Alexander Diamond (1872 - 1943)

Born 20 Nov 1872 in Rockville, Golden Bay, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Harriett (Carter) Diamond — married 2 Mar 1904 in Collingwood, Golden Bay, New Zealand

Died 15 Jan 1943 at age 70 in Collingwood, Golden Bay, New Zealand

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Biography

ALEXANDER DIAMOND 1872 - 1943

Alexander Diamond was born in Rockville, Golden Bay, his parents were William and Johanna Diamond. As a youngster Alexander made his living gold mining and bush felling around Golden Bay. He also worked in bush felling gangs in Taranaki.

All the Diamond children, including the girls were expert in handling canoes, they all made great use of the river to get about. Maurice Bridger remembered living with his grandparents William and Johanna and crossing the Aorere River with Clara “in a Maori canoe” to go to school in Rockville.

Alexander served in South Africa in the Boer War (1899-1902)

lance corporal - DIAMOND, Alexander - SA4279 - Army; click here for his service record at National Archives [1] He served with the 7th Contingent, Canterbury Regiment for South Africa. He was 28 years old, weighed 10 st. 11, was 5'11" tall with a chest measurement of 36". A fit, attractive young man.

Alexander married Harriet Carter in 1904 and returned to gold mining. In the 26th Jan.1905 edition of The Argus, Alexander and his brother William with two others are recorded as taking 195oz of gold from the Doctors Terrace mine in four months, worth ₤769.

Alexander and Harriet bought a dairy farm, first at Rockville then in Bainham. Work in local saw mills provided cash at various times.

A note from his daughter Edna records Alexander’s employment as “Quarry Master for the Onekaka Iron and Steel Company (1920-1935). This company operated a smelting furnace for many years and produced a very good pig iron. It employed a number of men and was an acquisition to the Collingwood District. While employed by the Iron Company, the family lived on a small farm at Rockville. Later, he bought a larger farm in Rockville which he farmed until his death at the age of seventy years.”

Three of Alexander’s sons, Lewis, John and Donald, served in North Africa during the Second World War. John and Donald were taken prisoners of war during the fighting in North Africa while Lewis survived to take part in the invasion of Italy after victory in North Africa.

Note: NZSG Indexed Probates. Name DIAMOND Alexander. Place Rockville Occupation Farmer Death Date. Court Nelson Agency AAOO Series 17072 Accession W5410 Probate Number. 3682 Filed Date. 15 Mar 1943. Type Intestate (Letters of Administration). Comments

Further enquiries to. Archives NZ - Wellington.

Sources

Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz

• BIRTH - N.Z. Govt. B.D.M. index - 1872/25254 - Diamond Alexander parents : Johanna& William
• MARRIAGE - 1904/2918 - Harriett Carter & Alexander Diamond
• DEATH - 1943/17321- Diamond Alexander aged 70 years