Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

George Warren Huxford, known as Warren, was the second son of George and Euphemia King (Effie, née Anderson) Huxford, of Milford near Temuka, previously of Tokarahi Estate, near Kurow, North Otago; and later of Ohaka, North Canterbury. English-born George and NZ born Euphemia married at Awakino, North Otago (Duntroon Presbyterian Parish) on 18 November 1890 and had six daughters and four sons, all born in the vicinity of Kurow-Duntroon. Their first-born, Anne Short Huxford, died in 1891, 11 days old; their youngest, Edna Mee Huxford, died in 1920, aged 9 years; and the second youngest, Walter Anderson Huxford, died in 1931 as the result of an accident, aged 22 years. The family moved from Duntroon to Waimate in about 1910-1911. The settlers of Tokarahi met on 1 October 1912 to bid good-bye to Mr George Huxford and his family. To show the great esteem in which they were held, Mr Huxford was presented with a handsome travelling bag, and Mrs Huxford with a serviceable rug. A most enjoyable evening was spent in conversation, singing, and dancing. Refreshments were handed round at intervals, and the time flew fast till one o’clock, when, wishing Mr and Mrs Huxford and family a happy future, the gathering broke up with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”. They were briefly in Temuka in 1913 before moving to nearby Milford. They then moved to Ohoka in North Canterbury in 1919. Having sold his farm at farm at Milford, George Huxford held a complete clearing sale (stock, implements, important sundries) in August 1919. George Warren Huxford was born at Kurow on 5 April 1897 and attended Duntroon School, North Otago. In May 1913, George Huxford and his son George Warren Huxford lent valuable assistance to a fellow Milford settler who had met with a nasty accident and was unconscious and bleeding. Warren competed in the 25 yards handicap at the Temuka Swimming Club’s carnival in March 1914. Both Warren and his brother Willie competed in the Land and Water Race at the Milford Lagoon Recreation Association’s picnic also in March 1914, and in August both scored the possible in the Milford Miniature Rifles’ weekly match. G. Husford played for the Temuka Football Club juniors in 1914. In early August 1914, Warren was fined 5 shillings plus costs for failing to attend evening drills for Territorials and Senior Cadets. In January 1916 he was convicted in court for theft and was fined but not sent to gaol.

Having been called up in 1917, George Warren Huxford was medically examined at Timaru on 19 July 1917. He stood at 5 feet 9 inches, weighed 147 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 33½-37 inches, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. With regard to his teeth, fillings and extraction were required. Free from diseases, vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health, he was assessed Class A. He enlisted at Timaru that same day. He belonged to the 8th Canterbury Mounted Rifles, and two people were absolutely dependant on him, presumably his parents. Farming with his father at Milford near Temuka, single and Presbyterian, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs Effie Huxford, Milford, Temuka. An allowance was allowed for one illegitimate child.

The send-off to the Temuka district members of the 33rd Reinforcements took place in the Dominion Theatre, Temuka, on the evening of 17 August 1917, the theatre being well filled. The recruits marched to the theatre, headed by the Brass Band, and at the theatre were greeted by Torepe’s Maori Troupe, and given a welcome haka. A full programme of entertainment followed – songs (solos and groups), haka, Maori songs (Hermione Torepe’s Party being to the fore), recitations, club swinging and axe swinging. All the numbers were well given and thoroughly enjoyed, the performers being rewarded with applause and encores. The Chairman read out the names of the men leaving on the following Monday – G. W. Huxford one of them, saying the draft was one they could well be proud of. He then invited the men on to |the platform to receive their holdalls. As the men marched on to the platform the audience sang “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” The Rev. A. H. Norris and other speakers wished the men a safe return. The Maori Party then sang their “Farewell Song," after which the “National Anthem” was sung. Cheers for the boys who are going away and those at the front terminated the proceedings. The Temuka and Geraldine recruits of the Thirty-third Reinforcements left for camp on 20 August 1917. The men and their relatives were entertained to afternoon tea in the Drill Hall by the ladies of the Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee and brief patriotic addresses were delivered. At 1.30 p.m. the men lined up outside the hall and, headed by the Temuka Brass and Pipe Bands, marched to the railway station. Just as the train came in Hermione Torcpe’s Maori Troupe sang a Maori farewell song. Cheers given for the boys who were going away, and for those at the front. The train left amid hearty cheers. One of those who answered the roll call, and one who had just come of age, was G. W. Huxford. And he was posted to the 34th New Zealand Mounted Rifles.

At Featherston in October 1917, Warren forfeited 4 days’ pay and was fined 3 days’ pay for absence with leave while on Active Service. From 10 till 22 October 1917, Warren spent his final leave with his parents at Milford, before he left for camp. Trooper G. W. Huxford embarked with the Mounted Rifles Brigade of the 34th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington per the “Tofua” (Transport No. 98) on 13 November 1917. Disembarking at Suez, Egypt on 21 December, he marched in and was posted to the New Zealand Training Regiment at Moascar. Posted to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles Squadron in late March 1918, he was transferred to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade in mid-May then to the 8th Squadron in the Field on 21 May.

He was admitted to hospital on 13 October 1918, suffering from diarrhoea (slight). On 15 October he was admitted to the 36th Stationary Hospital at Gaza from the Hospital Troop Train, then on 17 October evacuated by No. 40 Hospital Train and admitted to the 44th Stationary Hospital at Kantara, still suffering from diarrhoea. He then went to Cairo by Hospital Train and was admitted to the 27th General Hospital at Abbassia on 20 October. He was still there on 9 December. A Medical Report was prepared at the 27th General Hospital on 4 December with regard to proposed invaliding. Huxford’s disability – dysentery – originate at Palestine on 13 October 1918. Huxford stated that he had had diarrhoea since 30 September but had no other related issues when admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station on 13 October. On transfer to the 27th General Hospital on 20 October he was apparently quite well and had no diarrhoea, just a slight cough and weakness. He remained in the same condition until the diarrhoea reappeared on 11 November with pyrexia. His blood was negative to malaria, but subsequently he was found to have Bacillary Dysentery. By 4 December he had improved steadily but slowly and was still weak and debilitated. His disability was attributable to infection on Active Service and the climate. He was now thin, weak and anaemic, but had no diarrhoea. Change to New Zealand was recommended. By 14 December he was convalescent and fit for transfer to the Hospital Ship “Malta” for New Zealand. In December 1918 his parents received a cable stating that he was in Palestine and would be returning home. He was due to arrive in New Zealand about 20th January 1919 with Draft No. 208. He had been boarded for New Zealand at Abbassia on 5 December 1918, because of dysentery. On 14 December he embarked, invalided, per the “Malta” at Suez. He was admitted to the Ship’s Hospital that day and discharged ten days later.

Transport No. 208, “Malta”, was due at a New Zealand port in late January 1919, bringing home from Egypt invalided soldiers, among them Trooper George Warren Huxford, of Milford, Temuka, and other South Canterbury men. “Temuka’s Greatest Day” – 30 January 1919 - saw over twenty boys from the Temuka district welcomed home. Flags were suspended across King Street and on many buildings. As the train came into the station, the big crowd cheered the soldiers who soon found their family and friends. Preceded by the Temuka Pipe Band and the Juvenile Brass Band, they were conveyed to the Post Office for the official welcome and praise for their work. Three rousing cheers were given for the returned men and three more for the boys who were still to return. “They had done their duty, and brought back victory,” said the Mayor. “The war was practically finished, . . . .” He hoped that the future of the world would be better than the past. Trooper G. W. Huxford, of Milford, was among the morning arrivals. A very successful welcome home to Trooper Huxford and seven comrades was held in the Milford School on the evening of 14 February 1919. After a neat little speech of welcome, those soldiers who had not already received one, were presented with the Patriotic Society’s medal of honour. During the evening capital songs were given and inspiriting music was played for a most enjoyable dance. The ladies of Milford provided a dainty supper. When a welcome home social was held for another Temuka soldier at the Denmark Street Methodist Sunday School in May 1919, the Rev. Harris also took the opportunity to welcome home Trooper Huxford who was present. Games were indulged in and a musical programme was gone through.

A Medical Board which had been assembled at Wellington on 3 February 1919, recommended that Trooper G. W. Huxford be considered for a pension, his capacity for earning a full livelihood in the general labour market lessened by half. The Medical Board assembled on the Troopship “Malta” had noted that the soldier was suffering from dysentery and recommended discharge. Some dental treatment was authorized. Trooper George Warren Huxford, Canterbury Mounted Rifles, was discharged on 27 February 1919, no longer physically fit on account (Dysentery). His intended address was initially Temuka, then the Salvation Army Hostel in Wellington. When his medals – British War Medal and Victory Medal – were despatched in 1921 he was at Ohoka, North Canterbury. After the war he resided in Milford near Temuka, Tinwald, Ohoka and Christchurch. George Warren Huxford married Lucy Matewai (or Elaine) Boko in 1920. They were residing at Ohoka when their daughter (Euphemia Edna, or Effie Edna) was born at “The Elms”, Rangiora on 6 October 1920. Their infant son, George William Huxford, died at Christchurch on 4 September 1922, Warren and Lucy then living at Flaxton. In May 1922 at the Christchurch Magistrates Court, George W. Huxford was fined and ordered to pay costs for having no certificate of ability and for pillion riding. There was another court fine in March 1928 for driving at a speed dangerous to the public. Meanwhile, Warren’s wife, Lucy, had died on 21 February 1924 and was buried at Sydenham Cemetery with their infant son. George Warren Huxford married Lottie Mavis Williamson on 21 April 1930. Warren’s first-born, Effie was probably in Hokitika with her grandparents in 1930. Little Miss Effie Huxford presented Mrs Seddon with a handsome bouquet when Mr and Mrs T. E. Y. Seddon were farewelled from Hokitika in April 1930. About the same time, Mr and Mrs G. W. Huxford, of Richmond, arrived at the Mount Pleasant Rest Home in Christchurch. Effie probably resided with her grandfather (George Huxford) at Hokitika and kept house for him in his old age.

All was not fine for Warren, however. In June 1931 at the Temuka Magistrate’s Court, George Warren Huxford was charged with failing to comply with the terms of a maintenance order, being in arrears to the extent of £25/2/6. After perusing a statement made by the defendant, the Magistrate said he would adjourn the case until 8 September as Huxford appeared to be doing his best to pay. This surely related to his illegitimate child, as he had been ordered on 31 August 1917 to pay maintenance of his illegitimate child. He was proceeded against again in September, on a charge of being in arrears in payment of a maintenance order to the extent of £28. Since June he had paid £1 2s 6d. He wrote to the Court expressing his inability to pay. No order was made, the Magistrate observing that he was sincere in that he had made an honest attempt to pay. A Gazette published on 22 December 1942 contained the names of reservists in South Canterbury of the age of 18, and married men from 41 to 45 years, called for service in the Armed Forces. One of those called up was George Warren Huxford of Taiko Flat, where Warren and Lottie were living in the early 1940s.

Warren and Lottie had two children (Wendy and Peter). Lottie Mavis Huxford petitioned for divorce from George Warren on the grounds of adultery in July 1943 at Timaru. On 27 July at the Supreme Court, a decree nisi, to be moved absolute after three months, was granted when Lottie Mavis Huxford petitioned for divorce from George Warren Huxford on the grounds of alleged adultery. Petitioner gave evidence that they had been married at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Christchurch, on 21 April 1930 There were two children of the marriage (Wendy and Peter). They had lived at Richmond, the Maronan Road and at Taiko. Her husband had left the Waipiata Sanatorium as a patient when she was living at Taiko. In June. 1942 petitioner had left Taiko and had taken a home for herself and the children at Timaru. While at Taiko she had reason to suspect her husband’s fidelity. Petitioner knew the woman concerned who lived about three miles from petitioner’s place at Taiko. When the witness was living in Chalmers Street, Timaru, respondent had come to see her. She taxed him in the presence of her daughter, with taking this woman to the Club Hotel. Oamaru. and living there with her as his wife. He replied: — “I don't know how you get your information. It is no use denying it. You know too much.” . . . . . Petitioner was granted the interim custody of the children, costs of the action to be borne by respondent. In July 1944, Lottie was granted a decree absolute and was to have custody of the children. George moved to Christchurch in 1943, while Lottie moved to Dunedin where she remarried and died (1952).

George Warren Huxford married for a third time, to Noela Marie Relling in 1945. Now Noela had been at Taiko with her parents from coming of age in 1938 through to 1943 at least. Warren and Noela who lived in Christchurch for the rest of their lives, had three children (Claire, Bill and Louise). In May 1967 G. W. Huxford was fined for a traffic offence – exceeding 30 miles an hour; and in March 1970 for failing to comply with traffic lights. In September 1970, the engagement of their elder daughter, Claire Frances Huxford, was announced; in December 1970, the engagement of their only son, Harold William Huxford (Bill); and in December 1972, the engagement of their younger daughter, Louise Huxford, was announced.

George Warren Huxford died at 7 Port Hills Road, Christchurch (his residence) on 17 October 1982, aged 85 years – dearly loved husband and companion of Noela and loved father of his children and grandchildren. Some of his children were named in individual notices – Peter, Wendy, Louise and Bill and their families). A private family cremation service was held. Noela who was twenty years younger than Warren died on 30 August 2014 and was cremated too. A plaque at Woodlawn (Canterbury) Memorial Gardens marks the interment of their ashes. The eldest daughter of George Warren Huxford, Euphemia Edna Huxford (known as Effie), married a US marine at Wellington in 1943, Gilbert Carter Pritchard. Sometime between 1946 and 1950 Effie and Gilbert moved to the United States where they had two daughters. Effie died in 2006, predeceased by Gilbert in 1965. Wendy and Peter (children of the second marriage) have also died, Wendy interred at Pleasant Point.

Warren’s older brother William Thomas Huxford was killed in action at Gallipoli in 1915. In September 1914 his father George gave a sack of fowl wheat which brought 10 shillings for the Temuka Patriotic Fund; and in March 1915 his sister Effie gave 10 shillings for the Queen Carnival Competition in aid of the Temuka Belgian Fund. G. Huxford, Temuka, donated to the Red Triangle appeal in March 1918. George Huxford, senior, died on 2 July 1940, as the result of injuries and shock suffered when he was knocked over by a bicycle in the street in Hokitika. He was buried at Hokitika with his wife, Euphemia King Huxford, who had died at the Westland Hospital, Hokitika in November 1939. She was survived by her husband, four daughters and two sons. They had moved to Hokitika in the mid-1920s.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [19 November 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5541 0058600) [25 June 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5562 0131932) [29 April 2014]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [28 April 2015]; Oamaru Mail, 3 October 1912, Temuka Leader, 27 May 1913, 16 December 1913, 19 March 1914, 21 August 1917, 25 October 1917, 4 & 25 January 1919, 1 & 18 February 1919, 11 June 1931, 10 September 1931, Timaru Herald, 13 March 1914, 5 & 6 August 1914, 9 September 1914, 5 March 1915, 21 August 1917, 11 & 23 October 1917, 20 March 1918, 20 December 1918, 11, 16 & 21 January 1919, 11, 13 & 19 February 1919, 23 May 1919, 26 July 1919, 10 June 1931, 9 September 1931, 23 December 1942, 22 & 29 July 1943, 19 & 26 July 1944, Lyttelton Times, 21 August 1917, 9 October 1920, Press, 23 December 1918, 23 May 1919, 13 May 1922, 13 March 1928, 21 November 1935, 4 May 1967, 12 March 1970, 26 September 1970, 5 December 1970, 28 December 1972, 20 October 1982, Otago Daily Times, 15 January 1919, Dominion, 15 January 1919, NZ Herald, 15 January 1919, Otago Witness, 22 January 1919, Star, 5 September 1922, 24 April 1930, 6 April 1933, Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1930, Grey River Argus, 25 July 1940 (Papers Past) [21 November 2013; 28 April 2015; 02 May 2015; 19 December 2015; 22 August 2020; 05 May 2023; 02 July 2023; 31 March 2026; 11, 12 & 13 July 2026]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com,au)

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• HUXFORD George Warren - newspaper clippings (pdf, 161.3 KB updated 14-Aug-2026)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS