Edith Macfarlane Explained

Edith Macfarlane
Birth Name:Edith Mary Durrieu
Birth Date:20 May 1871
Birth Place:Torquay, Devon, England
Death Place:Auckland, New Zealand

Edith Mary Macfarlane (; 20 May 1871  - 2 December 1948) was a New Zealand community worker, active with the British Red Cross Society during both World Wars, and with the Victoria League in Auckland.

Early life

Edith Mary Durrieu was born in Torquay, Devonshire, England, on 20 May 1871, the daughter of accountant Louis Adolphus Durrieu and the former Marianne Feltham. The Durrieu family moved to New Zealand when Edith was a small child.[1] She attended Auckland Girls' High School.[2]

Community work

During World War I, Macfarlane organized the New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross Society and the Auckland Women's Patriotic League.[3] She also organized a 1917 concert for sailors in Wellington, with the Sailors' Friend Society,[4] and was active in the Women's Patriotic League.[5] Her contributions during the first World War were recognised when she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in October 1918.[6] [7]

Between the wars she was active with the Auckland branch of the Victoria League. She organized the league's Sewing Circle,[8] and became the branch's president in 1937.[9] [10] She continued in this role until her death a decade later. Under Macfarlane's leadership, the league visited hospitals,[11] held patriotic ceremonies,[12] honored volunteers,[13] [14] and sent parcels of food and clothing to Great Britain, during the Great Depression and World War II.

Macfarlane remained active with the Red Cross Society between the wars.[15] She was also president of the St. James' Free Kindergarten[16] and chair of the ladies auxiliary of the Community Sunshine Association.[17] She visited Alaska and Canada in 1927.[18]

Personal life

Edith Mary Durrieu married Scottish-born businessman James Buchanan Macfarlane in 1890, in Auckland.[19] They had six children together. Their eldest son, James Blyth Macfarlane, was wounded at Gallipoli in 1915. Their Epsom home on Gillies Avenue was used for social gatherings,[20] [21] and known for its extravagant wisteria plant.[22] She was widowed in 1939 and died at home in 1948, aged 77 years. She left £100 to the Victoria League of Auckland in her will.[23]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Kathleen Anderson, "Edith Mary Macfarlane" in Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (1996).
  2. News: Girls' High School; Presentation of Certificates. 15 December 1884. Auckland Star. March 1, 2020. 2. Papers Past.
  3. News: Ever-Ready Committee; Birthday Celebrations. 12 April 1933. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 4. Papers Past.
  4. News: Sailors' Friend Society. 25 May 1917. Evening Post. March 1, 2020. 9. Papers Past.
  5. News: Prominent Auckland Women: Mrs. J. B. Macfarlan, O. B. E.. 10 May 1930. Auckland Star. March 1, 2020. 14. Papers Past.
  6. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19181005.2.36 "For Patriotic Services; Sixty-Seven Appointments"
  7. News: British Empire Order; New Zealand Recipients. 5 October 1918. Sun. March 1, 2020. 6. Papers Past.
  8. News: Victoria League. 8 April 1931. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 14. Papers Past.
  9. News: £1944 RAISED IN HEALTH STAMP SALES. 4 December 1948. Northern Advocate. March 1, 2020. 7. Papers Past.
  10. News: Presidents of their respective centres. 7 November 1938. Evening Post. March 1, 2020. 14. Papers Past.
  11. News: Victoria League; The Young Contingent. 21 December 1938. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 5. Papers Past.
  12. News: Empire Day Wreaths. 26 May 1938. Auckland Star. March 1, 2020. 10. PapersPast.
  13. News: Red Cross Shop. 11 December 1942. Auckland Star. March 1, 2020. 5. Papers Past.
  14. News: Toc H Movement; Part Played by Women. 4 April 1938. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 3. Papers Past.
  15. News: Red Cross Society. 12 August 1936. Auckland Star. March 1, 2020. 11. Papers Past.
  16. News: Kindergarten Fete. 20 April 1914. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 9. Papers Past.
  17. News: Community Sunshine. 7 March 1934. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 16. Papers Past.
  18. News: Victoria League. 15 September 1927. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 5. Papers Past.
  19. News: Marriages. 24 September 1890. Auckland Star. March 1, 2020. 8. Papers Past.
  20. News: Untitled news item. 4 December 1915. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 9. Papers Past.
  21. News: Book-Title Tea. 2 July 1926. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 7. Papers Past.
  22. News: Popular Garden Creeper now in Bloom. October 9, 1936. New Zealand Herald. March 1, 2020. 8. Papers Past.
  23. News: Public Bequests by Northlanders. December 18, 1948. Northern Advocate. March 1, 2020. 5. Papers Past.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Edith Macfarlane".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.