Francis William Robertson (1894 - 1964)

Born 22 Apr 1894 in Lawrence, Otago, New Zealand

Husband of Ivres Agnes (Fisher) Robertson — married about 1919 in New Zealand

Died 15 Aug 1964 at age 70 in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand

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Biography

Francis William Robertson was born on 22 April 1894 at Lawrence, New Zealand. He was the son of Robert and Margaret Roberson.

During WW1, he was in the New Zealand Army, regimental number 13/2899. Before enlisting, he had been a cleaner working for the New Zealand Railways, with last address Williamson Street, Thames. He commenced duty on 12 October 1915, embarked for foreign service on 8 January 1916. He was a Sapper in the New Zealand Light Railway Operating Section. He returned to New Zealand on the ship Port Melbourne, arriving on 8 March 1919, and was discharged from service on 11 April 1919.

Around 1919 in New Zealand, he married Ivres Agnes Fisher.

In his mother-in-law's will, dated 16 June 1922, he was named as an engine driver residing at Paeroa.

He passed away on 15 August 1964 at Hamilton, aged 70. He had been a retired railway employee. He was buried at Hamilton East Cemetery.

Sources

• New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages search for birth reg., 1894/6782, birth of Francis William Robertson, parents Margaret and Robert, date of birth 22 April 1894 [adjust search dates to verify.]
• Archives New Zealand, Military Personnel Files R20806647, Francis William Robertson, WW1 13/2899, Army. [Page 1] History Sheet; last New Zealand address: Williamson St., Thames; occupation cleaner, N.Z. Railways; Religion Presbyterian; [birth] Lawrence, 22 April 1894; next-of-kin Mr R. Robertson (father), 7 Normansby St, N. E. Valley, Dunedin; Deceased 15 August 1964; Service: N.Z. 12 Oct 1915 - 8 Jan 1916; Foreign 8 Jan 1916 - 7 Mar 1919; return Port Melbourne 7 Mar 1919; N.Z. 8 Mar 1919 - 11 Apr 1919. [Page 15] Certificate of Discharge; dated 11 April 1919; Sapper, N.Z. Light Rly. Operating Sec. [Page 22] Physical Description; height 5 feet 8 inches, weight 11 stone 3 lb. blue eyes, auburn hair, Presbyterian. [Page 23] Attestation, 13 October 1915 at Trentham.
• New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages search for marriage reg., 1919/1159, marriage of Iverons Agnes Fisher and Francis William Robertson.
• New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages search for death reg., 1964/44184, death of Francis William Robertson, age 70Y, date of death 15 August 1964 [adjust search dates to verify.]
• Find A Grave: Memorial #130689449, photo of memorial at Hamilton East Cemetery, Plot A-E-67; Francis William Robertson, No. 13/2899, 1st N.Z.E.F., died 15 August 1964 aged 70, father.
• Archives New Zealand, Hamilton probates R16597197, probate file for Francis William Robertson, Hamilton, Retired Railways Employee, 1964. Will dated 1 May 1959 of Francis William Robertson, of Hamilton, retired railway employee; directing that he be buried in a grave plot at Hamilton Lawn Cemetery next to the remains of his late wife Iveries Agnes Robertson, with a bronze plaque containing his regimental number 13/2899; beneficiaries: his housekeeper, Ann Dawson; the Hamilton Branch of Saint John Ambulance Association (for encouraging the Frankton Division); the Lepers Trust Board Incorporated, 172 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch; the Mission to Lepers (New Zealand), 135 Upper Symonds Street, Auckland C.3.; his son Ivan Robert Robertson [d. 1993]; his daughter June Elva Jones (husband of Basil Jones); estate included his house at 29 Hinau Street, Maeroa. Affidavit by the Public Trustee; estate value believed to be under £6110. Affidavit by Ivan Robert Robertson of Howick, agent; Francis was resident at Hamilton and died there on 15 August 1964. Probate granted on 1 September 1964.

Research Notes

• Possibly his mother
  • Tuapeka Times, 7 March 1906, Page 2, Death via Papers Past, death on 5 March 1906 at her residence, Canna Street, Lawrence, Maggie, wife of Robert Robertson, aged 41. [Funeral Notice] funeral leaving 7 March for the Lawrence Cemetery.
  • New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages search for death reg., 1906/2420, death of Margaret Robertson, age 41Y, date of death 5 March 1906 [adjust search dates to verify.]