Thomas Chappell

Thomas Chappell

Thomas Chappell
1889 - 1961

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The children walked to school but it was always a great sight to see their Dad, Tom with the horse and trap waiting for them at school to bring them home on very wet days. The children's attendance at school gave their parents the time and incentive to become involved in community life in the district. There were many points of interest pertaining to school life in the district. Both parents took an active part in fundraising, euchre tournaments were popular, and Tom became the Secretary of the School Committee for many years. End of year school concerts were a family favourite, with parents providing the supper and enjoying the fellowship. Tom was also a member of the Federated Farmers, and Helen took part in the Women's Division of the Federated Farmers, which was a boon for all mothers who were naturally housebound with young children to care for. Good friends included the Crawfords in Yaldhurst and the Newells from Templeton.

Tom wasn't a churchgoer but he supported the little church of St Luke in the district. For Tom, however, there were lots of jobs to be done on Sunday mornings. The stables were cleaned out and the manure dumped in a heap to be used on the vegetable garden. The horses were groomed and if they needed it, would be clipped. It wasn't only the horses who had the beauty treatment on a Sunday. The boys would have their hair cut too if it was necessary - but with a different pair of clippers!

Thomas was a father that was firm but fair. He enjoyed his life, accepted what life dealt out to him, and got on with the job without complaining. He was very hard working and a loyal friend and neighbour. Life on the farm was not all work for him and his family. Card evenings were held at the school and at home and the family always enjoyed music when Tom and his brother Harry got together and played the violins. Tom also enjoyed visiting places and once took his children to Wigram to see the 'Southern Cross'.

After the Depression the lot of the Yaldhurst Chappell's improved. A hot water cylinder was eventually put in to the house and all the family got to enjoy the wonders of having a sink with hot and cold water in the kitchen. The pantry was eventually converted into a bathroom and cupboards were built into the kitchen to compensate for the loss of pantry room. The children grew up, and during WWI, Tom became a member of the Home Guard, which meant travelling to Islington for training. He and Helen also saw many of their children actively involved in the war. Cliff and Keith went away to war and Vena and Noelene were involved in the New Zealand Airforce.

At the end of the war when Cliff came home from overseas in Egypt and Italy and married, Tom and Helen sold the farm to him and retired to live in Riccarton at Owens Terrace.

In their retirement Tom and Helen kept in touch with friends and family. Tom had always kept a good vegetable garden and worked on this in his retirement as well. He was also able to spend more time fishing which he enjoyed very much. After many enjoyable years of retirement, Tom passed away on 4 September 1961 at 17 Owens Terrace in Christchurch. His wife Helen remained living at their home and later retired into Wesley Lodge Rest Home, where she lived until her death on 18 August 1979.

Written by Shelley Chappell and compiled with the aid of Vena Harding and Noeline de Groot.