Commander John Churchill ELWORTHY R N [608]

  General Notes:

Elworthy John Churchill.
1920-1920. House School. Son of Arthur Stanley Elworthy, Pareora, Lt R.N. Retired, ADC to the Gov General NZ 1934. OBE 1946. Farmer, Sumner Christchurch NZ
Christ's College School List 1850 - 1965

John was a tall imposing man with a larger than life personality and a great warmth for his fellow man. Seeking to join the Navy he was accepted and trained at Dartmouth, he entered the Service, Acting Sub Lieut., 1 Jan 1928, Lieut. 1 Nov 1930. Served on the Emperor of India 1925 - 28, he then had a bout of ill health, influenza and malaria. In 1930 he was diagnosed with myopia and red green colour blindness and therefore unfit for active service. His Navy record reveals he was yet to develop his personality, was tactful, young in manner but with common sense. He had not then matured physically but was described as a "genuine trier" sic.
On 25 Jan 1930 he was granted permission, with rank of Lieut, to accept the appointment as Aide-de-Camp to Lord Bledisloe, newly appointed Governor General to NZ.

Following this he retired from the Service to farm, first returning to the family farm, Holme Station at Pareora Sth Canterbury, then purchasing in 1938, Richmond Hill and Scarborough Hill adjoining blocks above Sumner Christchurch NZ.

Appointments In the New Zealand Naval Force.
Navy Office,
Wellington, 2 October, 1939.
His Excellency the Governor General has been pleased to approve the following appointments in the New Zealand Naval Forces:
Lieutenant Commander John Churchill Elworthy, Royal Navy (retired), HMS Philomel for Navy Office to HMS Philomel (temporarily), vice Michell, to date 24th September 1939.

Part of John's war time responsibilities while at Philomel was as Kings Harbour Master, Auckland, including shipping requiring the Calliope Dry Dock. A celebrated story goes something like this: post Battle of the River Plate, HMS Achilles was in Auckland for dry docking, John responsible for the docking was edging the ship in when it was caught by a notorious current, swinging it into one side of the dock then the other. Much paint was lost and Achilles Capt was looking unpleased, in a flash John exclaimed loudly "Ha Ha always better at docking lambs than ships" the Bridge was convulsed in laughter, the situation defused.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 1 JANUARY, 1946
Ministers, to give orders for the following appointments to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:
Division of the said Most Excellent Order:
Acting Commander John Churchill ELWORTHY,
Royal Navy (Retired).
Ref: The London Gazette 28 December 1945 Supplement: 37410 Page: 158
It would seem that John did not add his OBE as a post nominal.

In 1955 the homestead at Richmond Hill burnt down, John in his ebullient manner cheerfully telegraphed his wife, at sea enroute to England - HOUSE BURNT TO GROUND STOP ALL WELL STOP WILL BUILD BIGGER AND BETTER STOP
Ref: Edward's Legacy, by D Elworthy & R Henry 2011.

  Other Records

1. John & Hester Elworthy: Christchurch NZ.

John married Hester Mary HERRICK [609] [MRIN: 179], daughter of Frank Duncan HERRICK [25611] and Flora de Bathe BRANDON [25610], on 7 Feb 1937 in Napier N.Z. (Hester Mary HERRICK [609] was born on 8 Jan 1916 in Hawkes Bay NZ and died on 17 Apr 1996 in Christchurch NZ.)