John Richard Bland Jr. (1882 - 1966)

Born 29 Mar 1882 in Mangawhare, Northland, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Flora Alice (Bentley) Bland — married 30 Jan 1904 in New Zealand

Died 28 Feb 1966 at age 83 in Auckland, New Zealand

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Biography

Jack was born in 1882. He was the son of John Bland and Anna Horne.

Jack started school at the Native School in Hokianga around 1891 where it is likely that he completed his Standard 1 year. Family records state that the Bland children were the only European students at this school apart from the children of the headmaster who would row across the harbour from Rawene to teach!

The Bland family moved back to Auckland in 1892. Jack, along with his siblings Ted and Susie, were enrolled at Richmond Road School, Ponsonby, on 31 May 1892. Jack was registered as student #945. His last day at the school is listed as 24 July 1896. He left school to work.

Jack worked at the Chelsea Sugar Factory in Auckland and he was boarding at the Chelsea worker's village where he met a young woman named Flora "Flo" Alice Bentley who was visiting family. They fell in love and were subsequently married on 30 January 1904. He was 22 years old and she was just 17.

They went on the have 11 children; sadly their firstborn son Edward died on 28 September 1905, just four months after his birth. He was buried at Purewa Cemetery in a family plot.

In 1905 Jack and Flo lived in Marmion Street, Auckland Central. From 1911 until his death they lived at various addresses in Birkenhead on the North Shore. Jack continued to work at the Chelsea Sugar Factory until about 1928 when he began working at the Ports of Auckland as a Watersider.

They celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on 30 January 1954.

He passed away on 28 February 1966 in Auckland and was cremated on 2 March 1967 at Purewa Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand. His ashes were returned to family.

Sources

• http://theblandwhanau.blogspot.co.nz/p/john-ii.html

• NZ BDM Marriage Records Online: Registration No: 1904/3357 | Bride's Family Name: Bentley | Bride's Given Name(s): Flora Alice | Groom's Family Name: Bland | Groom's Given Name(s): John Richard | https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/

• NZ BDM Death Records Online: Registration No: 1967/24686 | Family Name: Bland | Given Name(s): John Richard | Age at Death: 85Y | https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/

• https://www.purewa.co.nz/view/?id=59716