A Pioneer Family's Journey from Cornwall to New Zealand - 1912 - 2002
About This Story
This is the remarkable story of Mary Cloake, born in Devon, England in 1912, who immigrated to New Zealand as a baby with her parents Sarah and Bertie Thomas Cloake. Her memoir chronicles the development of her family's beekeeping enterprise in South Canterbury, from humble beginnings to a thriving business that helped establish New Zealand's beekeeping industry.
Timeline
- 1912: Born in Newton Abbott, Devon, England
- 1913: Journey to New Zealand via S.S. Corinthic
- 1913-1921: High country stations and rural life
- 1921: Family settles at Springbrook
- 1923: Beginning of the beekeeping enterprise
- 1943: Married Charles Wilson
- 2002: Passed away, eight weeks before her 90th birthday