Wedding notice of Mary Margaret "Molly" MUSSON and Arthur William "Jock" FORD 1935

 

PRESS, VOLUME LXXI, ISSUE 21487, 31 MAY 1935, PAGE 3

FORD—MUSSON The wedding was celebrated recently at St. John's Anglican Church, Rangiora, of Mary Margaret, daughter of Mr J. C. Musson and the late Mrs Musson, to Arthur William, son of Mr and Mrs W. J. Ford. The Ven. Archdeacon A. C. Purchas officiated, and Miss N. Bailey was organist. During the signing of the register. Miss E. Mayfield sang a solo. The bride, who was escorted by her father, wore a gown of angelskin lace, mounted on satin, cut on light fitting lines to the knees, and then flaring fully to form a train. The cowl neck was caught with a diamente clasp and the long fitting sleeves cut in points over the hands, were finished with rows of pearls to match, a row of pearls at the back of the bodice. Her embroidered tulle veil was caught with clusters of orange blossom, and she carried an armlet of lilies, chrysanthemums, and red roses. When leaving the church she was presented with a horseshoe by Allison Roberts, niece of the bridegroom. Miss Anice Musson, Springston, cousin of the bride, and Miss Nola Forward, Rangiora, acted as bridesmaids. They wore slightly trained frocks of Marina blue silk vlvet fitting to the knees, and fully flared to' the hem. The slashed puffed sleeves were lined with silver lame, the necklines were outlined with twists of lame and velvet, and the wide sashes were lined with lame. Twists of sil- | ver lame and velvet were worn in \ their hair, and they carried bouquets of lemon abutilons and chrysanthemums and maidenhair fern with silver streamers: The two flower girls, Lynley Barker, niece of the bride, and Audrey Loffhagen, wore princess frocks of Marina blue silk velvet, and wreaths of real flowers, and carried posies of primroses and rose buds. Mr E. Musson, brother of the bride, was best man, and Mr F. Smith was groomsman. After the ceremony a reception was held in the parish hall. Mrs G. Barker, sister of the bride, received the guests wearing a blue marocain dress and blue hat and coat to match. Her shoulder spray was of abutilons and roses. Mrs Ford, mother of the bridegroom, wore a black chiffon velvet frock and coat and a black felt hat relieved with white. She carried a bouquet of chrystanthemums, abutilons, and red roses. For travelling the bride wore an ensemble of prune basket-weave tweed and a prune-coloured velour hat. She carried a black face coat with a musquash collar.

Photo from family collection.

Private William Robert Musson WW2

My grandfather's older brother William Robert "Bill" Musson was born on the 27th of November 1903 at Belfast, Canterbury, New Zealand.  His birth was registered early in 1904.

Bill was the eldest son of James Christopher Musson (1873-1950) and Margaret Ann Hay Forsyth (1877-1928) of Belfast, Canterbury, New Zealand.

He had 2 older sisters, Jessie Catherine (1899-1969) and Mary Margaret "Molly" (1902-1970) and 6 younger siblings, James Richard (my grandfather 1906-1976), Walter Phillip (1908-1919), Esther Helen (1911-1966), Eric Mark "Mac" (1913-1991), Ian Alexander "Fat" (1915-1989) and Ivor Forsyth "Hip" (1918-1993).

Bill enlisted in the New Zealand Military Forces on the 14th of February, 1940.  He gave his birthdate as 28th of November 1905.  Perhaps he thought 1903 was getting a bit close to the cut off age for enlistment, perhaps a recording error was made.  He gave his address as Rangiora, his occupation as a tractor driver and next of kin  E. M. Musson (his brother Eric Mark)

Bill joined the 21st Battalion 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force and trained at Papakura Military camp South of Auckland.

This photo, from the family collection courtesy of Nola Bennett nee Musson, would have been taken around the time of Bill's enlistment.  Bill is the one in uniform. 
Nola, the baby in the photo, is Bill's god-daughter and niece, daughter of  Eric Mark Musson.

Bill served 38 months and 12 days Overseas service from the 1st of May 1940 until the 12th of July 1943 and had a total of 176 days leave.  

photo courtesy of Bill's daughter Judy and grandson Levi Simpson-Musson.
Bill 3rd from right back row

On the 29th of June 1940 after arriving in England Bill was transferred from E Company to H.Q. Company.

For a more detailed account of the Battalion's movements, I referred to Wikipedia:-

From Wikipedia - "By April 1940, training had been completed and 21st Battalion was preparing to depart overseas. It duly embarked aboard the Empress of Japan on 2 May 1940 and travelled in convoy with other troopships to Scotland^[8] with its first port call at Perth.^[9] The next stop would have been at Ceylon as the convoy travelled on towards its planned destination of the Middle East, but the invasion of Holland and France, followed by the entry of Italy into the war on the side of the Germans, forced a diversion. The convoy was now to make for England^[10] and thus it stopped at Cape Town, and then Freetown,^[11] arriving at Gourock, in Scotland, on 16 June."

Greece

The British Government anticipated an invasion of Greece by the Germans in 1941 and decided to send troops to support the Greeks, who were already engaged against the Italians in Albania. The 2nd New Zealand Division was one of a number of Allied units dispatched to Greece in early March.^[13] By late March, 21st Battalion had arrived in Athens where it was to carry out guard duty of vital installations around the city while the rest of the division proceeded to the north of the country to garrison the Aliakmon line.^[14] On 6 April, the day after Germany declared war on Greece, elements of the battalion guarding docks near Athens experienced a bombing raid which caused minor wounds to a couple of men.^[15] On 8 April, the battalion began moving to the front to rejoin 5th Infantry Brigade, which was now stationed at Olympus Pass.^[16] However, en route, the battalion was diverted to the Platamon Tunnel, which was 15 miles from the town of Larisa. The defences here had been prepared by D Company, of 26th Battalion.^[17] Orders were to hold the position and should any part of it be lost, a counterattack was to be immediately made. The battalion, which arrived on 9 April, set to work further improving the defences, assisted for three days by the company from 26th Battalion until its departure.^[18]

Casualties during the 21st Battalion's campaign in Greece amounted to 40 killed and wounded with 230 personnel captured and made prisoners of war.^[19]

Crete

The Glengyle arrived at Crete on 25 April and 21st Battalion were unloaded at Suda Bay. Initially, it was believed that Crete was to simply be a staging point for the New Zealanders as they returned to Egypt. However, as military intelligence indicated a likely attack by the Germans, it was necessary to defend the island.^[20] The 5th Brigade was assigned the defence of Maleme airfield, with 21st Battalion positioned to the east, guarding the beach and river mouth. It was also tasked with supporting 22nd Battalion if required. At this time, the battalion numbered 237 personnel, and two companies of New Zealand Engineers were attached to boost its numbers.^[21] In early May several parties of men, including Macky, began arriving, having made their way to Crete from Greece by various means. However Macky was ill with dysentery and was soon taken to hospital, leaving Harding still as acting commander.^[22]

On 20 May 1941, German paratroopers began landing on Crete. After the initial drop, during which several Germans were killed as they descended, the day passed relatively uneventfully for the battalion. Lieutenant Colonel John Allen had taken command just a few days previously.^[23] After the Maleme airfield, defended by 22nd Battalion, was lost to the Germans, the entire 5th Brigade was withdrawn from its positions.^[24]

It was evacuated from Crete on the night of 31 May aboard the light cruiser HMS Phoebe and reached Alexandria the following day. Total casualties during the Battle of Crete were 33 killed in action, 33 wounded, and 80 men were captured.^[25]

North Africa

After a period of leave, the battalion's personnel reassembled at Helwan in Egypt. Reduced to about 270 men after the campaigns in Greece and Crete, it was brought back up to strength with over 500 reinforcements.^[26] By August, the battalion, along with the rest of 5th Brigade, was involved in training in desert warfare and by the end of the month construction, of defensive positions, known as the Kaponga Box, commenced. It remained here for a month^[27] before shifting further west to the Baggush Box.^[28]

Its training was in preparation for the 2nd New Zealand Division's role in the upcoming Operation Crusader, which was planned to lift the siege of Tobruk.^[29] The New Zealanders were to be one of the 8th Army's infantry divisions that were to surround and capture the main strong points along the front while the armoured divisions were to seek out and engage Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General) Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps. At the same time, the Tobruk garrison was to attempt a breakout.^[30]

Bill was recorded as safe in Crete May 1941, Egypt June 1941 and safe in December 1941 and September 1942 but no placenames were given for the last two dates.  

Much of the record is written in military abbreviations that I can't understand.

NZETC (New Zealand Electronic Text Collection) has a wonderfully detailed account of the 21st Battalion in a digitised electronic version HERE

Bill wasn't in all the battles written about as he had intermittent furloughs and hospital stays.
He was discharged in June 1944.

courtesy of Levi and his mum Judy

courtesy of Levi and  Judy.

Bill married Veronica "Vicki" Whittle.  Vicki had a daughter from a previous marriage.  Bill and Vicki went on to have another daughter, Judy.

Bill passed away in November 1979 at Rotorua and Vicki in 1980.
Burial is at Block 16 section B plot 11, Kauae cemetery, Ngongotaha Road

Tribute page for our Servicemen

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 2 : Favourite Photo

I have so many photos I could class as "favourite" that it was hard to choose. 

Writing my Week 1 post about my grandfather prompted me to remember the first time I ever saw a photo of him as a young man.

When I first visited his nieces and nephews in New Zealand, my Dad's first cousin Nola Bennett, nee Musson, showed me this photo and pointed out my grandfather.
He is standing centre back row.

 I got a little emotional.

After some conversations with family members, there were some differing opinions on who was in the photo.

One speculation is:-
The first couple back left look like George Barker and Jessie Musson.  If so this photo was most likely taken in 1931 as Jessie looks pregnant and their first daughter, Lynley was born in June 1931.
L-R
Back row
George Barker b 1897 so age here would be 34
Jessie Musson b 1899 so age here would be 32
James Richard Musson (certain) (my grandfather known in Australia as James Forsyth) b 1906 so age 25
Eric Mark Musson (certain) (Mac) b 1913 so age 18
? Possibly brother of James Christopher, William Musson b 1868 so age 63
Front row
Possibly Esther Helen Musson b 1911 so age 20*
Ivor Forsyth Musson (certain) b 1918 so age 13
Ian Alexander Musson (certain) b 1915 so age 16
James Christopher Musson b 1873 age 58 father of the Musson children. (certain)

*Also thought to be Margaret Ann Hay nee Forsyth, wife of James C Musson.  She died in 1929 aged 52, so if it is her this photo would have been taken before 1931.  This is quite possible as the Musson boys don't look quite old enough to fit the ages above.

We may never know.

Thanks Nola for being so helpful and sticking with me on this journey.

Our Amazing new family DNA discovery

DNA for genealogy has been a huge learning curve but I have enjoyed the brain exercise.  I still have lots to learn.  It is a lot of fun learning from and along with like-minded cousins and friends.

At the end of 2016, I had done an autosomal (family finder) DNA test with the company FamilyTreeDNA.  Uploading those results to GEDmatch led to discovering the name of a maternal 3rd great-grandmother and breaking down a brick wall in my KNIGHT family history.

It has also confirmed the findings of a lot of collaborative family research on many branches of my family tree.  My Dad tested for me too which meant I was able to sort many of my matches into paternal and maternal lines.  I have made some lovely new friends/cousins.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to do another DNA test with AncestryDNA.

The results came through when I was away from home and my computer. I could access the site on my phone with limited views.  

My second closest match, a shared DNA amount of 221 centimorgans shared across 12 DNA segments, was a known 2nd cousin. 

He is the son of one of my Mum's first cousins. 

My closest match though, a shared DNA amount of 431 centimorgans shared across 18 DNA segments, was a complete mystery.
As is often the case there was no family tree attached so I couldn't see where our close connection may be.
All the available charts for predicted relationship ranges put this match above that of a 2nd cousin but a bit below a first cousin. 

I only have first cousins on Mum's side as Dad is an only child.

Denys in New Zealand was perhaps a first cousin once removed?
I sent her a message.
I had read so many comments by people who didn't receive replies to their messages that I was surprised and thankful to get one the very next day.
Denys had only just received her results and said she was also interested to find where our connection lay.  I gave her my direct New Zealand surnames of Musson and Forsyth.

The next email I received blew me away even though I guess I should have been a bit prepared for the outcome.  I have read of many family surprises, uplifting stories and sad stories but never really expected one of my own.

Denys wrote "Umm some information you may not be expecting..
My father's name was Malcolm.
He was born in Rangiora in 1932.
My grandmother became pregnant to a son of the house while staying in Rangiora with her sister and working at the Musson house.  I believe that is how they meet. My understanding is that he was 'sent' away to Australia but that is all we know.
My Dad has his mother's maiden surname. His father left for Australia around the time he was born.
We have no details of his Dad although he remembers going to school with his cousins, unknown to them, at one point.
My Mum never told me Dad's father's name and although he knew himself, he did not discuss it.
In those days, being illegitimate was very much a slur.
However, my Mum did tell my sister the name on one occasion and she remembered the name because it was unusual and because she knew someone of the same name. When I informed her of the surname Musson she immediately exclaimed that this was the name of our Dad's father.

Therefore it may seem that my father and your father may be brothers?"

Yes, it seems my/our grandfather DID do what he said he didn't do.

To better understand that statement please read my first ever blog post, WHAT STARTED MY GENEALOGY JOURNEY?

I now have three very lovely, newly found paternal half-cousins.

Our grandfather James Musson and his son Malcolm.

NFHM Blogging Challenge - Week 3 - August commemorations

Alex of Family Tree Frog has put the theme for Week 3 of the National Family History Month blogging challenge as - 
"Significant military battles are commemorated during the month of August such as Mouquet Farm in WWI and Milne Bay in WW2.  The Australian Comforts Fund was also founded in August 1916.  Did your ancestors have connections to these places or battles?  Is there another anniversary or significant event that your family commemorates/remembers in August?" 

Read more contributions here

In researching and recording the stories of soldiers in my family history I discovered that several had paid the ultimate sacrifice in the month of August during WW1.  

Click on their names to read their stories.

William John Pike MORGAN,  A Private and bugler in the 14th Battalion A.I.F  was killed at the Battle of Lone Pine on the 8th of August 1915.   He was a first cousin of my maternal grandmother, Daisy FLEMING nee MORGAN.

Edmund James AH-KING - A Private in the 22nd Battalion A.I.F  was killed at Pozieres on the 5th of  August 1916.  Edmund was a first cousin of my maternal great grandmother, Margaret FLEMING nee HART.

William John BEATON - A Private in the 14th Battalion A.I.F was initially reported missing and many months later reported killed at Gallipoli on the 27th of August 1915.  William was a first cousin of my great great grandmother, Mary Ann MORGAN nee PIKE.

George FORSYTH - A Private in the 47th Battalion A.I.F was killed at Pozieres on the 9th of  August 1916.  George was a first cousin of my paternal great grandmother, Margaret Ann Hay MUSSON nee FORSYTH.

HERBERT JOHN MORGAN/WAKENSHAW - A Lance Corporal in the 22nd Battalion, 3rd reinforcements enlisted on the 19th of  July 1915.  He Died of wounds in France on the 5th of August 1916.  Herbert was a first cousin of my maternal grandmother, Daisy FLEMING nee MORGAN.

Joseph Stanley SAXON - A Private in the 22nd Battalion was killed in action on August 5th, 1916 at Pozieres.  Joseph was a first cousin of my maternal great-grandfather, William Thomas MORGAN.

Significant family anniversaries for August are:-

The birth of my paternal grandfather, James Richard MUSSON on the 23rd of August 1906 at Belfast, Canterbury, New Zealand and his death, as James Musson FORSYTH on the 16th of August 1976 at Mooroopna, Victoria, Australia.

The birthday of my maternal grandmother, Daisy FLEMING nee MORGAN  who was born on August 10, 1908, at Myrrhee, Victoria.

The death of my father in law, Allan Taylor on the 7th of August 1992 at Numurkah, Victoria, Australia.  He was 84 years of age.

NFHM Blogging Challenge - Week 2 - Farming ancestors.

August is National Family History month in Australia and Alex, at Family Tree Frog has instigated a blogging challenge.

Week 2 - Sunday 14 August - Your working ancestors and the challenges they faced in their occupations.

Most of my ancestors were involved in farming of one sort or another including both my grandfathers and their father's before them.
I have re-hashed a post from last year about my farming paternal grandfather, Jim FORSYTH (born James MUSSON 1906 - 1976).

His MUSSON ancestors were also farmers in New Zealand and England. 

His FORSYTH ancestors were farmers in New Zealand and Meal Millers in Aberdeenshire, Scotland 

After he came to Australia and married my grandmother, Brenda DANIELS nee ADAMS, in 1937, my grandfather would buy a rundown farm, improve it, sell it and move on.  
They moved on nearly every twelve to eighteen months, mainly around Victoria, but he once had a pineapple farm at Woombye in Queensland.  

He worked long hard hours to improve each farm which would have been a real challenge.
The Australian electoral rolls show many of their movements although some of the years were a bit out.  Dad's memory fills in some gaps.
They moved to Tatura from Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria around 1942.
At Tatura he bought a truck and did cartage for the internment camp at Dhurringile during WW2. 
In 1944 he bought a farm at Girgarre East, Victoria
In 1946 they farmed at Stanhope South, Victoria
1949 at Mooroopna, Victoria
1950 at Shepparton East, Victoria
1951 at Glenrowan, Victoria
1952 at Marungi, Victoria
1953 at Trafalgar, Victoria
1956 at Woombye, Queensland
From 1957 until his death in 1976 he was in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria.

Mooroopna, Victoria 1949

Woombye, Queensland 1954 - 1956

In the latter years, piggeries seemed to be my grandfather's preferred choice of farming.  He must have had an affinity with the husbandry and knowledge of growing pigs as his advice was often sought and he was referred to as "The Professor" by other local farmers in the industry.

  

L-R my brother, my grandfather and my dad at the farm at 535 Archer Road, Kialla, Victoria, ca 1968.
A plant nursery is now situated at this address.

Click here to read other challenge contributions

William MUSSON boat photo on Belfast Styx river - Sepia Saturday

My photo for this week's Sepia Saturday theme is of my great-great-grandfather, William MUSSON (centre), taken at Belfast, on the Styx river which runs along the northern boundary of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Written on the back of the photo was "from right Lester Clarke, William Musson"

The photographer was F. W. Hulme, Avon photographer, 21 Byron St, Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand. 

William MUSSON migrated to New Zealand from Leicestershire, England in 1861.

On the 7th of November, 1865 at Rangiora Parish Church, William married Catherine MUNTON nee BIRD, the widow of his friend, Thomas MUNTON.

Catherine and William MUSSON are buried in the Belfast cemetery.
Catherine died age 76 in 1904. 

William in 1917 at the age of 85 years.

They were survived by two daughters and two sons. 

The youngest son, James Christopher MUSSON, was my great grandfather.

There are more very similar photos by F.W. Hulme at Canterbury photography blog

Read more No 341 Sepia Saturday posts HERE

Sepia Saturday 318 : Family Dogs

A timeline of some of my family's dogs.

My paternal grandfather's brothers, Ivor (Hip) and Alexander (Fat) Musson with their dogs at Rangiora, in New Zealand. Possibly early 1930s.

Me with my first dog about 1960.

My maternal grandparents, Daisy and Archie Fleming with their dogs Suzie (little terrier) and Goldie (Labrador) about 1967.

My brother, Ross and I with our much loved Lassie.

More dogs at my paternal grandparents, Jim and Brenda Forsyth's farm.

My mum with Lassie

My grandfather and Dad with Lassie late 1960s.

Uncle Willie (William Goodwin, husband of my paternal grandmother's sister) with his dog Duke.

Me with our Scotch Collies, Lassie and Laddie (very original) about 1972

Our childrens much loved Jack Russell, Nipper in Andrew's bike cart.  Taken at Dookie early 1990s.

Andrew and Lisa with Nipper and Tammy at the Dookie show early 1990s

Tammy won a ribbon.

Ruby

Read more Sepia Saturday Posts

Working for a Living - 52 Ancestors - Week 36

Many of my ancestors were farmers.  
My Paternal grandfather, Jim FORSYTH (born James MUSSON 1906 - 1976) was a farmer. 
His MUSSON ancestors were also farmers in New Zealand and England. 
His FORSYTH ancestors were farmers in New Zealand and Meal Millers in Aberdeenshire, Scotland 
After he came to Australia and married my grandmother, Brenda DANIELS nee ADAMS, in 1937, my grandfather bought a rundown farm, improved it, sold it and moved on.  They moved on nearly every twelve to eighteen months, mainly around Victoria, but he once had a pineapple farm at Woombye in Queensland.  

He worked long hard hours to improve each farm.
The Australian electoral rolls show many of their movements although some of the years were a bit out.  Dad's memory fills in some gaps.
They moved to Tatura from Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria around 1942.
At Tatura he bought a truck and did cartage for the internment camp at Dhurringile during WW2. 
In 1944 he bought a farm at Girgarre East, Victoria
In 1946 they farmed at Stanhope South, Victoria
1949 at Mooroopna, Victoria
1950 at Shepparton East, Victoria
1951 at Glenrowan, Victoria
1952 at Marungi, Victoria
1953 at Trafalgar, Victoria
1956 at Woombye, Queensland
From 1957 until his death in 1976 he was in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria.

Mooroopna, Victoria 1949

Woombye, Queensland 1954 - 1956

L-R my brother, my grandfather and my dad, Kialla, Victoria, ca 1968.