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James Thompson 1884-1947
James was born on 3 April 1884 at Sawyers Bay, Otago, New Zealand, the son of Margaret Ann Thompson. On 17 March 1907 at the home of his step-father, Matthew Solomon, in Careys Bay, Otago, James married Helena Frances Elizabeth Weir. Helena was born in Timaru, South Canterbury. Between 1914-1919 James was a labourer, living with his wife in Mansford Town, Otago. Helena died in Dunedin Public Hospital on 20 April 1922 and was buried in Port Chalmers Cemetery Block UO Plot 188.
After Helena's death the family moved to Owaka, Otago and the children were looked after by their grandparents, Maggie and Matthew Solomon. By 1928 James was a maltster living at 83 Wilsons Road, Christchurch. Then in 1932 he married a widow, Ethel Janet Hall, maiden surname Dass. In 1946 they were living at 97 Princes Street, Woolston, Christchurch, (Princes Street has since been renamed Rutherford Street). James, a retired maltster, died in 1947 and his ashes were buried at Canterbury Crematorium, Woodlawn BS. Ethel died in 1950 aged 62.
Children from first marriage all born Port Chalmers:-
- Matthew Robert James Thompson born 28 April 1907
Known as Matt. He married Ngaio Jean Nicol in 1939. She was born on 6 Oct 1914. Matthew died in 1994, he had been living in Dunedin. Ngaio died in 2002 at Kimberley Rest Home, Palmerston.
- Martha Frances Thompson born 4 October 1908
She married John Dryden Spinks in 1927. John was born on 27 April 1897 and died in 1990 aged 92. He was buried in Owaka Cemetery, Eastern, Plot 445 with his parents, Benjamin Thomas Spinks who died in 1937 aged 92 and Mary Jane Spinks who died in 1934 aged 77. Martha died in 2002 age 93.
- William David Thompson born 16 February 1912
Known as Bill. He married Betty Mary Bradley in 1940. Betty was born on 27 Nov 1916. William died in 1990 aged 78 and Betty died in 2013 at Parata Rest Home in Gore, aged 96.
- James George Thompson born 18 March 1913
Known as Jim. On 28 November 1934 he married Mildred May Laughton. She was born on 20 January 1911 in Christchurch the daughter of William (Bill) Laughton and Amelia (Millie) Stenning. She died in 2003 at the age of 92. James died in 2004 aged 91.
- Robert Thompson born 13 May 1917
Known as Bob. He married Selina Pearl Morris, known as Pearl, in 1955. She was born in 1920 and died in 1998. Robert died in 1987.
- Son Private