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Free Family Chart #1.
Last Updated April 2008.
| May
Aroha Free
|
William
Robert Hurworth Free
|
William Henry Free Born, 9 November 1825 Died 25 January 1919 |
| Mary Garde-Brown Born, 1845 Died, 8 September 1922 |
||
| Margaret
Robertson Sloane Born, 26 October 1882  Died, 28 October 1974 |
Walter Henderson Sloane Born, 11 March 1843 |
|
| Margaret Johnstone Robertson Born, 10 October 1843 Died, 3 January 1921 |
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May
Aroha "Maisie" Free (1911-1981)
Born, 13 March 1911, NZ
Married, Robert Austen Young,
11 August 1935, St. Marks Church, Auckland, NZ
Died, 15 October 1981, Christchurch, NZ
Notes: In the 1920s the Free & Young families lived next door to each other in Queens Avenue Hamilton.
At the time of her marriage Maisie was a well known amateur actress in Auckland.
 |
| The wedding
of Robert Austen Young and May Aroha Free. August 1935. |
Wedding. Young-Free
A wedding of interest to many persons in Auckland and in Christchurch
was celebrated last evening between Miss May (Maisie) Aroha Free, elder
daughter of Mr. And Mrs. W. R. H. Free, Westbourne Crescent, Remuera,
and Mr. Robert Austen Young, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Young, of
Cashmere Road, Christchurch. St. Mark’s Church, Remuera, was chosen
for the ceremony, and beautiful flowers were used as decorations for the
pulpit and alter. They comprised pink starry heath, white lilies and freesias.
Clusters of white spring flowers were tied with satin ribbons to the pews.
The bride’s aunt, Miss Mollie Sloane, was responsible for the church
decorations.
The bride who was given away by her father, wore a gown of pastel peach
angelskin brocaded lame. The bodice had a small neck V, and the long sleeves
were fashioned full to the cuffs. On the front of the bodice was inset
a graduated panel, which from the knees fell in a very full folds and
made a sweeping fan-shaped train. Her headdress of ice-white tulle was
surmounted with a full wreath of lily of the valley, and then floated
in many yards to the end of the brocaded train. She carried an armlet
of beautiful white blooms. A decided contrast was emphasized in the frocks
worn by the three bridesmaids, Misses Joan Dive, Margaret Free (bride’s
sister) and Margaret Young (bridegroom’s sister). They were of turquoise
blue ripple chiffon. The bodices, which were gracefully shirred on the
shoulders, were made in cross-over style, and had full puff sleeves to
the elbows, while the skirts were cut on slender lines and fell into small
fish-trains. Wreaths of fresh pink flowers were worn as headdresses, and
they carried armlets of blue and pick flowers.
Dr. Edmund Young (the bridegroom’s brother) was best man, and the
duties of groomsmen were carried out by Messers. Martin Dawson and Anthony
Ball. Ushers at the church were Messrs. Apsley Bathurst and P. Page-Howard.
The service was rendered by the Rev. P. Houghton, and the wedding music
was played by Miss Freda Lewins.
Following the ceremony a reception was held in the ballroom of Miss Johnson,
Omahu Road, Remuera, the hall being a bower of exquisite light foliage
and pink blooms. Mrs. Free received the guests in a frock of delphinium
blue brocaded cloque, with long velvet sash. Her hat toned with her frock,
and was completed with a grey squirrel wrap. She carried a bouquet of
cyclamens. Mrs. Young (the bridegrooms mother) wore a smart gown of crimson
and gold lame, with a hat to tone. Her bouquet was of cream roses. Miss
Mollie Sloane, beige lace and brown hat. The bride’s traveling frock
was a black cloth tailored suit and black velvet peaked cap.
Biographical
Details:William Robert Hurworth Free 'Micky' and 'Micheal'
Born, 24 November 1876, New Plymouth, NZ
Baptised St. Mary's New Plymouth on 7 December 1876
Married, Margaret Robertson Sloane,
1908
Died, 15 July 1942, Auckland, NZ
Recieves a Good Conduct prize December 1885 from the Central School Taranaki (Taranaki Herald, 19 December 1885, page 2)
The seriousness of attempting to pass the railway crossing in Devon-street when a train is near was impressed upon a young man named William Free at the Police Court to-day (Monday). It was explained by Sergeant Stagpoole that the porter had to dash his flag in the defendant's face to keep him back. The Magistrate imposed a fine of 20s and costs. (Taranaki Herald, 18 February 1901, page 2)
Newspaper clipping, 2 December 1908 – source not identified
Free – Sloane Wedding
An unusually pretty home wedding took place on Wednesday afternoon when Miss Margaret Sloane, youngest daughter of Mrs Sloane, Marine Parade, Ponsonby, Auckland was carried to Mr. William R. H. Free of New Plymouth post office. The ceremony was performed in the drawing-room at “Dunbar”, the residence of the bride’s mother.
At half-past two o’clock, to the strains of “Lohengrin”, planed by Mrs Thorbourne, the bridal party entered the drawing-room, and stood under a beautiful wedding bell. The Rev. A. Macaulay Caldwell conducted the service. The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr. Dunbar Sloane, of Wellington, looked lovely in a soft white crepe de chine, with a V and panel in front of skirt of tucked chiffon lace, embossed with silk flowers. She wore a soft white tulle veil, arranged over real orange blossoms, and carried a beautiful shower bouquet.
Miss Lassie Sloane and Miss Bessie Watt attended as bridesmaids, and were charmingly frocked in white Indian muslin with pick tucks and French Valentine lace, made semi-Empire, with fichus, and large white crinoline hats wreathed with white daisies. They carried lovely shower bouquets of pick sweet peas, and wore handsome wreath brooches set with turquoises and pearls, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr. H. Free acted as best man, and Mr Marples as groomsman.
After the ceremony afternoon tea was served in the dining-room and on the spacious verandah. The tea table was artistically decorated with pink sweet peas and trellis of pink silk ribbons, while four tiny wedding bells, with ribbon, were suspended over the table. The Rev. Macaulay Caldwell proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom.
The presents were numerous and valuable. Later Mr and Mrs Free departed amidst rose leaves for Howick, the bride wearing a stylish electric blue striped cloth costume and blue crinoline hat with large pale pink roses and foliage. Mrs Sloane (mother of the bride) wore a black toilette, with touches of white lace; Miss Free (New Plymouth), cream frock, with lace threaded with pale green ribbon; Miss Sloane, white silk and cream skirt; Miss Robertson, black and white floral gown, Misses M. and T. Sloane wore cream and white respectively.
Among others present were:
Mrs T. F Robertson, Mrs Sotham, Misses Tizard, Walker, Hall, Kennedy, Scott, Bellhouse, Mrs and Miss Thorburne, Mrs H. Cooke, Mrs R. Watt, Mrs Oxley., etc.
Obit, NZ Herald (Auckland) 17 July 1942:
FREE, on July 14, 1942, at Auckland Hospital, William Robert Hurworth
(Micheal) loved husband of Margaret Robertson Free, of 2 Westbury Crescent,
Remuera, aged 65 years. Private Cremation yesterday.
Noted:
Was a Mason, and worked in the Post Office (telegraph).
In the 1905/6 Electoral Roll he is listed as a Clerk in Taranaki.
In his 1908 Marriage entry he is listed as a Telegraphist.
Children:
(picture, left to right, May, Margaret & Fredie)
May Aroha Free (1911-1981)
Margaret Rutherford Free, (1915-1994)
Married, 8 April 1939, George Anthony Ball (G A Ball died 11 December
1986)
Frederick Henry Free "Fredie"
Born, 4 October 1909 at New Plymouth NZ Died 25 January 1924. Fredie tragically
fell 70 feet down the cliffs at Karekare on the West coast of Auckland.
Henry John Free
Born, 22 February 1878, New Plymouth, NZ
Christened St. Mary's New Plymouth on 22 February 1878
Died, 7 July 1940, Auckland, NZ
Little apart from the following is currently known about him. He appears in the Taranaki Crown Land Grants as being granted Section 26, Block II, Upper Waitara on 16 July 1900, and again Section 4, Aria Suburban on 28 November 1905. He witnessed the wedding registrar of the 1908 wedding of his older brother W R H Free to M R Sloane. He listed his address at the time as being in New Plymouth.
And, in Standard 4, in 1889, he was award the 'extra' prize - which is the most popular child in a class who has not otherwise got a prize. Souce: Taranali Herald, 19 December 1889, page 2.
Stage Coach Pioneer
Mr. H. J. Free Passes
Carrying the mail in the early days.
Roads but tracks deep in mud.
By the death in Auckland last week of Mr. H. J. Free, a link with the past has been severed and the writer of these notes was moved to recall much that will be of interest to many people still resident in Te Kuiti and the districts immediately surrounding the town. The late Mr. H. J. Free, or as everyone knew him, Henry Free, came to Te Kuiti from New Plymouth in the year 1908, and immediately afterwards founded the firm of H. J. Free and Co., livery stable proprietors and mail contractors, in the premises now occupied by Te Kuiti Motors, Ltd. In a short time the firm acquired the mail-carrying business of Mr. Bert Lewis who ran daily to Pio Pio and Aria, returning next day. The service was provided means of coaches drawn by six horses, these being changes at Pio Pio, and it will interest many to know that these coaches were made in Te Kuiti by the firm of Rutherford and Wright, Mr. Wright still being resident in Te Kuiti. They were considered as being wonderfully adapted to the needs of the roads of those times, These so-called roads cannot possibly be envisaged by the younger generation of residents, and it needed courage and skill of the highest order to negotiate them, they for the most part of the year being nothing but deep muddy tracks. One of those drivers of these coaches, Mr. Dick Pratt, is still living at Wairere, where he farms and is affectionately remembered by many who travelled on the coaches of Free and Co.
Service to Waitomo Caves,
The firm acquired the business of Mr. C. Kirk, of Waitomo Caves, who ran a service from the Caves Hostel to the Hangatiki station. This service was very popular, being provided by means of a large covered waggonette and six horses driven by Mr. Charles Benjamin. It was a task of magnitude in those days to visit the Waitomo Caves, the roads in that direction being if possible worse than those leading to Aria.
Pioneer of Motor Buses,
Mr. Frees’ firm was never daunted, and long before the roads were considered to be good enough for motors, Free and Co. put on between Te Kuiti and Aria a large passenger carrying bus. It was a De Dion and a magnificent specimen of the motor engineer and bodybuilders’ art. They also about the same time introduced motors on to their Waitomo Caves run. It will be seen that Te Kuiti had amongst its earlier settlers business men of vision, and to those who to-day speed over the roads of the King Country they will never be able to form any idea of what such people as Henry Free had to encounter in those far away days.
Mr. Free had a very engaging personality which stood him in good stead in surmounting the many difficulties encountered.
Source: King Country Chronicle, July 15, 1940.
Louisa Kate Free
Born, 5 August 1882, Hurworth, New Plymouth, NZ
Christened at St Mary's, New Plymouth on 16 August 1882.
Died, 11 August 1960, New Plymouth, NZ
Very little is known about Katie. The picture (right) is from the group photograph at W R H Free and Margaret Sloane's wedding in Auckland in 1908. On the back of the photograph (written close to the time) she is described as Katie.
Obit from Taranaki Herald 13 August 1960
Free, Kate Louisa – (76 Elliot Street, New Plymouth.) On August 11, 1960, at the Westown Hospital, beloved younger daughter of the late William and Mary Free; aged 78 years. Cremated this day.
Mary Gretia Annie "Anna" Free
Born 22 June 1880 in New Plymouth
Christened at St Mary's, New Plymouth on 3 October 1880.
Married Owen Marvell 29 July 1918, at St Mary's, New Plymouth.
Very litte is known about Mary.
Recived an honourable mention in the 'Hand Bouquet by school children' at the 1893 Taranaki Horticultural Society - Spring show. source, Taranaki Herald, 25 November 1893 page 2.
Appears in the Taranaki High School awards 1896; reciving awards for; Attendence, Latin & French (she was third), and Tennis Singles. source Taranaki Herald, 19 December 1896 page 2.
She may have become a school teacher. As her first year pupil teacher exam pass (scored 608 out of 1100) is published the Taranaki Herald 28 July 1898 page 2.
We know from his Will (at National Archives) that Owen Marvell died on 30 November 1955 in Hastings. He was a farmer and left his house and property in Haumoana (near Hastings) to Thomas Waterman Harland and his wife Vola Harland (I'm assuming that Vola is his daughter). He also left (pounds) 2,000 to Margaret Robertson Free of New Plymouth (a widow). The absence in his will of any mention of Mary suggests she pre-deceased him.
Biographical Details:
I am deeply grateful to Jack Free of Tokoroa NZ for so many of the details
of W. H. Free's life. And, to James Cowan who by fortuitous timing interviewed
W. H. Free, then in the last months of his life, at about his experiences
in the NZ Wars.
 |
W. H. Free, Undated
but likely taken only a few years before his death in 1919.(1)
|
William Henry Free
Born, 9 November 1825, County Wicklow, Ireland.
W.H. Free's parents may never be known. In his Army Records (of which he would have been the informant) his parents are listed as William and Mary Free. W H Free's death certificate agrees and lists his father's occupation as "Farmer" - which seems probable. However, in his first wedding, in 1853, he lists his father as Robert Free. It is possible that his father was a 'William Robert Free' and known as Robert.
During and after the Wicklow Revolution
in the late 1790s records were infrequently kept and often even records
that were created were later destroyed. It has been reported that the
violence and destruction of the Wicklow Revolution was such that afterwards
not a single building in the region was left standing. None the less,
some research suggests W.H Free's father or more likely grandfather may
have been a French Huguenot immigrant with the surname Freeze. Regardless
of this, it is clear that W. H. Free considered himself thoroughly Irish.
Enlisted, Dublin, Ireland 15 April 1842 into the 58th Rutlandshire Regiment
of Foot. At the time of enlisting his occupation was 'Labourer'. (2)
It is possible that his first action was in assisting to quell the 1943
Manchester Riots.
 |
H.M.S Anson circa 1843
(3) |
On board the convict ship H.M.S. Anson (Capt. Coglin), as a Guard
Corporal. Leaving Plymouth 1 September 1843 (or Southampton 1st October),
via Rio, arriving Hobart Australia 4 February 1844. William H Free had
clearly told (or documented) his experience as it is re-counted at length
in one of his obituaries. The ship was then
converted into a floating women's prison and the troops of the 58th were
relocated to Sydney. (3)
Arrived Kerikeri NZ, on board H.M.S. British Sovereign, (according to
W. H Free it was the frigate H.M.S Hazard) in May 1845 as part
of an advance guard of the 58th Regiment.
In Auckland NZ, when Government House burned down, carried Lady Grey out
of the burning house. Although this is yet to be confirmed from other
sources.
Fought in the "New Zealand Wars". In action at:
Okaihau, 8 May 1845
Ohaewai, 30 June 1845
Ruapekapeka, 11 January 1846 - wounded
In Wellington and the Hutt Valley, May to August 1846
Sailed to Wanganui on the "Calliope" December 1846
In action May to July 1847.
Transferred to the 65th Regiment on 1 November 1849. (2)
Purchased discharge for £4.0.0 in Wellington on 31 January 1850
(2)
Married, Martha Hunt, 13 November 1853 at Omata Church, New Plymouth,
 |
| Detachment of the 65th Regiment on parade on Mt Eliot (Puke Auki
Pa) New Plymouth, Taranaki - March 1861. W H Free had purchased his dischage from this Regiment a decade earlier but he would have probably known men still in service and as Colour Sergeant for the Volunteers is likely to have been present for this parade. Alexander Turnbull Library |
Shown on the original roll of Taranaki Volunteers as a Sergeant - February
1859 (5).
Was Colour Sergeant at Waireka 28 March 1860.
Wounded in the knee 11 August 1860 at Omata stockade. (5)
Served Mahoetahi, 6 November 1860.
Lieutenant Commission 8 June 1864 (elected 25 May 1864 (5)).
 |
The Taranaki Militia and
Rifle Volunteers' efforts in 1860 were rewarded by the presentation
of an impressive flag in 1861, designed and sewn by the women of
the area. Note that the banner with the words "South Africa"
in the top right-hand of the flag was added to the corps' colours
following their participation in the South African War. (5)
|
Embarked on SS "Phoebe" 22 April 1865 as a Lieutenant in
the Bushrangers to the "White Cliffs" action. Owing to a storm
the troops were not landed at White Cliffs but were taken first to Auckland
and then later to Patea. (4) The Taranaki
Rifle Volunteers, also records this, without mention of the diversion
to Auckland, and describes that they were in fact at Opunake and in early
June were involved in a 'skirmish' inland of Warea and destroyed a Pa.
(5).
After the war he was employed by the late Dr. Humphries at 'Montosa'.
Represented Omata on the Taranaki Provincial Council, 15 September 1865
to 8 September 1869.
 |
| W.H. Free's signature.
From his 1867 letter to Harry Atkinson. |
2 September 1867, wrote to Harry Atkinson, then a member of Parliament, (whom he addressed as Major) regarding concerns over proposed legislation that would impact on the business of Odd Fellows entitlements. The original is with the Alexander Turnbull Library - with the "Atkinson Papers".
New Zealand Company Land Grant, 1867 (G14.157)
Bought 27 acres, Pheney Road, Section 38, Omata, 19 December
1867.
In 1869, held Town Section No 1394.
Appears in Taranaki Crown Land Grants as granted Section 253, Kakaramea
Town, on 8 February 1871 and then Section 414 Patea, Block II, Carlyle,
on 29 May 1871.
Received the "New Zealand Medal" 22 July 1871 (application AD32/2835)
- which was awarded for 'having been under fire or attached to her Majesty's
Imperial Forces during the war of 1860-1870".
Martha Free dies on 11 May 1873
FREE.-On the 11th May, Martha, wife of Mr. William H. Free, of New Plymouth, fourth daughter of Mr. Abrabam Hunt, jeweller, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. Norfolk papers please copy. Death Notice in the Taranaki Herald, Wednesday 14 May 1873.
Married, Mary Garde-Brown, (picture right, from the wedding of her son W R H Free in 1908) in Auckland in 1874. W H Free was then aged 49.(Mary
died in 1922, and was buried at Te Huni Cemetery on 8 September 1922, age 77),
Around or before this time W.H. Free became the farm Manager of Sir Harry
Atkinson's estate, called Hurworth - there is no exact date but this must
have been before 1876 when he used 'Hurworth' in the name of his first
child. Sir Harry, then Major Atkinson was W.H. Free's commanding officer
in the 'Bushrangers' and they were in action together 1860-65. By 1876
Sir Harry was already a senior politician and was Colonial Treasurer 1875-1891
(the worst years of the depression), Premier four times - the longest
stint being 1887 to 1891 - Sir Harry died 1892. WH Free appears as the contact point for a reward for the return of a Colt that strayed from Hurworth - 1 December 1875.
William Robert Hurworth Free born, 24 November
1876, and Christened at St Mary's, New Plymouth 7 December 1876.
Henry John Free born 22 February 1878, and Christened at St Mary's,
New Plymouth on the same day. Died 7 July 1940 aged 62.
Bought 36 acres, Barrett Road, Section 5, Omata, Taranaki - 6 April 1878.
Bankrupt, 24 December 1879. Published in the Taranaki Herald, 27 December 1879, page 3.
Mary Gretia Annie "Anna" Free (Born 22 June 1880, and Christened
at St Mary's, New Plymouth on 3 October 1880).
Is published as a Bankrupt (again), in the Taranaki Herald, 14 March 1881, page 3.
Offers a 10 shilling reward on 6 September 1881 Taranaki Herald (page 3) as follows; "Lost from Waitara East, a 4-year-old Heifer, Dark Red, branded 6 of left hip, and A on right hip. Anyone bringing the same to William Free, Waitara, may receive the above reward."
 |
William Henry Free. Above, close up and re-touched image from the photograph, below, of him in full Masonic costume. |
 |
Shown on the Return of Freeholders, as William H Free, Labourer,
New Plymouth, 25 acres valued £ 75.0.0 - 1882.
Louisa Kate Free (Born at Hurworth on 5 August 1882, and Christened at
St Mary's, New Plymouth on 16 August 1882), W H Free was then aged 57
March 1890, backs Mr Purdie to be promoted to the mastership of the Waitara School as a signantory to the petion to support this against the appointment of Mr Mason to this role - Taranaki Herald 19 March 1890 page 3.
Appears in the Taranaki Herald, 6 June 1891, page 2, as follows:
WAITARA.
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Thursday, June 4. — Before C. C. Kettle, Esq., R.M., and J. Elliot, Esq., J P.
Herbert Mason v. William Free. — The complainant charged defendant, under the "Police Offences Act, 1884," with having, on May 4, at Waitara, used threatening and abusive language towards him, and, with Mrs Mason, gave evidence in support of the charge. The defendant (for whom Mr Roy appeared) denied the charge, and stated that on the occasion in question he merely remonstrated with the complainant for having, in his opinion, wrongly punished defendant's son, who was a scholar attending the Waitara State school, of which complainant is master. The case was dismissed, without costs.
Gave evidence in an assualt court case (witness for the defense). This places him working all day on Saturday 5 March with James Conway (role and business activity not stated) -source - Taranaki Herald, 15 March 1892, page 2.
Attended the formal opening of the new drill hall on or near Gill
Street, New Plymouth, and the unveiling of a memorial tablet for those
(europeans) who fell in the 'Maori Wars 1860 to 1866', on 18 June 1892.
(5)
Recieves mention in the coverage of the Taranaki Horticultural Society - Spring show. Listedwith both cabbages and potatos. Source, Taranaki Herald, 25 November 1893 page 2.
Listed as giving evidence, in his role as Inspector for the Borough, against Martin Petire for leaving his vechicle and horses not under proper control. Taranaki Herald 12 August 1895, page 4.
About 1904 retired, from position of Borough Inspector, New Plymouth. W H Free was then aged 79.
Jannuary 1909, gave his apologies (for not attending) the Fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Taranaki Volunteer Rifle Company. (5)
Late 1918 and early January 1919, interviewed by James Cowan - about the "New Zealand Wars". W. H. Free is quoted in Cowan's 1922 "The
New Zealand Wars" and again in his 1935 "Hero Stories of New
Zealand". These comments have rather taken on a history of their
own and appear in quite a few New Zealand works - a partial list appears
at the end of this webpage.
Died, 25 January 1919, Eliot Street (his residence) New Plymouth,
New Zealand. Buried at the Te Huni Cemetery, New Plymouth.
Children of William & Mary Free
William Robert Hurworth Free (1876-1942)
Henry John Free (Born 22 February 1878. In the 1905/6 Electoral Roll he
is listed as a Storeman living in Mokau. Died 7 July 1940 in New Plymouth)
Mary Gretia Annie "Anna" Free (Born 22 June 1880. In the 1905/6
Electoral Roll she is listed as a Librarian in Taranaki. Married Owen
Marvell (he aged 32) at St. Mary's New Plymouth 29 July 1918)
Louisa Kate Free (known as Kate, Born 5 August 1882. Died 11 August 1960 in New
Plymouth)
Obit from Taranaki Herald 13 August 1960; “Free, Kate Louisa – (76 Elliot Street, New Plymouth.) On August 11, 1960, at the Westown Hospital, beloved younger daughter of the late William and Mary Free; aged 78 years. Cremated this day.”
Picture
to the right, W. H. Free, believed to dated 1914. The child is most likely
his grandson Fredie Free.
Obituary's (three) - the first two are assumed to be from local Taranaki
newspapers (Prob., Taranaki Herald).
This version published on the day he was buried.
Late Mr. W. H. Free
Another of Taranaki's fast disappearing band of veterans passed away in
the person of Mr. W. H. Free at his residence, Eliot Street, New Plymouth,
on Saturday night at the advanced age of 93.
Deceased had a long and varied career. He came out to Australia in the
'thirties as a member of the 18th Royal Irish as a guard on a convict
ship for Van Diemen's Land. Later he proceeded from Australia to Auckland
and with his regiment took part in the Maori war in the Bay of Islands.
He was in Auckland when the Government House was burned down during the
time that Sir Geo. Grey was Governor, and often recounted the fact that
he had assisted to rescue Lady Grey and carried her out of the house.
Over 60 years ago he came to and settled in Taranaki, and as a volunteer
took part in the Maori war here with the Bushrangers, under Major (later
Sir Harry) Atkinson, gaining his commission as Lieutenant. He was afterwards
manager of Sir Harry Atkinson's estate at Hurworth, holding that position
for many years. Later he settled in New Plymouth, and held the position
of Borough Inspector here until about 15 years ago, when he retired into
private life. He was well respected and highly esteemed, and was in possession
of all his faculties until shortly before his death. He was an enthusiastic
Mason, having been an active member of Mt. Egmont Lodge for very many
years, holding a number of offices, including that of Secretary of the
Lodge.
The late Mr. Free was also a prominent worker in the Manchester Unity
of Odd Fellows for many years. In 1865, while a member of the Egmont Lodge,
he was appointed the first Noble Grand of the Excelsior Lodge at its opening
in 1865. Later on he drew his clearance from the Egmont Lodge and affiliated
with the Excelsior Lodge, and on several occasions filled the chair of
Noble Grand continuing as a member up to the day of his death. He was
Past Provincial Grand Master of the New Plymouth District, and took an
active part in its affairs until increasing years compelled him to retire.
He was the oldest Odd Fellow in Taranaki, having been a member over 60
years. Many years ago he was appointed a Trustee of the Lodge and retained
that position until death.
He is survived by a widow and family of two sons - Messrs W. R. H Free,
of the postal service, Hamilton, H. Free, Te Kuiti - and two daughters
- Mrs Marvel and Miss Free. The funeral, which will be a Masonic one,
and will also be attended by the Odd Fellows and Veterans, leaves the
residence at 2.30pm today.
The following version is assumed to be published in the same newspaper
after the funeral service.
William Henry Free, Aged 93.
The death occurred at his residence in Eliot Street on Saturday night,
in his ninety-fourth year, of Mr. William Henry Free, a man who was held
in the very highest respect and esteem by everyone who knew him.
Mr. Free was born in Country Wicklow, Ireland, on November 9, 1825, and
enlisted in the 58th Regiment at Carlow, Country Wicklow, on April 15
1842. In July of the following year he sailed for Hobart Town with a draft
of his regiment on the Anson, an old 74-gun ship, Captain Cochrane, as
a guard over the convicts who were being sent out to Van Dieman's Land.
The Anson belonged to the Royal Navy, and the ship's company, crew, guard
and convicts were all amenable to naval discipline. The captain was well-known
in the service as being a thorough-going martinet, and he kept up his
reputation on the voyage to Australia, for scarcely a day passed but one
or more of the crew or an unfortunate convict was not stretched out on
the triangles and unmercifully flogged. So often was this punishment carried
out that the crew and guard, in fact all on the ship, knew off by heart
that portion of the "Articles of War" finishing up with "Boatswain,
do your duty," which the captain read out before the unfortunate
creatures were whipped and lacerated into insensibility. The horrors of
the voyage were deeply burnt onto Mr Free's memory by having to witness,
almost ever day, this brutal and degrading operation. The military guard
on this ship consisted of twenty-five men posted night and day with loaded
rifles on the poop, and twenty-five in different parts of the ship, those
between decks carrying a brace of loaded pistols.
Arriving at Hobart Town, the Anson was turned into a female penitentiary.
The crew were transferred to ships on the China station, and the draft
of the 58th Regiment went on to Sydney to join the headquarters of the
regiment, then stationed at Windsor, New South Wales.
On trouble arising with Hone Heke at the Bay of Islands in 1845, the regiment
was ordered to New Zealand, and Mr. Free went through the Bay of Islands
campaign. At the repulse on Ohaewai, where the regiment suffered heavily,
he was carrying off the field the body of a dead comrade, but happening
on a wounded member of his company he put down the dead man and took up
the living burden and succeeded in bring him - Smith by name - off the
field and into safety. Mr. Free was the last survivor of the 58th who
took part in this campaign.
Purchasing his discharge from the regiment, he settled down in this district
some sixty years ago, and has been a familiar and popular figure in New
Plymouth ever since. On the outbreak of hostilities in 1860 he joined
the active forces, and was in charge of the advance guard at Waireka,
and took part in most of the actions and expeditions of the war, being
promoted to the position of lieutenant in the Volunteers on active service.
After the war he was employed by the late Dr. Humphries at 'Montosa',
and subsequently went to Hurworth to manage Major Atkinson's farm. Later
he returned to town and was employed by the Borough Council until about
15 years ago, when he retired into private life. He was well respected
and highly esteemed and was in possession of all his faculties until shortly
before his death. He was an enthusiastic Mason, have been an active member
of Mt. Egmont Lodge for very many years, holding a number of offices,
including that of secretary of the lodge.
The late Mr. Free was also a prominent worker in the Manchester Unity
of Oddfellows for many years. While a member of the Egmont Lodge, he was
appointed the first Noble Grand of the Excelsior Lodge at its opening
in 1865. Later on he drew his clearance from the Egmont Lodge and affiliated
with the Excelsior Lodge, and on several occasions filled the chair of
Noble Grand continuing as a member up to the day of his death. He was
Past Provincial Grand Master of the New Plymouth District, and took an
active part in its affairs until increasing years compelled him to retire.
He was the oldest Odd Fellow in Taranaki, having been a member over 60
years. Many years ago he was appointed a Trustee of the Lodge and retained
that position until death.
Mr. Free's reminiscences covered a wide and varied field. His memory was
abnormal, and he was a born raconteur. When a younger man his store of
folklore was remarkable, and it is greatly to be regretted that these
stories, gathered up from Irish sources early last century, were not committed
to paper and preserved.
He is survived by a widow and family of two sons - Messrs W. R. H Free
(of the postal service, Hamilton) and H. Free (Te Kuiti) - and two daughters
- Mrs Marvel and Miss Free.
Source, NZ National Library Biographies - note it is filed under the date of 1957! The newspaper is not named.
"A Veteran of '45
The Storming Party at Ohaeawai
Last survivor of Despard's "forlorn hope".
A telegram from New Plymouth a few days ago recorded the death, at the
age of 93 years, of Lieutenant William H. Free, a veteran soldier of H.M.
58th Regiment, who served in the war against Hone Heke at the Bay of Islands
in 1845, and afterwards in the Taranaki wars. Mr Free was, so far as is
known, the very last survivor of the British soldiers who took part in
the battles of Okaihau, Ohaeawai and Ruapekapeka, the only one of the
musket-armed redcoats who fought in our earliest campaign that lived to
see the conclusion of the greatest war in all history. Even at his great
age Mr. Free's intellect was lively, and his memory good, and when he
was visited towards the end of last year by Mr. James Cowen, the historian,
who is gathering materials for the national history of New Zealand's pioneering
and Maori Wars era, now being prepared under the direction of the Hon.
G. W. Russell (Minister of Internal Affairs), he was able to give many
vivid details of the Hone Heke War. His account of his experiences in
the famous storming party launched by Colonel Despard against the strong
Maori stockade at Ohaeawai on July 1, 1845, is described by Mr Cowan as
a particularly interesting contribution to our records of that much-criticised
operation, an episode which is said to have provoked some strong language
from the Duke of Wellington when he read the dispatches. Mr. Free's recollections
of army life went back to a period that at this day seems immensely primitive
and remote.
He was born in a village in County Wicklow, Ireland in 1825, and in his
seventeenth year, at Carlow, he enlisted in the 58th Regiment. After putting
in his recruit drill, he was sent with his regiment (then armed with the
old flintlock musket) to the scene of the Manchester riots. In 1843 he
was detailed as one of the military guard to sail for Hobart Town in the
convict ship Anson, an old converted 74-gun ship of war.
The Anson brought out 500 convicts sentenced to transportation to what
was then called Van Diemen's Land; three hundred of these prisoners were
Londoners.
The Anson's guard consisted of 50 soldiers of the 58th, under a captain
and subaltern. There were 25 sentries always on duty, four hours watch;
twelve men of these were stationed on the poop, seated on forms lashed
facing the main deck, with loaded muskets between their knees. The convicts
were divided into three watches; each watch was allowed on deck for three
hours each day, and as there were thus over 100 prisoners always on deck
during daylight hours strict vigilance was necessary. "We had 80
{number unclear} life sentence men," the old soldier recollected.
"None was in chains. There were two doctors, sentenced for forgery
who had iron bands on their ankles."
The old Flogging Days
Mr. Free had witnessed some atrocious punishments inflicted under the
cruel old regime in the Army. At Chatham, just before he came out to Hobart
Town, he saw a soldier literally flogged to death. This man, a good duty
soldier, was given three hundred lashes in "slow time - a minute
interval between the strokes. "We paraded just after breakfast, and
it was twelve o'clock before the flogging was finished. Then they took
him to the hospital. I went to his funeral three days later - it was all
for damning the Queen."
Even in New Zealand heavy floggings were inflicted. At Ruapekapeka, in
the Heke campaign, Mr. Free saw a soldier receive one hundred and fifty
lashes for drunkenness while on guard duty. The man had been on inlying
piquet with Free, and somehow contrived to get liquor, and was only tied
up for it.
"There was a man in our regiment, " the ancient soldier went
on, who, in fourteen years of service had received a thousand lashes,
and had moreover spent seven years in punishment at various periods of
his soldiering in India, England and elsewhere. He was a 'good-duty' soldier,
but reckless, brutalised by his treatment. But good old Colonel Wynyard,
who was a humane officer, tried different tactics; it was in the old Albert
Barracks in Auckland after the Heke war. The soldier, a private, was up
for thirteen 'chalks' in the twelve months. The rule was that if a man
had four chalks against him for drunkenness in the year he was tried by
court-martial. The man was brought before the colonel, and fully expected
a flogging. When he was marched in, however, the colonel just said 'Good
morning' addressing him by name, and told him to go back to his barracks.
A few weeks later he was reported upon as a first-rate soldier, good-duty
man, and a good templar. The colonel sent for him, and took him on as
his orderly, and when the regiment finally left New Zealand the reformed
'hard-case' had five good-conduct badges on his sleeve." Mr. Free
had seen sailors flogged round the fleet. "They used to flog them
round seven or eight ships," he said; "they'd take them in a
boat from ship to ship and give them so many strokes, lashed up against
the ship's side, until the sentence was complete."
In the Northern War.
The old soldier was one of the twenty-five men of the 58th who came across
to New Zealand in H.M.S Hazard, in advance of the regiment. This was just
before the outbreak of Hone Heke's war. Soon he was trudging inland in
Colonel Hume's expedition to Okaihau - "a rough shop and very short
commons. The best thing there was a bayonet charge against Kawiti's men.
I didn't get right up to the Maoris with the bayonet myself, but many
of our fellows did.
"Then Ohaeawai, and Despard's foolish "forlorn hope." In
which between thirty and forty British soldiers and sailors were killed
and over seventy wounded. Mr Free, now a corporal in the Light Company
of the 58th, was one of those told off for the storming party. The soldiers
wore their red uniforms, with the old-fashioned high leather stock, but
many of them were barefooted. They carried their full knapsacks even in
the charge.
"We formed up in a little hollow," said Mr. Free, "in close
order, elbows touching when we crooked them: four ranks only 23 inches
between each rank. We got the orders, 'Fix bayonets! Prepare to charge!"
and then 'Charge!' We went along at a steady double, the first two ranks
at the charge with bayonet - the second rank had room to put their bayonets
in between the front-ran men - and the third and forth ranks with muskets
and fixed bayonets at the slope. When within fifty paces of the pa we
cheered, and when at it at top speed and it was devil take the hindmost.
Didn't see a single Maori all this time - only flashes and smoke, and
my comrades falling all around. The Maoris, in their sheltered pits, just
poked the muzzles of their guns under the outer stockade and we could
do nothing.
The pa was built of great thick posts and split timber, and the front
was curtained with green flax, The stockade was ten feet high and more,
and we were helpless. "One man, one of the ladder party carried up
a ladder and set it against the stockade. 'Now,' he said. 'There it is
for anyone who will go up it.' But who'd go up the ladder" It would
be going to certain death. If anyone tried it he didn't live long before
the Maori got him.
"In our light company alone we had 21 men killed in the charge. We
were, I suppose, not more than two and a half minutes before the stockade,
and from the time we got the first order to charge until we got back to
the hollow again was only five to seven minutes.
"As we charged up a man was shot it front of me and another behind
me. In the retreat I was carrying off a wounded man on my back, when he
was shot dead. Then I picked up a second wounded man, a soldier named
Smith, and carried him out safely. Our captain (Grant) was one of those
killed. "Nothing was explained to us before we charged. We just went
at the strong stockade front under orders from a colonel, who had contempt
for the Maoris."
- Picture of W H Free, as published in James Cowan's "The New Zealand Wars"., 1922. Vol 1. page 65.
- Discharged in New Zealand: Soldiers of the Imperial Foot Regiments who took their discharge in New Zealand, 1840-1870., Hugh Hughes, page 52.
- HMS Anson, and list of convicts aboard:
http://www.tnet.com.au/~quincon/HMS%20Anson%20Convicts%20&%20Passengers.htm - "History of Taranaki", page 250.
- "The Taranaki Rifle Volunteers - a corps
with a history", Walter James Penn, 1909. 'The Waireka
Colours', frontispiece;'new drill hall' page 74;
Links of interests:
Carter Family History via New Zealand
- 58th Regiment of Foot: http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/r-c/58th.html
- 58th Regiment of Foot, Soldiers Index: http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/r-c/58thsur.html
http://www.newzealandwars.co.nz/
The interview with James Cowan around late 1918 and early January 1919, which appears in Volume One of his influential book, The New Zealand Wars has been widely re-printed in many New Zealand histories (a partial list of appearances is below). Of all the found re-printings only James Belich has commented that this interview is not completely reliable, if only because it is recalled from memory around seventy years after the fact, and further he is the only author (that I've found) who checked the original James Cowan material (now at the Alexander Turnbull Library) and uncovered and used material not used by Cowan in his original book.
- The New Zealand Wars, James Cowan, 1922
- New Zealand's First War., T. Lindsay Buick, 1926 - page168
- Hero Stories of New Zealand, James Cowan, 1935
- To face the daring Maoris, Michael Barthorp, 1979
- The New Zealand Wars and the Victorian Interpretation of Racial Conflict., Belich, James. Auckland, N.Z., Penguin, 1988.