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Facts and Events
Ernest Botten was born on 21st September 1890 at Wanganui (or Whanganui) in New Zealand, son of Ann Elizabeth Botten, formerly Peapells, and her husband James Botten, a railway surface-man. Ernest grew up in Wanganui, attending Mosstown school there. Ernest’s mother died in May 1909.
By 1911 Ernest had left home and was working in Wanganui as an upholsterer.
In August 1914, just a few days after New Zealand joined the First World War, Ernest enlisted for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. When he enlisted he was described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall with dark hair and blue eyes. He served as a gunner and was posted to the Middle East, serving in Egypt and at Gallipoli between 1914 and 1916. He then served in France from 1916 to 1918.
He was wounded in September 1918 and had to be admitted to hospital, initially at Rouen, before being transferred to England. He sailed back from London to New Zealand after the armistice at the end of the war, leaving London in December 1918 and arriving in Wellington in January 1919. He was discharged from the army the following month.
Ernest returned to Wanganui and resumed his old trade as an upholsterer. In August 1919 he married Hilda Victoria Roberts at the Anglican church in the Castlecliff area of the town. She was originally from the Isle of Wight in England, but had emigrated to New Zealand in 1914.
Ernest and Hilda adopted a boy called Geoffrey Lane, who had been born in England in 1916, and so was probably a few years old by the time he came to live with them. He was apparently known as “Shady”. They do not appear to have had any other children.
Ernest’s father died in 1928.
Ernest and Hilda moved around during the 1920s and 1930s, living at different times in Wanganui, Pahiatua, Wellington and Auckland. Hilda made a return trip to England in 1928–1929, being away from New Zealand for almost a year.
By 1938, Shady had joined the British Royal Navy, serving as a yeoman of signals and petty officer. He continued to serve with the navy into the Second World War. In the summer of 1941 he married Dorothy Herbert in the city of Leeds in Yorkshire, England.
A few months later, on 5th February 1942, Shady was serving on the HMS Arbutus which was escorting convoys in the North Atlantic, when it was torpedoed by a U-boat and it sank. Shady was one of 43 men who were killed, being about half the crew. He was 25 years old. His death was reported in the New Zealand newspapers under the name “Geoffrey Lane Botten”, but in other records he was listed under his original name as Geoffrey Lane.
In March 1946, Ernest and Hilda left New Zealand and travelled to England, where they appear to have gone to live on the Isle of Wight, where Hilda was originally from. Hilda died in hospital in hospital in Newport on the Isle of Wight on 19th April 1947, aged 49.
Less than five months later, Ernest remarried. His second wife was a widow called Catherine Lockyer, formerly Meekins, and they married on 6th September 1947 at the Catholic church of St Thomas of Canterbury in Newport.
Less than a year after their marriage, Ernest returned to New Zealand, accompanied by Catherine. They sailed from London on 19th June 1948, and arrived in Wellington 39 days later, on 28th July. By 1949 they were living at 28 Courtville Flats, in the centre of Auckland.
Catherine returned to England in September 1950, apparently alone, staying for nearly two years before returning to New Zealand in May 1952. The 1954 electoral rolls show her being back at 28 Courtville Flats in Auckland with Ernest.
In May 1956 Ernest and Catherine separated, entering into a separation agreement, although they did not actually divorce. Catherine stayed in New Zealand for another year afterwards, supporting herself by working as an assistant in a cafeteria, after which she returned to England.
Ernest left Auckland and went to live at Pahiatua with his first wife’s brother, Walter Richards. Ernest died at Pahiatua on 30th August 1960, aged 69. He had apparently been having heart troubles for about five years.
References
- ↑ New Zealand, Birth Index 1840-1950 (Ancestry).
b. Ernest BOTTEN, December Quarter 1890, Wanganui, Folio 3529
- ↑ Births index, in New Zealand Civil Registration (Archives New Zealand, Wellington).
b. Ernest BOTTEN, 1890, registration No. 1890/14136, father James Botten, mother Ann Elizabeth Botten
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 New Zealand, World Ward I Service Records, 1914-1920 (Archives New Zealand, Wellington).
Summary of information:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Name: Ernest Botten
Born: Wanganui
Date of birth: 21 Sep 1892
Trade: Upholsterer
Last address: Hawera Potters Hotel
Married: No
Next of kin: James Botten, Whangehu, Wanganui
Enlisted: 12 Aug 1914 at New Plymouth
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Weight: 10 stone
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Dark
Religion: Church of England
No: 10/749 Rank: Gnr.
Theatres of operation: Egypt 1914-1916, Gallipoli 1915, France 1916-1918
Casualty: Admitted Rouen 27 Sep 1918, transferred to England 29 Sep 1918. Embarked for N.Z. 8 Dec 1918 from London.
Discharged: 12 Feb 1919
Deceased: 30 Aug 1960
- New Zealand Passenger Lists, 1839-1973 (Archives New Zealand, Wellington).
Ship: Tyndareus
Departed: Wellington, 18 Mar 1946
Port at which Passengers have contracted to land: London
BOTTEN, Mr. E. / 56 / Carpet Planner / Country of Birth: England
BOTTEN, Mrs. H.V. / 50 / D/Duties / Country of Birth: England
- UK Outward Passenger Lists 1890-1960 (The National Archives, Kew)
BT27.
Ship: Rangitata
Departed: London, 19 Jun 1948
Port at which contracted to land: Wellington
BOTTEN, Mr. Ernest
Last address in the United Kingdom: c/o Mrs. Savage, 3, Hazel Road, Dartford
Profession: Upholsterer
Age: 54
Country of last Permanent Residence: England
Country of Intended Future Permanent Residence: New Zealand
This entry bracketed together with the next passenger, being Mrs. Catherine Botten, 52.
- Wanganui Chronicle
Page 7, 21 Jul 1902.
OUR SCHOOLS.
MOSSTOWN SCHOOL
Following were the successful pupils at the examination held at Mosstown on Friday…
Standard IV… Ernest Botten…
- Wanganui Herald
Page 5, 23 Jul 1903.
SCHOOL EXAMINATION.
MOSSTOWN.
The following is the result of the above examination…
STANDARD V… Ernest Botten…
- Wanganui Herald
Page 4, 1 Jun 1909.
DEATHS.
BOTTEN.- On the 31st inst., at her residence, 60 Glasgow Street, Anne Elizabeth, beloved wife of Jas. Botten, aged 47 years.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The funeral will leave her late residence at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2.- F. Dexter.
- Auckland Star
Page 8, 8 Oct 1918.
DOMINION HEROES.
NINE DEATHS REPORTED.
THIRTEEN MEN MISSING.
(By Telegraph – Press Association)
WELLINGTON, Monday.
A casualty list issued to-night contains the names of two men killed in action, two who have died of wounds, two of sickness, two while prisoners of war, and one of burns received accidentally. Thirteen men are reported missing. The wounded total ten. Details…
WOUNDED, ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL…
ARTILLERY…
BOTTEN, ERNEST, Sept 27 – J. Botten, Wangaehu.
- New Zealand Times
Page 7, 13 Jan 1919.
COMING HOME
RETURNING DRAFT 205
DUE TO ARRIVE IN WELLINGTON SHORTLY…
10/749 Botten, E., Wangaehu.
- Evening Post
Page 3, 4 Nov 1935.
MAGISTRATE’S COURT…
Ernest Botten, a salesman, aged 45, was convicted and discharged for being drunk in Moxham Avenue on Saturday, and was fined £2 and costs, in default 14 days’ imprisonment for using obscene language in a tramcar in Constable Street.
- Evening Star
Page 1, 4 May 1942.
PERSONAL.
WOULD any Returned N.Z.N.V.R. who served on Corvette H.M.S. Arbutus in 1941, or anyone knowing of the same kindly write ERNEST BOTTEN, 8 Thames street, Dominion road, S.2., Auckland?
- New Zealand Herald
Page 1, 4 Jun 1942.
ROLL OF HONOUR
BOTTEN, Geoffrey Lane, Yeoman of Signals, Royal Navy.– Killed in action, February 5, 1942, the dearly-beloved husband of Dorothy, Leeds, England, and the dearly-beloved son of Ernest and Hilda Botten, Mount Eden, S.2. Auckland.- His duty was done until the last.
- New Zealand Herald
Page 1, 5 Feb 1945.
IN MEMORIAM
BOTTEN, P.O. (Yeoman of Signals), R.N. – In proud and loving memory of our dear son, “Shady,” and tribute to the 11 Imperial personnel who were lost with their gallant ship, the former corvette Arbutus, through enemy action in Battle of Atlantic, on February 5, 1942.
Always smiling and content, loved and respected wherever he went;
It was on the Achilles we last saw his happy face.
As he said “Cheerio, dears, now keep smiling.”
In thoughts we also travelled with him the oceans we know, near and far.
Memories now drift to the “Don’t Talk Ships” he served in.
Those long convoy trips, such narrow escapes;
For he was a hero.
The end indeed was tragic: Dark and bitterly cold, but they were all brave,
For it was the youngest lads they all tried to save.
That task was tough, and God knew best
And took our hero and his 11 shipmates home to rest.
But forever in our thoughts.
- So sadly missed by his mum and pop.
- New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1853-1981.
1911: Wanganui:
Botten, Ernest, 2 Ingestre Street, upholsterer
1914: Wanganui:
Botten, Ernest, Alma Road, Gonville, upholsterer
1919, Taranaki:
Botten, Ernest, 253 Molesworth Street, returned soldier
1919, Wanganui:
Botten, Ernest, Polson St., Castlecliff, upholsterer
Botten, Hilda Victoria, Polson St., Castlecliff, married
1928, Pahiatua:
Botten, Ernest, Short Road, Mangatainoka, upholsterer.
1928, Wellington South:
Botten, Ernest, 119 Owen Street, upholsterer
Botten, Hilda Victoria, 119 Owen Street, married
1935, Wellington South:
Botten, Ernest, 160 Owen Street, upholsterer
Botten, Hilda, 160 Owen Street, married
1935, Pahiatua:
Botten, Ernest, Short Road, Mangatainoka, upholsterer.
1938, Roskill:
Botten, Ernest, 8 Thames St., S2, upholsterer
Botten, Hilda Victoria, 8 Thames St., S2, upholsterer
1949, Auckland Central:
Botten, Ernest, Courtville Flats, C.1., upholsterer
Botten, Catherine, 28 Courtville Flats, C.1., married [listed in Supplementary Roll]
1954, Auckland Central:
Botten, Catherine, 28 Courtville Flats, C1, married
Botten, Ernest, 28 Courtville Flats, C1, upholsterer
1957, Pahiatua:
Botten, Ernest, Mangaramarama, upholsterer
- Deaths register, in New Zealand Civil Registration (New Zealand Government, Wellington).
No. 26
Died: 30 August, 1960 at residence of S.W. Reilly Main Street, Pahiatua from Mangaramarama
Name and Occupation: Ernest Botten, retired upholsterer.
Sex: M / Age: 69
Cause of death: Congestive heart failure 5 years: Hypertension years: chronic bronchitis years
Medical attendant: D.S. McKenzie / Last saw deceased: 7 August, 1960.
Father: James Botten, railway surfaceman
Mother: Elizabeth Ann Botten, maiden name Peapells
Buried: 1 September 1960, Pahiatua / Minister M.J.S. Wheeler, Church of England
Born: Wanganui
Married:
a) Wanganui, aged 28 to Hilda Victoria Richards
b) Maidstone, England, age not known to Catherine Lootyer
Issue: [blank]
Informant: C.M.D. Burt, Funeral Director, Pahiatua
Registered: 1 September 1960, C.P. Casey Registrar.
- New Zealand Probate Records, 1843-1998 (Archives New Zealand, Wellington)
1961 P13/61.
First page:
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND
WELLINGTON DISTRICT
PALMERSTON NORTH REGISTRY
IN THE ESTATE of ERNEST BOTTEN
late of Pahiatua, Retired, Deceased.
AFFIDAVIT of WALTER SYDNEY RICHARDS as to date of death and next of Kin.
SIDDELLS & SIDDELLS, SOLICITORS, PAHIATUA.
Second & third pages:
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND
WELLINGTON DISTRICT
PALMERSTON NORTH REGISTRY
IN THE ESTATE of ERNEST BOTTEN late of Pahiatua, Retired, Deceased.
I, WALTER SYDNEY RICHARDS of Pahiatua in the Provincial District of Wellington in the Dominion of New Zealand Sawmiller make oath and say as follows:-
1. THAT I knew Ernest Botten late of Pahiatua, in the Provincial District of Wellington and Dominion aforesaid, Retired, when alive and that the said Ernest Botten was resident or was domiciled at Pahiatua within this judicial district and that the nearest Registry Office of this Court to the place where the said Ernest Botten resided or was domiciled is at Palmerston North.
2. THAT the said Ernest Botten died at Pahiatua on or about the 30th day of August, 1960, as I am able to depose from having been present at his funeral.
3. THAT the said deceased married my natural and lawful sister Hilda Victoria Richards at the Anglican Church Castlecliff Wanganui on the 12th day of August, 1919.
4. THAT my said sister died at Queen Mary’s Hospital Newport in the District of Isle of Wight England on the 19th day of April, 1947, and that there was no issue of such first marriage.
5. THAT the said deceased remarried on the 6th day of September, 1947, marrying one Catherine Lockyer a widow in the Roman Catholic Church in the Chapel of St. Thomas of Canterbury Pyle Street, Newport in the District of Isle of Wight England and that there was no issue of such second marriage.
6. THAT the deceased and his second wife came to New Zealand early in 1948 and lived in divers places in New Zealand until the 11th day of May, 1956 when the said deceased and his said second wife at Auckland entered into an agreement for separation, whereupon the said deceased came to reside with me in Pahiatua and the said second wife retired to England where she now resides.
7. THAT although the said deceased was separated from his said second wife, he was not divorced from her.
8. THAT since the death of the said deceased I have had access to his papers and repositories and that I have searched diligently therein for any Will or Testamentary writing made or signed by the said deceased, and that I have been unable to find any such Will or Testamentary writing.
9. THAT I have made enquiries of the Solicitor who acted for the said deceased during his lifetime and of the Bankers with whom he banked and of all persons likely to know if the said deceased had made or signed any Will or Testamentary writing and I have already arranged for both the Auckland and the Wellington District Law Societies to write to the Solicitors in Auckland and Wellington Districts enquiring for any such Will or Testamentary writing of the said deceased and I have been unable to learn that the said deceased ever made or signed any such Will or Testamentary writing.
10. THAT I do verily believe that the said deceased died intestate and that the said Catherine Botten his widow is the only next of Kin of the said deceased.
SWORN at Pahiatua this 16th day of December, 1960, before me:- W.S. Richards
R.L. Parslow A SOLICITOR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND
Fourth and fifth pages are an affidavit from Walter Adolph Race, General Manager of the Trust Department of the New Zealand Insurance Company Limited, setting out that the widow (Catherine) has consented for the company to act as administrator, and that the value of the estate is under £500.
Sixth page - copy letter referred to in affidavit of Walter Adolph Race:
I, CATHERINE BOTTEN of Maidstone in the County of Kent England widow of the abovenamed deceased and entitled to the estate of the abovenamed deceased by virtue of his intestacy and not being desirous of being appointed administratrix of his estate by reason of my living in England separate from the abovenamed deceased DO HEREBY CONSENT to the grant to The New Zealand Insurance Company Limited of Letters of Administration of the estate effects and credits of the said deceased
DATED this tenth day of November 1960.
SIGNED by the above named CATHERINE BOTTEN in the presence of:
G.H. Coombe, 9 King Street, Maidstone, Kent, Solicitor / C. Botten
Remaining pages of probate file (pages 7 – 12) relate to the grant of letters of administration to the New Zealand Insurance Company.
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