Thornton Family Photo Album

The family, 1953-1965

Judith and Garth were married in Wellington in July 1953. Garth was 23 and Judith was 20. Far too young you might think and certainly we were inexperienced in the ways of the world, and probably naive. In 1954, with help, we were able to purchase a small, quite new, house in Johnsonville. Rog joined us there in September 1954 and Rozz joined the family in September 1956.

In January 1958 we began our big adventure. First on the Southern Cross, departing with streamers and all from Wellington headed for Durban in South Africa. We were seasick most of the way. Then by an ancient ‘Canadair’ on an all day flight to Dar es Salaam in Tanganyika (now Tanzania). Later we spent some months in Mwanza in the north of the country. From mid-1961 until 1965 we lived in Nairobi, Kenya. Nick joined the family in July 1961 in Nairobi.

The early photos in this book come from our Johnsonville years, 1954 until the end of 1957. The first ones are black and white photos of a very young Rog, before we got a camera that could take colour shots.

The later photos, from 1958 to 1965, were taken in East Africa, except for periods of leave back in New Zealand.

For us, these first years of marriage were full of interest and excitement, and the early days of Rog, Rozz and Nick enhanced the excitement and interest and enriched our lives immeasurably.

Grandparents at Rozz’s baptism 1957
Rozz being held by George Thornton, with Mabel Thornton and Clarice and Phil Cryer
Johnsonville, New Zealand.

Rozz and Rog in the ‘train’.
Johnsonville, New Zealand.

Rozz and Rog, November 1957.
Johnsonville, New Zealand.

Phil Cryer sitting for a portrait, painted by Julia Lynch.

On his chest he’s wearing his war medals, and around his neck is the insignia of a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). He was honoured in the 1953 New Year Honours List and personally decorated with the Order by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 when she visited New Zealand.

George and Mabel Thornton, with Mabel’s sister Florence.

Rog ‘helping’ his granddad, George Thornton.
Havelock North, Christmas 1957.

Rog and Rozz with Juma and Dorias, our servants, April 1958.
Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika (now Tanzania).

Rog and Rozz, 1959.
Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika (now Tanzania).

Rog and Rozz with Katherine Wickham outside our house.
Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika (now Tanzania).

Rog and Rozz on home leave, 1961.
Havelock North, New Zealand

Rog and Rozz, 1961
Mwanza, Tanganyika (now Tanzania).

Rog and Rozz, 1961
Mwanza, Tanganyika (now Tanzania).

Nick, August 1961.
Nairobi, Kenya.

Garth, the proud dad holding Nick, August 1961.
Nairobi, Kenya.

The family, including Perry the dog, at Nick’s christening, 1961.
Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya.

Rog and Rozz with our servants Simon and Maine holding Nick, at Nick’s christening 1961.
Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya.

Judith holding Nick, with Rog (in his Lavington School uniform) and Rozz, September 1961.
Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya.

Rog (in his Lavington School uniform), Rozz and Perry the dog, September 1961.
Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya.

Judith, Rog, Rozz and Nick on leave, having a picnic with Jennifer and Roger Bate,January 1963.
Lake Tutira, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.

Rozz hanging up the washing while on leave in February 1963.
Cooper Street, Wellington, New Zealand.

Rog home on leave, with Mabel and George Thornton, Barbara, Grace, Deidre and Jack Lewis, 1963.
New Zealand.

Rog, home on leave, with cousin Lindsay Nicholls, 1963.
Taranaki, New Zealand.

Nick eating at Rozz’s 7th birthday party, 1963.
Allen Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

Rozz, Nick and Rog needing a drink, 1963.
Allen Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

Rozz, Nick and Rog with Simon and Maine, 1964.
Allen Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

Judith, Rozz and Nick with friends Charmian and Paul Treadwell and family, at the Limuru races, 1964.
Nairobi, Kenya.