One of the cards was sent December 1914, and the other for Alan's 1915 birthday.
Who was MASTER A W MILNE?
If you are a family researcher beginner or expert, Thames records allow you to quickly find more about the life of Allan Westbrook Milne.
- Start with the birth registration at NZ BMD. Matching the birth date that appears on the card (25 December), it is possible to quickly find the birth details. Registration 1913/2686, Milne, Allan Westbrook, parents Ruby Pearl and William Henry John Milne.
- School Records document that Allan lived up the Waitoahi Creek. He attended Central School from 4 February 1918 to 17 December 1926, before going to Thames High School 7 February 1927 to 19 December 1928.
Allan Milne's School Examination record 1919
Source: Archives New Zealand
- Electoral Rolls, Street Directories and newspaper records available online allow us to follow Allan's life. A selection of rolls from ancestry.au reveal that in 1935 Allan was living in Beach Road, Thames and working as a motor driver. After the war he was in Auckland, and in 1957 residing at 34 Bucklands Avenue Mount Eden, working as a clerk. By 1972, Milne was back in Thames living at 214 Augustus Street, his occupation given as barman.
- Family trees on ancestry.au record that Mr Milne was married to Isobelle Brooker, and secondly to May Sophie Hensley.
- For this article, it is interesting to note that like his father (who had served in World War One), he served in World War Two. An interesting note on the Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph site states that Allan was the "Bugler for the 18th Battalion and performed the last post and revelry at the Auckland War Memorial Museum from 1946 until his death in 1972 [sic]."
WWII Trooper Milne's Discharge Certificate.
Allan served 236 days in New Zealand and three years, 189 days overseas.
Source: G Milne Collection
- Allan Westbrook Milne born 25 December 1912, passed away 21 May 1977 and was interred at Totara Memorial Park Cemetery, Thames - RSA Lawn Plot 0173.
Allan W Milne's parents Ruby (left) and William H J (Jack) Milne.
Note, Ruby is in her Salvation Army Uniform - remembering that is where our story started with the birthday cards for Allan from the Thames Salvation Army Church.
Source: G Milne Collection
Take the Challenge!
When undertaking your family research, take a letter or photo and see if you can build up a story about the family. Like the example above, take a card and within a few hours we can learn so many interesting details about our family (and others).
