got carried away with all the details! Great finds when you know where to look. Margaret Lewis shown as mother on birth certificates for both boys. I have copies. The Michigan family not related although the similarities in names etc is confusing. The fact Francis E O Couzens was born in NZ helps. Thank you.

Printer