A little more info on both families Jack hopefully to assist readers to 'recognise' the family, especially the daughters.

* Leslie's parents were James Alexander Rickard (1871-1951) & his 2nd wife, Beatrice Amy Brougham (1883-1961) who married in 1909. James had 1st married Margaret Jane Hastings (1878-1900) in 1899. Margaret died 3 months after the birth of their daughter, 1900-1983 Margaret Elizabeth Rickard, who married Leslie George Vivian Loveday, musician of Woodville, both died London.
Les's other known siblings ..
1903 - 1976 Kenneth Irvine Rickard (+Wragge)
1904 - 1974 Dorothy May Rickard (+Boles/Check)
1910 - 1983 Douglas James Rickard (+Spary +Bradly)
1917 - 2000 Leslie Raymond Rickard (+Dixon)

Leslie attended Palmerston North Congregational Sunday School.
. In 1929 (aged 12) he received 1st prize in the Intermediate Boys with 100%.
. In 1930 he was in Grade 4 and obtained the highest marks of 78. At the end of that year he received a 1st prize and diploma award in the Young Worshipers' League.
. In 1931 he came 1st in the Senior Boys with 100%.
. He attended Palmerston North Boy's High School.
. In 1933 he was in Form VIb and received a prize in mathematics and drawing.
. He enjoyed drawing, specifically models and objects. In 1927 at the Spring Show, when in Standard IV, Hokowhitu, he received Merit Cards with his pencil drawings of a flower and another of a saucepan without lid.
. At the Dec 1929 school break-up of Hokowhitu school, he was presented with a Standard 6 attendance certificate.
. In 1933 at Boys High School he gained 1st prize, for a model drawing, in the secondary school's section of the Spring Show exhibit.
. On 9 Jan 1935 he was bridegroom for his brother Douglas in the Congregational Church, Palmerston North, when he married Mabel Gertrude Spary.
. In Nov 1936 he passed in the Training College Entrance Exam


* Edna's parents were Robert Alexander Dixon (1879-1957) & Jane Elizabeth Sutherland (1880-1957)
Her known siblings were ..
1903 - 1973 Leslie Alfred Dixon (+Horsfield)
1904 - 1962 Cyril Arthur Dixon (+Hooker)
1907 - 1972 Walter Victor Dixon (+Hay)
1909 - 1913 Eunice Catherine May Dixon (aged 4 Christchurch)
1917 - 1966 Edna Mavis Dixon (+Rickard)
1921 - 2009 Joyce Gwendoline Dixon (+Green)

Edna was very 'studious' and did well at school. She belonged to a 'Club' run by the local Star Newspaper and every year from 1929 to 1932, on her birthday of 16th Feb, 'Happy Birthday Greetings Edna' appeared in the paper. She was, as a young woman, what we would call today, a 'social butterfly.' She regularly attended dances and socials in Christchurch (she lived in New Brighton)
. In 1933 her Cocker Spaniel 'Chum' won 3rd prize at the Canterbury Kennel Club's 28th annual show
. In 1934 was in attendance when her parents held a party at their residence, Hood St., New Brighton to assist the funds of the Tui patrol of the New Brighton Girl Guides. It was organised by her sister Joyce Dixon and Nancy de la Mare.
. In 1937 Edna and sister Joyce attended a shipwreck-dress-up 'Pantry Gift Party' for their friend Hilda Oldman who was soon to be married

Press, 31 May 1937
20 year old Edna and her 16 year old sister Joyce, attended the Pleasant Point Yacht Club Dance, held in the Masonic Hall, New Brighton, to conclude the season's activities.

Manawatu Standard, 10 Sep 1938
COMING-OF-AGE PARTY On a recent evening, a happy throng of well-wishers gathered at the home of Mrs and Mrs J. A. Rickard, Terrace End, (Palmerston North) to celebrate the coming-of-age of their youngest son, Mr Les Rickard. The gay decorations added to the festive atmosphere and the evening, spent in games, competitions and songs, passed all too quickly. The guest of honour arranged and directed the programme to a happy climax when, at the attractive, well-laden supper table, 21 candles, set on the cake, cast a cheerful glow on merry faces, paper hats and colourful party accessories. Mr J. Rickard and Mr L. I. Rickard (Hastings), suitably spoke and Mr Les Rickard replied, expressing his deep appreciation of the sentiments of all, of the many opportunities given him at home and, in particular, of the gift from his parents of a beautifully inscribed gold watch, chain and key.
Among well-wishes unavoidably absent were, notably, Miss Edna Dixon (Dunedin), Mr L. Brougham and Mr and Mrs D. J. Rickard (Christchurch) (brother Douglas).
The spirited singing of 'Auld Lang Syne' terminated a thoroughly successful and memorable party.

Manawatu Standard, 6 Jan 1940
RICKARD - DIXON The engagement is announced of Edna Mavis, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs R. A. Dixon, 17 Hood Street, New Brighton, Christchurch and Leslie Raymond, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J. A. Rickard, 29 Summerhays Street, (Terrace End) Palmerston North.

LESLIE & EDNA married on 18 July 1940. It would be nice to find a wedding report on this event and I will add if found. I believe, however, that it was held in Christchurch because Les's parents were staying at the Federal Hotel (previously the Federal Coffee Palace) in Victoria-square, Christchurch that week.

In 1941 Leslie wrote letters to the Manawatu Times as Hon. Secretary of the Manawatu Branch of the Royal Life-Saving Society.

The approx birth dates of their 5 children
* 1941 - Lesley Rickard
RICKARD - On Tuesday, April 29th 1941, at 'Rostrata,' Palmerston North, (a private 20 bed maternity hospital) to Edna, wife of Les R. Rickard, 165 Fitzherbert Avenue; a daughter (Both well)
* 1943 - Edna Aubynne Rickard
RICKARD - On Wednesday, June 2 1943, at St Helen's, Christchurch, to Edna, wife of Les R. Rickard, R.N.Z.A.F., Harewood, a daughter (Lesley's little sister, 'Edna Aubynne'). Both well.
* 1947 - daughter Rickard
* 1951 - daughter Rickard
* 1952 - daughter Rickard

Nelson Evening Mail, 27 Dec 1945
Australian Mutual Provident Society - It is the intention of the Society on or after the 28th day of January next, to issue a Copy Policy in place of Policy No 1517548 on the life of Leslie Raymond Rickard, which Policy is declared to have been lost.

Edna Mavis Rickard Died 21 July 1966 aged 49
Leslie Raymond Rickard died 13 Sep 2000 aged 83
They are buried together in Plot 8 at Marsden Valley Cemetery, Nelson
HEADSTONE
Loving Memories Of
A Perfect Wife, Wonderful Mother
EDNA MAVIS RICKARD
Died 21st July 1966 aged 49

LESLIE RAYMOND RICKARD
Died 13th September 2000 aged 83
He Embraced Life - Together Again
"We Are Thine, O Lord"

Many thanks for all the information supplied.It has enabled me to fill in a few more gaps missing in my family tree.Any further family information regarding any of those mentioned in your above reply would also be very much appreciated.Again many thanks for your prompt response to my query.
Jack Richardson
Tauranga
email tavernside@xtra.co.nz

I note two of the five daughters of Leslie and Edna Rickard are named as being -Lesley b 29/4/1941, and Edna Aubynne Rickard b.2/6/1943.Would be interested to learn if you have discovered possible marriages for either of these siblings and if so would you be kind enough to send me the details etc via email.
Many thanks
Jack Richardson