Alexander Taylor (1892 - 1956)

Born 14 Apr 1892 in Christchurch, New Zealand

Husband of Edith (Gadd) Taylor — married 24 Oct 1914 in Christchurch, New Zealand

Husband of Isabella (Hargreaves) Taylor — married 1943 in Christchurch, New Zealand

Died 18 Nov 1956 at age 64 in Christchurch, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Helen Gadd [send private message]

Biography

Alexander Taylor was born on 14 April 1892 at Christchurch, the son of Robert William and Annie Maude Taylor.

Alexander Taylor married Edith Gadd on 24 October 1914 at Christchurch.

From The Press dated 11 April 1916, Pg 9 [in part] - BOOM IN RECRUITING. SIXTY ENLISTMENTS YESTERDAY. CAUSE OF THE INFLUX. ATTITUDE OF MARRIED MEN. The number of enlistments in Christchurch yesterday was the highest recorded for several months, being higher than the number of enlistments in this city on the day after the parade of the Eighth Reinforcements. Another 60 registrations were received. ... Following are the names of some of the men who registered yesterday:- [list included] Alexander Taylor, 238 Bealey avenue, Christchurch, Wool hand – Infantry.

Edith and Alexander had a son named Robert Alexander Taylor born on 22 July 1916 at Christchurch. Robert died on 27 July 1916 aged just 5 days. The cemetery records state Robert died of a cerebral compression due to a difficult labour.

In a letter written by Herbert, or Bert, Gadd, a cousin of Edith's, to his mother dated 12 August 1916 (from Trentham Army Camp) is the comment - "I am sorry to hear of the death of Edie's child and it will be a sad blow to them."

In amongst the addresses of friends and relatives Bert has listed "Mrs A Taylor, Madras St, Christchurch, NZ".

Alexander Taylor attested for General Service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force [WWI] on 20 November 1917 at Christchurch, No. 3/4236. Personal details obtained from his records show he was born on 14 April 1892 at Christchurch and was then aged 25 years, 8 months. At the time of attesting he was living at 238 Bealey Ave, Christchurch and was employed as a woolhand or woolclasser by T T Robson, Avonside, Christchurch [wool-scouring & fellmongery works manager]. Alex had married Edith Taylor on 24 October 1914 in Christchurch. Religion was Church of England.

His physical description stated Alex was 5 feet, 4 ½ inches in height and 114 pounds in weight. He was of fair complexion with grey eyes and light brown hair. It was noted he had a left inguinal hernia (incomplete). Alex had previously been examined for military service in May 1916 and found unfit due to a back injury.

On 18 February 1918 Private Taylor was posted to NZMC Awapuni. On 22 February 1918 he was transferred to Rotorua, where he was employed as a medical orderly. He was granted sick leave in September 1918 and given a free pass to Christchurch.

Alex was demobilised on 31 January 1919 [best guess – very difficult to read]. He was issued a Certificate of Leave in Lieu of Discharge from 31 January 1919.

Alex then attested for Service with the NZ Medical Corps, No. 345, on 24 April 1919 at Rotorua. His records show he actually posted to NZAMC at King George V Orthopaedic Hospital on 1 February 1919. Alex was then discharged on 27 June 1920.

Notes of a court decision dated 14 August 1919 stated Alex was subjected to heavy strain whilst engaged in the execution of his duty and that a left inguinal hernia resulted. The presence of large congenital rings was a determining factor although patient had previously done a good deal of heavy manual work without a hernia resulting. It was determined that Alex was in no way to blame for this accident and that he was on duty at the time when it happened.

Edith moved to Rotorua while Alex was there. Her address was recorded as c/- Mrs Vernall, Ranolf St, Rotorua.

The 1919 electoral roll for Rotorua confirms Alex and Edith were living at Ranolf St and Alex was employed as a soldier.

This couple then had a second son named Richard Alexander Taylor born 28 February 1925 at Christchurch.

The 1928, 1935 and 1938 electoral rolls show the family was living at Marriotts Rd, New Brighton, Christchurch. Alexander was stated as having no occupation.

Edith Taylor died on 8 May 1940 at Christchurch aged 46 years.

She was buried at Bromley Cemetery.

Alexander entered into an affair with Isabella Gadd, the second wife of Edith's brother Richard Gadd.

In an affidavit they stated - We the undersigned Alexander Taylor of New Brighton Christchurch War Pensioner and Isabella Gadd wife of Richard Gadd of Wellington Blacksmith Do Hereby Admit and Acknowledge that on divers occasions during the past twelve months we have had sexual intercourse with each other And we Declare that this admission of adultery is made freely and voluntarily and without inducement from any third party. Dated at Christchurch this 6th day of July 1943 Alexander Taylor and Isabella Gadd. Signed by the said Alexander Taylor and Isabella Gadd in the presence of Geo. P. Purnell, A Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand.

Richard and Isabella's divorce was finalised on 17 December 1943.

Alexander then married Isabella.

In the 1946 to 1954 electoral rolls Alexander and Isabella were living at 71 Ascot Rd, New Brighton. Alexander's son Richard was also living with them in the 1946 roll.

Alexander Taylor died on 18 November 1956 at Christchurch aged 64 years. He was buried on 21 November 1956 with his first wife Edith at Bromley Cemetery [Block 1, Plot 273].

His will read - THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me ALEXANDER TAYLOR of Christchurch in the Dominion of New Zealand War Pensioner.

I REVOKE all former Wills and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me AND I APPOINT my son RICHARD ALEXANDER TAYLOR and EWAN MELTON JOHNSTONE of Christchurch Solicitor to be the Executors and Trustees of this my Will AND I DECLARE that the expression "my Trustees" shall where the context so admits refer to and include the Trustees or Trustee for the time being

I GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto my said son my wheelbarrow, my 12 foot ladder, my Maori carved casket, my two Maori wooden figureheads, my carpenter's tools and my bulldog ornament absolutely free of death duties and all other charges whatsoever

I GIVE AND DEVISE unto my Trusteees the principal residence owned by me at the date of my decease UPON TRUST to permit my wife ISABELLA TAYLOR to have the use occupation and enjoyment thereof during her life so long as she remains my widow she paying all rates insurance premiums and mortgage interest (if any) and other outgoings thereon and keeping the same in a good and habitable state of repair fair wear and tear and damage by fire flood earthquake and other inevitable accident excepted she keeping the same fully insured against fire to the satisfaction of my Trustees AND I EMPOWER my Trustees at the request in writing of my said wife to sell the said residence and to employ the proceeds of such sale in the purchase or erection of another residence to be held upon the same trusts including the trusts of sale or erection or repurchase as are herein declared in respect of the original residence AND on the death or remarriage of my said wife whichever event shall first happen for my said son absolutely

I GIVE AND BEQUEATH to my trustees all my furniture plate plated goods linen china glass books (except books of account) pictures prints statuary musical instruments and other articles of domestic or household use or ornament but excluding nevertheless the chattels hereinbefore specifically bequeathed to my said son UPON TRUST to permit my said wife to have the use and enjoyment thereof during her life so long as she remains my widow she keeping the same in good repair and insured against fire in the name of and to the satisfaction of my Trustees AND on the death or remarriage of my said wife whichever event shall first happen for my said son absolutely AND I DECLARE that my Trustees shall not be bound to prepare an inventory of the said articles nor to see to the repair thereof and shall not be under any liability for any deficiency or disrepair in the said articles which shall appear upon the termination of the interest hereby bequeathed to my said wife

AS to the rest and residue of my estate both real and personal of whatsoever kind and wheresoever situate I GIVE DEVISE AND BEQUEATH the same subject to the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and death duties payable in respect of my dutiable estate unto my Trustees UPON TRUST for my said wife and my said son in equal shares or to the survivor of then living at the date of my decease absolutely

I DECLARE that should my said son predecease me leaving a wife him surviving who shall survive me then and in that case I DIRECT that my said son's wife shall take the bequests and devises that my said son would have taken hereunder had he survived me

I EMPOWER my Trustees for the purpose of paying death duties and/or administration expenses to raise on mortgage or by way of bank overdraft such sum or sums as they may think necessary for the purpose mentioned

I DIRECT AND DECLARE that the said Ewan Melton Johnstone being a Solicitor shall be entitled to make and receive all such charges and emoluments for professional services rendered by him in the execution of the trusts of this my Will and the administration of my estate as he would have been entitled to make and receive if he had not been appointed a Trustee hereunder

IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of October One thousand nine hundred and fiftysix A Taylor

SIGNED by the Testator the said ALEXANDER TAYLOR as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us together present at the same time who at his request in his sight and presence and in the sight and presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses:- S. E. Mann, Registered Nurse, Christchurch and J. Pickering, Typiste, Christchurch

Minnie Scott, Alexander's sister in law, sister of Edith, signed an affidavit confirming his death for probate. His son Richard was unable to act as executor as he was then a member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and absent from New Zealand.