![Rifleman Edward [Eddie] VAZEY M.M. & his chum Rifleman Hector WALKER on VAZEY family plot | by SandyEm](http://live.staticflickr.com/7413/13963450287_d67f37451e.jpg)
Rifleman Edward [Eddie] VAZEY M.M. & his chum Rifleman Hector WALKER on VAZEY family plot
Sorry to see that since I last photographed Edward's family grave and memorial on 2 March 2008, the headstone is now sitting off its plinth :o(
Those photos are in the comments section below.
11 Jan 2022: Julia and Edward's GG Granddaughter kindly sent me the image of Julia's grave shortly after she had died in 1898. It can be seen here:
Rifleman Edward Henry VAZEY M.M. (Military Medal)
‘Eddie’
Beloved son of
Edward & the late Julia VAZEY
Who was Killed in Action, Messines, France
22 June 1917 - aged 19 years
And of his chum
Rifleman Hector WALKER
Killed in Action 7 June 1917
Aged 22 years
Until we meet again
Edward’s parents & siblings headstone to the right:
In loving memory of
Julia
The beloved wife of
Edward H VAZEY
Died March 17 1898
Aged 39 years
Also Ruby and Pearl
Twin children of the above
Born November 16th, 1894
Died February 15th and 27th 1895
Also to the memory of
Edward H VAZEY
Beloved husband of the above
Died 27 January 1925
Aged 76* years
JULIA
ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 20
Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 64, 17 March 1899, Page 8
In loving remembrance of my dear wife Julia, who died March 17, 1898 at Auckland.
We miss thee from our home, dear mother,
We miss thee from thy place,
A shadow o’er our life is cast,
We MISS the sunshine of thy face.
We miss thy kind and willing hand,
Thy fond and earnest care,
Our home is dark without thee,
We miss thee everywhere.
Inserted by her loving husband and children. – Edward H. Vazey, Boston Road, Auckland.
[other memorial notices inserted by her daughters Nelly and Katie; and her sister Mrs HAYNES of Mercer] [4]
Julia gave birth to:
1877 George John; died 15 April 1955 aged 77, marine engineer buried Waikumete PROTESTANT LAWN A Row 8, Plot 44
1881 Frances Kate married Sidney Francis ASHBY c1907
1883 Charles Edward
1885 Eva married Harold William John HARPER c1911
1887 Julia married George SOLOMON c1920
1891 Henrietta
1892 Mildred May died 14 Oct 1962 aged 70, buried Waikumete ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 18
1895 Ruby died 1895
1895 Pearl died 1895
1898* Edward Henry Patrick died 1917
EDWARD junior
Born: 17 March 1896* [sic – military records], Auckland and registered as Edward Henry Patrick when birth registered
Military number: 26718
Occupation at enlistment: Stereotyper for Brett Printing Co.
Fair complexion; blue eyes; light brown hair
July 1916 suffered influenza
Awarded the M.M. for acts of gallantry in the field
Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 227, 22 September 1917, Page 4
HOW RIFLEMAN VAZEY DIED.
MILITARY MEDAL WELL WON.
Mr. E. H. Vazey, of Edwin Street, Newton, by last mail received a letter from Lieut. A. J. F. Berry, N.Z. Rifle Brigade, relating certain facts connected with the death of the former gentleman's son at the battle of Messines. Rifleman Edward Henry Vazey was born in Auckland, and went away with the Seventeenth reinforcements when 19 years of age. Prior to going to the war he was an employee of the Brett Printing and Publishing Co. The following is the letter from Lieut. Berry:—
"Perhaps a word or two from one who knew your son, and was with him when his end came, will help in your sorrow. I was your son's platoon commander, from the time he joined until he met his death, and knowing him as I did I can sympathise with you in your loss. As a soldier be was always very keen and most reliable. It was during the fighting at Messines that he showed his real worth, and for his excellent work done during those operations I recommended him for a decoration which, alas! he will never wear. When I told him how, pleased I was with the work he had done he replied that he had only tried to do his job. On the morning of the advance on Messines he received a slight wound in the forearm, tout had no thought of turning back, as the sergeant in charge of his section had also been slightly wounded, but was still leading his men. Some days later, in a night attack on the Hun trenches, your son again distinguished himself. When we had gained our objective he went out and got into touch with the units on our right and left and later took a message back through a very heavy artillery barrage. He was absolutely fearless, and seemed to revel in doing a job that had a spice of danger about it. We were all very sorry when he was fatally shot in the head by a machine-gun bullet. His Military Medal was deservedly won, and is a fitting tribute to the work which he did as a soldier." [1]
Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 160, 6 July 1917, Page 2
AUCKLAND RECIPIENTS.
Private Edward Vazey. who is reported as having been killed in action, gained the Military Cross for gallantry in the field, he was born in Auckland, his father being Mr. Edward Vazey, a well-known resident of Newton and a veteran of the Maori War. Private Vazey left with the 17th Reinforcements and was with the Rifle Brigade when he met his death. He was only nineteen years of age, but being of particularly good physique, enlisted when he was seventeen years of age being then a member of the staff of the stereotyping department of the Star.[3]
A photo of him is available at the national museum:
“Killed in action at Messines (22.6.17) Rifleman Vazey came of a fighting family. His father fought and was wounded in the Maori War and his grandfather was a veteran of the Crimean War, having served in H.M. 58th Regiment.”
ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServle...
Restrictions may apply: Special conditions apply to using or handling this record for preservation reasons.
CWGC site record: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1738369
Cenotaph website record [with photo]: muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/RecordDetail.a...
Vazey's 'chum' also mentioned on the headstone has a Cenotaph record with portrait here:
muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/cenotaph/RecordDetail.a...
EDWARD senior
ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, BETWEEN Plot 18-20
Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 22, 28 January 1925, Page 4
FOUND DEAD ON LANDING.
BODY OF ELDERLY MAN, A MILKMAN'S DISCOVERY.
The body of an old man in a partial state of decomposition was the gruesome discovery of a milkman doing the rounds in the vicinity of Belgium Street, Newton, yesterday. Deceased was named Edward Vazey, and was one of the milkman's regular customers, residing at 12 Edwin Street. When making his usual call at about 7 o'clock yesterday morning, the milkman noticed that the milk he had left on the previous day had been left untouched and upon further investigation he discovered the dead body on the landing at the top of the stairs. The Newton police were informed and the body subsequently removed to the hospital mortuary. Deceased was 76 years of age and he had been receiving medical attention an inquest will not be necessary.
[2]
Occupation: Blacksmith
Aged stated as 77 on cemetery database
Update 11 Jan. 2022: Edward Senior was a Maori War Veteran, enrolled under the name of Edward ANDREWS** in the Armed Constabulary on 10 December 1868 and he voluntary discharged on 16 March 1870. He was wounded in the elbow at the taking of a pa and also fought in the Urewera. His military personnel record is available at:
www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=22347673
There is a probate available for a Edward Henry VAZEY 1925 but additional archives description states “Avondale – Police Officer”
archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23091960
PEARL
ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 20
Aged 10 weeks
Funeral director: “Family involved”
RUBY
ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 20
Funeral director: “Family involved”
…at her parents’ residence. Anglesea street, Ponsonby, Ruby, twin daughter of Edward and Julia Vazey; aged 11 weeks. The Lord said “Suffer little children to come unto me.” Private interment.[3]
* according to NZ Dept Internal Affairs historic BDM indexes or transcription error on their part.
**his mothers second husband's surname but as an adult took back onboard VAZEY as his surname.
SOURCES:
Cemetery database
NZ Dept Internal Affairs Historic BDM indexes
[1]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS...
[2]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[3]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[4]
Rifleman Edward [Eddie] VAZEY M.M. & his chum Rifleman Hector WALKER on VAZEY family plot
Sorry to see that since I last photographed Edward's family grave and memorial on 2 March 2008, the headstone is now sitting off its plinth :o(
Those photos are in the comments section below.
11 Jan 2022: Julia and Edward's GG Granddaughter kindly sent me the image of Julia's grave shortly after she had died in 1898. It can be seen here:
Rifleman Edward Henry VAZEY M.M. (Military Medal)
‘Eddie’
Beloved son of
Edward & the late Julia VAZEY
Who was Killed in Action, Messines, France
22 June 1917 - aged 19 years
And of his chum
Rifleman Hector WALKER
Killed in Action 7 June 1917
Aged 22 years
Until we meet again
Edward’s parents & siblings headstone to the right:
In loving memory of
Julia
The beloved wife of
Edward H VAZEY
Died March 17 1898
Aged 39 years
Also Ruby and Pearl
Twin children of the above
Born November 16th, 1894
Died February 15th and 27th 1895
Also to the memory of
Edward H VAZEY
Beloved husband of the above
Died 27 January 1925
Aged 76* years
JULIA
ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 20
Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 64, 17 March 1899, Page 8
In loving remembrance of my dear wife Julia, who died March 17, 1898 at Auckland.
We miss thee from our home, dear mother,
We miss thee from thy place,
A shadow o’er our life is cast,
We MISS the sunshine of thy face.
We miss thy kind and willing hand,
Thy fond and earnest care,
Our home is dark without thee,
We miss thee everywhere.
Inserted by her loving husband and children. – Edward H. Vazey, Boston Road, Auckland.
[other memorial notices inserted by her daughters Nelly and Katie; and her sister Mrs HAYNES of Mercer] [4]
Julia gave birth to:
1877 George John; died 15 April 1955 aged 77, marine engineer buried Waikumete PROTESTANT LAWN A Row 8, Plot 44
1881 Frances Kate married Sidney Francis ASHBY c1907
1883 Charles Edward
1885 Eva married Harold William John HARPER c1911
1887 Julia married George SOLOMON c1920
1891 Henrietta
1892 Mildred May died 14 Oct 1962 aged 70, buried Waikumete ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 18
1895 Ruby died 1895
1895 Pearl died 1895
1898* Edward Henry Patrick died 1917
EDWARD junior
Born: 17 March 1896* [sic – military records], Auckland and registered as Edward Henry Patrick when birth registered
Military number: 26718
Occupation at enlistment: Stereotyper for Brett Printing Co.
Fair complexion; blue eyes; light brown hair
July 1916 suffered influenza
Awarded the M.M. for acts of gallantry in the field
Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 227, 22 September 1917, Page 4
HOW RIFLEMAN VAZEY DIED.
MILITARY MEDAL WELL WON.
Mr. E. H. Vazey, of Edwin Street, Newton, by last mail received a letter from Lieut. A. J. F. Berry, N.Z. Rifle Brigade, relating certain facts connected with the death of the former gentleman's son at the battle of Messines. Rifleman Edward Henry Vazey was born in Auckland, and went away with the Seventeenth reinforcements when 19 years of age. Prior to going to the war he was an employee of the Brett Printing and Publishing Co. The following is the letter from Lieut. Berry:—
"Perhaps a word or two from one who knew your son, and was with him when his end came, will help in your sorrow. I was your son's platoon commander, from the time he joined until he met his death, and knowing him as I did I can sympathise with you in your loss. As a soldier be was always very keen and most reliable. It was during the fighting at Messines that he showed his real worth, and for his excellent work done during those operations I recommended him for a decoration which, alas! he will never wear. When I told him how, pleased I was with the work he had done he replied that he had only tried to do his job. On the morning of the advance on Messines he received a slight wound in the forearm, tout had no thought of turning back, as the sergeant in charge of his section had also been slightly wounded, but was still leading his men. Some days later, in a night attack on the Hun trenches, your son again distinguished himself. When we had gained our objective he went out and got into touch with the units on our right and left and later took a message back through a very heavy artillery barrage. He was absolutely fearless, and seemed to revel in doing a job that had a spice of danger about it. We were all very sorry when he was fatally shot in the head by a machine-gun bullet. His Military Medal was deservedly won, and is a fitting tribute to the work which he did as a soldier." [1]
Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 160, 6 July 1917, Page 2
AUCKLAND RECIPIENTS.
Private Edward Vazey. who is reported as having been killed in action, gained the Military Cross for gallantry in the field, he was born in Auckland, his father being Mr. Edward Vazey, a well-known resident of Newton and a veteran of the Maori War. Private Vazey left with the 17th Reinforcements and was with the Rifle Brigade when he met his death. He was only nineteen years of age, but being of particularly good physique, enlisted when he was seventeen years of age being then a member of the staff of the stereotyping department of the Star.[3]
A photo of him is available at the national museum:
“Killed in action at Messines (22.6.17) Rifleman Vazey came of a fighting family. His father fought and was wounded in the Maori War and his grandfather was a veteran of the Crimean War, having served in H.M. 58th Regiment.”
ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServle...
Restrictions may apply: Special conditions apply to using or handling this record for preservation reasons.
CWGC site record: www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1738369
Cenotaph website record [with photo]: muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/RecordDetail.a...
Vazey's 'chum' also mentioned on the headstone has a Cenotaph record with portrait here:
muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/cenotaph/RecordDetail.a...
EDWARD senior
ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, BETWEEN Plot 18-20
Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 22, 28 January 1925, Page 4
FOUND DEAD ON LANDING.
BODY OF ELDERLY MAN, A MILKMAN'S DISCOVERY.
The body of an old man in a partial state of decomposition was the gruesome discovery of a milkman doing the rounds in the vicinity of Belgium Street, Newton, yesterday. Deceased was named Edward Vazey, and was one of the milkman's regular customers, residing at 12 Edwin Street. When making his usual call at about 7 o'clock yesterday morning, the milkman noticed that the milk he had left on the previous day had been left untouched and upon further investigation he discovered the dead body on the landing at the top of the stairs. The Newton police were informed and the body subsequently removed to the hospital mortuary. Deceased was 76 years of age and he had been receiving medical attention an inquest will not be necessary.
[2]
Occupation: Blacksmith
Aged stated as 77 on cemetery database
Update 11 Jan. 2022: Edward Senior was a Maori War Veteran, enrolled under the name of Edward ANDREWS** in the Armed Constabulary on 10 December 1868 and he voluntary discharged on 16 March 1870. He was wounded in the elbow at the taking of a pa and also fought in the Urewera. His military personnel record is available at:
www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=22347673
There is a probate available for a Edward Henry VAZEY 1925 but additional archives description states “Avondale – Police Officer”
archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23091960
PEARL
ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 20
Aged 10 weeks
Funeral director: “Family involved”
RUBY
ANGLICAN DIVISION C Row 3, Plot 20
Funeral director: “Family involved”
…at her parents’ residence. Anglesea street, Ponsonby, Ruby, twin daughter of Edward and Julia Vazey; aged 11 weeks. The Lord said “Suffer little children to come unto me.” Private interment.[3]
* according to NZ Dept Internal Affairs historic BDM indexes or transcription error on their part.
**his mothers second husband's surname but as an adult took back onboard VAZEY as his surname.
SOURCES:
Cemetery database
NZ Dept Internal Affairs Historic BDM indexes
[1]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS...
[2]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[3]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[4]