The Family of Patrick Rabbitt and Norah (nee Madden)
William Thomas Rabbitt; (1894-1920)
Trooper 65058
Otago Mounted Rifles - World War I
William was the first of the six children of Patrick and Norah (nee Madden), and he was born, at Wairuna, near Clinton, in South Otago, in July 1894.
He was probably named after his respective grandfathers; William Rabbit; 1823-1897 of Turloughmore, Galway, Ireland), and Thomas Madden of Clinton, New Zealand.
William lived with his parents at Wairuna, and he was educated in the district.
On 18 May 1917, at 22 years of age, he enlisted for military service in World War I. He enlisted at Balclutha and his occupation at that time, was given as farm labourer.
Personal details given at the time of William's enlistment included;
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Weight: 9 stone 2 pounds
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Dark Brown
Religion: Roman Catholic
Next of Kin: P.Rabbitt, (father); Wairuna.
After an initial period of training at Trentham Military Camp, William left Wellington on 21 February 1918, on board the "ORMONDE", bound for Suez. He was attached to the 35th reinforcements of the Mounted Rifles. Note this was the same boat and voyage on which his cousin, (Patrick James Rabbitte), travelled to military service overseas.
William arrived at Suez on 4 April, 1918, and he was immediately admitted to the military hospital at that location. During the next six months William remained in military hospitals in Egypt. It is known he was suffering from a chest illness. On 22 September 1918, he was admitted to the Aotea Convalescent Home near Cairo, where he remained until his return to New Zealand.
He was probably named after his respective grandfathers; William Rabbit; 1823-1897 of Turloughmore, Galway, Ireland), and Thomas Madden of Clinton, New Zealand.
William lived with his parents at Wairuna, and he was educated in the district.
On 18 May 1917, at 22 years of age, he enlisted for military service in World War I. He enlisted at Balclutha and his occupation at that time, was given as farm labourer.
Personal details given at the time of William's enlistment included;
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Weight: 9 stone 2 pounds
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Dark Brown
Religion: Roman Catholic
Next of Kin: P.Rabbitt, (father); Wairuna.
After an initial period of training at Trentham Military Camp, William left Wellington on 21 February 1918, on board the "ORMONDE", bound for Suez. He was attached to the 35th reinforcements of the Mounted Rifles. Note this was the same boat and voyage on which his cousin, (Patrick James Rabbitte), travelled to military service overseas.
William arrived at Suez on 4 April, 1918, and he was immediately admitted to the military hospital at that location. During the next six months William remained in military hospitals in Egypt. It is known he was suffering from a chest illness. On 22 September 1918, he was admitted to the Aotea Convalescent Home near Cairo, where he remained until his return to New Zealand.
Aotea Home in Egypt
William returned to New Zealand on board the "KAIKOURA", which departed from Suez on 6 March 1919, arriving in New Zealand on 20 April 1919. His address on his return was Clinton, Wairuna, Otago; - the home of his parents.
Later, when his health again deteriorated, William was admitted to the Military Sanatorium at Cashmere Hills, near Christchurch, and he died there on 23 December 1920 aged 26 years. William's cause of death was given as chronic pulmonary tuberculosis, and pneumothorax. He never married.
William was buried at Wairuna, near Clinton, on Boxing Day, - 26 December 1920.
Later, when his health again deteriorated, William was admitted to the Military Sanatorium at Cashmere Hills, near Christchurch, and he died there on 23 December 1920 aged 26 years. William's cause of death was given as chronic pulmonary tuberculosis, and pneumothorax. He never married.
William was buried at Wairuna, near Clinton, on Boxing Day, - 26 December 1920.
Photograph of the grave of William Thomas Rabbitt: (1894-1920)
William was awarded the following medals for his war service;
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal
Mary Bridget Rabbitt: (1896-1925)
Mary Bridget was the second child, and the first daughter of Patrick and Norah (nee Madden). She was born at Wairuna, near Clinton on 10 July 1896.
Presumably Mary was named after both her grandmothers; i.e; Mary Madden, and Bridget Rabbitt who of course lived their lives in Ireland.
The photograph of Mary was taken about 1918, when she would have been approximately 22 years of age.
Mary became another victim of the tragic circumstances that occurred within the family in the 1920 - 1925 period, when she passed away on the 5th May 1925. She was 28 years of age, and her official cause of death is given as pulmonary tuberculosis, and exhaustion. She had the condition for 18 months prior to her death.
Mary never married and lived at Wairuna all her life. In her lifetime she would have seen the death of her brother, a sister, and her father, within a relatively short period.
She was buried at the family plot at Clinton, on 7 May 1925.
Presumably Mary was named after both her grandmothers; i.e; Mary Madden, and Bridget Rabbitt who of course lived their lives in Ireland.
The photograph of Mary was taken about 1918, when she would have been approximately 22 years of age.
Mary became another victim of the tragic circumstances that occurred within the family in the 1920 - 1925 period, when she passed away on the 5th May 1925. She was 28 years of age, and her official cause of death is given as pulmonary tuberculosis, and exhaustion. She had the condition for 18 months prior to her death.
Mary never married and lived at Wairuna all her life. In her lifetime she would have seen the death of her brother, a sister, and her father, within a relatively short period.
She was buried at the family plot at Clinton, on 7 May 1925.
Kathleen Florence Rabbitt: (1898 - 1978)
Kathleen Rabbitt was born at Wairuna on 28 July 1898.
She was the third born of the family of seven of Patrick and Norah Rabbitt (nee Madden); and she was their second daughter.
As with her brothers and sisters, Kathleen attended school at Wairuna, and at about the age of 15 years, (i.e; 1913/14), she left Wairuna to work in private service in Invercargill. The photograph of Kathleen was taken about 1918, when she would have been about 20 years of age.
In the early 1920's Kathleen returned to the family at Wairuna, because of the concern about the health of her father, and other members of the family. Kathleen stayed at Wairuna and helped care for her father, and her brother and her sisters, through their illnesses. This must have been a traumatic experience for her, as within a relatively short time she was to experience the death of her father, brother, and two of her sisters.
Following the death of Kathleen's father, (Patrick), and the other members of the family in 1924/25, Kathleen, her mother Norah, her sister Ellen, and her brother John, moved from Wairuna to live in Dunedin. In Dunedin, Kathleen obtained employment as a waitress, and worked at several Dunedin hotels and tearooms.
It was while working at the Elite Tearooms that Kathleen became re-acquainted with George Addison. She had first met George, in the early 1920's when she was visiting her father in the Dunedin Public Hospital, and George was also a patient in the hospital at the time.
On 10 May 1928, Kathleen and George were married at the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Dunedin, and they set up their first home in North Dunedin. Kathleen continued with her work as a waitress until the birth of their first child.
Kathleen (nee Rabbitt) and George Addison had the following family;
Mary Leys Addison
James Albert Addison
In the following photograph Kathleen is shown with her mother Norah Rabbitt (nee Madden), and her children Mary and James. The picture is estimated to have been taken in 1937/38, and is particularly valuable because it shows three generations of the family. (By this time Norah would have been approximately 65 years of age.)
She was the third born of the family of seven of Patrick and Norah Rabbitt (nee Madden); and she was their second daughter.
As with her brothers and sisters, Kathleen attended school at Wairuna, and at about the age of 15 years, (i.e; 1913/14), she left Wairuna to work in private service in Invercargill. The photograph of Kathleen was taken about 1918, when she would have been about 20 years of age.
In the early 1920's Kathleen returned to the family at Wairuna, because of the concern about the health of her father, and other members of the family. Kathleen stayed at Wairuna and helped care for her father, and her brother and her sisters, through their illnesses. This must have been a traumatic experience for her, as within a relatively short time she was to experience the death of her father, brother, and two of her sisters.
Following the death of Kathleen's father, (Patrick), and the other members of the family in 1924/25, Kathleen, her mother Norah, her sister Ellen, and her brother John, moved from Wairuna to live in Dunedin. In Dunedin, Kathleen obtained employment as a waitress, and worked at several Dunedin hotels and tearooms.
It was while working at the Elite Tearooms that Kathleen became re-acquainted with George Addison. She had first met George, in the early 1920's when she was visiting her father in the Dunedin Public Hospital, and George was also a patient in the hospital at the time.
On 10 May 1928, Kathleen and George were married at the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Dunedin, and they set up their first home in North Dunedin. Kathleen continued with her work as a waitress until the birth of their first child.
Kathleen (nee Rabbitt) and George Addison had the following family;
Mary Leys Addison
James Albert Addison
In the following photograph Kathleen is shown with her mother Norah Rabbitt (nee Madden), and her children Mary and James. The picture is estimated to have been taken in 1937/38, and is particularly valuable because it shows three generations of the family. (By this time Norah would have been approximately 65 years of age.)
Kathleen Addison (nee Rabbitt) with her mother, and her children
Over the following years, through the Depression and the Second World War, Kathleen devoted her time to being a capable and loving wife and mother. In 1942 the Addison family moved to Loyalty Street, in South Dunedin, where they lived for 22 years.
Kathleen's husband George was employed as a barman at Bransons hotel in Dunedin for 22 years. He was Scottish by birth, and originally a Merchant Seaman. After reaching New Zealand, he was paid off and initially he settled at Port Chalmers. Later he was employed on the building of the Southern Reservoir in Dunedin, and he sustained a crushed leg in a rock fall - leading to his admission to hospital, and ultimately to the meeting with his wife to be.
The following photograph of Kathleen and George was taken in 1959.
Kathleen's husband George was employed as a barman at Bransons hotel in Dunedin for 22 years. He was Scottish by birth, and originally a Merchant Seaman. After reaching New Zealand, he was paid off and initially he settled at Port Chalmers. Later he was employed on the building of the Southern Reservoir in Dunedin, and he sustained a crushed leg in a rock fall - leading to his admission to hospital, and ultimately to the meeting with his wife to be.
The following photograph of Kathleen and George was taken in 1959.
George and Kathleen Addison; (nee Rabbitt): 1959
George Addison passed away in June 1960, and Kathleen continued to live at the Loyalty Street address for a further four years.
Kathleen was actively involved in the Catholic Women's League, the Legion of Mary, the Country Women's Institute, and a Home Economics Group. She was a person of deep spiritual faith with a strong character, a very quick wit, and an infectious sense of humour. She had a tolerant and caring manner, and her generosity knew no bounds. Kathleen had a natural motherly instinct and she helped many people in need with her concern, practical advice, and generosity. Her home always had a warm and inviting atmosphere, and it was her personality and warm nature that made it so welcoming.
She had five grandchildren and was a greatly loved Nana to them all - she involved herself in their lives, always showing great interest in their activities, and progress.
In 1964 Kathleen took up housekeeping duties for the Parish Priests in several parishes in Dunedin, and later she moved to Winton, in Southland, where she also undertook this work. In 1976 her health deteriorated, and she went to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Frank Langford of Winton.
Kathleen Addison (nee Rabbitt) died on 5 January 1978, in her 80th year.
Her funeral was held at St. Bernadettes Church in Dunedin, and present on the altar for her Requiem Mass, were many of the priests for whom she had so willingly and happily kept house, in the latter years of her life.
Contributed by her son James Addison
Kathleen was actively involved in the Catholic Women's League, the Legion of Mary, the Country Women's Institute, and a Home Economics Group. She was a person of deep spiritual faith with a strong character, a very quick wit, and an infectious sense of humour. She had a tolerant and caring manner, and her generosity knew no bounds. Kathleen had a natural motherly instinct and she helped many people in need with her concern, practical advice, and generosity. Her home always had a warm and inviting atmosphere, and it was her personality and warm nature that made it so welcoming.
She had five grandchildren and was a greatly loved Nana to them all - she involved herself in their lives, always showing great interest in their activities, and progress.
In 1964 Kathleen took up housekeeping duties for the Parish Priests in several parishes in Dunedin, and later she moved to Winton, in Southland, where she also undertook this work. In 1976 her health deteriorated, and she went to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Frank Langford of Winton.
Kathleen Addison (nee Rabbitt) died on 5 January 1978, in her 80th year.
Her funeral was held at St. Bernadettes Church in Dunedin, and present on the altar for her Requiem Mass, were many of the priests for whom she had so willingly and happily kept house, in the latter years of her life.
Contributed by her son James Addison
Norah Rabbitt: (1900 - 1921)
Norah Rabbitt -taken 1918 approx
Norah was the fourth child, and the third daughter of Patrick Rabbitt and Norah (nee Madden). She was born in 1900 at Wairuna, near Clinton. Presumably she was named after her mother - Norah, nee Madden.
The photograph of Norah (left) was taken about 1918 when she would have been approximately 18 years of age.
Tragically, Norah was the second member of this family to become a victim of tuberculosis, and in her case, at just 21 years of age.
She died at Wairuna on 12 August 1921, which was just 8 months after her brother, (William), had passed away from the same cause. Her official cause of death is given as pulmonary tuberculosis, and exhaustion. Norah had the condition for one year prior to her death.
Norah died just one week before her cousin; (Winifred Eleanor Rabbitt - daughter of John and Mary Rabbitt of Fernhills/Kauana).
Norah never married and lived at Wairuna all her life. She is buried in the family plot at Wairuna, Clinton.
The photograph of Norah (left) was taken about 1918 when she would have been approximately 18 years of age.
Tragically, Norah was the second member of this family to become a victim of tuberculosis, and in her case, at just 21 years of age.
She died at Wairuna on 12 August 1921, which was just 8 months after her brother, (William), had passed away from the same cause. Her official cause of death is given as pulmonary tuberculosis, and exhaustion. Norah had the condition for one year prior to her death.
Norah died just one week before her cousin; (Winifred Eleanor Rabbitt - daughter of John and Mary Rabbitt of Fernhills/Kauana).
Norah never married and lived at Wairuna all her life. She is buried in the family plot at Wairuna, Clinton.
Ellen (Nellie) Rabbitt: (1904 - 1974)
Ellen, usually known as Nellie, was the fifth child and fourth daughter of Patrick and Norah Rabbitt, (nee Madden).
She was born at Wairuna near Clinton, on 2 March 1904, and was educated in this district. On leaving school at an early age, which was customary in those days, she obtained a job at the Wairuna Railway Cafeteria. However this job had little appeal for the spirited young Ellen, and her next job was, as referred to in that era, as "being in service", to a family in the district.
Restless to get away from a small country town, and seeing no future in her current employment, Ellen obtained her parent's approval to live and seek work in Dunedin. She obtained a position at Wain's Hotel; (in those days a very prestigious establishment), and was employed there at the time of the South Seas Exhibition that was staged in Dunedin. She had plans to travel to Australia which was an adventurous undertaking in those days, but her plans were thwarted when her father became ill.
Ellen returned to Clinton/Wairuna to help nurse her father, and later returned to Dunedin when her father, (Patrick), was transferred to Dunedin Hospital with a terminal illness.
It was while back in Dunedin that she met and married Thomas Price.
Ellen, usually known as Nellie, was the fifth child and fourth daughter of Patrick and Norah Rabbitt, (nee Madden).
She was born at Wairuna near Clinton, on 2 March 1904, and was educated in this district. On leaving school at an early age, which was customary in those days, she obtained a job at the Wairuna Railway Cafeteria. However this job had little appeal for the spirited young Ellen, and her next job was, as referred to in that era, as "being in service", to a family in the district.
Restless to get away from a small country town, and seeing no future in her current employment, Ellen obtained her parent's approval to live and seek work in Dunedin. She obtained a position at Wain's Hotel; (in those days a very prestigious establishment), and was employed there at the time of the South Seas Exhibition that was staged in Dunedin. She had plans to travel to Australia which was an adventurous undertaking in those days, but her plans were thwarted when her father became ill.
Ellen returned to Clinton/Wairuna to help nurse her father, and later returned to Dunedin when her father, (Patrick), was transferred to Dunedin Hospital with a terminal illness.
It was while back in Dunedin that she met and married Thomas Price.
Ellen Price, (nee Rabbitt) - with her husband, and first child
The above photograph, which was taken about 1929, shows Ellen and Thomas Price, with their first child - Patrick.
Going by the very few photos available Ellen had grown into a very fine young woman, and she was a devoted wife and mother.
In the 1930's Ellen fell victim to the epidemic of "Scarlet Fever", and she was admitted to what was then known as the "fever hospital", which was situated above Logan Park in Dunedin. It took her some time to regain good health from this illness, and because of her illness, she sacrificed her raven black hair. - her pride and joy. she was prematurely grey by the age of thirty six years.
During World War II, like many other women, she had to act as both mother and father to her family of three sons and one daughter, while her husband was away in the Armed Forces.
Ellen and Tom Price had the following family;
Patrick James
Thomas Kevin
Alfred Paul
Veronica Anne
Ellen loved music, and she played the piano at the local dances.When her family had grown up and left home, she enjoyed pleasantly whiling away the time playing the piano, and the piano accordion.
She was also very fond of sport, and in her younger years, took great pride in beating men in feats of strength. Her sharp and original sense of humour can never be overlooked; as people still remark; "as Nellie Price used to say!" As she grew older, she became frail, but she still retained her razor sharp wit !
Ellen had a great love and respect for her parents, (Patrick and Norah), and she was especially proud of her father's Irish background.
Ellen was a product of her own generation. She would have enjoyed the more liberal attitudes of today - but not the lack of moral values. It is sure she would have had something to say on that.
Ellen's husband, Thomas Price, passed away in 1969, and 5 years later in 1974, Ellen passed away, in Dunedin, at the age of 70 years.
R.I.P
Contributed by her daughter Anne Bray
Going by the very few photos available Ellen had grown into a very fine young woman, and she was a devoted wife and mother.
In the 1930's Ellen fell victim to the epidemic of "Scarlet Fever", and she was admitted to what was then known as the "fever hospital", which was situated above Logan Park in Dunedin. It took her some time to regain good health from this illness, and because of her illness, she sacrificed her raven black hair. - her pride and joy. she was prematurely grey by the age of thirty six years.
During World War II, like many other women, she had to act as both mother and father to her family of three sons and one daughter, while her husband was away in the Armed Forces.
Ellen and Tom Price had the following family;
Patrick James
Thomas Kevin
Alfred Paul
Veronica Anne
Ellen loved music, and she played the piano at the local dances.When her family had grown up and left home, she enjoyed pleasantly whiling away the time playing the piano, and the piano accordion.
She was also very fond of sport, and in her younger years, took great pride in beating men in feats of strength. Her sharp and original sense of humour can never be overlooked; as people still remark; "as Nellie Price used to say!" As she grew older, she became frail, but she still retained her razor sharp wit !
Ellen had a great love and respect for her parents, (Patrick and Norah), and she was especially proud of her father's Irish background.
Ellen was a product of her own generation. She would have enjoyed the more liberal attitudes of today - but not the lack of moral values. It is sure she would have had something to say on that.
Ellen's husband, Thomas Price, passed away in 1969, and 5 years later in 1974, Ellen passed away, in Dunedin, at the age of 70 years.
R.I.P
Contributed by her daughter Anne Bray
John Patrick Rabbitt: (1909 -1975)
John Patrick Rabbitt was the sixth and final child of Patrick and Norah Rabbitt, (nee Madden); and he was born on 10 August. He was the second of their two sons - their older son William Thomas Rabbitt, was born in 1894, and was therefore 15 years older than their second son. Note that the given names of John Patrick are those of his uncle (John Rabbitt; 1855 approx -1941); and of course, of his father; (Patrick Rabbitt 1858 approx - 1924.)
The choice of names in this family is another example of the consistent use of the narrow range of given names among families of Irish origins. As will have been noted in this review, the given names of John, Patrick, and William, have been used on many occasions, thereby making the task of the family historian that much more difficult. The further occurrence of the given name of Thomas also occurring in this branch of the family; (i.e; William Thomas Rabbitt), is perhaps another indicator that somewhere in our ancestry, is a line to a Thomas Rabbitt.
As with his older brother and sisters, John was born at Wairuna, near Clinton, in South Otago, and he was educated in the district.
In the early to mid 1920's John would have seen his family cut down by the tuberculosis epidemic that took the lives of his older brother, (William), and two of his sisters; (Mary and Norah). Also in this same period; (i.e; in 1924), John's father (Patrick), passed away. During this time of great family loss, John would have been in the 11-15 years age group.
About 1925, John moved from Wairuna, to live in Dunedin, with his mother, and his two sisters; - Kathleen and Ellen.
In Dunedin, John married Theresa Mary Harridge.
The choice of names in this family is another example of the consistent use of the narrow range of given names among families of Irish origins. As will have been noted in this review, the given names of John, Patrick, and William, have been used on many occasions, thereby making the task of the family historian that much more difficult. The further occurrence of the given name of Thomas also occurring in this branch of the family; (i.e; William Thomas Rabbitt), is perhaps another indicator that somewhere in our ancestry, is a line to a Thomas Rabbitt.
As with his older brother and sisters, John was born at Wairuna, near Clinton, in South Otago, and he was educated in the district.
In the early to mid 1920's John would have seen his family cut down by the tuberculosis epidemic that took the lives of his older brother, (William), and two of his sisters; (Mary and Norah). Also in this same period; (i.e; in 1924), John's father (Patrick), passed away. During this time of great family loss, John would have been in the 11-15 years age group.
About 1925, John moved from Wairuna, to live in Dunedin, with his mother, and his two sisters; - Kathleen and Ellen.
In Dunedin, John married Theresa Mary Harridge.
Theresa Rabbette; (nee Harridge)
The following are the name details of their family of four; - three daughters and one son.
Marie Therese
Agnes Rosemay
Jacqueline Anne
John Gerard
This family lived for many years in Carr Street, North East Valley, Dunedin.
A member of John's family, (Rose Henderson); nee Agnes Rosemay Rabbette recalls;
"I remember well when we used to go on the pilgrimage to Invercargill, when we were still at school. Dad loved to take us all down there, but by the time we were on the return journey home, we went through Clinton, and dear old Dad relayed just about every blade of grass to us. We were so confused with all the Rabbitts we had met we didn't know who was who. We always referred to them as "Kauana Johnny", "Dalrymple Street Rabbitts", and "Sydney Street Rabbitts"; - that was how we distinguished them.
John Patrick Rabbette, (born Rabbitt); passed away on 27 February 1975 at the age of 66 years. His wife, Theresa, died 5 months later, on 28 July 1975.
Marie Therese
Agnes Rosemay
Jacqueline Anne
John Gerard
This family lived for many years in Carr Street, North East Valley, Dunedin.
A member of John's family, (Rose Henderson); nee Agnes Rosemay Rabbette recalls;
"I remember well when we used to go on the pilgrimage to Invercargill, when we were still at school. Dad loved to take us all down there, but by the time we were on the return journey home, we went through Clinton, and dear old Dad relayed just about every blade of grass to us. We were so confused with all the Rabbitts we had met we didn't know who was who. We always referred to them as "Kauana Johnny", "Dalrymple Street Rabbitts", and "Sydney Street Rabbitts"; - that was how we distinguished them.
John Patrick Rabbette, (born Rabbitt); passed away on 27 February 1975 at the age of 66 years. His wife, Theresa, died 5 months later, on 28 July 1975.
