Family returning to New Zealand after visiting Bideford

Three years old Tony kisses his little cousin, Angela, goodbye, as he, his five years old sister, Julie, and their parents, Mr and Mrs Arthur Eastmond, prepare to leave on their long journey to New Zealand. This is the second time that Mrs Eastmond (formerly Miss Jean Lester), daughter of Mrs W O Kemp, of Clovelly Road, Bideford, and the late Mr C Lester, has travelled to New Zealand.

The first time, in 1950, she was a newly-wed. Her husband, Arthur, who although born in England has lived in New Zealand since the age of three, and is an automative, electrical and general engineer, was in England on holiday when he first met Jean. After getting two years later they left to make their home ‘down under’.

The Eastmond family left Bideford on Sunday morning and journeyed to Tilbury, London. There, aboard the ss Orion, they set sail for New Zealand, via the Suez Canal.

Mrs Eastmond, although naturally feeling homesick at first, soon got to like New Zealand. She has visited Bideford’s counterpart – Bideford, Wairarapa, near Masterton, in the North Island.

The home address in New Zealand of Mr and Mrs Eastmond is 155 Ensors Road, Opawa, Christchurch, SE1.

In the picture Mr and Mrs Eastmond are soon with Julie, and others and their relation to Mrs Eastmond are: Mrs Mervyn Bird, Mrs Harold Short, Mrs J Vikmanis and Mrs W O Kemp.

Gazette article dated 26 October 1956.