Lawton RANDELL 1880
Lawton Randell was the first child born into the marriage of Nathaniel Randell and Ellen Brennen. Lawton was born 20 October, 1880 presumably at Khyber Pass Road, Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand.
In keeping with the other males in the family he was a plumber and was recorded in Trade Directories of the period. Also a 'Norton' Randell appeared in the 1916 Wises Trade Directory as a plumber living at 18 Eden Street, Newmarket. I think it's safe to assume Norton is Lawton.
Beyond this evidence 'L Randell' advertised in Auckland Star, placing several positions vacant between 1910 and 1914. They took the form of 'Plumber Wanted, competent hand' or 'Lad wanted to learn Plumbing Trade, good opening. Apply L Randell, Plumber' etc.
In 1912 Lawton, aged 32, married Ann Johnson Dickson born 1883. The event was also celebrated in the newspaper stating 'RANDELL ~ DICKSON. - Married 17 April, 1912 at Saint Luke's Minster, Remuera, by Rev G. Meara. Lawton Randell, eldest son of Nathaniel Randell of Newmarket, to Annie Dickson daughter of the late Robert Dickson of Ponsonby.'
The coming years saw two additional placements in the birth column of the Auckland Star, '17 May, 1915 at their residence, Trafalgar Street, Onehunga to Mr and Mrs Lauton (sic) Randell, a son. Both doing well.' and six years later '4 September, 1921 at 12, New Street, Newmarket to Mr. and Mrs. L. Randell, a daughter. Both well.'
Around 1919 real estate agent W J Brewin listed in his testimonials, satisfied customers Mr. L. Randall of Trafalgar Street, Onehunga and slightly later down the same list Mrs. Randell of Trafalgar Street, Mount Eden. The same ad listed a property in Trafalgar Street available for '£800 Cash'.
Two months earlier the Auckland Star, 28 March 1919 ran the following, 'For Sale by Tender – the removal 6 roomed house in Trafalgar St, Onehunga. - Mrs. E. Randell, Hesketh St., Glenmore.' Mrs E Randell was Lawtons mother Ellen who at this point was living with her daughter Coralie Purdom.
Lawton and Annie lived together until Lawton died aged 67 years. His death was reported on 22 February 1948 and he was buried two days later in Purewa Cemetery, Auckland under the auspices of the Presbyterian church.
Annie lived considerably longer than her husband and died aged 90, 21 June 1973. She was buried with her husband also in Purewa.
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Darcy Prestage RANDELL 1890
Darcy Prestage Randell was the sixth child of Nathaniel Randell and Ellen Brennen. His birth was registered in the Onehuga district of Auckland, New Zealand in 1890. Despite living on a different continent, Darcy's uncle was Paul Prestage, as Darcy's father's sister, Honorine had married Paul Prestage and travelled to America the same year Nathaniel left for New Zealand. It appears Nathaniel and his sister Honorine kept in touch by letter but it is not unreasonable that Paul and Nathaniel had been friends in England.
Darcy like his brothers and father was a plumber. He was recorded in trade directories and the electoral roll of 1914 details him as a plumber living in Hill Street, Newmarket. Beyond this the Evening Post, 29 July 1922 states 'The Plumbers' Board of New Zealand met to endorse the following results of the examinations held on 24 June: Theoretical examination: Darcy P. Randell, passed.
Darcy married Inez Dean, 5 May, 1913 and the couple had their only child, Frederick Darcy Randell in 1916. Unfortunately, in 1924 the marriage formally dissolved and a divorce was granted by the courts on the grounds of desertion.
The Auckland Star, 22 August 1924 details the court proceeding in a feature titled, 'Fond Of Others'. In the article Inez was quoted reflecting that, 'Owing to my husband's fondness for other women, we were not happy.'
The case established that Darcy, a plumber, had been away at the war for four years and had been pursuing other relationships. 'Eighteen months earlier a separation order was issued, but they had lived together in a haphazard way since then from time to time.' In June of 1924 Inez received a letter from Darcy, seeking a reconciliation, as he had 'finished with women now.' Unfortunately for him, the letter contained an admission of misconduct and intimated that he would not defend a divorce action. A divorce was granted and costs awarded against Darcy. It was further agreed their only son Frederick should live with Inez.
I feel a certain sympathy for Darcy, it seems the War interrupted his life significantly. Another article detailed in the Auckland Star, 25 November 1915, places Darcy P. Randell of Campbell Road. Onehunga, marching with 77 others to be 'farewelled in the usual enthusiastic manner by the public lining the footpaths last night, and in spite of the rain there were large crowds both in the main street and at the railway station'.
Unable to stay out of the press, Darcy had the misfortune to appear yet again in the Auckland Star, 8 November, 1917 under an article 'Dominion Heroes' which listed the names of 16 local men 'killed in action' and 62 wounded. Under the sub-section, 'Auckland Infantry - Reported Wounded, was the line, - RANDELL, Darcy P - Mrs. Randell, Mount Smart Road, Onehunga.'
The time line unfolds as married in 1913, sent off to war in 1915 and the birth of his son 1916, wounded 1917, demobbed and return to Auckland in 1919 and divorced in 1924.
Darcy Prestage Randell died in 16 May 1957 was buried in the Returned Services area of Waikumete Cemetery. Anecdotally, he may have served in both wars.
He left a Will but I have no idea of the content. At the time of his death Darcy lived with his son Frederic, Eileen and their young family.
Prior to the Great War, Darcy and one or more of his brothers also appears to have been significant members of Newmarket Volunteer Fire Service. As a team and individuals 'D. & L. Randell' won several prizes in demonstration events. On several occasions they are warmly commended for their successes in the Auckland Star.
Information on Inez Dean is rather scant but there is a suggestion that she was never to remarry but formed a long relationship. In the 1916 issue of Wises Directory, Mrs Inez Randell appeared as the sole adult resident of Stuart Street, Onehunga. Other than that I understand that she died in around 1946.
Inez and Darcy's son, Frederick Darcy Randell married Eileen Mary Sullivan. Together they had three children who continue to expand the legacy today.
Frederick Darcy Randell died in Auckland aged 74 in 6 December 1990, whilst Eileen Mary Sullivan born around 1921, died four years later 15 September 1994.
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