William Thomas Lester OBE (1878 - 1960)

Born 1878 in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand

Husband of Mary Rachel (Morton) Lester — married 1897 (to 1901) in New Zealand

Husband of Mary Ann (Hopping) Lester — married 27 Aug 1904 in Woolston, Canterbury, New Zealand

Died 15 Dec 1960 at about age 82 in New Zealand [uncertain]

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Biography

William Thomas was born about 1878. He was the son of Elizabeth and Edward Laster ^[1]. He married Mary Rachel Morton in 1897 ^[2]. After she passed away in 1901 , he married 2nd Mary Ann Hopping in 1904 ^[3]. He passed away in 1960 age 82 ^[4].

MR W. T. LESTER

A prominent public figure in Lyttelton. Mr William Thomas Lester, died in Lyttelton yesterday after several weeks’ illness. He was 82.

Bom at Lyttelton in 1878. Mr Lester was educated. at the Lyttelton District High School. He was apprenticed to Mr William Radcliffe, painter and undertaker, and on completing his apprenticeship entered business on his own account in Woolston and later in Lyttelton. Mr Lester was twice elected to the Woolston Borough Council at the top of the poll, and later served for two years on the Lyttelton Borough Council. On his first contest for the mayoralty of Lyttelton he was defeated by Mr M. J. Miller, but on his second attempt he defeated Mr Miller by a large majority. He held the mayoralty of Lyttelton for 13 years, his last year as mayor being 1950. Mr Lester received the O.B.E. for public service, in the 1953 Coronation Honours List. Mr Lester was for many years the president of the Canterbury Yacht and Motorboat Club. He was a foundation member of the club when it was re-formed after the First World War, and was patron of the club up to the time of his death. He was also patron of the Lyttelton Marine Band.

Mr Lester was the chairman of the Lyttelton Main School committee for many years, and was one of the oldest Justice of the Peace In Canterbury. He was a member of the Lyttelton Licensing Committee up to the time of his death. He was also for a term chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board. For 70 years Mr Lester was a member of the City of Norwich Lodge, of which he was a past provincial grand master. He was a member and trustee of the Lyttelton Oddfellows, and was master of the Kilwinning Masonic Lodge in 1915.

Mr Lester is survived by his wife and by three daughters: Mrs R. Wearne, Lyttelton, Mrs R. J. Witty, New Brighton, and Miss Thelma Lester, Lyttelton. Mr Lester’s only son was killed at Le Quesnoy, France, during the First World War. ^[5]

Research Notes

Siblings

1875/770 Elizabeth Mary Soal Edward Lester 1876/3198 Lester Edward James Elizabeth Mary Edward 1878/9365 Lester William Thomas Elizabeth Mary Edward 1881/17284 Lester Lucy Sarah Elizabeth Elizabeth Mary Edward 1883/4085 Lester Cecelia Annie Maud Elizabeth Mary Edward 1886/3454 Lester George Michael Elizabeth Mary Edward 1876/3198 Lester Edward James Elizabeth Mary Edward 1888/19146 Lester Walter David Elizabeth Mary Edward 1892/7668 Lester Alice Mary Elizabeth Mary Edward 1894/10778 Lester Frank Jesse Elizabeth Mary Edward

Sources

1. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Birth registration 1878/9365
2. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1897/2109
3. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1904/3960
4. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Death registration 1960/31787
5. ↑ Obituary THE PRESS, VOLUME XCIX, ISSUE 29389, 16 DECEMBER 1960, PAGE 18

Acknowledgements