George John BEST (1848-1911)
was born about 1848. When he came to New Zealand is unknown at this time but he was a settler first in Ohaiu & Otaki before he farmed in Kiritaki (12km SW of Dannevirke). He had at least 2 brothers in Hawera

Elizabeth GILBERT (1859-1937)
was born in Ohariu Valley, Wellington 24 April 1859
the 3rd of 9 children of Thomas Gilbert & his 1st wife, Mary Ann Lea (nee Stringer)
- a MUST SEE site for Elizabeth's family (her father had 15 children)

GEORGE & ELIZABETH married on 17 July 1883
the known children of GEORGE & ELIZABETH:
... 1
1884 - 1956 George Thomas Best
- nothing known


... 2
1885 - 1959 Walter Henry Best
- Walter married Helen Grace PARSONS (1895-1972) 27 Dec 1915
- a daughter of George Henry PARSONS & Mary Elizabeth GREEN of Masterton
- Walter served in WWI as Trooper 11/2292 with the NZEF, Wellington Mounted Rifles, B Squadron, embarking from Wellington 4 March 1916 for Egypt. He listed his next of kin as his mother Elizabeth Best of Kiritaki, Dannevirke??. He was wounded 7 Aug 1916 (his mother still listed as next of kin)


... 3
1887 - 1960 Herbert Best
- Herbert served in WWI as Private 72612 with the NZEF, 42nd Reinforcements New Zealand Medical Corps, embarking from Wellington 1 Aug 1918 for London. He listed his mother of Kiritaki, Dannevirke as his next of kin


... 4
1888 - 1918 Frederick James Best
- Frederick served in WWI as Private 20299 with the NZEF, 16th Reinforcements Wellington Infantry Battalion, B Company, embarking from Wellington 21 Aug 1916 for Plymouth. He listed his morther of Kiritaki, via Oringi as next of kin. Frederick DIED OF HIS WOUND in France 24 August 1918 aged 30. He is buried IV. E. 36. at Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, Somme, France


... 5
1890 - 1980 Ernest Douglas Best
- in July 1917 Ernest was a farmer at Kiritaki when he appealed to the Military Appeal Board


... 6
1892 - Ethel May Best
- nothing known


... 7
1894 - 1966 Arthur Arnold Best
- Arthur married Peggy TURNER (1906-1951) in 1924
- a daughter of Neil Smith TURNER & Mary Mitchell DICK of Oamaru
Auckland Star, 16 June 1945 NELSON GROCERS CHARGED
... Three Nelson grocers appeared in Court this morning on charges of having supplied sugar without coupons or permits between November 26, 1944 and April 15, 1945. It was stated that complaints had been received from other traders about illegal sales of sugar. Evidence was given that the deficiency in the case of William Blue was 913lb, in that of Arthur Arnold Best, manager of the Workers' Co-operative Society, 997lb (452kg), and Archibald Smith, who supplies colleges, 234lb. Coupons had been surrendered that would account for 100lb of Smith's deficiency. The magistrate reserved his decision


... 8
1897 - 1985 Rose Evelyn Gilbert Best
- Rose married Alfred William TURVEY in 1923
ALFRED died 22 Feb 1968 aged 70
ROSE died 19 April 1985 aged 88
- they are buried Plot 26, Block LF at Mangatera Cemetery, Dabbevirke


... 9
1899 - 1991 Elsie Beatrice Best
- Elsie married Ernest RICKARD in 1922


George John BEST died 10 April April 1911 aged 62 in Dannevirke
- he is buried Grave 88, Block K at SETTLERS CEMETERY, Dannevirke
Hawera & Normanby Star, 13 April 1911
... BEST - On April 11th, at his residence, Kiritaki, Dannevirke, after a long illness, George John Best, dearly beloved brother of J. (Joseph Best) and H. P. Best (Henry Parker 1859-1948), of this district; aged 61 years. Deeply regretted. Eltham paper please copy.


Elizabeth BEST died 21 Feb 1937 in Rototuna, Hamilton aged 77
- she is buried location BB-Q-083 Hamilton East cemetery


PHOTO
Private 20288, Frederick James Best