Elizabeth Annie Pelvin

ELIZABETH ANNIE (NAN) PELVIN was b: 08 Aug 1896 in Glenavy, In 1917 she was a machinist living 7 Bath St., ChristChurch. She mar: 12 Jul 1922 in St Davids Church, Sydenham to WILLIAM DONALDSON BRUNSDEN, son of WILLIAM BRUNSDEN and ELIZABETH ALLISON. Witnesses to marriage: Charles Bourke, storekeeper, Lincoln; and sister Irene Pelvin, Tawai, Glenavy; minister J D Webster. William was b: 1889 in Avonside, Christchurch, and died 1956.

School Records: PELVIN Anne; School Tawai; Admission Date 4 Nov 1901; Parent / Guardian Mr Charles Pelvin; Address Waitaki;
In 1917 in the NZ Gazette Entries; Name BRUNSDEN William Donaldson; Place Sydenham; Occ: Ironmonger; Src: NZ Gazette 1917; Military Call Up

The Lauriston store and post office had originally opened in March 1880 and James Den whose farm adjoined was appointed Postmaster. William Brunsden succeeded a Mr Smith in Aug 1922. Mail was dispatched at 7.17 am with an extra mail at 7.20 pm daily plus on two days a week at 10.30 am. Salary £25. In February 1925 the Health Department placed the Postmaster and his family in isolation because of the outbreak of Poliomyelitus

1925 - Ashburton Guardian 17/2/1925: The Paralysis Epidemic,Case Lauriston
A fourth case of suspected infantile paralysis was admitted to the Ashburton County Hospital at 6.30 pm last evening from Lauriston. The patient was a boy 19 months old. The symptoms in the case were very much akin to those of the 1916 and 1921 epidemics and the chances were all for it being a positive case. A number of friends from Christchurch had visited the child's parents lately, though the visitors did not live within a mile of the residence of any of the Christchurch patients. The child became ill yesterday and muscular weakness in the left arm was noticed.

1925 - Ashburton Guardian 18/2/1925
Of the three cases in isolation at the Ashburton County Hospital one has been declared positive. It is the 19 month boy admitted on Monday evening from Lauriston, and the Hospital aurthorities reported at noon today that the child is seriously ill. This is the first actual case of infantile paralysis in the County.

1925 Ashburton Guardian 19/2/1925
The Hospital authorities reported this afternoon that the child mentioned on the seriously ill list yesterday shows an improvement today.

The Brunsdens played an active role in the community - 13 June 1929: W Brunsden elected to Lauriston Soldiers Memorial Hall Comittee previous meeting held in Mr Brunsden's shop, and in the years 1929 - 30; 1932 -36 - W D Brunsden is president of the Laureston Cricket club and W D Brunsden elected to School Committee 1st June 1931 and 22 in July Mrs W D Brunsden elected to the committee of the Country Women's Institute.

Memories - Doug Fyfe reminescing on school days at Laureston 1920's & 1930's remembers Mr Brunsden donating a tin of boiled sweets for the annual school picnic. A real treat in those days. The Brunsdens owned one of the first radios in the district - a colonel Model Majestic.

The Lauriston Store was sold by Bill (snr) in 1936 and the family moved to Australia for young Bill to get polio treatment from Sister Kenny and a farewell Social was held

Ashburton Guardian Newspaper 26/4/1937. The Lauriston Hall was filled to capacity on Thursday evening on the occasion of a farewell social tendered to Mr and Mrs W D Brunsden and their son Billy. The evening was devoted to dancing, the music being supplied by Cook's orchestra (Lydhurst) with extras by Mr S Drew and Mr J Cretney.The duties of Masters of Ceremonies were performed by Messrs R F Letham and H Farquhar.
The guests of the evening were Mr and Mrs Wm Brunsden and Billy, Mr and Mrs S G Ayling (Christchurch) Miss Ada Milner, Mr Max Milner and Mr Guy Gasson. On arrival at the hall the guests were welcomed by the hostesses (Mesdames J Jacobs, J A Mackie and C A Fyfe) and were accorded musical honours. Mrs Fyfe presented Mrs Brunsden with a pretty posy. The Chairman (Mr. C A Fyfe) expressed the regret of all at the departure from the district of such fine citizens as Mr and Mrs Brunsden.
On behalf of their many friends in the Lauriston, Barhill and surrounding districts, Mrs Fyfe presented Mr and Mrs Brunsden with a handsome silver tea service and oak tray, suitably inscribed. He presented Billy with a leather suitcase and in doing so, expressed the good wishes of all those present. There were other speakers...

(The next polio threat, New Zealand schools closed in October 1947 and re opened April 1948. Correspondence. Lessons were sent to the pupils' homes for the month of February.) Research by Julie Rush

Nan and William's son, WILLIAM (BILL) BRUNSDEN was born 9th July 1923 at Avonside, Christchurch. He graduated as Batchelor of Law and became a Sydney solicitor, and married CLARICE MARGARET ROWSELL - their son is Victor Brunsden. Photo below by Ian Jefferis: Clarice visiting Bill at his Sydney rest home, 2010. Bill passed away 14th October 2010, and Clarice d: 19 Jun 2012. Clarice d: June 19, 2012, aged 90Y. Beloved wife of Bill. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Victor and Elizabeth and adored aunt and great-aunt of Betty, Kirsty and John.