One of the Watkinson’s families

I was reflecting the past of many soldiers went to the Gallipoli, and not everyone came back home. Yesterday, it was ANZAC Day – combine with Australia and New Zealand.

I just remember Great uncle Roy Watkinson of Te Awamutu was telling me about Joseph and Sarah Ann Watkinson and their three boys. Great uncle Roy have got the paintings, silverware, medals and papers from the lawyer on behalf of Harold Watkinson – the last surviving family members through Joseph and Sarah Ann Watkinson.

Let me explain how our family connected to Joseph and Sarah Ann Watkinson. Joseph had got a brother called Matthew Watkinson and maybe a sister Elizabeth, who came to NZ. Their parents were Charles and Martha Watkinson, and they have eight children. Our family linked to Matthew Watkinson. Matthew and Joseph were devoted Christian as in Methodist religion back to England. They came to Port Albert, New Zealand with the Abertlanders between 1862 and 1867. To my understanding that Charles and Martha Watkinson came to New Zealand as well.

Matthew married Sarah Cross (Croft) in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom and they have got 8 children. Joseph and his wife Sarah Freer have got three sons. My family came from Matthew and Sarah Watkinson. Families are living around New Zealand and overseas.

Now looking at the last surviving family of Joseph and Sarah Ann Watkinson in New Zealand.  Joseph and Sarah were involved with the Methodist Church in Auckland – Pitt Church on the corner of Pitt Street and Karangahape Road and other Methodist churches around NZ and overseas. Their sons were Harold, Arthur Edgar and Percy and these sons have different skills in the family. Joseph was a treasurer of the Mission Funds under the Methodist Church. Joseph died in 1950 at the age of 94 years old.

Harold worked for New Zealand Engineers Tunnelling Company before the war, and after the war, he worked for Public Works New Zealand. Harold married Hilda Mowlem. Harold served World War One and Two, and he returned back to New Zealand. They have no children, and Harold was the last surviving member of the Joseph and Sarah Ann’s family. He died in 1964 and buried in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

Arthur Edgar married Elizabeth Pilkington Paul. Arthur was a photographer/artist in Whanganui, and he bought the business of W. H. Partington – photographer. Arthur’s wife, Elizabeth’s half-sister – Dame Christina Allen/Allan Massey GBE married William Ferguson Massey who later became a 19th Prime Minister in New Zealand. Arthur died first with the influenza pandemic then Hilda died after 11 days with the influenza pandemic as well. They have no children. I do not have any photos of Arthur or Hilda in my genealogy research files, but I would love to have a picture or more of Arthur and Hilda than his works, one day.

Note: Elizabeth Pilkington Paul’s father was Walter Paul, and her mother was Elizabeth (Lilly) Pilkington. Walter married twice – his first wife was Christina Peace Allen and his second wife were Elizabeth (Lilly) Pilkington. So Christina Allen Paul came from the first family while Elizabeth Pilkington Paul went from the second family of the same father.

To my surprise that Elizabeth’s half-sister married to William Massey who he became a Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Percy was single and served the first World War. He worked as a coachbuilder. Unfortunately, he was killed in action in Ypres, Belgium – 12th October 1917 at the age of 27 years old. He was due to attend to Arthur and Hilda’s wedding.

Wow – in my family from my late father’s side: Two Prime Ministers and one MP (Members of the Parliament) through bloodline while a third one was not a direct bloodline. Today I am working with Hamilton Methodist Social Service, and I was a trustee for the Deaf Christian Fellowship under the Methodist Church.

Photos copyrights: Christina Allen Paul Massey

Hon. William Ferguson Massey

Harold and Percy Watkinson

Joseph, Sarah and possible Harold or Percy Watkinson from Jean Masters – Personal photos from My genealogy.