Person Page - 96

Alice Mary Falla was born in St Sampson's, Guernsey, Channel Islands, circa April 1889.²

She married Cyril McKane, son of James McKane and Rachel le Moigne.

She was listed in the 1921 census at 'Balham' in St Saviours, Guernsey, Channel Islands, with her husband Cyril; he was a fruit grower. Their child Leonard was listed as living with them.²

Murdock's birth was registered in 1895 in Castlemaine, Victoria.^2,1

He married Edith Florence Taylor in Birmingham, Warwickshire, on 8 February 1917.³

As of 1922, Murdock Claude Falla was also known as Stanley Claude Falla but he had enlisted in the Army as John Claude Murdock (which he later advised them was not his true name). His Army records mainly show FALLA, C.M.²

Murdock's second marriage was to Marjorie Forsaith, daughter of Ebenezer James Forsaith and Esther Howson Ward, on 5 June 1926 at the residence of Mrs E J Forsaith in Malvern, Adelaide, South Australia. There are thought to have been seven children from this marriage - Angus, Esther, Eileen, Margaret, Ruth, Beverley and Wallace.²

He was widowed on the death of his wife Marjorie on 6 February 1957.^4,5

Murdock died on 28 May 1975 in Geelong, Victoria.^6,7 He was buried on 30 May 1975 at the Barrabool Hills Cemetery, Highton in Geelong.⁸

John (Jack) Farmer was born in Queensland on 3 May 1877.^1,2

He married Florence Robinson, daughter of William Alfred Robinson and Ellen Baker, in Queensland on 10 April 1901.^3,4

John died on 5 February 1940 in Brisbane, Queensland, at age 62.⁵ He was buried on 6 February 1940 at the Balmoral/Bulimba Cemetery, 441 Wynnum Rd in Morningside.⁶

Rita Farquharson was born in New Zealand on 3 April 1898.^1,2

She married Hugh Tanner McKechie, son of James McKechie and Margaret Tanner, in New Zealand in 1923.³

Rita was named executrix in the will of Hugh Tanner McKechie dated 24 January 1935 in Seacliff, Dunedin, Otago.⁴

She was widowed at age 49 on the death of her husband Hugh on 13 March 1948.^5,6,4

She was appointed executrix of Hugh Tanner McKechie's estate in Nelson on 12 July 1948.⁴

Rita died on 26 March 1990 in Nelson at age 91.^7,8 She was cremated on 28 March 1990.⁹ Her ashes were buried at Richmond Cemetery in Richmond.⁸

Philip Fenner was born in Tillingham, Essex, circa 1802.²

Philip's marriage to Elizabeth Hutchins was registered between October 1855 and December 1855 in Rochford, Essex.¹

He was listed in the 1861 census as Head of Family at Farm Cottage in Barling, Essex, with his wife Elizabeth; he was an agricultural labourer and the household included Elizabeth's daughter Sarah Snow.²

He was listed in the 1871 census as Head of Family in Barling, Essex, with his wife Elizabeth; he was an agricultural labourer.³

He was widowed on the death of his wife Elizabeth before 1881.
He was listed as a lodger in William Snow's household in the 1881 Census in Great Wakering, Essex, working as an agricultural labourer.⁴

Adelaide Myrtle Maud Ferguson was born in West Derby, Lancashire, on 27 May 1921.^1,3,4
She was listed in the 1921 census at 15 Bagot St in Wavertree, West Derby, Lancashire, in the household of her parents, Angus Stewart Ferguson and Adelaide May Boyle.⁵

Olive Florence Ferguson and Adelaide Myrtle Maud Ferguson were listed in the 1939 Register at 261 Smithdown Rd in Liverpool, Lancashire, along with Angus Stewart Ferguson and Adelaide May Boyle; both girls were employed as shop assistants.⁶

She married George Anthony Dobbins in Liverpool, Lancashire, on 1 September 1945.^7,8

She left London on 26 April 1951 on board the 'Straithaird', bound for Sydney, with her husband George. Their last UK address was 30 Hawarden Ave, Sefton Park, Liverpool, and he gave his occupation as 'electrical engineer.²'

She was widowed at age 76 on the death of her husband George on 24 October 1997.⁹

Adelaide died on 10 December 2005 at Dandenong Hospital in Dandenong, Victoria, at age 84.^10,4 She was cremated at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery in Springvale on 16 December 2005.¹¹

Alastair Ferguson was born at 3 Narval Place in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, on 16 March 1923.¹

The family were booked on the Letitia, which left Glasgow for New York on 12 February 1927 but appear never to have made the trip, as their names were crossed off the passenger manifest.²

Given his mother's use of the surname Edmonds from about the mid-1930s, it seems her children also adopted that name and in Alastair's case it seems he retained it.

Alastair died on 23 July 1985 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, at age 62 (under the name of Edmonds) according to informtion on an Ancestry tree that contains no source.

Alexander Ferguson was born at 61 Exeter Drive in Partick, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, on 25 January 1912.^1,2

The following comes from a 6p book 'All About Baby', probably written by his mother: "He is called after his father, being the man his mother thought the most of on the wide world. Born at 61 Exeter Drive, Partick, Glasgow on 25th day of January in the year 1912 at 1.30pm o'clock. Born on a Thursday. Thursday's child is merry and glad. He has a mole under his left knee and another on calf of right leg.
Baptised at 61 Exeter Drive on Friday 7th March by Principal McCullough. Baby was carried to the room by his Aunt Tina and behaved like a little swell. His wee cousin Peggy being an interested spectator. Baby's weight: at 3 months 11 1/2 lbs; 2 stone 4 lb at 2 years.
May 18th, Saturday, got his photo taken. His last day in long dresses. First short clothes on Sunday May 19th 1912 (& shoes).
Took whooping cough in August so we did not get holidays. Was not very bad and was as good as gold through it all. He now knows the use of his feet.
Cut his first tooth on Saturday 21 Sept 1912.
Had been walking round the chairs for two months. Auntie Jean sent him off on his own on Sunday afternoon in 848 Argyle St where he was visiting his Grandpa. Took his first step on Sunday April 6th 1913.
He was out in the pram and saw a horse and he said Gee-up, but had been saying Ta Ta and Da Da for a long time, while his wee cousin Peggy taught him to say Chi Chi to Pussy at Christmas. Spoke first word on Sunday March 23rd 1913.
Got his first horse on Friday 7th November 1913. Nearly went off his head with joy. Papa made him a big engine in September, it has a back seat. Named horse Powerful.
The two greatest surprises of his life were when he saw his wee sister in short clothes, and when his Papa shaved off his moustache on Thursday Dec 18th 1913 - did not know him for hours."²
The siblings Alexander and Christina were listed in the 1921 census at 61 Exeter Drive in Partick, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, with their parents, Alexander Ferguson and Catherine Sinclair (Kate) McInnes.³

He was a student at Hamilton Cres School and received a reference from Thomas Martin, Headmaster, probably when he left (aged 14), as he felt the school could not teach him much and his parents needed further income on 21 September 1926.⁴

His mother somehow engineered his employment with the Glen Line out of Glasgow, and his discharge book (issued by the UK Board of Trade, No. R43382 for seaman 263915) shows various engagements up until his Ranginui voyage to New Zealand. These include the Glenardle (Oct 1927 - Nov 1928, 3 voyages as Mess room boy), Arracan (Mar 1929, Apr 1931, 5 voyages as Cadet), Henzada (Apr 1931, Apr 1933, 5 voyages as Cadet) and Ranginui signon (Jun 1936, Able-bodied Seaman).⁵ His papers include an Argentine Certificate of Identification for Seamen; issued while a Cadet on the Henzada (Henderson Line). Stamps show he visited Argentina in August 1932 and October 1934.⁶ He was employed by P Henderson & Co as a Cadet until 7 Apr 1933 aboard the Arracan and Henzada.⁷ He received a Certificate of Profiency as a Watcher in Radiotelegraphy on 25 September 1929.⁸ Alexander was registered as #35905 on the Register of Midshipmen of the Officers (Merchant Navy) Federation and with the Navigators and General Insurance Co Ltd on 19 April 1933.⁹
Now in the depths of the depression, and laid off, his Unemployment book shows his registration on 9 April 1935 at Finnieston, Glasgow, Lanarkshire.¹⁰

He thought fondly in later years of the time he spent 'on board a yacht during the summer' - the yacht Dorcas, of which he seemed to be the sole caretaker for an absentee owner.¹¹

He signed on as Seaman in Bowling, Dunbartonshire, on 17 June 1936 for the delivery voyage of the scow Ranginui, to New Zealand, although he was really trying to get to Australia. This tiny vessel (105 ft long) took 105 days to reach Auckland after many adventures due to her inability to steer straight (the rudder was too small). The photo shows the Ranginui as she was later altered for the Northern Shipping Co.^12,13
After arriving in New Zealand, he signed on as 4th Officer with the Union Steamship Co on the Marama at Wellington on 21 October 1936.¹⁴
He then joined the Union Steamship Co as 3rd Officer on a variety of vessels: Gabriella, Wingatui, Karepo, Kartigi, Tamahine, Omana, Waipori, Waimarino, Kaiwarra.¹⁴ He received a Radio-Telegraph Operator's Certificate, Third Class, numbered WN 121 at Wellington on 26 September 1938.¹⁵ He received probably his first driver's licence at Christchurch, Canterbury, on 1 June 1939; also a June 1939 licence issued in Melbourne, and another in 1940 in Dunedin.¹⁶ Alexander's continued working with the Union Steamship Co as 2nd Officer on a variety of vessels: Poolta, Kakapo, Kaimiro, Karetu, Kaiwarra, Wingatui, Kartigi, Kiwitea based at Wellington from 1940.^14,17

He married Berys Hunter Macdonald, daughter of Arnold Morell (Dick) Macdonald and Ella Mary Morris, at St Luke's Presbyterian Church in Remuera, Auckland, on 13 October 1941. They were attended by Johnnie CRISP and Susan SAMUEL and the reception was held at the Auckland Domain Tearooms.^18,19,20

He received his Master's Certificate (Foreign-going) at Wellington on 19 February 1943.²¹ He remained with the Union Steamship Co as 2nd Officer on the Kiwitea (acting Chief Officer for the first week) from 1944.¹⁴

With a growing family, he now felt it was time to seek a shore job and so worked as a Harbourmaster's Assistant and Dredge Officer at a number of New Zealand ports, including Westport, Dunedin and Nelson.²²

He was given authority to wear War Medals, namely the 1939-43 Star Medal Ribbon, Star Medal (and clasp) by the Marine Dept at Wellington on 17 September 1945.²³

He worked as Mate on the Motu (3 engagements until August 1952) at New Zealand on 18 September 1951.¹²

He received a Restricted Radio-Telegraph Operator's Certificate, numbered NN107 at Nelson on 26 August 1957.¹⁵

He was appointed as a Marriage Celebrant on 12 November 1982.²⁴ Stanley Robert Cuthbertson and Dorothy May (Doe) McCaffery were married by Alexander Ferguson (as Marriage Celebrant) at Nelson on 26 April 1983.

He was widowed at age 76 on the death of his wife Berys on 6 February 1988.^25,26,27,28

He signed a will dated 27 October 1999 in Nelson, replacing an earlier one of 29 May 1962.²⁹

Alexander died on 7 January 2005 at 1.45pm at Nelson Hospice, 36 Manuka St in Nelson at age 92 of gall bladder cancer.^{26,30,27,31,32} His funeral was held at Nelson on 12 January 2005.^26,33 He was cremated at the Golden Bay/Motueka Crematorium on 12 January 2005.²⁶ His ashes were retained by the family.²⁶

Alexander Ferguson was born at 118 Garthland Drive in Dennistoun, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, on 9 November 1882.¹
The siblings Alexander, Jane, Robert and Mary were listed in the 1891 census at 37 Wesleyan St in Camlachie, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, with their parents, James (Jimmie) Ferguson and Mary Duncan Adam.²
The siblings Alexander, Jane, Robert and Mary were listed in the 1901 census at 85 Bellgrove St in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, with their parents, James (Jimmie) Ferguson and Mary Duncan Adam. Alexander was an apprentice joiner.³

He worked in one of the Glasgow shipyards, but was forced to work as a tram conductor (1911) due to lack of jobs (which was regarded as a major set-back for a journeyman carpenter to have to resort to such a position).⁴
The siblings Alexander, Mary and Robert were listed in the 1911 census at 1052 Dumbarton Rd in Partick, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, with their parents, James (Jimmie) Ferguson and Mary Duncan Adam. Alexander was a 'tramways man' for the (Tramways) Corporation.⁵

He married Catherine Sinclair (Kate) McInnes, daughter of Charles McInnes and Margaret McColl, at 25 Bath St in Blythswood, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, on 21 April 1911.⁶

He enlisted with the 15th Service Battalion (1st Glasgow - also known as the Glasgow Tramways Battalion) of the Highland Light Infantry on the 14 Sep 1914 (#13251), was made Lance-Corporal in C Company, on the 17 Mar 1915, and by 23 Nov 1915, when they landed at Boulange, was a Sergeant.
The Battalion fought in 1916 at the battles of Albert, Bazentin and Ancre; in 1917 the First Battle of Arras and the battles of Amiens, Albert, Bapaume, St Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir and the Sambre.
He was discharged on 2 Oct 1918 (cause Wounds xviA Army Order 11b(1)) but it is understood from family oral history that he also served in Mesopotamia.^4,7,8,9

He was listed in the 1921 census as Head of Family at 61 Exeter Drive in Partick, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, with his wife Catherine; he gave his occupation as house joiner for the Glasgow City Corporation. Their children Alexander and Christina were listed as living with them.¹⁰

After demob. he was unable to immediately return to the shipyards due to the post-war depression, although he later did so. He also worked with the Glasgow City Corporation Parks & Reserves after the General Strike.⁴

He was the informant of James (Jimmie) Ferguson's death at 1052 Dumbarton Rd in Partick, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, on 19 April 1949.¹¹

He was widowed at age 76 on the death of his wife Catherine on 28 May 1959.¹²

Alexander died on 7 January 1966 at Western Infirmary in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, at age 83 of a myocardial infarcation while residing at 51 Lawrence St - the informant was his grand-son John Taylor (Iain) Howat.¹³

Alexander Ferguson was born at Middleton Farm in Old Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire, on 27 September 1858. Informant for the birth was Peter McGregor 'Uncle-in-law' - this is presumed to be the husband of Margaret Fergusson.^1,2

Alexander died before 1861.