The STRONGs of Ulster, Ireland, Chapter 8

The "STRONG Family" section of this site is divided into 11 chapters and 8 appendices. Please read in sequence by following the links at the bottom of each page or use the "Quick Nav" at top right. If you wish to select individual chapters, please click on the top left link to the "Sitemap" page. Note that the chapters develop the story of our family and the appendices contain supporting data… for example the Descendancy Report in Appendix 1 with BDM records and photos of family members.

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Lives of William Aberdare STRONG’s Sons

Robert William STRONG

Robert W. & Evelyn STRONG at their Child's GraveRobert W. & Evelyn STRONG
at their Child's Grave. 
Courtesy: Heather Trigg (née Strong)

Robert William was born on 11 Jan 1904 in Drury NZ. He was interested in the family history as well as in the individual people of the family. He demonstrated this in the records which he passed on, as well as through the contacts he made. This STRONG family history has relied heavily on what RW consciously left behind. We are fortunate that he visited his nephew Brian STRONG (a journalist), and dictated family history details onto a tape. He also framed colour-tinted black and white photographic portraits, developed on glass, of Robert STRONG and his wife, Jane Laine, who were his grandparents. Pictured to the left are Robert W. & Evelyn STRONG at their Child's Grave Photo: Courtesy of Heather Trigg (née STRONG).

He then gave the photos to Brian STRONG as the only surviving male STRONG in our family in New Zealand (after himself). He donated his grandfather's Masonic certificates etc to a Masonic Museum: These papers included a reference from the Mayor of Belfast, 5 Masonic certificates, which showed that Robert was Master of a Belfast Lodge in 1863, as well as details of Robert's various Masonic degrees. Rita Neve said:

"I do remember a Bob STRONG, who I think lived in Wellington when I was a teenager, coming on several occasions to visit the family (Norman Edward Kennedy's family) n the farm at Tahaia, Otorohanga. From memory, I think Dad used to refer to him as a cousin. The visit was always something special, and a great excitement for all."

RW attended Drury School from Feb 1910 to Dec 1917, and then went to the Auckland Grammar School (to Dec 1919). A little over 4 years later, he received his "Teacher's Certificate of Attainments and Efficiency" (Class C), dated May 1924. Robert William was still living in the Drury area in 1931, when Masonic records showed that Brother R W STRONG was initiated at Lodge St James on 21-12-31. Lodge St James served the Papakura and Drury area.

Robert didn't become the Master, but according to the attendance book he was a very active member and hardly missed a meeting. In the same year, RW married Evelyn Mary BELL. Robert and Evelyn had two stillborn children. The image below shows the marriage of Robert W. STRONG & Evelyn Bell. Photo courtesy of Brian STRONG.

Robert W. STRONG & Evelyn BellMarriage of Robert W. STRONG & Evelyn BELL.
Courtesy: Brian Strong.

One child was buried at Maunu Cemetery, Whangerei in 1936, the other at the Presbyterian section of the Papakura. Cemetery, in 1938. The headstone at Papakura says: "Baby STRONG - sleeping."

The following year (1939) RW commenced continuous casual clerical work with the Prisons Division of the Ministry of Justice ( MoJ ). Eight years later (1947), RW was appointed to the permanent staff of MoJ . He was promoted to the "Clerical Six Division" in 1949, having sat for the (Public Service) Senior Exam Equivalent. This was an internal Public Service exam, phased out in the early 1960s, and had subjects like Public Administration, Government Accounting, Statistics, Social History etc. RW continued with the Prisons Division as a clerk until 1962 - 1963. Brian STRONG says he was the chief clerical officer at Mt Eden Prison, Auckland. However, further details of his career are no longer available, since the Dept of Corrections thinks that RW's file has been destroyed. RW transferred at "Clerical Six Division" level in 1962 – 1963 to the Registrar-General's Division of the MoJ. (motivated by an interest in family history?). Robert then retired in the period 1/4/1964 to 31/3/1965 ... probably when he was aged 60..

RW lived at nearby 15 Coleman Ave, Mt Roskill, Auckland at the time of his mother's death in 1968 when he organised her funeral. RW remained at Mt Roskill, at least until the time of his wife's death in 1976. Evelyn Mary died in Auckland NZ, on 15 Jun 1976; she was 75. 15 years later, Robert William died in Auckland on 2 Dec 1991; he was 87. At this stage Robert had moved to a retirement village, since his death notice advertised a service to be held in the "Edgar Faber Memorial Chapel, Roskill Masonic Village, Queenstown Rd Roskill. RW was described as a Retired Civil Servant when his will was granted Probate in 1991. Both Evelyn and Robert William were cremated at Purewa Cemetary. Pictured below is a photograph of the grave of Evelyn and RW STRONG at Purewa Cemetery (arrowed) Photos: March 2006 as a "random act of kindness" by "Anon".

Grave of Evelyn and RW STRONGGrave of Evelyn and RW STRONG at Purewa Cemetery.
Photo: Anon, 2006.

Below is a close up of the arrowed grave showing the inscription in detail.

Grave Inscription

The Story Continues