Eileen Pearl McCauley

On 25 November 1936 Lennard married Eileen Pearl Wilson in Tauranga. Eileen was the illegitimate daughter of Edward (Sam) James Crawford (1887-1944). Eileen was raised in Katikati by Edward’s parents John (1860-1937) and Sarah Ann (1869-1956) Crawford (née Birkett) who married in Hawera, Taranaki, on 24 February 1883 (reg. 1883/225).

Lennard was aged 35 at the start of World War II. On 1 September 1939 Hitler attacked Poland which led to Britain and France declaring war on Germany two days later. It is believed that Lennard was a Pacifist and Conscientious Objector which possibly stemmed from his deep religious beliefs although it is unclear whether he belonged to the New Zealand Christian Pacifist Society (CPS). No hard evidence has yet been uncovered about Lennard's position, but Lennard's son Ken remembers his father being referred to years later as a 'bloody conchie'.

His son Ken also recalls; 'one of his occupations was boat builder and he built a small boat for the manager of the Taupo Totara Timber Company (TTT Co) during the time he was working there as a saw doctor. He was also a caravan builder and built all his own furniture and cabinets, mostly in rimu. Dad was very knowledgable regarding explosives, one time showing us how to split large logs apart using only sodium and sugar. He was always reading and was mostly self educated. In his possession was a large collection of rocks of which he knew all the names and information about. He was also an absolute perfectionist when it came to finishing off a house'.

Eileen died, aged 36, on 27 September 1945 (reg. 1945/26555). Her causes of death were septic tonsillitis and kidney failure. She was buried on 28 September 1945 in Katikati Cemetery (125 Anglican Block A, Plot 139a, p. 18).

Source: Biography of Lennard John George McCauley by Debbie McCauley, his grandaughter http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/katikati_history/topics/show/1402

NOTE: This is the only known photograph of my grandmother Eileen - are there any more out there?