This page provides a complete list of the names and personal details of all 76 passengers who were aboard the ss Wimmera on her final voyage from Auckland and at the time of her sinking on 26 June 1918.
| Number | Name and Details |
|---|---|
| 1 | BARNETT, Mrs Ethel Maria Vincent (nee TIMS) CASUALTY Steerage passenger Aged 37 years Ethel Maria TIMS was born in 1880 in London, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth TIMS. She was the second youngest of seven children. In 1893 she emigrated to New Zealand aboard the Ruapehu together with her parents and three of her sisters Marie, Maude and Eleanor. Ethel Maria TIMS married Walter Palethorpe BARNETT in Auckland, New Zealand on 2 September 1908. Registration No. 1908/6066 The couple had one son, Trevor Ernest Palethorpe BARNETT, who was born 21 July 1909 in New Zealand. By 1911 the couple had parted and were living in separate residences. By 1913 Ethel turned to the courts in order to obtain child maintenance payments. The couple filed for divorce in 1914 although Walter’s service papers for WWI still recorded his wife as Ethel. Walter Palethorpe Barnett had enlisted in the thirteenth reinforcements as a member of the Medical Corps and had returned from the war less that three months earlier, have been invalided home. He received his discharge about five weeks prior to the Wimmera‘s loss and the death of his [former] wife, Ethel. At the time of the sinking, Ethel was resident at ‘Roycroft’ or ‘Ryecroft’, Lower Symonds Street, Auckland. Her son was soon to turn nine years of age. |
| 2 | BLENCOWE, Mrs Ellenor Maud (nee YOUNG) Saloon passenger Aged 43 years Born 9 February 1875 in New Zealand, one of four children of John Charles YOUNG and Catherine (nee REGAN) Married 1896 in Victoria to James Rasdell BLENCOWE. Marriage Registration No. 3836/1896. Her husband James Rasdell BLENCOWE was a photographer and the couple lived in Rotorua |
| 3 | BOND, Francis Cecil (Frank) Steerage passenger Aged 32 years Born in Cambridge, New Zealand on 9 July 1886 the son of James Shiner BOND and Sarah Annie (nee O’CONNOR). He was one of one of nine children. His father was mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand from 1905 to 1909. Frank Bond went to Australia in 1908 with a football team and remained there. He married Pauline DILLON in Sydney, New South Wales in March 1913. Prior to the sinking of the Wimmera, the couple had one child, a daughter, Hilda Frances BOND, born in Sydney in December 1913. On 4 July 1915 he enlisted in the A.I.F. At that time he was living in Llewellyn Street, Marrickville and his occupation was that of carpenter. He served in the 8th Field Company, Australian Engineers in France. He returned to Australia aboard the transport Pakeha on 25 October 1917 and was discharged six months later on 24 April 1918. On Wednesday 22 May 1918 Frank arrived in Auckland from Sydney aboard the Wimmera. He then travelled to Hamilton to spend several weeks visiting his parents and family members including his brother Fred who was called up to serve in the New Zealand Forces. He was returning to Australia aboard the Wimmera at the end of his visit home. |
| 4 | BOWERING, Mr Walter James Saloon passenger Aged 47 years Born in 1871 in Tiverton, Somerset, England, the son of Joseph and Margaret BOWERING Married on 1 June 1898 to Laura Ann (Phyllis) SEWELL, at Rocklea, Queensland The couple had only one child, a daughter, Phylllis Ethel Frances BOWERING, born on 7 October 1899 but died aged about one At the time of the sinking he was employed in the Lands and Registry Office, Auckland His mother had died in Brisbane, Queensland on 11 May 1918 and this may have been the reason for his intended visit to Australia aboard the Wimmera. |
| 5 | BOYD, Miss J. Steerage passenger Aged 30 years Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Manuka |
| 6 | BRADNEY, Douglas Eric Saloon passenger Aged 24 years Born 28 November 1893 in New Zealand, the youngest child of eight of James Henry BRADNEY and Mary Jane (nee HAXTON). Registration No. 1894/3791 He was an officer in the service of the Union Steam Ship Company. His last position was in the Company’s collier ss Kakapo as Third Officer. At the time of the sinking of the Wimmera he was on holiday leave and was travelling to Sydney to obtain medical advice or treatment. Douglas did not continue his intended journey to Sydney. He soon signs up as Third Officer of the Moeraki and arrives in Sydney from Wellington on 13 August 1918. Whether he managed to obtain his medical advice or treatment is unknown. |
| 7 | BROWNING, Mrs Elizabeth Ann (nee POOLMAN) Saloon passenger Aged 62 years Born 1856 in Melbourne, Victoria, the daughter of Frederick POOLMAN and Ann (nee MARTIN) Widow of Silas Samuel BROWNING who died in 1914 Returning to Australia after a holiday tour of the Dominion with her adult daughter, Elsie May. A prominent Red Cross worker in Melbourne Returned to Sydney from Wellington on 15 July 1918 aboard the ss Riverina |
| 8 | BROWNING, Elsie May Saloon passenger Aged 31 years Born in Melbourne, Victoria in 1886, the daughter of Silas Samuel BROWNING and Elizabeth Ann (nee POOLMAN) Returning to Australia with her mother Elizabeth Ann BROWNING after a holiday tour of the Dominion The secretary of a patriotic organisation in Melbourne engaged in raising funds for the Red Cross. Returned to Sydney from Wellington on 15 July 1918 aboard the ss Riverina |
| 9 | BURT, Mrs Sophia Louise (nee RICH) Steerage passenger Aged 55 years Born 25 September 1862 in Hobart Town, Tasmania, the daughter of Daniel Sutherland RICH and Sophia (nee NOAH) Married 14 March 1887 in Port Melbourne, Victoria to Frederick George BURT of Kelly Street, Battery Point, Hobart, Tasmania Mother of six children – four adult daughters and two adult sons Sophia BURT had arrived in New Zealand on 9 April 1918 aboard the Wimmera at the start of a visit to her married daughter, Iris Emily Isabel SUTHERLAND (nee BURT), then of Otaki. Following the sinking she returned to Sydney from Wellington on 15 July 1918 aboard the ss Riverina |
| 10 | CHAPMAN, Corporal Hal Brougham Saloon passenger Aged 28 years Born December 1890 in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, the son of Robert McDonald CHAPMAN and Ethel (nee BROUGHAM) The brother of Ray, Guy, Ken, Ivo and Ian An enlisted soldier, Corporal Chapman was an Australian but had enlisted in the British section N.Z.E.F. after leaving the University of Pennsylvania (U.S.A.) to proceed to England to enlist. He had only just returned to New Zealand aboard the transport Ulimaroa on 14 June 1918 and was granted an extension to his furlough in order to proceed to Australia to be married and to visit relatives. He continued his intended journey to Sydney aboard the Manuka He married on 20 July 1918 in South Yarra, Victoria to Frances E. DAVY He died two months after his marriage on 19 September 1918 in Bathurst, New South Wales as a result of a brain hemorrhage. |
| 11 | CHARLESWORTH, Mr Ira Steerage passenger Aged 61 years A gardener at the Veteran’s Home, Epsom for the last three years. He was a Yorkshire farmer who had came to New Zealand for the benefit of his health and was intending to spend a short holiday with relatives in New South Wales before going on to England. Ira Charlesworth was born in Penistone, Yorkshire, England on 15 January 1857, the son of Emma Charlesworth. He was a farmer. He married late in life, at the age of 47 to widow Mary Marsh on 13 April 1904. The couple had no children but he was step-father to his wife’s four sons. On 8 May 1913 he departed London aboard the New Zealand Shipping Company liner Remuera. The ship arrived in Auckland on 25 June. Following the sinking of the Wimmera he did not immediately continue his plan to holiday in New South Wales before returning home. It was not until after the War, on 11 December 1919 that he boarded the Maheno for Sydney. Less than a month later, on 10 January 1920, he was aboard the Orient liner Ormonde as she departed Sydney for London. He arrived back in England on 23 February 1920 and returned to live in Penistone, Yorkshire where he passed away three years later in 1923. |
| 12 | CROFT, Mrs Hilda Wolfen (nee HILDER) Saloon passenger Aged 38 years Hilda Wolfen HILDER was born in Sydney, New South Wales on 24 June 1878, the daughter of merchant, Alfred HILDER and Emily Crossland SMITH. She married Alfred John CROFT in Sydney on 5 April 1902. (Alfred John Croft later joined Huddart Parker as First Officer of the ss Courier in 1902) Formerly of Burgess Road, Devonport, New Zealand Accompanied by her six children, the family were moving to take up residence in Sydney Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Riverina |
| 13 | CROFT, Enid Hilda Saloon passenger Aged 15 years Born in Geelong, Victoria in 1903, the eldest daughter of Alfred John CROFT and Hilda Wolfen (nee HILDER) (above) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Riverina |
| 14 | CROFT, Amy Jean Saloon passenger Aged 13 years Born in Melbourne West, Victoria in 1903, the second child of Alfred John CROFT and Hilda Wolfen (nee HILDER) (above) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Riverina |
| 15 | CROFT, Alfred John Saloon passenger Aged 11 years Born in Geelong, Victoria in 1906, the third child and eldest son of Alfred John CROFT and Hilda Wolfen (nee HILDER) (above) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Riverina |
| 16 | CROFT, William Francis Saloon passenger Aged 9 years Born in Geelong, Victoria in 1909, the fourth child and youngest son of Alfred John CROFT and Hilda Wolfen (nee HILDER) (above) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Riverina |
| 17 | CROFT, Gladys Ethel Saloon passenger Aged 7 years Born in St. Kilda, Melbourne in 1911, the fifth child of Alfred John CROFT and Hilda Wolfen (nee HILDER) (above) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Riverina |
| 18 | CROFT, Sally Saloon passenger Aged 4 1/2 years Born in St. Leonards, New South Wales on 22 January 1914, the sixth child and youngest daughter of Alfred John CROFT and Hilda Wolfen (nee HILDER) (above) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Riverina |
| 19 | DAVIDSON, Mr John Steerage passenger Aged 48 years Born 22 July 1870 in Harwick, Roxburghshire, Scotland, the son of John DAVIDSON and Elizabeth (nee SCOTT) Married 1899 in Hampstead, London to Frances Elizabeth TERREY (see below) Managing Director of Oliphant’s Publishing House, of London Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 together with his wife, seven children and two servants – the McEdward sisters (see below) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 20 | DAVIDSON, Mrs Frances Elizabeth (nee TERREY) Steerage passenger Aged 51 years Born in 1866 in Bloomsbury, London, England, the daughter of Charles and Ann TERREY Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 together with her husband, seven children and two servants – the McEdward sisters (see below) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 21 | DAVIDSON, John Steerage passenger Aged 17 years Born 4 August 1900, Hornsey, Middlesex, England, the eldest son of John DAVIDSON (above) and Frances Elizabeth (nee TERREY) Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 together with his parents, six siblings and two servants – the McEdward sisters (see below) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 22 | DAVIDSON, Francis Terrey (Frank) Steerage passenger Aged 15 years Born ca. 1902, Southgate, Middlesex, England, the son of John DAVIDSON (above) and Frances Elizabeth (nee TERREY) Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 together with his parents, six siblings and two servants – the McEdward sisters (see below) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 23 | DAVIDSON, Violet Mary Frances Steerage passenger Aged 13 years Born ca. 1905, Southgate, Middlesex, England, the eldest daughter of John DAVIDSON (above) and Frances Elizabeth (nee TERREY) Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 together with her parents, six siblings and two servants – the McEdward sisters (see below) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 24 | DAVIDSON, Hugh Stanley Giffard Steerage passenger Aged 11 years Born ca. 1907, Southgate, Middlesex, England, the son of John DAVIDSON (above) and Frances Elizabeth (nee TERREY) Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 together with his parents, six siblings and two servants – the McEdward sisters (see below) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 25 | DAVIDSON, Robert Charles Morgan Steerage passenger Aged 9 years Born ca. 1909, Essex, England, the son of John DAVIDSON (above) and Frances Elizabeth (nee TERREY) Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 together with his parents, six siblings and two servants – the McEdward sisters (see below) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 26 | DAVIDSON, Allister Duncan Steerage passenger Aged 7 years A twin – born ca. 1911, Edgware, Middlesex, England, the youngest son of John DAVIDSON (above) and Frances Elizabeth (nee TERREY) Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 together with his parents, six siblings and two servants – the McEdward sisters (see below) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 27 | DAVIDSON, Sheila Margaret Ann Steerage passenger Aged 7 years A twin – born ca. 1911, Edgware, Middlesex, England, the youngest daughter of John DAVIDSON (above) and Frances Elizabeth (nee TERREY) Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 together with her parents, six siblings and two servants – the McEdward sisters (see below) Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 28 | DUNN, Alice Maud Steerage passenger Aged 45 years Born 20 July 1872 in Mudgee, New South Wales, the daughter of George Murray DUNN and Matilda McCOOL She was one of eight children Of Auckland. She resided with her sister, Evangeline (Mrs F. H. Lyndon), at 26 Collingwood Street. The intention of her trip aboard the Wimmera was to visit her mother who lived in Woollahra, Sydney She died from influenza on Friday 29 November 1918 at Whangarei and was buried in the Kioreroa Cemetery, Whangarei on 30 Nov 1918. ENG Row J Plot 88. |
| 29 | DUNN, Mrs Eleanor Rea (nee LYALL) Saloon passenger Aged 58 years Born in Chilwell, Victoria in 1860, the daughter of Henry LYALL and Eleanor (nee REA). She was one of nine children. The widow of Francis Gregory DUNN who had died in 1914 aged 67 years. A resident of Story Street, Parkville, Melbourne She was the mother of four children – three daughters and a son. Her only son, Captain Francis Henry Dunn M.C. of the A.I.F. was killed at Bullecourt, and the effects of the shock she suffered over his death led her to seek a change in New Zealand. She had been staying with her married daughter, Winifred, the wife of Percy BAGNALL, at Mason’s Avenue, Herne Bay, for the six months prior to her intended return to Australia aboard the Wimmera. Aboard the Wimmera she occupied a state-room with Miss M. EVANS (below). She continued her intended journey to Sydney aboard the Riverina, arriving on 15 July 1918. |
| 30 | ELLIOTT, Robert Joseph Steerage passenger Aged 26 years Born in Marrickville, Sydney, in 1896, the third of nine children of Thomas and Mary Ellen ELLIOT A returned soldier, he had enlisted in the Naval and Military Expeditionary Forces just after the outbreak of war, on 11 August 1914. He then declared his age as 22 years although he was only 18. He served at Gallipoli and was there twice wounded in action. He returned to Australia aboard the transport Themistocles on 4 July 1917. He was discharged from the A.I.F. in New South Wales on 4 January 1918. His army discharge papers and returned soldier’s badge were lost in the sinking of the Wimmera. He continued his intended journey to Sydney aboard the Moeraki, arriving on 22 July 1918. On 26 October 1929 he married in New Zealand to Mary Theresa O’CONNOR. |
| 31 | EVANS, Miss M. Saloon passenger Aged 41 years Born ca.1877 Of Mt. Eden, Auckland. Aboard the Wimmera shared a state-room with Mrs. Eleanor Rea DUNN (above). |
| 32 | FAIR, Oscar Robert (aka Johan Oscar SKOGSBORG) Steerage passenger Aged 59 years Born 1 December 1858 in Eskilstuna, Sweden At the time of his voyage on the Wimmera he was a hairdresser, whose home was given as Belgium Street in Auckland. A much travelled and married man whose occupations were also quite varied. |
| 33 | GIBLIN, William John Steerage passenger Aged 48 years Born 1870 in Kirkstall, Victoria, the son of Michael GIBLIN and Mary (nee BUCHANAN) Married 28 January 1918 in New Zealand to widow Myra DALEY (nee BRIEN) (see below) Aboard the Wimmera in company with his wife Myra and his two step-children Leslie and Annie (below) |
| 34 | GIBLIN, Myra (formerly DALEY nee BRIEN) Steerage passenger Aged 33 years Born 4 February 1885 in Canterbury, Sydney, New South Wales, the daughter of Thomas and Mary BRIEN She was first married in 1908 in New Zealand to James DALEY. The couple had three children, one stillborn James DALEY was a seaman and died on 3 August 1916 at the age of 45 years following an accident aboard the ship Ngapuhi. Myra DALEY (nee BRIEN) re-married on 28 January 1918 in New Zealand to William John GIBLIN Aboard the Wimmera in company with her husband William and her two children Leslie and Annie (below) |
| 35 | GIBLIN, Leslie John (aka Leslie John DALEY) Steerage passenger Aged 7 1/2 years Born 30 December 1910 in New Zealand, the son of James DALEY and Myra (nee BRIEN) Son of Myra GIBLIN and her first husband, James DALEY. Aboard the Wimmera in company with his mother, Myra, step-father, William, and sister, Annie. |
| 36 | GIBLIN, Annie Eileen (aka Annie Eileen DALEY) Steerage passenger Aged 4 years Born 11 May 1914 in New Zealand, the daughter of James DALEY and Myra (nee BRIEN) Daughter of Myra GIBLIN and her first husband, James DALEY. Aboard the Wimmera in company with her mother, Myra, step-father, William, and brother, Leslie. |
| 37 | GORDON, Mr S. S. Saloon passenger Aged 22 years Born ca. 1896 Arrived in Auckland from Fiji aboard the Niagara on 11 June 1918. Stayed at the Central Hotel, Auckland prior to joining the Wimmera Following the sinking he continued his intended visit to Sydney aboard the Manuka arriving on 8 July 1918 |
| 38 | GOULD, Mrs Elizabeth (nee DENSON) Saloon passenger Aged 69 years Born in early 1849 at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, England, the daughter of Jonathan and Sarah DENSON. She was one of at least eight children. Elizabeth DENSON emigrated to New Zealand with her sister Ann. They were passengers aboard the barque Horsa which arrived at Lyttelton from London on 12 December 1882. Other siblings also emigrated including two brothers who had arrived in 1880. She married widower Benjamin GOULD at the Wesleyan Parsonage at Timaru in January 1884. The couple had two sons and three daughters. Benjamin also had a young son from his previous marriage. Benjamin GOULD died on 2 December 1910. Her younger son Private Alfred Denson GOULD of the 1st Battalion, Auckland Regiment, was killed in action in Belgium on 4 October 1917 At the time of her voyage she was a resident of Matamata, New Zealand She was aboard the Wimmera with the intention of visiting a a sister in New South Wales |
| 39 | GRAHAM, Henry CASUALTY Saloon passenger Aged 67 years Born about July 1850 in Kensington, London, the son of Joseph GRAHAM and Eliza Palmer (nee TULK). He was one of at least eleven children. His maternal grandfather, John TULK, was a Captain in the East India Service. He lived in the family home at 24 Norland Square, Kensington until at least 1881 at the age of 30 years at which time he was a merchant’s clerk. He eventually became the manager of a chemical company and in 1911 was lodging at Stafford Mansions, 14 Stafford Place, Westminster, London. The company that he managed had its offices at Dock House, Billiter Street, London. In October 1917, at which time he was then 67 years of age and had retired, he caught the White Star liner New York from Liverpool to New York. He then travelled across North America to Vancouver, where he caught the Niagara to Auckland, arriving on 11 June 1918. In Auckland he stayed at the Central Hotel, Auckland prior to joining the Wimmera for Sydney. The press referred to him as ‘Colonel’ Graham although he had no military background. |
| 40 | HEWSON, Arthur John Tatlock Saloon passenger Aged 40 years Born 4 May 1878 in New Zealand, the son of John Carrick and Ellen Christina HEWSON. He was one of at least nine children Married 3 April 1907 at Ponsonby, New Zealand to Ethelinda Rose FORBES The couple had one son, Geoffrey Arthur HEWSON, born 1910. At the time of his voyage to Sydney aboard the Wimmera he was the head of the retail department of Messrs. Frank Jagger and Co., tanners, of Auckland He died aged 44 on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the Wimmera‘s sinking, on 25 June 1922. |
| 41 | HODDER, Charles Saloon passenger Aged 34 years Born 8 March 1884 in New South Wales, the eighth child of 15 of John HODDER and Georgina (nee KELEY). At the time of his birth his mother was serving a two-year sentence at Goulburn Gaol for breaking, entering and stealing. Enlisted on 14 August 1914 just after the outbreak of the Great War and served at the Dardanelles Discharged on return to New Zealand as medically unfit on 7 March 1918 A horse-trainer and returned soldier Of Auckland |
| 42 | JENKINS, Harry Reginald Saloon passenger Aged 36 years Born 24 October 1881 in New Zealand, the son of Thomas Hunt and Mercy JENKINS. He was one of seven children. Married 22 August 1906 in New Zealand to Agnes Graham WHITE (below) At the time of their voyage to Sydney aboard the Wimmera the couple had three children (who did not accompany them) ie. Muriel Mary JENKINS, aged 11; Dorothy Mercy JENKINS, aged 9; and Thora Melita JENKINS, aged 6. They were residents of Remuera, but formerly of Eltham |
| 43 | JENKINS, Agnes Graham (nee WHITE) Saloon passenger Aged 35 years Born 1 January 1883 in New Zealand, the daughter of Reubin and Mary WHITE Married 22 August 1906 in New Zealand to Harry Reginald JENKINS (above) At the time of their voyage to Sydney aboard the Wimmera the couple had three children (who did not accompany them) ie. Muriel Mary JENKINS, aged 11; Dorothy Mercy JENKINS, aged 9; and Thora Melita JENKINS, aged 6. They were residents of Remuera, but formerly of Eltham |
| 44 | JONES, Mrs Madeline “Minnie” Josephine (nee WALLER) CASUALTY Saloon passenger Aged 46 years Born ca.1872 Married 10 February 1889 in Coonabarabran, New South Wales to Henry Edward JONES (aka Harry Edward JONES) At least five children were born to the couple in New South Wales, ie. Henry E M JONES b. 1890 in Lithgow Alberta (aka Bertie) JONES b. 1892, Lithgow Henrietta Thelma JONES, b.1893, Orange (below) Beatrice M JONES, b.1895, Leichardt, Sydney Harold Keith JONES, b.1902, Rockdale, Sydney At the time of her trip to Sydney on the Wimmera, her husband Harry was the manager of the Gisborne branch of the firm Sargood, Son & Ewen |
| 45 | JONES, Sydney (aka Herbert Sydney JONES, Sydney BACH) Saloon passenger Aged 38 years Born in 1880 in Llanddarog, Carmarthenshire, Wales Married 26 September 1912 in Rockhampton, Queensland to Agnes RAWES (below) An entertainer, en route to Sydney for further engagements |
| 46 | JONES, Mrs Agnes (nee RAWES / BUCKLEY) (aka Agnes RAINES, AGNES BACH) Aged 28 years Born 7 March 1890 in Queensland to Mary Agnes BUCKLEY. Adopted surname of step-father, Walter RAWES, who her mother married on 25 November 1893. She had four step-sisters. Married 26 September 1912 in Rockhampton, Queensland to Herbert Sydney JONES (above) An entertainer, en route to Sydney for further engagements |
| 47 | JONES, Miss Thelma (aka Henrietta Thelma JONES) CASUALTY Saloon passenger Aged 24 years Born 20 October 1893 in Orange, New South Wales, the daughter of Madeline “Minnie” Josephine JONES (nee WALLER) (above) and Henry Edward JONES (aka Harry Edward JONES). One of five children. She was accompanying her mother to Sydney on the Wimmera |
| 48 | KENMAN, Jessie Gray Saloon passenger Aged 39 years She was born on 2 June 1879 at Lacey’s Creek, near Brisbane, Queensland the daughter of Robert KENMAN and Jane Tait (nee DICKSON). She was one of eight children. At the time of her trip to Sydney aboard the Wimmera she was the proprietress of ‘Waikato House,’ a private hotel in Shortland Street, Auckland. Although unmarried, Jessie was also then the mother of two adult children, John and Jane. Another son, George, died in infancy. In June 1918 her son, John Cruice KENMAN, was aged 19 years and serving with the A.I.F. having joined a training battalion at Codford Camp, England earlier that month. She did not continue her intended journey to Australia following the sinking of the Wimmera. |
| 49 | KENNEDY, Henry Bonaventure Steerage passenger Aged 24 years Born 1894 in Essendon, Victoria, the son of Charles KENNEDY and Mary Treazie (nee CONNAN). An Australian soldier on leave. Private Henry Bonaventure Kennedy No. 2101 joined the A.I.F. on 28 June 1916. At the time of enlistment he was aged 22, a salesman, Roman Catholic, single, of 14 Fitzgibbon Street, Parkville, Victoria. He was a member of the third reinforcements, 38th Battalion,10th Infantry Brigade. He embarked HMAT A9 “Shropshire” in Melbourne on 25 September 1916. He was wounded in action in October 1917 receiving gunshot wounds to his right thigh and hand. He was returned to Australia via Cape Town in 1918, disembarking the New Zealand transport Tofua on 14 June (in Auckland). He was formally discharged from the A.I.F. on 23 July 1918. |
| 50 | KIERNAN, Arthur Fitzpatrick Saloon passenger Aged 45 years Born 1873 in Blackwood, Victoria, the son of Patrick KIERNAN and Catherine (nee KELLY). He was one of eight children. Married 29 April 1912 in Victoria to Helena Bridget AUSTIN. The couple had a daughter, Cecilia Bettina (aka Carmel Cecilia) was born in 1915. Arthur and Helena KIERNAN were divorced in 1915 on the grounds of his wife’s ‘misconduct’ and living an immoral life. She had a stillborn son whose father’s name was recorded as unknown in 1916. Helena was to die at the age of 31 in 1919. Arthur was a commercial traveller working for Messrs Whitmore and Parsons, of Flinders Lane, Melbourne. He was aboard the Wimmera as he was returning from a business trip to New Zealand. His home was in Fitzroy, Melbourne. |
| 51 | LIDDLE, Mr William (aka BERESFORD, William/Will) Saloon passenger Aged 24 years Born 23 June 1893 in Wanganui, New Zealand, the son of Edgar LIDDLE and Elizabeth Jane (nee JACKSON). He was one of three children. A baritone vocalist and vaudeville artist Previously enlisted with the New Zealand Military Forces on 3 January 1917 but was soon after discharged as medically unfit due to issues with his left leg being the consequence of infantile paralysis. Attempted to re-enlist on 7 February 1918. Reported to have endeavoured for eight months to obtain permission to leave New Zealand, and had only just succeeded in satisfying the military authorities of the propriety of his claim to be allowed to go. “The popular baritone” had just completed his engagement at the King’s Theatre, Auckland. |
| 52 | LONGBOTTOM, Mr James Alexander Steerage passenger Aged 51 years Born 13 September 1866, New Zealand, the eldest son of ten children of James Larder LONGBOTTOM and Barbara Johanna (nee McKENZIE) His father died in Sydney on 6 April 1917. A nephew, Private James S. LONGBOTTOM was killed in France on 3 May 1918. It is possibly because of his death that he was travelling to Sydney aboard the Wimmera, in order to be with members of his family or to re-settle permanently in New South Wales He subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Makura departing Auckland on 29 July 1918 |
| 53 | McDONALD, Miss Monica (aka Margaret Joan Esam McDONALD) CASUALTY Steerage passenger Aged 14 years Born 15 March 1904, New Plymouth, New Zealand. Her birth mother’s surname is believed to have been ESAM. She was adopted by William McDONALD, bootmaker, and Carrie Naomi McDONALD (nee HEWITT) Of Te Kuiti, New Zealand, previously of Blenheim |
| 54 | McDONALD, Mrs Carrie Naomi (nee HEWITT) CASUALTY Steerage passenger Aged 36 years Born 1882 in Ballarat, Victoria, the daughter of George HEWITT and Eliza Ann (nee BARRETT) Married 21 September 1903 in New Zealand to William McDONALD, bootmaker. They lived in Blenheim and then Te Kuiti. They adopted their daughter who was known as Monica |
| 55 | McEDWARD, Miss Janet Steerage passenger Aged 25 years Born 1893, Insh, Invernessshire, Scotland Employed, together with younger sister, as a domestic servant by the Davidson family (above) Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 56 | McEDWARD, Miss Mary Ann Steerage passenger Aged 21 years Born 1897, Insh, Invernessshire, Scotland Employed, together with older sister, as a domestic servant by the Davidson family (above) Arrived at Tauranga, New Zealand from Plymouth, England aboard the ship Turakina on 22 March 1917 Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 57 | MOLE, Mr Frederick William Saloon passenger Aged 53 years Born 7 June 1865 at Harlaxton, Toowoomba, Queensland, the son of Frederick MOLE and Mary Jane (nee LITTLETON). He was one of 14 children born to the couple. He was appointed to the Queensland Public Service on 1 May 1881 Married 7 June1893 in Brisbane, Queensland to Agnes Annie BLACK. They had several children, one of whom was a serviceman in France at the time of the sinking. Lived at Walker’s Avenue, Teneriffe, in Brisbane. By 1920 he had assumed the office of Public Curator in Brisbane. He was returning home after a holiday trip to the Dominion. |
| 58 | NICHOLAS, Mrs (K.) Steerage passenger Aged (30) years |
| 59 | NICHOLAS, Master – Steerage passenger Aged (3) years child of Mrs NICHOLAS (above) |
| 60 | PETER, Mr George CASUALTY Steerage passenger Aged 46 years Born 27 November 1871 in Launceston, Tasmania, the son of James PETER and Martha (nee SHIELDS). He was one of ten children. Married 8 November 1907 in Launceston, Tasmania to Stella Grace JENNESON Lived at Waikino where he was an ironmoulder / ironfounder in the Waihi Gold Mining Company’s Victoria battery. Accompanied by his wife, he was taking a trip for the benefit of health. |
| 61 | PETER, Mrs Stella Grace (nee JENNESON) CASUALTY Steerage passenger Aged 30 years Born 9 June 1888 in Hobart, Tasmania, the daughter of Robert JENNESON and Caroline Ann Jane (nee BAKER). She was one of 11 children. Stella had a child, Winifred “Hazel” JENNESON, in Launceston on 11 June 1906. She was later given up for adoption. Married 8 November 1907 in Launceston, Tasmania to George PETER (above) Lived at Waikino where she operated a business as a fruiterer. It is supposed that Stella and George PETER were on their way to Australia to claim Hazel when they were lost on the Wimmera |
| 62 | RICHARDSON, Mrs Bridget (nee HUGHES) Steerage passenger Aged 46 years Born 1872 in New Zealand, the daughter of John and Sarah HUGHES Married 6 August 1907 to Robert Clement RICHARDSON, confectioner A resident of Cambridge, New Zealand She was aboard the Wimmera In company with her son Richard (6) and daughter Laura (3) (below) Read about her family’s experience written by Emily PEACE on her Blog Diary of a Young Genealogist |
| 63 | RICHARDSON, Master Richard Clement Steerage passenger Aged 6 years Born 9 September 1911 in New Zealand, the son of confectioner, Robert Clement RICHARDSON and Bridget (nee HUGHES) A resident of Cambridge, New Zealand In company with his mother (above) and sister, Laura |
| 64 | RICHARDSON, Miss Laura Steerage passenger Aged 3 years Born 7 September 1914 in New Zealand, the daughter of confectioner, Robert Clement RICHARDSON and Bridget (nee HUGHES) A resident of Cambridge, New Zealand In company with her mother (above) and brother, Richard |
| 65 | SAN PEDRO, Jose Steerage passenger Aged 36-38 years Spanish A ship’s fireman who previously served on the Union Steam Ship Co’s Manuka On his way to Australia to find work on a ship in an Australian port Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Manuka from Wellington Previously issued with an Alien Registration Certificate in Homebush, Sydney on 31 October 1916 |
| 66 | SANUDO, Manuel Steerage passenger Aged 35 years Spanish A ship’s fireman On his way to Australia to find work on a ship in an Australian port Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Manuka from Wellington Issued with an Alien Registration Certificate in Sydney on 8 July 1918. Previously issued with an Alien Registration Certificate in Homebush, Sydney on 31 October 1916 |
| 67 | SAYEGH, Ada Saloon passenger Aged about 42 years Born about 1886 in Syria, possibly the eldest of about 12 children of Syrian immigrants Callil and Barbara SAYEGH Married 22 May 1912 in New Zealand to a Joseph MASSAD however the marriage did not appear to last She originally intended to take the Niagara to Sydney for a two-month holiday. However, as she missed that boat, she obtained a berth aboard the Wimmera. |
| 68 | SCHUBERG, Irene Orindo (nee CROLL) CASUALTY Saloon passenger Aged 41 years Born 15 October 1876 in Port Stephens, New South Wales, the sixth of 11 children of Alexander and Eliza Jane CROLL Married 5 April 1917 in New Zealand to Oscar Olasar SCHUBERG Mother of infant Oscar Alexander SCHUBERG (below) Lived in Taumarunui, New Zealand |
| 69 | SCHUBERG, Oscar Alexander CASUALTY Saloon passenger Aged 16 months Born 15 February 1917 in New Zealand, the son of Oscar Olasar SCHUBERG and Irene (nee CROLL) Lived in Taumarunui, New Zealand |
| 70 | SEDGEBEER, William Francis Saloon passenger Aged 35 years Born 1883 in Lambeth, London, the son of carpenter, William SEDGEBEER and Catherine. He had at least four younger siblings – three brothers and a sister. Married 1911 in Wandsworth, London to Lilian Ruth BOWIE Emigrated to Australia in 1911, arriving in Sydney from London aboard the Orontes Father of a son, William Robert SEDGEBEER born in Sydney in 1912 A commercial traveller representing C. Crowley & Sons, Queen Victoria Markets, Sydney Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Manuka |
| 71 | STREET, Miss E. Steerage passenger Aged 30 years Subsequently continued to Sydney aboard the Moeraki |
| 72 | TARGUSE, James (Jim) Thomas Saloon passenger Aged 31 years Born 1886 in New Zealand, one of nine children of Alfred and Susan TARGUSE His occupation was that of stationer and tobacconist. He resided at New North Road, Glenmore, Kingsland, Auckland. He was not married. |
| 73 | TUCKER O.B.E., Mr Herbert Carey Saloon passenger Aged 43 years Born 1875 in Beechworth, Victoria, the son of Robert Hillier TUCKER and Susannah (nee WALLIS). He was one of six children. Married 15 April 1897 at North Fremantle, Western Australia to Christian Margaret MORRIS (below) The couple had two children, a daughter Mary Morris TUCKER (b.1898) and son, John Henry Morris TUCKER (b.1901) He was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in March 1918 for his work as organizer of the Commonwealth Button Fund which raised funds for patriotic purposes He was returning to Australia with his wife following a trip to the United States. They had arrived in Auckland from Vancouver aboard the Niagara on 11 June 1918 prior to joining the Wimmera. |
| 74 | TUCKER, Mrs Christian Margaret (nee MORRIS) Saloon passenger Aged 49 years Born 1869 in Emerald Hill, Victoria to David MORRIS and Mary (nee NEILSON). She was one of nine children. Married 15 April 1897 at North Fremantle, Western Australia to Herbert Carey TUCKER (above) The couple had two children, a daughter Mary Morris TUCKER (b.1898) and son, John Henry Morris “Jack” TUCKER (b.1901) She was returning to Australia with her husband following a trip to the United States. They had arrived in Auckland from Vancouver aboard the Niagara on 11 June 1918 prior to joining the Wimmera. |
| 75 | TURNER, Mrs Mary “Mollie” (nee ELLIS) Steerage passenger Aged 31 years Born 17 April 1887 in Christchurch, New Zealand, the daughter of George Berry ELLIS and Mary Ann REILY. She was the eldest of four children. Married 5 October 1916 at St. Saviour’s Cathedral, Goulburn, New South Wales to Scottish-born Harold Henderson TURNER, a soldier enlisted in the A.I.F. 20 days later, on 25 October, he embarked the troopship Ascanius for England. At the time of her voyage on the Wimmera Mary was going to Sydney to meet up with her husband Harold who had returned to Australia aboard the Ruahine in May. |
| 76 | WHYTE, Miss Emma Jane Saloon passenger Aged 53 years Born 1865 in Sandhurst (Bendigo), Victoria, the daughter of David WHYTE and Sarah Rennie (nee STOKER). She was the third born of nine children. Prominent in Red Cross fund-raising in Melbourne A resident of ‘Ulmarra’ on the corner of St. Kilda and Commercial Roads, Melbourne. Emma WHYTE together with fellow ‘Ulmarra’ residents, Mrs Elizabeth BROWNING and Elsie BROWNING (above) travelled together on a three-month tour of New Zealand. They were all passengers aboard the Moeraki which arrived in Wellington from Sydney on 12 March 1918. They were all aboard the Wimmera and returning to Australia at the time of the sinking. Returned to Sydney from Wellington on 15 July 1918 aboard the ss Riverina |
© Ralph L. Sanderson 2004-2021
SS Wimmera 