James Clutterbuck
Born Northwood, England 1856 – 1929
Story by James's great grandson, Ian Clutterbuck
Story by James's great grandson, Ian Clutterbuck
Martha and James Clutterbuck
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James Clutterbuck was born in Northwood, Westbury on Severn, and Gloucestershire, England on 24 August 1856 to William (18.03.1820 – 30.08.1905) and Caroline Clutterbuck (nee Baldwin) (01.04.1820 – 13.05.1845). James's parents (cousins) were married on 06 May 1845.
William, like his father before him, was the local Blacksmith and young James took up the same occupation. James grand parents, William (23.04.1785 - 17.02.1854) and Sarah (nee Baldwin) (1796 - 24.01.1883) were married on 25 August 1815. James came from a very large family including 3 brothers and 7 sisters Olivera, Jane, William, Emma (died aged 4 years), Henry, Rhoda, James, Caroline, John, Emma (2 x), and Maria. |
From a recruitment agent George Holloway, James heard of the wonderful life that New Zealand could offer, and on 10 August 1878 he left England on the sailing/steam ship Hydaspes bound for Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch, New Zealand, leaving his old life for good.
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On 09 November 1878, James arrived at Lyttelton. Shortly after, he made his way to Stonyhurst, a North Canterbury Sheep farm, where he served as an assistant blacksmith and wheelwright. By late 1880, James got restless again and moved back towards Christchurch. Stopping at Woodend, he worked for the Judson family as their blacksmith and while there met one of their daughters, Martha Maria Judson (born 07 January 1862) who was the first white women to be born in the Woodend, North Canterbury district. At the time, Maria was a mid wife and she continued on this service for the rest of her life. James and Martha were married at Woodend on 15 November 1881 and moved out to Oxford where James had bought some land and ran a blacksmith shop.
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Hydaspes, 1878
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Due to a fire at his property in Oxford, James moved to Sydenham, Christchurch where they had 5 Children, Daisy (born 19 August 1882 at Amberley), William George (born 03 August 1883 in Sydenham), and Ethel Sybil (born 06 August 1884) Herbert Walter Osborne (born 30 January 1887 in Kaiapoi), and George Arnold (born 17 March 1889 in Sydenham). However, James became discontent in New Zealand and moved his family to Melbourne Australia (some time between 1889 and 1892) where on 12 February 1892 at Footscray, Bourke (Victoria) William James was born before James moved the family again back to Papanui in Christchurch New Zealand.
There, they had Charles John (born 13 March 1894), Daisy May (born 20 May 1896), Clifford Judson (born 26 August 1898) and Bruce Baldwin (born 31 August 1900). Then the family moved to Johnsonville Wellington, where they had their last 3 children Donald Victor (born 17 January 1903), Victor Douglas (born 12 September 1904 in Johnsonville), and finally Francis Henry (born 22 September 1906 at Beach Street, Petone).
Once again, James moved his family, although this time for the final time back to Sydenham, Christchurch. James had a hard life, going bankrupt twice, once in Oxford North Canterbury (05 January 1882) and again in Wellington (Johnsonville, 02 February 1905).
James was a hard man who brought his family up tough and took no nonsense from them, whereas his wife Martha was most of the time the opposite. She evidently loved her children and as a midwife was responsible for bringing most of her grand children into the world.
James died on 29 March 1929 and was buried in Christchurch. Martha out lived James by over 10 years, and eventually died on 15 November 1940 and was buried with her husband.
There, they had Charles John (born 13 March 1894), Daisy May (born 20 May 1896), Clifford Judson (born 26 August 1898) and Bruce Baldwin (born 31 August 1900). Then the family moved to Johnsonville Wellington, where they had their last 3 children Donald Victor (born 17 January 1903), Victor Douglas (born 12 September 1904 in Johnsonville), and finally Francis Henry (born 22 September 1906 at Beach Street, Petone).
Once again, James moved his family, although this time for the final time back to Sydenham, Christchurch. James had a hard life, going bankrupt twice, once in Oxford North Canterbury (05 January 1882) and again in Wellington (Johnsonville, 02 February 1905).
James was a hard man who brought his family up tough and took no nonsense from them, whereas his wife Martha was most of the time the opposite. She evidently loved her children and as a midwife was responsible for bringing most of her grand children into the world.
James died on 29 March 1929 and was buried in Christchurch. Martha out lived James by over 10 years, and eventually died on 15 November 1940 and was buried with her husband.
The children of James and Martha Clutterbuck
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1. Daisy, born August 19 1882 – Died under one year old. Daisy was born in Amberley, North Canterbury, and died within the year.
2: William George, born August 03 1883. Died under one year old. William George was born in Sydenham, Christchurch and died within the year. |
Christchurch Panorama 1895 by Unknown
Image courtesy of www.prints.co.nz
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3: Ethel Sybil, born 06 August 1884 - 07 June 1972.
Ethel Sybil was born at Queen Street, Christchurch. She remained with her family until she married John Paul (born 28 February 1879 - 1951) on 23 February 1905 at Johnsonville, Wellington. It was reported that Ethel once told her mother (Martha) off for having 13 children and then went on to have 13 children of her own.
After their marriage, they moved to Petone in Wellington where they stayed until 1912 when they moved to Christchurch for two to three years before returning to the Hutt Valley in Wellington. On the death of John in 1951, Ethel remarried in 1951 to a George Thompson (details unknown) in Lower Hutt. While on a visit to Christchurch to see family and friends, she had an accident and was hospitalised, never regaining her mobility. Later care was achieved at Coronation Hospital (now demolished) in the suburb of Cashmere in Christchurch where she died on 07 June 1972 aged 87. She is buried in the Bromley Cemetery in Christchurch.
Ethel Sybil was born at Queen Street, Christchurch. She remained with her family until she married John Paul (born 28 February 1879 - 1951) on 23 February 1905 at Johnsonville, Wellington. It was reported that Ethel once told her mother (Martha) off for having 13 children and then went on to have 13 children of her own.
After their marriage, they moved to Petone in Wellington where they stayed until 1912 when they moved to Christchurch for two to three years before returning to the Hutt Valley in Wellington. On the death of John in 1951, Ethel remarried in 1951 to a George Thompson (details unknown) in Lower Hutt. While on a visit to Christchurch to see family and friends, she had an accident and was hospitalised, never regaining her mobility. Later care was achieved at Coronation Hospital (now demolished) in the suburb of Cashmere in Christchurch where she died on 07 June 1972 aged 87. She is buried in the Bromley Cemetery in Christchurch.
John Paul and Ethel Sybil (nee Clutterbuck)
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Children of Ethel and John Paul
Donald Florance, born 19 December 1905 - 1979, Ruby,born 02 January 1907 – 20 August 1926, Ethel Annie (Dolly), born 02 December 1908 – 23 April 1989 Patrick John, born 31 January 1911 – unknown William James, 1912 – 1913 Eric Clarence, 1913 – 1914 Herbert Ernest, born 29 January 1916 – unknown Kenneth, born 25 January 1918 – unknown Mona Evelyn, born 08 January 1920 – unknown Stewart Edwin, born 31 December 1923 – 26 October 1967 Victor Alec, born 11 January 1924 – 28 December 1945 Ngaire Margaret, born 22 January 1926 – 02 June 1979 Keith Arnold, born 08 January 1928 – current |
4. Herbert Walter Osbourne, born 30 January 1887 – 27 February 1969
Herbert Walter Osborne was born in Kaiapoi, New Zealand. Bert, as he was known, was employed as a truck driver with Empire Express. On 28 June 1917, he joined the army and served during World War I in France, gaining the British war medal and the Victory Medal. Bert served in the occupation army from 1918 to 1919 when he was discharged from duty on 03 August 1919. After the war, he returned to his former employer for a time. On 15 October 1923, Bert married Edith Ledsham (born 05 March 1893 – 26 December 1966). They had one daughter, Doreen Louise (born 12 June 1927). Bert was a friendly man who would always go out of his way and was highly thought of by everyone. Bert died on 27 February 1969 in Christchurch.
5. GEORGE ARNOLD, born 17 March 1889 – 10 April 1956
George Arnold was born in Christchurch. He was the sort of person that was always up to mischief. Even as an adult, George appeared to be in it somehow. He married Elizabeth Stuart Merin (? – 1918) in 1912. She was the proprietor of the Waterloo private hotel in Colombo Street Christchurch, but she died of a heart problem in 1918 while staying in Wellington. Until his death, George always carried a lock of her hair.
George was a real character, unassuming, and he got on well with his brothers and sisters. He was a heavy smoker (mainly a pipe). As with most of his brothers, horses were his interest and in 1911 he was employed as a groom. He was one of the last Hansom cab drivers in Christchurch. I was told on occasions he used to take a fare to Addington, enter the horse in a race, and then take a fare home again. George had his own registered racing colours as both owner and trainer. As well as being one of the first registered motorcar taxi cab drivers, he must have been the first boy racer in Christchurch. Most people who rode in a car with him would tell of hair-raising experiences and would never ride with him again.
During the early 1930’s George bought a carrying business with some of his brothers working with him when he was busy. George was a National party supporter (right wing in politics) and when the Labour Party (left wing in politics) became the government he decided that his business would be ruined through too much regulation by this radical new government, so he sold the business to E H Boyce. His youngest brother (Francis Henry) went with the new company until his retirement.
Memories of George from some of his nephews show and tell us a lot of his character. Francis Henry and George often went to out of town races in Georges car. He always gave his brother the car keys, with himself a passenger driver, telling his brother to pass the six cars ahead with 200 hundred yards to a bend. His comments were “plant your foot, you can pass them all before the bend". His brother being smart, fiend deafness and didn’t obey the request. The gate posts were a challenge to him because he always knocked them over, until his youngest brother put in old railway sleepers, widened the opening, and shifted them back 6 foot. George never hit them again.
Uncle George was always a very willing helper but on several occasions things just seemed to go wrong when he helped, like splitting green wood. When George was due to arrive, it was immediately down tools, to hide them and any sign of what they were doing. However, they were too slow and George showed up early, saw some of the equipment (a maul and steel wedge), and proceeded to continue to split green wood causing the wedge to fly out, hit him on the nose from which he just had recovered from a broken nose. He came into the house blood streaming everywhere and off to the hospital again to re-fix his nose. George died on 10 April 1956 while boring a hole in a gatepost at his home in Boardsley Street. George and Elizabeth never had any children.
6: William James, born 12 February 1892 – October 15 1939
William James was born in Footscray, Melbourne, Australia, after the young Clutterbuck family moved across the Tasman. All we know of William is that he was a sick person with heart problems and spent most of his life in and out of hospital. William married Elsie Watson (1900 – 06 September 1986). William died on 15 October 1939 of a leaking valve of the heart. Children of William and Elsie Clutterbuck:
7. Charles John, born 13 March 1894 – 06 June 1949
Charles John was born at Papanui Christchurch. Very little is known about him but as a child he sold newspapers on the trains and from age 17 until 1924 he worked as a seaman between the U.S.A, Australia, and New Zealand. His address on known records was given as Wellington. On 08 November 1924, Charles married Ellen (Nellie) McGrath (1894 – 1967), and they lived in Cambrose, Sydney, Australia. However, we know that he spent some time with his brothers as a jockey in the North Island. Charles died on 06 June 1949 at Cambrose House, in Sydney. Charles and Ellen never had any children.
8. Daisy May, born 20 May 1897 – October 29 1949
Daisy May was born at Papanui Christchurch. Daisy led a very troubled life after her marriage to Charles George Chatfield (1895 – 1975) on 19 January 1916 at Christchurch. Daisy was described as a type of person that was very generous and understanding of others and would help others that were in trouble. Her husband was totally the opposite, fiery and temperamental. If Daisy’s brothers knew what he did to her they would personally have sent him to his grave. Living with him was very difficult for everyone as reported by one of their daughters, who spent more time at her Chatfield’s grandmother's place than at home. Daisy’s life was a hard but brave life, and she never let it sour her outlook. Daisy died on 29 October 1949 in Auckland, New Zealand. Children of Daisy and Charles Chatfield:
9. Clifford Judson, born 26 August 26 1898 – November 1981
Clifford Judson was born in Papanui, Christchurch. Very little is known about him but in 1912 or 13 at the age of either 14 or 15 years he vanished to the San Francisco Fair in the United States. On his return, he was given a massive hiding by his father (James) for vanishing. During world war one he spent some time in Featherston and Trentham before he moved back to Christchurch where he worked for Ballin’s brewery looking after the horses. After that, he went to work on the wharf. From there, he retired to work at Glenelg Health Camp, a place for kids in need.
Clifford married Hillary Greta Gipsy Welsh (born 12 July 1903 – August 1981). Clifford Judson died November 1981. Children of Clifford and Hillary Clutterbuck:
10. Bruce Baldwin, born 31 August 1900 – December 13 1976
Bruce Baldwin was born at Sydenham Christchurch. Nothing is known of his early life but he was asked by his mother to be looked after by his youngest brother Francis Henry where he became part of his extended family. Although over the age limit, on 14 March 1941, Bruce entered the army as a private serving his basic training at Trentham from 03 July 1941 to his departure on 13 September 1941. Arriving at Helwan, Egypt, he served in the army medical corps there until 30 September 1945. Bruce was only 5 foot 4 inches tall but during his service he was awarded the Africa Star 1939 –1945, 1939-1945 Star, Defence medal, War medal 1939-1945, and the N.Z War Service Medal.
On his return to New Zealand on 30 September 1945, and following his discharge from the army on the 4 January 1946, as promised a room was waiting at his youngest brothers place. To this, his brother and wife honoured his mother’s wishes. It must have been frustrating at times, as Bruce was not the adventurous type and stayed fairly close to his home comforts. However, Bruce never shirked his share of providing for his brothers young family, for example buying the weeks meat from the local butcher, bringing it home in a sugar bag, and telling his brothers wife it was half the actual price. It was his way of supplementing the family budget. Apparently his brother’s wife was aware of his deception and it annoyed her no end, but she never did pay the full price.
The family’s memories of Bruce are of a short man, puffing on a fag, lollies in his waistcoat pocket in various states of stickiness, walking to work, (he was a very fast walker, always walking at a very brisk pace). He only relented to taking the bus in his later years. He never obtained a drivers licence, so it was walk, bus, or by car with his younger brother and his wife. He once tried to ride a bike, fell off, and never tried it again. That was his determination for you. His greatest love was the garden and he spent many hours tending to the vegetable patch. His other favourite hobby was betting on the races especially when he had brothers in the racing industry.
Bruce’s character was described as a plodder letting nothing get to him, unlike his brothers, most of whom had short fuses. He worked for Arthur Yates, seed merchants, for a time and then as a cleaner at the Theatre Royal. This was a bonus for his nieces and nephews as they managed to get free tickets to some of the shows there. The lolly shop next door was well known for all their imported sweets and through Bruce they got to try some of the products regularly. By the time his youngest brother moved to his retirement home, Bruce was getting too hard to manage and was fully retired and becoming infirm. It was decided to put Bruce into a rest home in Woodham Road to see out his twilight years. He died in the rest home on 13 December 1976 and was laid to rest in the Soldiers Cemetery in Linwood Avenue. Bruce never married unlike the rest of his family.
11. Donald Victor, born 17 January 1903 – 1903
Donald Victor was born in Johnsonville and died the same year of his birth.
12. Victor Douglas, born 12 September 1904 – March 7 1974
Victor Douglas was born in Petone Wellington. To every one that knew Victor (Vic) it meant horses, horses, and more horses. In fact, he was horse mad. He became very well known in the Horse racing industry as a respected trainer, first in the trotting industry, and then in gallopers. During World War II Vic served in the reserves as a trainee and the story often told was that he put a Bren Gun Carrier or Scout car into a swamp. No one is sure if it was deliberate or not, or if even the vehicle was recovered.
Vic was a person like some of his brothers that had an “I will win attitude”, even with stubborn horses that wouldn’t do as they were told, he had the knack of bringing them into submission, by patting it on the nose, giving it a sense of security, then quietly work towards the off side foreleg, one sharp yank and down it would go, this technique was only known by the experienced few and was called the “drop it technique”, even at the cost of substaining a few broken bones and metal plates inserted he still did it no one was going to be his boss.
Vic married late to Jenny Margaret Ellen (born 13 December 1939) on 23 February 1961 in Christchurch. With his wife they became a very successful training team and if female jockeys were allowed then, Jenny would have been one of the first (if not the first). Vic was a very successful trainer, having won the New Zealand cup once and the Winter Cup (very prominent awards in the New Zealand horse racing industry) and was the most successful trainer in New Zealand for quite a few years.
Along the way he became a private trainer to a Mrs. Leigh Page and her husband who arrived from the U.S.A before America entered the war, and were unable to return. Those who remember her, recall her to be a old nasty person dripping in jewels, but they got on well with Vic. On Mrs page’s death things went back to the old tradition of horses, horses, and more horses plus a few chickens thrown in for good measure.
The stories that his nieces and nephews can remember is that Vic had an uncanny way of getting people into the races for free. As told by one of his nephews, once when they were approaching the horse entry gate at Riccarton Raceway with only one pass between us, at the turnstiles he gave his nephew the pass for him to go through, which he did, while Vic gave the horse he was leading a sharp tug on the reins, then ran through the gates with the horse on it’s hind legs and yelling at the attendant to get out of the way. As planned the attendant gave no inclination to obtain Vic's gate pass, so he got in for free. Vic died on 7 March 1974 in Christchurch. Children of Victor and Jenny Clutterbuck:
Further notes from the author
I have been researching the whole Clutterbuck family of New Zealand. There were 3 main groups that came over, two in 1878 on the same ship (Hydapes November 1878), their common ancestor being Thomas Clotterbooke (1515 - 1551). I have part of his will written in 1551, interesting reading. The other group was my great, great grandfathers in 1909. One area remains a mystery the original Clutterbuck's arrived in Dunedin before December 1860 as their first child a girl was born in December that year (can get more precise info) her name was Frances parents being William and Lydia Clutterbuck no one knows how they got to New Zealand their decendents all come from Frances the oldest daughter as the rest of her brother and sisters died under 5 years old. William and Lydia died in Nelson so at some point they moved from Dunedin to Nelson his occupation was listed as a carpenter.
From the site administrator
We've had contact from a few people tracing the Clutterbuck, namely someone researching Isabella Finlay who married a Charles Edward Clutterbuck on 05 November 1912, and Enock and Fanny Clutterbuck, who may have arrived in NZ about the same time as James but settled in Southland. We're always happy to put people in touch, so if you can shed any light on the these Clutterbucks, do let us know.
Herbert Walter Osborne was born in Kaiapoi, New Zealand. Bert, as he was known, was employed as a truck driver with Empire Express. On 28 June 1917, he joined the army and served during World War I in France, gaining the British war medal and the Victory Medal. Bert served in the occupation army from 1918 to 1919 when he was discharged from duty on 03 August 1919. After the war, he returned to his former employer for a time. On 15 October 1923, Bert married Edith Ledsham (born 05 March 1893 – 26 December 1966). They had one daughter, Doreen Louise (born 12 June 1927). Bert was a friendly man who would always go out of his way and was highly thought of by everyone. Bert died on 27 February 1969 in Christchurch.
5. GEORGE ARNOLD, born 17 March 1889 – 10 April 1956
George Arnold was born in Christchurch. He was the sort of person that was always up to mischief. Even as an adult, George appeared to be in it somehow. He married Elizabeth Stuart Merin (? – 1918) in 1912. She was the proprietor of the Waterloo private hotel in Colombo Street Christchurch, but she died of a heart problem in 1918 while staying in Wellington. Until his death, George always carried a lock of her hair.
George was a real character, unassuming, and he got on well with his brothers and sisters. He was a heavy smoker (mainly a pipe). As with most of his brothers, horses were his interest and in 1911 he was employed as a groom. He was one of the last Hansom cab drivers in Christchurch. I was told on occasions he used to take a fare to Addington, enter the horse in a race, and then take a fare home again. George had his own registered racing colours as both owner and trainer. As well as being one of the first registered motorcar taxi cab drivers, he must have been the first boy racer in Christchurch. Most people who rode in a car with him would tell of hair-raising experiences and would never ride with him again.
During the early 1930’s George bought a carrying business with some of his brothers working with him when he was busy. George was a National party supporter (right wing in politics) and when the Labour Party (left wing in politics) became the government he decided that his business would be ruined through too much regulation by this radical new government, so he sold the business to E H Boyce. His youngest brother (Francis Henry) went with the new company until his retirement.
Memories of George from some of his nephews show and tell us a lot of his character. Francis Henry and George often went to out of town races in Georges car. He always gave his brother the car keys, with himself a passenger driver, telling his brother to pass the six cars ahead with 200 hundred yards to a bend. His comments were “plant your foot, you can pass them all before the bend". His brother being smart, fiend deafness and didn’t obey the request. The gate posts were a challenge to him because he always knocked them over, until his youngest brother put in old railway sleepers, widened the opening, and shifted them back 6 foot. George never hit them again.
Uncle George was always a very willing helper but on several occasions things just seemed to go wrong when he helped, like splitting green wood. When George was due to arrive, it was immediately down tools, to hide them and any sign of what they were doing. However, they were too slow and George showed up early, saw some of the equipment (a maul and steel wedge), and proceeded to continue to split green wood causing the wedge to fly out, hit him on the nose from which he just had recovered from a broken nose. He came into the house blood streaming everywhere and off to the hospital again to re-fix his nose. George died on 10 April 1956 while boring a hole in a gatepost at his home in Boardsley Street. George and Elizabeth never had any children.
6: William James, born 12 February 1892 – October 15 1939
William James was born in Footscray, Melbourne, Australia, after the young Clutterbuck family moved across the Tasman. All we know of William is that he was a sick person with heart problems and spent most of his life in and out of hospital. William married Elsie Watson (1900 – 06 September 1986). William died on 15 October 1939 of a leaking valve of the heart. Children of William and Elsie Clutterbuck:
- Lloyd James, born 21 September 1917 – unknown
- William Leonard, born 09 November 1918 – 27 March 1994
- Irene Elsie, born 27 April 1920 – unknown
- Joan Isobel, born 17 April 17 1921
7. Charles John, born 13 March 1894 – 06 June 1949
Charles John was born at Papanui Christchurch. Very little is known about him but as a child he sold newspapers on the trains and from age 17 until 1924 he worked as a seaman between the U.S.A, Australia, and New Zealand. His address on known records was given as Wellington. On 08 November 1924, Charles married Ellen (Nellie) McGrath (1894 – 1967), and they lived in Cambrose, Sydney, Australia. However, we know that he spent some time with his brothers as a jockey in the North Island. Charles died on 06 June 1949 at Cambrose House, in Sydney. Charles and Ellen never had any children.
8. Daisy May, born 20 May 1897 – October 29 1949
Daisy May was born at Papanui Christchurch. Daisy led a very troubled life after her marriage to Charles George Chatfield (1895 – 1975) on 19 January 1916 at Christchurch. Daisy was described as a type of person that was very generous and understanding of others and would help others that were in trouble. Her husband was totally the opposite, fiery and temperamental. If Daisy’s brothers knew what he did to her they would personally have sent him to his grave. Living with him was very difficult for everyone as reported by one of their daughters, who spent more time at her Chatfield’s grandmother's place than at home. Daisy’s life was a hard but brave life, and she never let it sour her outlook. Daisy died on 29 October 1949 in Auckland, New Zealand. Children of Daisy and Charles Chatfield:
- Iris Margaret (Peggy), born 20 October 1915 – last known living in Auckland.
- Eunice Jane , born 11 May 1917 – c 2005, late of Auckland.
- Douglas Judson, born 28 January 1920 – died 28 October 1978, late of Gisbourne.
- Leigh Kathleen Vallery, born 07 January 1926 - last known living in Florida, USA.
9. Clifford Judson, born 26 August 26 1898 – November 1981
Clifford Judson was born in Papanui, Christchurch. Very little is known about him but in 1912 or 13 at the age of either 14 or 15 years he vanished to the San Francisco Fair in the United States. On his return, he was given a massive hiding by his father (James) for vanishing. During world war one he spent some time in Featherston and Trentham before he moved back to Christchurch where he worked for Ballin’s brewery looking after the horses. After that, he went to work on the wharf. From there, he retired to work at Glenelg Health Camp, a place for kids in need.
Clifford married Hillary Greta Gipsy Welsh (born 12 July 1903 – August 1981). Clifford Judson died November 1981. Children of Clifford and Hillary Clutterbuck:
- Rex Graham, born 23 February 1925
- Juanita 1930 – 1945
- Terry 1933 – 1933
- Robin Tex, born 16 September 1936
- Tony Clifford, born 13 October 1939
- Rosemary, born 23 August 1949
10. Bruce Baldwin, born 31 August 1900 – December 13 1976
Bruce Baldwin was born at Sydenham Christchurch. Nothing is known of his early life but he was asked by his mother to be looked after by his youngest brother Francis Henry where he became part of his extended family. Although over the age limit, on 14 March 1941, Bruce entered the army as a private serving his basic training at Trentham from 03 July 1941 to his departure on 13 September 1941. Arriving at Helwan, Egypt, he served in the army medical corps there until 30 September 1945. Bruce was only 5 foot 4 inches tall but during his service he was awarded the Africa Star 1939 –1945, 1939-1945 Star, Defence medal, War medal 1939-1945, and the N.Z War Service Medal.
On his return to New Zealand on 30 September 1945, and following his discharge from the army on the 4 January 1946, as promised a room was waiting at his youngest brothers place. To this, his brother and wife honoured his mother’s wishes. It must have been frustrating at times, as Bruce was not the adventurous type and stayed fairly close to his home comforts. However, Bruce never shirked his share of providing for his brothers young family, for example buying the weeks meat from the local butcher, bringing it home in a sugar bag, and telling his brothers wife it was half the actual price. It was his way of supplementing the family budget. Apparently his brother’s wife was aware of his deception and it annoyed her no end, but she never did pay the full price.
The family’s memories of Bruce are of a short man, puffing on a fag, lollies in his waistcoat pocket in various states of stickiness, walking to work, (he was a very fast walker, always walking at a very brisk pace). He only relented to taking the bus in his later years. He never obtained a drivers licence, so it was walk, bus, or by car with his younger brother and his wife. He once tried to ride a bike, fell off, and never tried it again. That was his determination for you. His greatest love was the garden and he spent many hours tending to the vegetable patch. His other favourite hobby was betting on the races especially when he had brothers in the racing industry.
Bruce’s character was described as a plodder letting nothing get to him, unlike his brothers, most of whom had short fuses. He worked for Arthur Yates, seed merchants, for a time and then as a cleaner at the Theatre Royal. This was a bonus for his nieces and nephews as they managed to get free tickets to some of the shows there. The lolly shop next door was well known for all their imported sweets and through Bruce they got to try some of the products regularly. By the time his youngest brother moved to his retirement home, Bruce was getting too hard to manage and was fully retired and becoming infirm. It was decided to put Bruce into a rest home in Woodham Road to see out his twilight years. He died in the rest home on 13 December 1976 and was laid to rest in the Soldiers Cemetery in Linwood Avenue. Bruce never married unlike the rest of his family.
11. Donald Victor, born 17 January 1903 – 1903
Donald Victor was born in Johnsonville and died the same year of his birth.
12. Victor Douglas, born 12 September 1904 – March 7 1974
Victor Douglas was born in Petone Wellington. To every one that knew Victor (Vic) it meant horses, horses, and more horses. In fact, he was horse mad. He became very well known in the Horse racing industry as a respected trainer, first in the trotting industry, and then in gallopers. During World War II Vic served in the reserves as a trainee and the story often told was that he put a Bren Gun Carrier or Scout car into a swamp. No one is sure if it was deliberate or not, or if even the vehicle was recovered.
Vic was a person like some of his brothers that had an “I will win attitude”, even with stubborn horses that wouldn’t do as they were told, he had the knack of bringing them into submission, by patting it on the nose, giving it a sense of security, then quietly work towards the off side foreleg, one sharp yank and down it would go, this technique was only known by the experienced few and was called the “drop it technique”, even at the cost of substaining a few broken bones and metal plates inserted he still did it no one was going to be his boss.
Vic married late to Jenny Margaret Ellen (born 13 December 1939) on 23 February 1961 in Christchurch. With his wife they became a very successful training team and if female jockeys were allowed then, Jenny would have been one of the first (if not the first). Vic was a very successful trainer, having won the New Zealand cup once and the Winter Cup (very prominent awards in the New Zealand horse racing industry) and was the most successful trainer in New Zealand for quite a few years.
Along the way he became a private trainer to a Mrs. Leigh Page and her husband who arrived from the U.S.A before America entered the war, and were unable to return. Those who remember her, recall her to be a old nasty person dripping in jewels, but they got on well with Vic. On Mrs page’s death things went back to the old tradition of horses, horses, and more horses plus a few chickens thrown in for good measure.
The stories that his nieces and nephews can remember is that Vic had an uncanny way of getting people into the races for free. As told by one of his nephews, once when they were approaching the horse entry gate at Riccarton Raceway with only one pass between us, at the turnstiles he gave his nephew the pass for him to go through, which he did, while Vic gave the horse he was leading a sharp tug on the reins, then ran through the gates with the horse on it’s hind legs and yelling at the attendant to get out of the way. As planned the attendant gave no inclination to obtain Vic's gate pass, so he got in for free. Vic died on 7 March 1974 in Christchurch. Children of Victor and Jenny Clutterbuck:
- Vickie Marie, born 13 March 1968
- James Francis, born 28 August 1969
Further notes from the author
I have been researching the whole Clutterbuck family of New Zealand. There were 3 main groups that came over, two in 1878 on the same ship (Hydapes November 1878), their common ancestor being Thomas Clotterbooke (1515 - 1551). I have part of his will written in 1551, interesting reading. The other group was my great, great grandfathers in 1909. One area remains a mystery the original Clutterbuck's arrived in Dunedin before December 1860 as their first child a girl was born in December that year (can get more precise info) her name was Frances parents being William and Lydia Clutterbuck no one knows how they got to New Zealand their decendents all come from Frances the oldest daughter as the rest of her brother and sisters died under 5 years old. William and Lydia died in Nelson so at some point they moved from Dunedin to Nelson his occupation was listed as a carpenter.
From the site administrator
We've had contact from a few people tracing the Clutterbuck, namely someone researching Isabella Finlay who married a Charles Edward Clutterbuck on 05 November 1912, and Enock and Fanny Clutterbuck, who may have arrived in NZ about the same time as James but settled in Southland. We're always happy to put people in touch, so if you can shed any light on the these Clutterbucks, do let us know.