John II

John Richard Bland II 

(29 March 1882 - 28 February 1966)  


Parents and siblings
John Richard Bland II was born in Mangawhare, Northland, New Zealand on 29 March 1882. His parents were both English-born: John Richard Bland I (19 December 1836 - 31 March 1918) and his wife Annie Maria Horne (17 April 1852 - 18 April 1933). 

John was part of a family that included sons from his father's first marriage. His step-brothers, the children of John Richard Bland and his first wife Mary Jane Curtis (c1841 - c1867), were born in East London:

• Frederick William Bland (4th quarter 1860? - 1st quarter of 1872)
• Alfred (Alf) John Bland (October 1862 - 1956)  
• Charles (Charlie) Robert Bland (17 August 1864 - 13 February 1931)  
• Stephen (Steve) Bland (June 1866 - 1890) 

The children of John and Annie Bland were born in New Zealand:

• Annie Maria Bland (25 July 1875 - 25 December 1958)   
• Robert (Bob) William Bland (28 August 1877 - 7 September 1918)
• Edward (Ted) Bland (19 March 1879 - 1965) 
• Susannah (Susie) Margaret Bland (27 June 1880 - 5 January 1972)  
• John Richard Bland II (29 March 1882 - 28 February 1966)  
• Sarah Bland (August 1883 - 17 July 1884) 

Annie Bland with her children.
Left back to front: Bob, Ted & John II.
Right back to front: Annie II & Susie.
Photo taken 1884, probably just after John and
Annie's youngest daughter, Sarah, died.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Living in Northland
When John was 17 months old, his baby sister Sarah was born in Northland. Sadly, she died on 17 July 1884, just shy of her first birthday. Sarah had suffered from lung congestion and apnoea. She was buried in Auckland (location unknown).

In September 1886 John's father won a ballot for the 'perpetual lease' of some land at Motukaraka, Hokianga, Northland. Family records state that the Bland family lived there until 1892. John I, as head of the household, worked as a carpenter whilst living in Northland.

In January 1888 John's mother took her youngsters to a community picnic at the farm Onoke, which belonged to the late Judge Manning. A contingent of about 100 from the nearby town of Rawene attended, and around 50 more, including the Blands, came across from Motukaraka. They spent a happy day together on the swings, playing cricket and football, fishing for mullet, and eating a delicious hangi.

On 21 April 1890, when John was around eight years old, his crippled step-brother Steve (23) passed away at his residence in Dargaville after suffering from tuberculosis for two years. Sadly, Steve was destitute and living on charity when he died. He was buried at the Mount Wesley Cemetery, in Dargarville. More information about Steve can be found here.

John started school at the Native School Hokianga around 1891 where it is likely that he completed his Standard I year. Family records state that the Bland children were the only European students at this school apart from the children of the headmaster who would row across the harbour from Rawene to teach!

The Native School, Hokianga where the Bland children
attended school in the late 1880s and early 1890s
Unknown date and photographer.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Daughters of John Bland II outside the school-room in Hokianga
where the Bland children went to school in the late 1880s and early 1890s.
Date and photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of LL)

On 29 January 1892, the Bland family probably attended the annual picnic on a farm near the Wairupe Creek. About 200 settlers and their friends attended the picnic. Races and activities were organised for the day, and a concert was held in the school in the evening.

At the monthly Band of Hope meeting in February 1892, John's sister Annie II, who was about 17 years old at the time, sang a solo entitled, 'The Cottage by the Sea'. She also sang at the April meeting. (The Band of Hope was a church-run programme for young people which educated them about the dangers of alcohol, and encouraged them to abstein from it.

Schooling in Auckland
The Bland family moved back to Auckland in 1892. John, Ted and Susie were enrolled at Richmond Road School, Ponsonby, on 31 May 1892 presumably by their father. John was registered as student #945. He completed Standard II there on 23 July 1894, and Standard III on 25 July 1895. It appears, judging by the school register, that in late 1895 or early 1896, all the existing students of Richmond Road School were re-enrolled with a new number. John was registered as student #16. His father is recorded as John Bland of Fitzroy Street. John completed Standard IV in July 1896 and his last day at the school is listed as 24 July 1896. He left school to work.

Family events
John's teenage sister, Annie II, became an unwed mother in 1894 after giving birth to a son. He was named, Edward John. It appears that the baby remained in the family and was adopted by his grandparents. Sadly, he died aged 8 months and was buried in a family plot at Purewa Cemetery. In 1896 Annie, now 21 and still unmarried, gave birth to a daughter, whom she named Susannah Daisy (known as Daisy). Obviously, Susannah was Annie's sister's name, but it was also the name of one of her paternal great grandmothers, so it was a special family name. Daisy was adopted and raised by her grandparents.

John would have attended several family weddings in the late 1890s and early 1900s:

• 26 October 1898 - John's sister Annie II married Frederick (Fred) William Pettett.
• 1899 - John's older half-brother Alf married Henrietta (Hettie) Florence Minifie (1867 - 1956).
• 1902 - John's sister Susie married James (Jim) Tonson (1873 - 1957) in Palmerston North.
• 1902 - John's older half-brother Charlie married Emily (Em) Barnett (1882 -  1970) on 12 November.

John Richard Bland II, aged 18.
Photo taken around 1900. Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Marriage and family

John boarded at the Chelsea worker's village where he met a young woman named Flora (Flo) Alice Bentley (1887 - 13 August 1968) who was visiting family in the settlement. They fell in love and were married on 30 January 1904. He was 22 years old and she was just 17. John and Flo had 12 children, seven sons and five daughters:

• Edward (Ted) Charles Robert Bland (cJune 1905 - 28 September 1905).
• Eileen Myrtle Bland (24 March 1907 - 16 May 1996)
• Alice May Bland (4 September 1909 - 10 October 2009) 
• John (Jack) Richard Bland III (22 December 1911 - 1997) 
• Robert (Bob) Edward Bland (16 September 1914 - 2000) 
• Charles Lionel Bland (25 August 1917 - 27 February 1979)
• Doris Maud Bentley (23 May 1919 - 1 March 2017)
• James Alfred Bland (26 August 1921 - 27 July 1996)
• Herbert Sidney Bland (1 August 1923 - November 2013)
• Noel Stanley Bland (19 December 1925 - ?)
• Mavis (May) Joyce Nevill (1928 - 27 October 2016) died aged 88.
• L L nee Bland (still living)

Sadly, John and Flo's firstborn son, Edward (Ted) died on 28 September 1905, just four months after his birth. He was buried at Purewa Cemetery in a family plot that was also used by his baby cousin, then later, by his grandparents, John and Annie Bland. [Block A, Row 15, Plot 65]

John and Flo Bland with baby Eileen.
1907. Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

John and Flo Bland with their daughters Eileen and Alice c1910.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of K J Bland)

Electoral Roll records give the following locations for John and Flo:

• 1905-06 - Marmion Street, Auckland Central 
• The Electoral Roll shows that John and Flo were living with his parents at this address. John's occupation was listed as 'sugar worker'. Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory 1907 shows that John (sugar worker) was living at number 15 Marmion Street, Central Auckland and that the house was on the right hand side of the street, from the Queen Street end.
• 1911, 1914, 1919 - Roberts Road, Birkenhead. 
• Electoral Rolls state that John was a sugar worker. Interestingly, Wises, New Zealand Post Office Directory 1916 gives John (sugar worker) as living at Mokoia Road. The house was on the right hand side from the Glenfield Road end.
• 1923 - Mokoia Road, Birkenhead
• Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory gives John (sugar worker) as residing at Mokoia Road. Their house was on the right hand side of the road, from the Glenfield Road end, and was the next block along from the Birkenhead New School.
• 1928 - Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. 
• Electoral Roll states that Jack worked as a watersider. Also listed with John and Flo was their 21 year old daughter Eileen (spinster).
• 1935, 1938 - 79 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. 
• Electoral Rolls show that John continued his work as a watersider. Living with John and Flo was John III (labourer). In 1928, for a short period, John's older half-brother Alf lived with them. Alf was a pensioner, and may have been separated from his wife Hettie at the time.

John and Flo Bland with daughters, Mavis (May) and L, at the grave of John and Annie Bland,
and John and Flo's first born son, Edward - Purewa Cemetery. 
To get there, the family took a tram, then walked a distance.
Date unknown but c1940. Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of L Lydiard)

John and Flo Bland having a picnic with family after visiting the graves of their baby son, 
and John's parents, John and Annie Bland. Purewa Cemetery. c1940
Back row from left: Flo and John Bland, Mavis (May) Bland, Alf Bland
Front from left: Valerie (Mavis Bland's friend) and L Bland.
Photo labeled 'Candid Camera Studies'
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

The Blands enjoying Long Bay Beach.

Date c1940. Photographer unknown.

Back: Alf Bland, Flo and John Bland

Front: Jim, Herb, L, Mavis (May), Noel

(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

• 1949 - 79 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. 
• The Electoral Roll has John and Flo living here, and joined by their sons Charlie (sugar worker), Noel (storeman), and daughter-in-law, Maureen Joyce Bland (married).
• 1954, 1957 - 79 Mokoia Road 
• The Electoral Rolls indicate that John and Flo are here with son Noel (storeman). In 1959, the Roll shows that John is now retired.

John and Flo celebrate their golden wedding anniversary
with John's brother Edward (Ted).
30 January 1954. Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

• 1963 - 121 Mokoia Road (This house still exists in 2016.)
• The Electoral Roll shows that both John and Flo are retired.

John died on 28 February 1966. Flo died on 13 August 1968 at 38 Rawere Road, Birkenhead. Both were cremated and their ashes scattered in the nearby harbour.

The children of John and Flo Bland

• Edward (Ted) Charles Robert Bland (1905-1905). 
• Baby Edward died aged 4 mths
• Eileen Myrtle Bland (24 March 1907 - 16 May 1996)
• The Electoral Roll of 1928 records Elieen (spinster) as living at home with her parents on Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. 
• Eileen married Reginald (Reg) Frederick Roberts (c1905 - 8 December 1985) in 1930. They  had one son and three daughters.
• Reginald died on 8 December 1985, aged 80 years. He was buried at the North Shore Memorial Gardens, Central Division Low Rise Section 1 Block C, Row A, Plot 57.
• Eileen died on 16 May 1996, aged 89 years. She was buried with her husband at the North Shore Memorial Gardens.
• Alice May Bland (4 September 1909 - 10 October 2009) 
• Married George Alfred Davis (18 July 1903 - 1971) in 1929. 

The wedding of George Alfred Davis to Alice May Bland
(later Greenaway) 1929. 
Photo by Highbury Studio (Photo courtesy of K J Bland)

• George and Alice had a son, George Davis (1933 - 2012), and a daughter, G (still living).
• During 1935, 1938, 1946, 1949, 1954, 1957, George and Alice lived at 36 Rawere Road, Birkenhead. He was a sugar worker. In 1957, George was listed as a sugar boiler.
• 1963 - 38 Rawere Road, Birkenhead. George is a sugar boiler.
• George died in 1971.
• Alice married William George (Joe) Greenaway (c1908 -  3 March 1992) around 1968-69). William was a sugar worker and also lived on Rawere Road, at number 26 in 1949, 1954, 1957, and at number 28 in 1963, so it is highly likely that Alice knew William and his first wife Jessie Cox Greenaway (c1906 - 12 April 1968), for many years.
• Electoral Rolls for 1978 and 1981 show that William and Alice Greenaway were living at 38 Rawene Road, Birkenhead. William was retired. 
• William died on 3 March 1992, aged 84. His body was cremated.
• Alice passed away on 10 October 2009, just after her 100th birthday. Her body was cremated (North Shore).
• John (Jack) Richard Bland III (22 December 1911 - 29 August 1997) 
• Named after his father and grandfather, but known as Jack.
• Electoral Roll 1935 he is listed as living at his parent's home at 79 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. His occupation is listed as 'labourer'.
• Married Gladys Minnie Scott (known as Min) in 1934. They had two sons.
• Elec Rolls of 1946 and 1949 list Jack and Min as living at 'Birklea' on Roseberry Avenue, Birkenhead. Jack was still working as a labourer.
• 1954 - Jack and Min were living at Roseberry Avenue (labourer)
• 1957 - lived at 23 Hutton Road (sugar worker)
• 1963 - 23 Hutton Road (sugar worker). Another John Richard Bland lived there too (their son?), and his occupation was listed as 'hardware'.
• 1972 - Jack and Min lived at 29 Huka Rd. (sugar worker)
• Jack died on 29 August 1997, aged 85 yrs. His body was cremated.
• Min died on 10 April 1983 aged 72 years. Her body was cremated.
• Robert (Bob) Edward Bland (16 September 1914 - 21 April 2000) 
• Named after his paternal uncle.
• Married Katherine (Kate) (surname, birth/death/marriage dates unknown). They had three sons and one daughter.
• 1938, Bob and Kate lived at 12 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead (just down the road from his parents) in 1938. Bob worked as a farm-hand. 
• 1946 - The Electoral Roll shows Bob and Kate are living on Seddon Road (suburb unknown).
• 1954, 1957 - they lived at 121a Mokoia Road, on the same street as his parents. (1954 labourer, 1957 milk vendor)
• 1963 - Kate listed at 157a Mokoia Road, Birkenhead [Also 1963 - Dennis Edward Bland is living at 157 Mokoia Road (driver). Is he R & K's son?]
• 1972 - Bob and Kate were living at 157a Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. Bob was working as a storeman.
• Bob died on 21 April 2000, aged 85 years. His body was cremated.
• Kate died on 2 February 2010, aged 94 years. Her body was cremated.
• Charles (Charlie) Lionel Bland (25 August 1917 - 27 February 1979)
• Married Maureen Joyce (surname and birth/death/marriage dates unknown). Charlie and Marueen had two sons.
• 1949 Electoral Roll lists Charlie as living at home with his parents at 79 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. He was working as a sugar worker. Also living at home at the time were Maureen Joyce Bland (married), and Noel (storeman).
• 1954, 1957 - Electoral Roll has him living with Maureen, at 4 Hammond Place, and working as a 'sugar worker'.
• 1963 - 25 Kia Ora Road Charlie (sugar worker) Maureen (housewife)
• 1972 - Charlie and Maureen lived at 25 Kia Ora Road
• Charlie died on 27 February 1979, aged 61 years. His body was cremated.
• Maureen died on 27 June 2010 aged 87 years. Her body was cremated and her ashes were scattered at the North Shore Memorial Park, Auckland.
• Doris Maud Bland (23 May 1919 - 1 March 2017)
• Doris married Edwin Albert Bentley (24 Apr 1914 - 27 June 2009). Edwin was not relatived to Doris' mother who shared the same surname. Edwin and Doris had two daughters and one son.
• Edwin passed away in 2009. Doris died in 2017 aged 97.
• James Alfred Bland (26 August 1921 - 27 July 1996)
• Married Mary (Molly) Eileen Roberts (1922 - 12 Nov 2004). They appear to have had no children.
• 1963 - 143 Onewa Road, Northcote (mobile plant driver)
• In 1972 James and Molly lived 132 Onewa Road, Northcote, Auckland. James worked as a driver. 
• James died on 27 July 1996, aged 74 years. His body was cremated and his ashes were buried at the North Shore Memorial Park, Central Carpark Garden 5 Section 7, Block 2, Plot 5. 
• Molly died 12 November 2004, aged 82 years. She was cremated, and her ashes were buried with her husband's.
• Herbert Sydney Bland (1 August 1923 - 7 November 2013)
• The 1946 Electoral Roll shows that Herbert was living with his parents at 79 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead and was working as a storeman.
• Herbert married Jean Mary Lucas (3 April 1922 - 7 August 1976). [wedding date unknown]. They had three daughters.
• Electoral Rolls give the following locations for Herbert and Mary:
• 1949 - 40 Knowles Street, Palmerston North. Herbert is working as a storeman.
• 1954, 1957 - 858 Tremaine Avenue, Roslyn, Palmerston North. (storeman)
• 1963, 1972 - 1024 Tremaine Avenue, Palmerston North (aircraft loader). Margaret Florence Bland was also living at this address and was working as a factory hand.
• Jean passed away on 7 August 1976, aged 54 (Palmerston North). She was cremated.
• Herbert married Ethel Helena Merle (unknown surname) (8 March 1921 - 15 August 2012) [date unknown]. Both Herbert and Ethel were recorded as being Presbytarian.
• The 1981 Electoral Roll shows that Herbert and Ethel lived at 21 Humber Street, Roslyn, Palmerston North. Herbert was still working as a loader. (Note: Jennifer E Bland and Margaret Florence Bland lived at Herbert's previous residence at 1024 Tremaine Avenue. Jennifer worked as a kitchen hand and Margaret worked as a factory hand.)
• Ethel passed away on 15 August 2012, aged 91 and was cremated. Ethel's last address was 21 Humber Street.
• Herbert died on 7 November 2013, aged 90. At the time of his death he was living at the Cook Street, Nursing Care Centre. His last home address was 1024 Tremaine Avenue, and last occupation was railway worker. Herbert's body was cremated and his ashes were interred at the Kelvin Grove Cemetery, Area DA, Block 011, Plot 177.
• Noel Stanley Bland (19 December 1925 - c1980s)
• 1949, 1954, 1957 Electoral Roll has Noel living at home with his parents, at 79 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. In 1949, his brother Charles (sugar worker) and his wife Maureen Joyce (married) were also living there.
• Noel married Bonnie Rowan. They lived in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Bonnie worked as a horse trainer.
• Noel and Bonnie had one son, Warren Bland. 
• Noel died in Australia (possibly around the 1980s), in Bendigo, Victoria.
• Mavis Joyce Bland (1928 - 27 October 2016)
• Married Percy Douglas Nevill (1924 - 20 September 1992). They had three daughters and two sons. They lived on the North Shore, Auckland. 
• Percy died in 1992 aged 68 and was cremated. Mavis passed away in 2016 aged 88.
• Maureen, Dolly, Pauline, George
• L S L nee Bland (still living)

Sources

• Auckland Council - Cemetery Search
• Palmerston North Cemetery Search
• Ancestry.com - New Zealand & Australian Electoral Rolls
• Richmond Road School. Records, 1885-1987. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-2002-116.
• Family records (courtesy of K J Bland)
• Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory
• Richmond Road School. Registers of admissions, progress and withdrawals, 1885-1987. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-2002-116. Accessed 27 May 2016.
• Recollections of C Murphy, L Lydiard, and Mavis Nevill 
• Photos: K J Bland, C Murphy, L S L

Last updated 28 March 2020