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Helen M Chalker of Singleton, New South Wales, Australia, A packer of cheese and farm products, living at 81 Grafton Rd, Auckland, an Anglican. Gave birth to Howard Chalker on the 10th April 1965, at the Motherhood of Man, Auckland at 4am weighing 4Ibs 1oz. Helen Chalker, wasn't to see her son again, he was 6 weeks premature and was taken for observation. On the 16 July 1965, Howard was placed into foster care with a Mrs Harris of Papakura RD1 opp the Golf Course. Later the foster family (Harris) whom was caring for Howard moved to a farm in Karaka Rd. Whenuapai on the 20 May 1966 and took Howard with them. Howard had been seen regularly at National Women's Hospital and had not been passed for adoption, due to his health problems being a prem baby. Around this time it was also mentioned that his mother Helen Chalker was plannig to marry (a John Broomhead) and wishes to keep Howard. This was not to be (due to John's family not wanting a bastard child in the family) and Howard was kept with the Harris' family. Application for adoption was placed on the 07 Dec 1966 and approval was given on the 13 Dec 1966 for Howard to be placed with a family in Glenfield, who had already adopted 3 other children. Approval given by Bettine Reeve from the Department of Child Welfare. On the 24th of April 1967 custody of Howard was given to Guy Edmond Evans Buxton and his wife Judith Jeanetter Ann Buxton of Glenfield. Adoption of Howard could not be obtained until a further application had been made to the court after an interval of 6 months.
Which made the date 24th October 1967, as long as Howard stayed in the Buxton's care for the whole of the 6 months and as long as the application was made prior to 24 April 1968 when the interim order will lapse.
Application was made for the adoption of Howard Chalker and the final adoption order was signed and sealed on the 19 Dec 1967. So on the 19 Dec 1967 Howard Chalker became Robert Paul Buxton.
Helen Chalker married John Broomhead and had 4 children to him. They had moved back to Singleton keeping the secret of Howard to themselves.
Over the years Helen wrote to the welfare office, asking for information regarding Howard, she was given little bits and peices of information but nothing that she could go on, to locate him.
A letter sent to her
Howard Chalker
At the time of your son'ts adoption his parents were aged 30 and 27 years respectively. His father was a self employed contractor and mother had been a shop assistant prior to her marriage. They had been unable to have natural children and prior to adopting Howard had adopted two girls and a boy.
The family were practising members of the Baptist Church and were well recommended by their refeees. They were described as kind and loving parents who had a very happy family life. Howard was 20 months old when he entered their home and after a few settling in problems was said to have become one of the family and to have been completely accepted by his brother and sisters. (actual letter) |
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