| Notes |
- Born 3rd April 1906 ? Ohau, New Zealand
Married 1928 ? Elizabeth Grace Dickason ? Died 1932
Married 1935 ? Dora Charlotte Emily Petherick ? Died 1991
This album is dedicated to the life of Ross Francis Walkley. His parents were Francis (Frank) Charles John Walkley, Jessie Grace Arcus.
Ross was born in a small village north of Wellington, Ohau.
This was where Ross went to school, before the family left to live at Mangatainoka. He attended Mangatainoka School, and then his senior years were a boarder at Timaru Boys High School. His Aunt Barbara Lund and her family lived in Timaru, not far from the school. Ross loved to visit Timaru with his family.
Being interested in farm work, Ross did this for a few years. His first wife Elizabeth who was known as Queenie, bore him a son, Alan Charles Walkley, born 20th September 1930.
Elizabeth died in 1932 leaving Ross to allow Alan to be looked after by his sister Con and Joe Stevenson and Jessie.
In 1933 Ross was lucky enough to fly on the "Southern Cross" with Sir Charles Kingsford Smith the aviation pioneer. Charles was the first to fly cross the Pacific in 1928, from Oakland California to Brisbane, Australia.
Ross went to work at Pukeora Sanatorium Waipukerau was a hospital for Tuberculosis patients. It was here that Ross met Dora Petherick who was a cook.They were married in Palmerston North on October 26 1935.
Returning to farm work with son Alan, Ross & Dora made their life, however this did not last as Ross had problems with poisoned fingers. As Dora?s parents lived in Auckland they decided to move to Auckland.
Point Chevalier was their starting point, Walmer Road. This was where their son John David came into the world.
1940 State Advance Homes gave Ross and Dora a home at 14 Arapuni Ave, Onehunga, Auckland. This came to be their life. Then the State allowed the tenants to buy their homes. This is what Ross did. They were 4th or 7th of on the buying list.
1941 the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour in the Hawaiian Islands, 7th December, Ross and Dora had a daughter, Lois Marion.
Their was another daughter born but she died, leaving Dora blind for four days, when this was, no dates or year.
Ross went into the carrier business, first working for Bray, until they sold to Ivan Whale, carting coal and wood. Then he went into partnership with Tom Floyd. Having a truck each they worked to and fro from Auckland wharf. Then one day Tom accidently killed his son Peter who was 3 years old. Peter ran out to meet his dad in the truck, when he fell and went under the back wheels. Ross had to help Tom to get back into driving the truck. After this Ross sold his truck and went to work as a Stevedore on the Auckland Wharf. Then before retiring Ross worked for the NZ Railroad.
Ross had a scar on his nose. This was due to a knot in the wood the he was sawing at Roy Hutchison. This left Ross in Hospital for a few weeks. Ross was asthmatic and the doctor was called many times.
From 1965 onward, Ross spent his life looking after his wife Dora as she had surgery on her hip which left her disabled. He enjoyed doing this for Dora. They did travel together, school reunions, visiting family both in NZ and Australia where his son Alan and his family moved to.
Ross and Dora attended their three childrens weddings. Alan, John, Lois. Saw their three grandsons from John & Laurel Walkley grow up. Stuart, Chris, Bevan. Alan and his family moved a few times in NZ before moving to Australia, however Ross endeavored to keep in touch with his grandchildren Trevor, Bruce, Russell, Susan Walkley.
Ross died on the 10th Jan 1989 at his home at 14 Arapuni Ave, Onehunga. He chose to be cremated and his son John scattered the ashes.
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1906 - 1989 (82 years)