Henry’s full name was Joseph August Heinrich Rudolph and he was born in Berlin in 1875. In 1899 he married Emma Dilger in Mile End, London. Emma was born in London but her father Johannes was born in Germany. Henry and Emma’s children were Henry Joseph, Adolf ‘Arthur’ Maria and Emma Maria Rosa, all born in Hackney. In 1909, Emma was admitted to the Claybury Asylum in Essex. The 1911 census describes Henry living in a four-room house in Hackney, with his children aged 9, 7 and 3. Emma died at the Asylum on 22 September 1918.
The three Rudolph siblings Arrived in Wellington on 10th April 1920, third class from Southampton. When their father arrived is not clear, although there is an ‘H. Rudolph’, barber, who was part of a ship’s crew that called at Wellington several times before the war.
On settling in Wellington, Henry senior worked as a hairdresser. He was also a popular member of the Wellington Chess Club, but as he lived in Muritai he was seldom able to attend the clubroom to take part in the club’s various activities. He was also a capable musician and an accomplished linguist who could speak five languages fluently.
Henry died in Wellington on 18th January 1923. It was his son Henry’s 21st birthday and his daughter Emma was only 15. Henry wrote his Will in 1912 when still living in London. He left his estate to be divided between his three children.
Henry’s probate file includes personal correspondence between his son Henry and Henry’s godfather in London about what to do next. Until the estate (which was valued at £380) was settled, Henry junior was supporting his two younger siblings. His godfather, Uncle Will, suggested that if he can’t secure a decent living, then to give America a try. He also recommended not to return to Europe, especially Germany, given the current state of affairs in that country.
The children did end up staying and settled into life in New Zealand. Henry junior became a watchmaker and married Kathleen McGlinchey. In 1924 he formed his first four-piece dance band. He was a pioneer radio broadcaster and his players contributed to music programmes for Wellington radio stations 2YB and 2YK in the 1920s. His services to music were recognised in 1974 and he was appointed an MBE. He is buried at Taita Cemetery. Adolf ‘Arthur’ became a coach painter, married twice and is buried in Levin. Emma married William Cudby and is buried at Makara Cemetery.
Plot: *ROM CATH/X/207
Hear a musical performance of Henry from 1944 here:
https://teara.govt.nz/en/speech/203/audio-associated-with-rudolph-henry-joseph
By Julia Kennedy
