Arthur Henry Tozer (1882 - 1960)

Born 11 Apr 1882 in Blackawton, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Jessie May (Hannah) Tozer — married 28 Mar 1917 in Christchurch, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 15 Feb 1960 at age 77 in Fairlight, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Arthur was brought up in the family home Bradleigh Down, Devon. His family originally came from Somerset. At the age of 14 years he ran away from home and joined the Royal Navy after an altercation with his Headmaster this information has been passed down by the family and not able to be verified. However records from the Admiralty show he is on the Royal Navy Registers of Seamen. After leaving the Navy Arthur immigrated to New Zealand with his brother. He was living and working in Chrisrchurch when he met and married Jessie May Hannah who was an Australian nurse working for a Doctor in Christchurch. Jessie went back to her family in Melbourne while Arthur was overseas with the NZ Army and their first child Lloyd was born there. On Arthurs return Jessie rejoined him in NZ with their son. They settled on a farm not far from Dunedin where 2 more sons were born. Ainsley & Spencer. Arthur decided he wanted to return to England and moved the family to Sutton Coalfield near Birmingham where they bought a farm. A daughter was born there Margaret. Jessie was not able to settle in England and hated the climate. It was also reported she did not get on with Arthurs family. The family set sail for Sydney when Margaret was 2 years old.

Service history: World War 1 with the N.Z. He did not see active duty as he was assessed as unfit on his arrival in England. Arthur was one of 9 children : Edgar, Alice, Frederick, Herbert, Bessie, Julia, Francis, Arthur, Arabella

Sources

• Family

National Archives N.Z. Ministry of Defence