This plaque was uncovered by our Pōneke High Schools working bee group in July. Henry was born in Eltringham, Northamptonshire, England in 1879. He married Mary Bennett in 1904 and they had five children: Henry, Mary, William, Dorothy and Richard. Sadly young William died aged just 1 year. Henry supported the family by working as a foreman in a sanitaryware works. They lived in a modest four roomed house.
Henry emigrated with his wife and four remaining children to New Zealand on the S.S. Pakeha, departing on 9th December 1920 from Southampton. He died just three years after their arrival, in November 1923, and was interred at Karori Cemetery.
Of his children, Henry Beedle won a scholarship in 1923 to study carpentry at the Technical School. Mary was granted a free place at Wellington Technical College in 1924. Richard also attended the Technical College and was granted a First-class grade in technical drawing.
Henry’s wife, Mary, lived until the age of 96. She is buried at Makara Cemetery.
Plot: *Public 2/J/418
By Julia Kennedy
