The Macphersons of the Far North of New Zealand
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The Macphersons of the Far North of New Zealand Reynold Macpherson, 4 November 2015 Alfred Sinclair Macpherson, 1895-1968 Eric Gordon Macpherson, 1907-1979 Not for sale, free download available from www.reynoldmacpherson.ac.nz Dedications This volume is dedicated first to my lady, Nicki, our four extraordinary children, Kirsty, Shiona, Ewan and Angus, and our wonderful grandchildren Austin, Olive and Ivy, hopefully, others yet unborn. Second, it is dedicated to the concept of family, and its big sister, community. It is in praise of the social fabric of our immediate society and the cultural, political and economic processes that sustain our civilisation. ii Acknowledgements Many people contributed to this compilation with advice, stories and photographs. They are referenced in the text and warmly thanked. This text would not have been possible without their willingness to reflect and share the memories of times past and people long passed on. Others supported this historical reseach in other ways. In particular I would like to acknowledge the curators of the Far North Regional Museum in Kaitaia’s Te Ahu Centre, Don and Lynda Hammond, for their expert help over years. In more recent times I have also been strongly supported by the curators of the Whangaroa Museum, Margaret Hayes and Brenda (and Ron) Jenkins, who provided access to many helpful sources. Kia ora tatau. Thank you all. iii Contents Dedications ............................................................................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................... iii Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 Alfred and Gordon Macpherson, World War One .................................................................................................. 2 Alfred and Margaret Macpherson, 1916-1925........................................................................................................ 3 Margaret Louisa Kendall .................................................................................................................................... 3 Alfred and Margaret Macpherson in Kaitangata, Otago .................................................................................... 5 Alfred and Margaret Macpherson in the Far North ............................................................................................ 6 John Mario ‘David’ Johnson .............................................................................................................................. 8 Cluny Macpherson Albert, Cluny Michael Macpherson .................................................................................... 8 Alfred and May Macpherson, 1925-1939 ............................................................................................................. 10 May and Doris Russell ..................................................................................................................................... 10 May Russell’s Genealogy ................................................................................................................................. 11 Alfred and May Macpherson in Awanui .......................................................................................................... 14 Alfred and May Macpherson in Mangatoetoe .................................................................................................. 15 Gordon and Ines Macpherson, 1935-1939 ............................................................................................................ 18 Gordon Macpherson and Bob Russell .............................................................................................................. 18 Boeuf and Guy’s Second World War ................................................................................................................... 19 Boeuf’s War ..................................................................................................................................................... 19 Guy’s War ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 Alfred and Gordon’s WW2 .................................................................................................................................. 24 Alfred’s WW2 .................................................................................................................................................. 24 Gordon’s WW2 ................................................................................................................................................ 24 The Twins in WW2 .............................................................................................................................................. 26 Peter’s War ....................................................................................................................................................... 26 John’s War ....................................................................................................................................................... 30 Alfred and Ivy Macpherson, 1945 – 1968 ............................................................................................................ 32 Herbert Pemberton ‘Boeuf’ Macpherson after the War ........................................................................................ 38 iv The Far North Timber Company ...................................................................................................................... 38 Gertrude Macpherson’s Children and Parents .................................................................................................. 40 Gertrude Macpherson’s maternal ancestry ....................................................................................................... 41 Gertrude Macpherson’s paternal ancestry ........................................................................................................ 43 The Imposter Hamilton .................................................................................................................................... 44 Maire Macpherson ........................................................................................................................................... 45 Joyce Macpherson ............................................................................................................................................ 48 Meg Macpherson .............................................................................................................................................. 49 Patsy Macpherson ............................................................................................................................................ 50 Neta Macpherson ............................................................................................................................................. 51 Christine Macpherson ...................................................................................................................................... 56 Boeuf and Irene Macpherson, Penelope, Heather and Ruth, 1973-1976 .......................................................... 56 Guy Macpherson after WW2 ................................................................................................................................ 61 Guy and Janet Macpherson .............................................................................................................................. 61 Guy, Amateur Dramatics and Community Service .......................................................................................... 63 Douglas Macpherson ........................................................................................................................................ 64 Reynold Macpherson........................................................................................................................................ 66 Gilbert Peter Macpherson ................................................................................................................................. 68 Stuart Macpherson ........................................................................................................................................... 70 Guy and Wendy Macpherson, 1977 – 2001 ......................................................................................................... 70 Politics .............................................................................................................................................................. 70 Gwyn Macpherson ........................................................................................................................................... 72 Gwillam Macpherson ....................................................................................................................................... 73 Gordon and Ines Macpherson, after the War ........................................................................................................ 74 Honeymoon Valley .........................................................................................................................................