FrancisTrotter (Uncle Frank)

Frank, the 4th child and second son of the Alex and Annie Trotter family was born on 9.3.1888 and died on 30.9.1957 aged 69.  Frank married Gertrude Sophia Newman an English War Bride in the Parish Church of Ellacombe in the county of Devon U K on the 3rd September 1919.
Gertrude was the only child of the Torquay Chemist, George Newman and Sophia Lucy Discombe.  After the 1918 war Francis worked for a short time as a butcher supplying the troops. Their first child Alex was born in the U K. They returned to N Z to the Sandspit Road home farm and then in 1922 to the Wrights Road Farm at Matakana.

Frank and Gertie had  ten children. 1. Alexander George b.20.12.1920. (Born in the U K) 2. Alfred Harold b.3.9.1922. 3. Jean b.12.8.1929. 4. Henry b.16.4.1927. 5. Bruce b.26.10.1928. 6. Dougas b.14.2.1930. 7. Thelma Dorothy b.28.8.1932. 8. Marjory b 5.4.1934 (adopted out) 9. Ronald b.5.6.1935. 10. Audrey b.14.8.1937   Gertie was unwell after the birth of Marjory who was cared for by her Aunty Olive (nee Roke) who later adopted her.

The family lived on their dairy farm at Wrights Road, Matakana where Ron and Eileen's sons farm the property today.

                      Frank about 1914-15

                         Frank and Gertrude's Wedding 3rd September 1919 at Ellacombe U K

                                  Gertie

                      Gertie and Frank at daughter Thelma and Colin Copestake's Wedding  30.7.1955
                              Obituary: Mr. F. Trotter   [ from R&W Times 2nd October 1957]
The sudden death of Mr. Francis Trotter at Warkworrth on Monday removes one of the most industrious and successful farmers in the Matakana district.  By dint of hard work and sound planning, the late Mr. Trotter leaves behind him one of the outstanding farms of the district.  It was only in June last year that Mr. Trotter decided, at the age of 69 years to retire to Warkworth, and his mixed holding at Matakana was taken over by two of his six sons, Messrs.Harry and Bruce Trotter, after 37 years' development from the infested tea-tree stage to it's present high standards.  Prior to his going overseas in World War 1 as a member of the N.Z. Rifle Brigade, Mr. Trotter was a butcher in Warkworth, as friendly rival of one of the town's butcher's, Mr. H. Stubbs.  Actually they both went overseas together, and each, happily enough, returned with war brides to rear fine families.

The late Mr. Trotter was son of a pioneer settler of the district, who came from Scotland to the Matakana district in the early seventies.  A former director of the Matakana Dairy company, the late Mr. Francis Trotter at one stage could only milk nine cows so poorly developed was his holding.  To-day, the two sons milk ten times that number, as well as running dry stock, including sheep.  Keen on show horses prior to his going to World War 1, the late Mr. Trotter was enthusiastic throughout his life in horses and stock shows, as well as being a keen sporting enthusiast in many other spheres.  He was also a keen gardening enthusiast.  Beside his wife, he is survived by two brothers, Messrs. David Trotter, [Warkworth] and Alex, two sisters,  Mrs. N Hamilton and Mrs. G. Wallace, six sons, Messrs.Alex [Helensville],Fred, Harry, Bruce, Doug, [Maungaturoto] and Ron, and three daughters, Jean [Te kuiti], Thelma [Mrs.C. Copestake] and Miss Audrey Trotter.

The funeral took place at Matakana Cemetry this afternoon, Following a service at the Matakana Presbyterian Church.                                            Back