Biographical Details:

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.

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.

Frederick Henry Free “Fredie” (1909-1924)
Born, 4 October 1909 at New Plymouth NZ
Died 25 January 1924.

28 January 1924 – Auckland Herald

Boy’s Tragic Death

Falls 70ft. over cliff
West Coast Fatality
Father’s terrible ordeal
A shocking fatality occurred near Karekare, on the West Coast, at 6.30 o’clock on Friday evening, when the 14-year old only son of Mr. W. R. H. Free, supervisor of the Telegraph Department at Auckland was killed through falling down the cliffs before the eyes of his father.
Mr. Free and his son, Frederick Henry Free, had been camping at Piha, and on Friday afternoon walked round the coast to Mercer Bay, which is one of the most inaccessible spots in the neighborhood, situated between Piha and Karekare. The cliffs at Mercer Bay rise in instances from 500ft to 600ft sheer above the water, forming a most formidable obstacle to the adventurous climber. Mr. Free and the boy started the descent of the precipitous cliffs, and had reached within 70ft of the water, when it is presumed that the boy was overtaken by giddiness. He suddenly fell backwards and crashed to the rocks below, where he lay in 6ft of water. It was subsequently ascertained that he sustained a broken neck and injured shoulder, death being instantaneous.
An agonising experience followed for Mr. Free with great risk he descended the remaining 70ft of almost perpendicular cliff and made desperate attempts to recover the body, a task that involved no little danger, on account of the treacherous nature of the rocks and the depth of water which covered the body. After almost two hours of ceaseless attempts he succeeded in bring the body to the surface and dragging it up the difficult rock slope to a place of safety above the high-water mark, the oncoming darkness prolonging the task and rending it doubly dangerous. He re-ascended the cliffs in complete darkness and made his way to the nearest neighbours, who notified the police at Avondale of the occurrence.

Constable Henrickson proceeded to the scene of the fatality early on Saturday morning, in company with Mr. Free, and the body was removed from its resting place on the ledge of the cliff and taken to the top, after much difficulty. It was conveyed later to Auckland.
An inquest was held yesterday morning, before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., at the parents’ residence, Alexandra Avenue, Mount Albert, when a verdict was returned of accidental death.
The cliffs at Mercer Bay are noted for their precipitous nature. Both Mr. free and his son had undertaken a good deal of climbing together, and the lad was particularly strong and alert. He was a pupil of the Mount Albert Grammar School , and was a member of St. Luke’s Church Mount Albert. he showed considerable promise in elocution and singing.
The interment will take place at St. Luke’s Churchyard at 4pm today.