Arthur Starr WHATFORD (1861-1951)
was born in Brighton, Sussex, England, a son of:
Jack Thomas WHATFORD & Eliza Fanny BINSTEAD

Thames Advertiser, 2 October 1880 ARRIVAL OF THE FERNGLEN
The New Zealand Shipping Company's ship Fernglen, arrived yesterday from London, and having a quantity of explosive material on board, she dropped anchor at the powder ground. Here she was boarded shortly after 11 a.m. by Dr Philson, Health Officer, and Mr Brophy, Immigration Officer. The inspection of the passengers and their berths resulted satisfactory, no disease having occurred on the passage out.
The Fernglen, it will be remembered, came here last year under command of Captain Frater, who settled down in our midst. Mr J. Bubb, chief-officer, was then appointed to the command, and he has retained it since that time.
The Fernglen left London for Auckland on July 19, she brought a general cargo valued at £21,000 (2013 equivalent of $3,328,619) and the following passengers:-
... Steerage: Arthur Whatford

ARTHUR married in Mauku, South Auckland in 1885 to:
Phebe Charlotte Elizabeth MOWBRAY (1866-1947)
New Zealand Herald, 23 January 1885 WHATFORD-MOWBRAY
On January 21, at the Mauku, by the Rev S. Lawry, Arthur, fourth son of Major J. T. Whatford of 79 Grand Parade, Brighton, Sussex, England, to Phebe C. E., third daughter of the late Mr E. S. Mowbray, of Waiau, Karaka, Mauku - Sydney and Home papers please copy.

Phebe was born at Port Waikato to Edward Stenson MOWBRAY Billing (1827-1884) & Phebe GIBBS (1833-1898). (If looking for this family Edward had his mother's surname of Mowbray which he passed down to his children)

known children of ARTHUR & PHEBE
NOTE they had 12 children (read the timeline). At time of writing there is a son yet to be found and added
... 1
1885 - 1967 Hildred Fanny Whatford
Auckland Star, 27 October 1885 WHATFORD - On October 22, at Waiau, Mauku (Patumahoe), the wife of A. Whatford of a daughter
HILDRED married Horace Sydney COLLINS (1885-1941) in 1911
1 of their known children:
* 1914 - 2007 Averille Phebe Hildred Collins

... 2
1888 - 1968 Vivian Olive Mowbray Whatford
born at Waiau Pa, Franklin, Auckland
VIVIAN married ? ROSSI
she married John ADAMS (1869-1925) in 1914
son of James ADAMS (1829-1902) & Janet McDERMID (1836-1924)

... 3
1890 - 1974 Winifred Phebe 'Winnie' Whatford
WINIFRED marred Henry COLLETT in 1912
their known children
* 1913 - 1994 Athol Brendon Collett

... 4
1894 - 1977 Norma Edrige Whatford
NORMA married William Irwin THOMAS (1895-1977) in 1919
New Zealand Herald, 24 February 1919 THOMAS-WHATFORD
On January 23, 1919, at the Roman Catholic Church, Parnell, by the Rev Father Cahill, William Irwin, second son of Mr George Thomas, Panmure, to Norma Edridge, fourth daughter of Mr Arthur Whatford, Gordon, Te Aroha
William was born in Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia to George THOMAS (1873-1925 who was born in NZ) & Elizabeth Linda SHOESMITH (1872-1901 who was born in NSW). He died in Matamata

... 5
1897 - 1988 Arthur Henry Whatford
Arthur served in WWI as Trooper 58222 with the NZEF, 34th Reinforcements Mounted Rifles Brigade. He embarked 13 Nov 1917, listing his next of kin as his mother at Gordon, Te Aroha
ARTHUR married Louisa Maud KELL (nee BYGRAVE 1883-1956) in 1920
Louisa first married Thomas Richard Kell in 1907
Auckland Star, 22 October 1919 DEATH
KELL - On October 21, 1919, at Auckland, Thomas Richard Kell, beloved husband of Louisa Maud Kell and third son of Mr and Mrs F. Kell, Nikan Street, Eden Terrace, in his thirty seventh year. Private interment from Mr Weir's Ponsonby Road Thursday 10am
Arthur & Louisa had a son, Alan George Whatford who served in WWII
Arthur Henry Whatford was a football referee in Te Aroha in the 1930s

... 6
1899 - 1988 Lesley Isabel Whatford
LESLEY married Joseph ORR in 1919

... 7
1902 - 1992 Avis Vernon Whatford
AVIS married Hollis Raymond CARTER (1899-1969) in 1927
son of James Henry CARTER (1869-1950) & Martha NICOL (1874-1962) of Piako, Waikato
he had 2 known sisters:
* 1898 - 1975 Myrtle Carter
- born in Wellington 15 Feb 1898, Myrtle married Arthur 'Cecil' Chayton LEWIN (1892-1928) in 1921. Cecil died 22 Sep 1928 aged 36 & is buried at Hamilton East. Myrtle next married Albert Edward Frank 'Bert' HERRING (1888-1967). She died 19 Jan 1975 aged 76 & is buried with Bert in Plot 76, Block XX at Matamata
* 1902 - 1974 Grace Beatrice Carter
- born 9 August 1902, Grace married Sydney Charles McKAY (1903-1985) in 1923. Son of Charles McKAY & Matilda HODGINS

... 8
1905 - 1989 Audrey Sybil Ruth Whatford
AUDREY married Edward Holland HOWARTH (1902-2000) in 1924
born in Ryde, Sydney, Australia to William HOWARTH & Emma GOLDING
New Zealand Herald, 9 August 1924 HOWARTH-WHATFORD
On July 2, at the residence of the bride's parents, Waharoa, by Rev W. Connolly, Edward Holland Howarth, fourth son of Mr W. Howarth, to Audrey Sybil Ruth, seventh daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Whatford
- they died in Silverdale, Auckland

... 9
1908 - 1992 Owen Eldon Whatford
OWEN married Melva Sarah MANNING (1913-1977) in 1933
daughter of George Emmanuel MANNING & Annie CAMPBELL

... 10
1909 - 1999 Phebe Rosalind Mowbray Whatford
PHOEBE married William MILLER in 1931
she married Raymond Trevor BURGESS in 1946

... 11
1912 - 1987 Noel Whatford
- nothing known at this time

TIMELINE
New Zealand Herald, 21 June 1881 HARRISVILLE, TUAKAU
The Karaka Amateur Dramatic Troupe gave a performance (by special request) at the school-house, when they played the farce "Perfection" on Friday evening, June 10, and, considering the inclemency of the weather, it was very well attended. All those who were present appeared to thoroughly enjoy the treat which our young friends, Messrs Mowbray, Whatford, Wily, and other members of the troupe, presented to them that eveing. It would be invidious to mention names perhaps, but I must say that it is seldom indeed that the acting of Mr Whatford is excelled by amateurs. The make-up of all was very good, having, as they had to do, to provide themselves with dresses, stage, &c., at such a distance from home. The trying and difficult part of a lady fell to the lot of Mr Mowbray, which was well sustained. Mr H. Wily ably represented the character of a young swell of the last century, and roars of laughter greeted the appearance and make-up of Mrs Whiteside. During the evening some excellent songs were given by Messrs Whatford, Mowbray, Jas. Brown, R. Bilkey and J. Rowe. About 9 o'clock refreshments were handed round, in the shape of tea and cake, the gift of several ladies in the neighbourhood. The room was then cleared and dancing commenced, which was kept up till an early our in the morning

Auckland Star, 30 Dec 1929 Te AROHA NEWS
Members of the Te Aroha Fire Brigade participated this week in the distribution of the United Fire Brigade Association's medals and certificates, and at a gathering of firemen the recipients were warmly comgratulated. Long service medals were awarded to Firemen: C. R. McINNESS, H. GOLDSBURY and H. C. PETERSEN and three years' certificates to Firemen: H. MANNING, H. R. HAWKE and Arthur WHATFORD

Auckland Star, 1 Feb 1935 GOLDEN WEDDING
Over 70 guests assembled to honour Mr and Mrs A. Whatford, of Manurewa, on the occasion of their golden wedding. Mr Whatford arrived from England in 1881 in the ship Fern Glen (Captain Budd) and settled at mauku. In 1885 he was married to Phoebe, third daughter of the late Sergeant-major Mowbray, of Waiau Pa. Mrs Whatford has been very active in social welfare work, and Mr Whatford is, and has been, keenly interested in military and musical organisations, having served in the old Battery Artillery, Pukekohe Rifles, Waiuku Cavalry and Franklin Mounted Rifles. He also was a memnber of the North Auckland Regimental Band, and was elected a life member of that organisation. He is now a member of the Manurewa Town Board.
At the wedding breakfast the toast of the 'Bride and Bridegroom' was propsed by Mr Charles Way and honoured with great enthusiasm. A wedding cake, made by Mrs Hyland (Ponsonby) was cut by the bride amidst applause. Musical items and dancing contributed to the success of the evening, the happy couple receiving many handsome gifts. They have a family of eight daughters and four sons. There are 33 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Contributors to the evening's enjoyment were Mr S. Carter, Miss Betty Collett (songs), Miss Collins and Master Collins. Visitors and relations were present from all over the Auckland Province, and in addition a sheaf of congratulatory telegrams and letters were received. "Auld Lang Syne" in the early morning hours brought the celebration to a happy close.

Auckland Star, 23 April 1935 MANUREWA NOTES
Pegler's Hall was comfortably filled last Thursday evening, the object being to say farewell to Mr and Mrs Whatford, who are leaving Manurewa to take up their residence in Papatoetoe. Dancing was provided for, the town band's dance orchestra supplying the music, and a special room for card playing was also much appreciated. During the evening the guests of honour were presented with a beautiful afternoon tea set as a mark of respect and esteem. Mr L. Watts, in making the presentation, on behalf of the subscribers, spoke very highly of services rendered to many social functions by the recipients. Mr J. Edwards (chairman of town band's executive), also spoke briefly. Mr Whatford made a very happy speech, thanking all for the beautiful gift

Auckland Star, 29 February 1936 MANUREWA CONCERT
An enjoyable concert was presented by a visiting party on Thursdat evening in the Presbyterian Church Hall, which was filled by an appreciative audience. The proceeds were in aid of the church building fund. The organiser, Mr A. Whatford, a former resident of Manurewa, received a vote of thanks for his work. Items were fiven by Misses Wood (3), Betty Collett and mrs Wood, Dr Valentine, Messrs Way, May, Firth, Reynolds and W. Sanderson. The lady members of the party received bouquets

Auckland Star, 27 May 1944 DEATH
WHATFORD - On May 26 (suddenly), at Auckland Hospital, Hartnell Whatford, loved brother of Arthur Whatford, Papatoetoe

Auckland Star, 23 January 1945 DIAMOND WEDDING
Mr and Mrs A. Whatford Family Reunion
At the Papatoetoe Town Hall yesterday evening the diamond wedding was celebrated of Mr and Mrs A. Whatford, who have resided in Papatoetoe for the past ten years.
Mr Whatford arrived in New Zealand from Sussex in 1881. Mrs Whatford, daughter of the late Sergeant-Major C. Mowbray, was born at Waiuku. Mr and Mrs Whatford were married in mauku in 1885 by the Rev. Lowry. There is a family of eight daughters and four sons. There are 42 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
The function held last evening was attended by over 150 members of the family and intimate friends, who were received on arrival by Mrs Whatford. During the breakfast telegrams were read from his Excellency the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and grandsons who are serving in the forces overseas