Thomas and Emma Andrews

In loving memory, Emma, wife of Thomas Andrews, died 11 September 1909 aged 65 years. At Rest. Also her husband Thomas Andrews (late of Royal Engineers), died 3 March 1925 in his 90th year.

Historical information

INDIAN MUTINY VETERAN.

DIES AT AVONDALE.

The remains of Mr Thomas Andrews, a veteran of the Indian Mutiny, who had resided at Avondale for about thirty years, were interred this afternoon at the Presbyterian cemetery in that town. Mr Andrews’ wife pre-deceased him some years ago, and there is no family. He was for nearly 60 years a member of the Oddfellows Lodge, and celebrated his jubilee in Avondale when he was made a life member. Mr Andrews was in his 89^th year, having been born in Devonshire two years before Queen Victoria came to the throne, and he had thus lived in the reign of four sovereigns. He helped to make the first railway in Devonshire.

In 1855 he joined the sappers and miners. Before he had completed his training the Sepoy Mutiny broke out and he was drafted to India. After spending a month in Bombay, Mr Andrews was one of a detachment that marched to Mowat a distance of 300 miles. They next marched to Gonah a distance of 800 miles from Bombay, and they had their first encounter with the Sepoys, fighting every inch of the way, ultimately driving the mutineers into a town called Schandree. Mr Andrews was one of the party that stormed this position. Ultimately Mr Andrews was with the army that reached Delhi. At the end of the war Mr Andrews was drafted back to England and later was stationed in Canada, during the American Civil War. After finishing his full term in the army, he emigrated to Canada and later came to Auckland, where he took up market gardening at Avondale.

Auckland Star 5 March 1925, p.9

Row A, Plot 9: Thomas and Emma Andrews