Biography

CHARLES EDWARD HENRY

Burial register ID: 8959
Surname: HENRY
First name: CHARLES
Middle names: EDWARD
Gender: Male
Age: 59 Years
Cause of death: Unknown
Burial type:
Date of death: 17-Jan-1902
Date of burial: 19-Jan-1902

Block: 173
Plot: 2
Inscription:

IN MEMORY OF

SERGT. MAJOR CHARLES HENRY

DIED 17th JAN 1902

AGED 59 YEARS.

ALSO HIS WIFE

DOROTHEA

DIED 16th OCT 1946

AGED 90 YEARS.

Bio contributor: Maurice Henry

Sergeant Major Charles Henry (1843-1902)

Charles Henry was born in 1843 in Scotland. In 1875 Charles, his wife Louisa (née Giesler) and their three children, William aged 6, Dorothea aged 4 and Frederika aged 2, sailed as assisted passengers from Edinburgh on 31st July, arriving in Port Chalmers on 27th October. They were accompanied by Dorothea Giesler, sister of Louisa.

Charles worked as an ‘engineer’ and was an N.C.O. Sergeant Major in the Imperial Army. He was also employed by Messrs Siemens Brothers, London, for a number of years as an electrical engineer in England before coming to New Zealand. Once here he joined the Otago Volunteer Engineers Corp as N.C.O. Charles was awarded the Long Service Medal by the Duchess of York in 1901.

In 1878 Charles made the first telephone in New Zealand with backing from Alois Lubecki and J.K. Logan, inspector of telegraphs in Otago. The first call was made on 2nd February 1878 as recorded in New Zealand history.

In 1879 he set up business in Princes St, Dunedin as Engineer, Gunsmith and Locksmith. Part of the business was the service of the government locks and safes of the day. His sons followed in the trade of engineer.

In 1879 Charles married Dorothea Giesler, sister of his wife Louisa. The couple were married in Christchurch. Charles died on 17th January 1902 and is buried with his second wife Dorothea. Charles was given full military honours at his funeral.

There are 2 Interments in this grave:

Surname First names Age Date of death Date of burial
CAMPBELL DOROTHEA 90 Years 16-Oct-1946 18-Oct-1946
HENRY CHARLES EDWARD 59 Years 17-Jan-1902 19-Jan-1902