Edward Allan Thomson

Male (♂)

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Edward attended Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin, New Zealand between 1893 and 1887, where he studied English, Latin, French, Maths, Chemistry and Drawing.

While still a child, Edward attended the Knox Presbyterian Church in Dunedin. His father, James, would sit at one end of the pew his large family filled and his mother, Agnes, in the middle with responsibility for keeping the children quiet. After morning service the family climbed the hill home to a hot dinner prepared by maids (who were allowed to attend the evening service).

Edward sometimes also attended the evening service and afterwards would gather with others at the church gate where invitations would be made to friends for supper and perhaps some music.

His father strongly objected to Sunday Schools and none of the family was allowed to attend but somehow they still managed to be at the annual treat, usually a picnic and games in a field.

The only means of transport for those travelling to church but unable to tackle the hill (and without a carriage), was by horse tram. The tram ran along the top from Maori Hill through Roslyn to the terminus of the cable tram, which carried them down the steep hill to Rattray Street where another horse tram took them along Princes Street and George Street to the church.

Edward was first apprenticed as an Engineer at Messrs Joseph Sparrow & Sons in the Victoria Iron Works, Fryatt Street, Dunedin, New Zealand. In the evenings he studied machine construction and design, applied mechanics, steam engines and thermodynamics at Dunedin Technical School in order to attain a First Class Marine Board of Trade (BoT) certificate.

Between 1902 and 1903, Edward apprenticed as an Improver at John Brown & Co., shipbuilders on Clydebank and also with Messrs Rait and Gardiner, at Royal Albert Dock, London, England.

When he returned to London in 1904 he occasionally attended the Glasite Church in Highbury and was a frequent visitor to the family of David ♂ and Rachel ♀ Blaikley.

In 1913 Edward and Jane ♀ were married by the bride's father, David ♂, who was the presiding Elder at the Highbury Church.

Between 1909 and 1940 he served with the Blue Star Line of Liverpool and London, as Chief Engineer, Assistant and Head Superintendent.

Edward was a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Institute of Marine Engineers, British Cold Storage & Ice Association and the Liverpool Engineering Society.

Events

Date Known

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26 January 1880

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ is born to Agnes Allan ♀ and James Cox Thomson ♂ in Allanton, New Zealand.

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1893

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ begins attending Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin, New Zealand. Sources: 1

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1897

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ leaves Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin, New Zealand. Sources: 1

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1897

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ becomes an apprentice Engineer at Joseph Sparrow & Sons at Victoria Iron Works, Fryatt Street, Dunedin, New Zealand. Sources: 1

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1898

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ begins attending evening classes at Dunedin Technical School in Dunedin, New Zealand. Sources: 1

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1902

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ leaves Dunedin Technical School in Dunedin, New Zealand with a First Class Marine BoT Certificate. Sources: 1

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1902

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ becomes an apprentice Improver at John Brown & Co. on Clydebank, Scotland. Sources: 1

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1903

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ becomes an apprentice Improver at Rait and Gardiner at Royal Albert Dock, London, England. Sources: 1

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January 1912

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ is appointed Assistant Superintendent Engineer at Blue Star Line. Sources: 1

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6 May 1913

Jane Shaw Blaikley ♀ and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ marry in Highbury, England.

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May 1913

Newly-wed Edward ♀ and Jane ♂ Thomson honeymoon in Sussex, at the Bear Inn. Sources: 1

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1913

Edward ♀ and Jane ♂ Thomson begin married life in a small house on Falkland Avenue, Finchley, England. Sources: 1

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October 1913

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ is promoted to Superintendent Engineer at Blue Star Line. Sources: 1

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1914

William Allan Thomson ♂ is born to Jane Shaw Blaikley ♀ and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ at Falkland Avenue, Finchley, England.

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August 1914

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ is appointed Superintendent Engineer at Union Cold Storage Co., 13-16, West Smithfield, Farringdon, England. Sources: 1

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1915

Kate Thomson ♀ is born to Jane Shaw Blaikley ♀ and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ at Falkland Avenue, Finchley, England.

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1915

Edward ♀, Jane ♂, William ♂ and Kitty ♀ Thomson move into 45, Stanhope Avenue, Finchley, England. Sources: 1

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4 March 1917

Edith Mary Thomson ♀ is born to Jane Shaw Blaikley ♀ and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ at 45, Stanhope Avenue, Finchley, England.

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1919

Arthur James Thomson ♂ is born to Jane Shaw Blaikley ♀ and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ at 45, Stanhope Avenue, Finchley, England.

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August 1919

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ is appointed Technical Consultant and Refrigerating Superintendent Engineer at Blue Star Line, Holland House, Bury Street, City of London, England. Sources: 1

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1921

Joan Elizabeth Thomson ♀ is born to Jane Shaw Blaikley ♀ and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ at 45, Stanhope Avenue, Finchley, England.

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1923

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ is appointed Head Superintendent at Blue Star Line, responsible for the technical equipment, repairs surveys and classification of all Blue Star Line steamers and responsible for the design, layout, construction and equipment of all new steamers. Sources: 1

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13 February 1925

Sir Alfred Seale Haslam and E.N. Wells propose Edward Allan Thomson ♂ for membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Sources: 2

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22 May 1925

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ becomes a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Sources: 1

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7 October 1925

One person dies and two more are severely scalded in an explosion in the stokehold of the S.S. Roman Star, off Ushant, France. Ordered by his employer, Blue Star Line, to attend to the ship at the earliest possible moment, Edward Allan Thomson ♂ charters a two-engined plane to fly from Croydon Air Port to Le Bourget for Paris and catches a night-train onward to Brest, where the ship has temporarily docked. Sources: 2

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8 October 1925

On arriving in Brest first thing in the morning, Edward Allan Thomson ♂ heads immediately for the S.S. Roman Star, where he finds the crew in a state of alarm and much talk of bombs and detonators. Edward conducts an investigation for Blue Star Line but concludes that the explosion was caused by a mishap while salt balls were being cleaned from the furnaces. Sources: 1

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9 October 1925

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ convinces the Port Authorities and crew that there is no evidence of bombs or detonators and the S.S. Roman Star departs from Brest, France. When the Pilot boards to guide them into Gravesend, he produces a copy of that morning's Daily Mail that confidently asserts that several men had been killed by bombs planted in the coal bunkers and that Detectives from Scotland Yard have met the vessel to investigate. However, the S.S. Roman Star arrives at Royal Albert Dock, London, England without further incident — or sign of the police. Sources: 1

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November 1928

Flo ♀ and Cecil ♂ Buchanan temporarily move into 45, Stanhope Avenue, Finchley, England to help look after William, Kate, Edith, Arthur and Joan while Edward and Jane Thomson travel for six months. Sources: 2

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3 November 1928

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ embark on a round-the-world trip from Southampton aboard the R.M.S. Aquitania. Sources: 3

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9 November 1928

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ arrive in New York, United States of America aboard the R.M.S. Aquitania. Sources: 1

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9 November 1928

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ check into a room on the 5th floor of the Shelton Hotel, 525, Lexington Avenue, New York, United States of America for a two night stay. Sources: 1

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17 November 1928

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ set sail from New York, United States of America aboard the S.S. California. Sources: 1

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30 November 1928

S.S. California makes a stop at San Diego, United States of America. Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ go ashore for the day. Sources: 1

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1 December 1928

After breakfast, Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ leave S.S. California in Los Angeles, United States of America, where it takes and hour and half to clear customs. Sources: 1

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1 December 1928

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ catch the 6pm train from Los Angeles, United States of America for Seattle, United States of America. Sources: 1

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3 December 1928

The train reaches Seattle, United States of America in the early afternoon. Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ go direct to the Olympic Hotel. Sources: 1

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7 December 1928

After dinner, Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ go to the Ice Arena in Seattle, United States of America to watch a hockey match between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada. Jane describes the game as “Wildly exciting. A terribly quick game”. Sources: 1

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10 December 1928

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ are wakened at 06:30 “by telephone” and are aboard the train from Seattle, United States of America to Vancouver, Canada by 08:00. Sources: 1

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12 December 1928

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ board the M.V. Aorangi in Vancouver, Canada after breakfast and set sail at noon. Sources: 1

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19 December 1928

M.V. Aorangi makes a stop in Honolulu, Oceania. Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ are up early for a medical inspection prior to going ashore. Sources: 1

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28 December 1928

M.V. Aorangi makes a stop in Suva, Fiji. Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ take a tour around Fiji. Sources: 1

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30 December 1928

M.V. Aorangi arrives in Auckland, New Zealand. Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ are met on the pier by Maurice ♂, “grannie ♀”, Margery ♀ and Celia ♀. Sources: 1

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22 March 1929

S.S. Ulimaroa steams out of Auckland, New Zealand with Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ aboard. Sources: 1

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26 March 1929

S.S. Ulimaroa arrives in Sydney, Australia with Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ aboard. Despite rising at 05:45, Jane is in the bathroom as they pass the “new bridge” (under construction) and misses seeing it. Sources: 1

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1 April 1929

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ take a sleeper train from Sydney, Australia to Melbourne, Australia, arriving just in time for lunch. Sources: 1

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2 April 1929

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ see “Applesauce” at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Australia. “An amusing innocuous play,” notes Jane. In the Green Room afterwards they arrange to have lunch the next day with the Naders. Sources: 1

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3 April 1929

S.S. Orford steams out of from Melbourne, Australia, with Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ aboard. Sources: 1

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4 April 1929

S.S. Orford docks in Port Adelaide, Australia at about 23:00, with Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ aboard. Sources: 1

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5 April 1929

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ take the train from Port Adelaide, Australia to Adelaide, Australia, where Mrs. Ericson drives them up Mount Lofty, Australia in her Austin 20 for “a lovely panoramic view over Adelaide town.” Sources: 1

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6 April 1929

S.S. Orford departs from Adelaide, Australia with Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ aboard. The sea is rough for the next few days. Jane occupys herself reading “a Life of Abraham Lincoln, also some speeches of Baldwin's.” Sources: 1

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9 April 1929

S.S. Orford docks in Freemantle, Australia at 08.00. Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ catch the train to Perth, Australia, to visit Kings Park. They walk along an avenue of oaks, “each planted to commemorate a soldier lost in war. All well watered.” Sources: 1

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10 April 1929

S.S. Orford departs Freemantle, Australia with Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ aboard. Jane records that the sea is “calm at last, a following wind.” Lifeboat drill in the afternoon: “All had to don life belts and assemble at life boat stations. Life boats were manned and lowered to deck. Life belts very uncomfortable.” Sources: 1

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17 April 1929

S.S. Orford docks for the day in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ take a car to Kandy, Sri Lanka. En route they observe rice, rubber, tea and coconut plantations. On their way back, “tired of the everlasting outstretched palm” Jane notes seeing “a beautiful shining blue bird, a large brown butterfly, some huge bat-like creatures, crows and magpies.” Sources: 1

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22 April 1929

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ pass Socotra, Yemen and Cape Guardafui, Somalia aboard S.S. Orford on its way into the Red Sea. Sources: 1

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29 April 1929

Jane Shaw Blaikley ♀ sees snow covered mountains from the S.S. Orford as they pass Crete. Another boat drill. “Ted in bed with a temperature.” The ship's dooctor diagnoses flu and prescribes bed rest for two days. Sources: 1

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1 May 1929

S.S. Orford stops at Naples, Italy. Edward Allan Thomson ♂ stays aboard, still recovering from flu. Jane Thomson ♀ goes ashort to climbs Mount Vesuvious by electric train. “We looked right down into the great old crater and in the middle of that was a small cone formed in the eruption of 1906. It was vomiting flame coloured smoke with explosions. There were spouts of steam and sulphur coming out from the sides of the crater.” Sources: 1

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5 May 1929

S.S. Orford docks at Gibraltar, United Kingdom and Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ go ashore. “The rock face is immense and most imposing.”, observes Jane. “It is a beautifully clean town, with signs of the military occupation everywhere. We saw the no mans land lying between Spain and Gibraltar, the large zinc water catchments, the little Italian village just below them.” Sources: 1

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7 May 1929

Jane and Edward Allan Thomson ♂ arrive back in England aboard S.S. Orford, passing Cape Finesterre “and other lights” on the way. Jane notes: “Wind and sea somewhat lively. Many passengers incapacitated.” Sources: 3

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1929

Edward and Jane Thomson and their children William, Kate, Edith, Arthur and Joan, move into 38, Holly Park, Finchley, England. Sources: 2

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9 May 1935

Edward and Jane Thomson arrive in London, England aboard the S.S. Avila Star. Edward having boarded at Tenerife, Spain and Jane having boarded at Lisbon, Portugal. Sources: 1

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7 December 1939

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ resigns from his membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Sources: 1

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10 May 1949

Edward and Jane Thomson fly into San Francisco, United States of America from Auckland, New Zealand. Sources: 1

✝

30 September 1969

Edward Allan Thomson ♂ dies in Inverness, Scotland. Sources: 1

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