Geoffrey Henry Jenner Mellsop, Engineer and Dad
Killed in a mining explosion
Killed in a mining explosion
Geoffrey was James's and Emma's only surviving son, after the death of one month old Henry in 1883. Like his sister Winifred, Geoffrey was a good student who was taught by James and Emma at Mangere School.
In 1902 he entered Auckland Grammar School and on leaving school he joined the Public Works Department, studying civil engineering.
In 1915 he married Frances (Belle) Herd in Huntly and they soon moved to Ohakune for Geoffrey's work.
Their only child Geoffrey was born the following February (1916). Baby Geoffrey was only one month old when his father was killed in an explosion in the Public Works underground scoria quarry at Ohakune. He was only 28 years old. Frances was left on her own with a small baby to care for and she took positions as the post mistress in small country towns - Turua, in the Thames Valley, transferring to Matakohe in Northland, and then the Auckland Central. Post Office where she remained for the rest of her working life.
Geoffrey (junior), because his mother Frances (Belle Mellsop) moved around, was educated at Turua, Matakohe, New Lynn and Mt Albert Grammar. After completing his education worked as an insurance clerk. WWII came along, and he was called up, but before leaving he became engaged to Australian-born Lenore Pemberton-Piggott. Sadly their marriage did not take place as Sgt Geoffrey James David Mellsop was an army casualty, first reported as wounded in May, or missing, then listed as a probable prisoner of war, and finally noted as killed in action in Greece in June 1941. He was 25 years old. His mother must have been devastated to have lost both husband and only son while they were still young men.
Geoffrey's dates: Born 20 March, 1888, School House, Mangere
Died 15 March 1916, Ohakune
Geoffrey (junior) Born February 1916, Ohakune
Died June 1941, Greece.
In 1902 he entered Auckland Grammar School and on leaving school he joined the Public Works Department, studying civil engineering.
In 1915 he married Frances (Belle) Herd in Huntly and they soon moved to Ohakune for Geoffrey's work.
Their only child Geoffrey was born the following February (1916). Baby Geoffrey was only one month old when his father was killed in an explosion in the Public Works underground scoria quarry at Ohakune. He was only 28 years old. Frances was left on her own with a small baby to care for and she took positions as the post mistress in small country towns - Turua, in the Thames Valley, transferring to Matakohe in Northland, and then the Auckland Central. Post Office where she remained for the rest of her working life.
Geoffrey (junior), because his mother Frances (Belle Mellsop) moved around, was educated at Turua, Matakohe, New Lynn and Mt Albert Grammar. After completing his education worked as an insurance clerk. WWII came along, and he was called up, but before leaving he became engaged to Australian-born Lenore Pemberton-Piggott. Sadly their marriage did not take place as Sgt Geoffrey James David Mellsop was an army casualty, first reported as wounded in May, or missing, then listed as a probable prisoner of war, and finally noted as killed in action in Greece in June 1941. He was 25 years old. His mother must have been devastated to have lost both husband and only son while they were still young men.
Geoffrey's dates: Born 20 March, 1888, School House, Mangere
Died 15 March 1916, Ohakune
Geoffrey (junior) Born February 1916, Ohakune
Died June 1941, Greece.