Newspaper Article 1948 – “Coronation Triplets”

“Coronation Triplets”

Mary, Rose and Elizabeth Anderson, of Hawke’s Bay, who were born on Coronation Day, 1937. Other photographs of the sisters appear on page 19, and an article on page 12.

HAWKE’S BAY TRIPLETS HAVE A LOVE FOR COUNTRY

By a Correspondent

ALIKE as the proverbial peas in a pod, Hawke’s Bay “Coronation Triplets,” Mary, Elizabeth and Rose are growing up fast. The three likeable, lively daughters of Mr and Mrs J. C. Anderson, of Hastings district, were born on May 12, 1937, and for this reason were given their “royal” names.

Their mother and members of the Anderson family can readily distinguish the girls, but to most other people their identities are a puzzle, and they are just “the trips.” In later years the girls’ individual characters have emerged and it is by these mannerisms that they are more easily distinguished. The birth of the triplets 11½ years ago was officially recognised by the grant of a £3 Royal bounty from Buckingham Palace. This was the beginning of the girls’ savings bank accounts.

The three girls are a tremendous help on their parents’ farm. Mary milks the cows, helps with the separating and delights in the outdoor life. Elizabeth likes to help with the calves and also is an “outside” girl. Rose takes care of the fowls and chickens, but she is essentially the “indoor” girl who likes to sew and help her mother about the house.

Always identically dressed, the triplets invariably attract attention and comment when they are out. In spite of this attention, the girls are completely unspoiled and unaffected. About the farm they wear denims and other working clothes – all exactly the same.

During the years their mother has kept a most interesting record in the form of a diary of the children’s weights and measurements. At birth Mary was 4lb 4oz, Elizabeth 4lb 10oz and Rose 5lb. At six months their respective weights were 14lb 1oz, 13lb 14oz and 14lb 2oz. Mary started to walk at 17 months and one week, Elizabeth at 17 months and two weeks and Rose at 16 months and two weeks. They all had measles and mumps at three years and three months. Trouble with tonsils and adenoids afflicted the three simultaneously at three years and eight months and all had chickenpox and measles at eight years and seven months.

At 11½ years, the girls’ measurements were: –  Rose, weight, 5st 10¾lb, height, 4ft 9½in; Elizabeth, weight, 5st 9lb, height, 4ft 8½in; Mary, weight, 5st 8lb, height, 4ft 8¼in. Pictures of the triplets appear on page 19.

THE WEEKLY NEWS

With which is Incorporated “THE WEEKLY GRAPHIC AND NEW ZEALAND MAIL”

AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 24, 1948

Photo captions –

Hawke’s Bay’s “Coronation” triplets: Elizabeth, Mary and Rose Anderson, born on Coronation Day, 1937

The three girls are a great help on their parents’ farm in the Hastings district.  Elizabeth tends the calves, Mary takes a share in the milking and Rose looks after the poultry.

Mr and Mrs J. C. Anderson with their three daughters, Elizabeth, Mary and Rose.

“THE CORONATION TRIPLETS”: SISTERS BORN ON CORONATION DAY ARE NOW ELEVEN YEARS OLD

Mary, Elizabeth and Rose the “Coronation triplet” daughters of Mr and Mrs J. C. Anderson, of the Hastings district, were born on May 12, 1937, the day the King and Queen were crowned in Westminster Abbey. Their birth was officially recognised by the grant of a £3 Royal bounty, which was the beginning of their savings bank accounts. At birth Mary weighed 4lb 4oz, Elizabeth 4lb 10oz and Rose 5lb. They are now respectively 5st 8lb, 5st 9lb and 5st 10¾lb. An article appears on page 12.