The Henwood Family
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Kenneth Donthorn Henwood (2005)
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Kenneth Donthorn Henwood
19 December 1914, in Vryheid, Natal,
South Africa
Sidney Evelyn
Henwood
Alice
Mildred
(White) Henwood
Michaelhouse,
Balgowan, Natal, South Africa, which
he attended from 1929 until 1933.
Clerk; mastersinker in the
mining industry
Mining
Weekly 6 June 2003
The
fascinating early days of a highly-successful platinum play
Impala Platinum has a fascinating history.
This 13-shaft operation has formed the backbone of the world’s
second-largest platinum company for the past 34 years.
It was in 1967 that the first blast took place under the aegis of
the then Union Corporation.
...
In an exclusive interview with Mining Weekly at the Impala
Platinum corporate office in Houghton, Johannesburg, Paton pieced
together the scattered historical jigsaw, revealing the earliest
groundbreaking occurrences within what is today an operation with as
many years ahead of it as there are behind it.
One of the hardest pieces of early evidence has been supplied by
Don Henwood, an octogenarian now living in Germiston, who made daily
diary entries of his stay on site in 1967.
It was Henwood, as mastersinker, who sank the first two prospect
winzes, bearing in mind that the vertical winze included 10 m
crosscutting and 60 m driving.
Henwood revealed this when he visited the Impala Platinum offices
earlier this year to recall his early efforts.
Recollection of the ‘notorious’ black turf, which the old-timers
worked on, was that one often had to be tractor-towed around to make
headway in it.
Henwood vividly describes how the work was hampered by the lack
of roads and infrastructure.
In recognition of his pioneering work, Impala Platinum presented
a computer as a gift to Henwood this year as a token of gratitude for
his contribution to the company.
S.
Michael's Chronicle June 1946 p63
Don Henwood and
his family are living in Boksburg East, where he says "the interest and
pleasure of home building has made the return to Civvy Street an eager
adventure." He is with the Mining Industries there.
S. Michael's Chronicle May 1978 p70
K.
D. (Don) Henwood (29-33) has retired and lives in Welkom.
S.
Michael's Chronicle March 1981 p112
K.
D. Henwood (29-33) has retired and lives in Germiston. He
plans an extended stay in England with his son and grandchildren.
S.
Michael's Chronicle May 1984 p118
K.D.
(Don) Henwood (29-33) wrote his own tribute to Rector Ronald
Currey which may interest some OMs of that era.
"So dear old Rector Ronald Currey's gone too. What a man he was, of the
finest in every sense of the term. I can see him as though it was
yesterday, standing on the dining hall platform, legs astride, right
hand behind him, tucked into the back of his trousers, coat rucked up by
his arm in this position, the left hand free to mark a particular
passage of what he had to say, with a co-ordinated emphasis, hips
swaying, cultured and melliflous voice with trained delivery, conveying
to the still and silent sea of upturned faces the admonishments or the
praises of the day. One occasion I recall, his address was in these
terms, more or less, 'The Balgowan Station Master has been to see me to
report a serious misdemeanour by a boy, or boys, from this school, who
were seen, or observed, to be throwing or otherwise projecting, sticks,
stones, or similar missiles, at, near or in the direction of, certain
electrical standards or other equipment belonging to and on the property
of, the South African Railways. I need hardly stress, for the rest of
you, the danger and immaturity of such an act, or acts, nor the harm
which it does to the image of our school. I should like to see the
culprits in my study at first break. That is all. Thank you, Turner (or
was it Hindson?)'."
25 June 2006, in Johannesburg,
Gauteng, South Africa
The cause of death was a heart attack.
Vryheid, Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South
Africa
1937: Vryheid, Natal (Pietermaritzburg
Estate Files 1937 #25068 film 007869109 image 1551)
1946: 104 Voortrekker St., Boksburg East, Transvaal (Pietermaritzburg
Estate Files 1946 #1511 film 007869183 image 329)
1978: Welkom, Orange Free State (S. Michael's Chronicle May 1978 p70)
1981: Germiston, Transvaal (S. Michael's Chronicle March 1981 p112)
Phyllis Mildred (Henwood) Mathias
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Phyllis Mildred Henwood
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27 January 1911, in Vryheid, Natal,
South Africa
Sidney Evelyn
Henwood
Alice
Mildred
(White) Henwood
St
Anne's Diocesan College, Hilton, Natal, South Africa
Phyllis boarded in Francis Baines House, and matriculated in December 1929.
She played for the school's 1st Eleven hockey team, and was a member of the
school shooting team.
Lewis Mathias on 9 October 1942, at
Caxton Hall, Westminster, London, England
Lewis was born on 4 September 1915, at Lamphey Court, Lamphey,
Pembrokeshire, Wales, the son of Charles Ronald Mathias and Shelah Natalie
Farewell Fynn. He was educated at Royal
Air Force College, Cranwell, Lincolnshire, and commissioned as a pilot
officer in the R.A.F. on 14 December 1935 (London Gazette 28 January 1936 p606). Lewis
was promoted to flying
officer on 14 June 1937 (London Gazette 28 June 1937 p4181), to flight lieutenant
on 14 June 1939 (London Gazette 11 July 1939 p4769), and
temporary squadron leader on 1 September 1940 (London Gazette 20 September 1940 p5582). He
was promoted to squadron
leader on 1 September 1940 (London Gazette 14 April 1942 p1650), and
temporary wing commander on 1 June 1942 (London Gazette 3 July 1942 p2924). Lewis
was mentioned in despatches on 8 June 1944 (London Gazette 2 June 1944 p2614) and again
on 14 June 1945 (London Gazette 8 June 1945 p2991). Lewis
relinquished the temporary rank of wing commander on 1 November 1947 (London Gazette 14 November 1947 p5433) but
was promoted to wing commander on 1 January 1949 (London Gazette 28 December 1948 p6721). He
retired on 2 November 1957 (London Gazette 15 November 1957 p6718).
Lewis, then of Lamphrey Court, was appointed a Deputy
Lieutenant in Pembrokeshire on 7 May 1960 (London Gazette 13 May 1960 p3374) and
Sheriff of Pembrokeshire in 1965 (London Gazette 26 March 1965 p3049). Lewis
married, secondly, Huguette Ida Levy in Algiers, Algeria, in 1945.
Masseuse. Phyllis was a member
of the Chartered Society of Masseuses & Medical Gymnasts (S.C.M.M.G.),
and L.E.T., M.E.
In the probate proceedings of her father's will, a document dated 21
September 1937 states that Phyllis and her sister, Thalia, "are at present
studying in England for the profession of masseuse"
S. Anne's Diocesan College Magazine September
1935 p24-5
Phyllis
Henwood is training at the Swedish Institute, London, and has
successfully passed her first examination. She spent a very enjoyable
summer holiday with friends in a motor caravan; their headquarters were
about eight miles from Weymouth and from there they motored all through
Dorset and Devon; afterwards she stayed near Pembroke. She has met
several S. Anne's girls. Monica O'Connor is training with her at the
Swedish Institute.
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Phyllis died aboard the S.S.
Ceramic when it was sunk in 1942
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7 December 1942, aboard the S.S.
Ceramic when it was torpedoed by a U-boat west of the Azores.
The Ceramic left Liverpool on 23
November 1942, bound for South Africa and Australia, carrying both Allied
troops and 378 civilian passengers. It was torpedoed by U-515 on the night
of 6 December 1942 in latitude 40 deg. 30 min. N., longitude 40 deg, 20 min.
W, west of the Azores in the Atlantic ocean. The Ceramic took about three
hours to sink, and everyone on board was evacuated to lifeboats. The
lifeboats drifted through a relatively calm night, and contact was made
between some of them at daybreak, but a terrible storm descended in the
morning and some of the lifeboats were swamped and capsized. Rescue vessels
were forced to turn back due to the storm. Of the 656 people on board the Ceramic, only one survived - Sapper
Eric Munday was pulled from the water by the U-boat for interrogation and
subsequently held as a P.O.W. The complete story of the Ceramic,
including interviews with Eric Munday and some of the U-boat crew has been
recorded in SS Ceramic - The Untold Story (Clare
Hardy, 2006)
SS
Ceramic - The Untold Story (Clare Hardy, 2006)
CASUALTY LIST
...
MATHIAS PHYLLIS MILDRED S.C.M.M.G., L.E.T., M.E.
Age: 31
Occupation or Calling: Masseuse
Ticket No. 231 (Henwood)
Destination: Durban
Address in UK: Lamphey Court, Lamphey, Pembrokeshire.
Also: Highclere, Haverfordwest, Pembroke
Daughter of Alice Mildred Henwood, of Entabeni, Vryheid, Natal, South
Africa, and of the late Sidney Evelyn Henwood.
Wife of Wing Comdr. Lewis Mathias, R.A.F.
*Travelling with Mabel Burgess Nicholas, ticket no. 230.
Shipping Co. note: After this vessel sailed we were informed by the High
Comm. for S. Africa that this passenger booked in her maiden name (Henwood
- see No.142) but married Wing Comdr Mathias at Caxton Hall on the 9th
Oct. 1942.
S. Anne's Diocesan College Magazine September
1943 p13
OBITUARY.
We regret to report the death of Mrs. LEWIS MATHIAS
(Phyllis Henwood).
Soon after leaving S. Anne's, Phyllis went over to England and
took up nursing, and then qualified in Radiography, after which she held
several appointments in England. She married Wing-Commander Lewis
Mathias, R.A.F., on October 19th, 1942. She sailed on the Ceramic soon
afterwards to take up an appointment at the Cape. Unfortunately, Phyllis
was not amongst the survivors when this ill-fated ship was lost at sea.
England &
Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations)
MATHIAS Phyllis Mildred of Lamphey Court Pembrokeshire
(wife of Lewis Mathias) died on or since 7 December 1942 at sea
Administration (limited) Carmarthon 30 December to Charles Ronald
Mathias of no occupation and Shelah Mathias (wifeof the said Charles
Ronald Mathias) attorneys of the said Lewis Mathias. Effects £1227 6s.
1942: Lamphey Court, Lamphey, Pembrokeshire, also Highclere, Haverfordwest,
Pembrokeshire (SS Ceramic - The Untold Story)
Sidney Evelyn Henwood
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Sidney Evelyn Henwood
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14 November 1883, in Howick, Colony
of Natal
2 June 1884, in St Mark Karkloof
& St Luke Howick, Colony of Natal
Sidney Evelyn is recorded as born on 14th November 1883 and
baptised on June 2d 1884, the son of James Henwood, a butcher of
Howick, and Catherine Thomas Henwood. The sponsors were James Henwood,
Ernest T. Burges and Elizabeth Amelia Walsh.
James Henwood
Catherine Thomas (Walsh) Henwood
Alice
Mildred
White on 6 April 1910 in St Peter's Parish Church, Pietermaritzburg,
Natal
Sidney Evelyn Henwood is recorded as a bachelor, aged 26. He is a solicitor,
resident in Vryheid. Alice Mildred White is recorded as a spinster, aged 24,
resident in Maritzburg. The marriage was performed by R. Chastet de
Brinville, and witnessed by G. R. Hathorn and R. D. Barker.
The ante-nuptial contract signed by Sidney and Alice on 5 April 1910 is held
at Pietermaritzburg
Estate Files 1937 #25068 film 007869109 images 1540-8
Solicitor
Sidney was a founder of the legal firm "Cox & Partners" in Vryheid in
1910.
The Henwood family lived in a large
home named "Entabeni" at 219 East Street in Vryheid from 1910 until 1945.
Sidney visited England and Europe from April 1936 until October 1936. They
had a beach cottage in Umhlanga Rocks, which is now part of the staff
quarters of the Oyster Box hotel.
17 January 1937, at The Sanatorium,
Durban, Natal, South Africa, aged 53
The cause of death is listed as coronary
thrombosis, angina
pectoris and myocardial failure of duration 17 days.
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Headstone of Sidney Evelyn Henwood and
Alice Mildred White in Main Cemetery, Vryheid, Natal
photograph by Chris and Petra Lombard
at eGGSA
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Main cemetery, Vryheid, Natal, South
Africa, with his wife, Milly. Their headstone reads:-
IN
LOVING MEMORY OF
SIDNEY EVELYN
HENWOOD
★ 14 . 11 . 1883
† 17 . 1 . 1937
QUIETLY HE
HELPED SO MANY
ERECTED BY A LOVED
IN
LOVING MEMORY OF
MILLY HENWOOD
(NEE ALICE MILDRED WHITE)
★ 27 . 4 . 1885
M 6 . 4 . 1910
† 18 . 4 . 1979
GENTLY SHE LIVED
& GENTLY SHE DIED
AND LOVING FAMILY
dated 18 November 1932 filed 1
February 1937
Pietermaritzburg
Estate Files 1937 #25068 film 007869109 images 1533-7
This is the Last Will and Testament of me Sidney
Evelyn Henwood of Vryheid Solicitor. I give devise and bequeath the whole
of my estate and effects movable and immovable in possession reversion
remainder or expectancy nothing whatsoever excepted unto and in favour of
my Trustees hereinafter appointed upon Trust subject to the terms and
conditions hereinafter provided:
1. To sell my legal practice provided a reasonable price is obtainable and
if the purchaser is unable to pay the purchase price in cash terms may be
be given upon security or the practice may be sold subject to a suspensive
condition whereby ownership shall only pass to the Purchaser on payment in
full; or the practice may be continued for the benefit of my Estate on a
profit sharing basis provided that my Estate shall be protected against
undue liabilities at the Bank or elsewhere.
2. H. T. Bowler may take over my interest in the business of H. T. Bowler
and Co. and if he can not arrange to pay for the same on terms
satisfactory to my Trustees the business shall be liquidated and the money
due to me paid to my Estate.
3. My business properties in Vryheid shall be realised and converted into
cash if a reasonable price can be obtained for same; otherwise they shall
continue to be held by my Estate and let to suitable Tenants.
4. If my Wife and children so desire my Residence in Vryheid shall be
realised and pending realisation it may be let to a careful tenant.
5. My household furniture and effects shall not be sold but the use
thereof shall be allowed to my Wife and children. If they should decide to
leave Vryheid it may be sold or so much of it as may not be required and
eventually divided between them.
6. My pictures and personal effects shall not be sold but shall be
retained and dealt with as hereinafter provided.
7. The rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects shall be sold
as and when a favourable opportunity occurs eithe rby public auction or
private treaty.
8. In any sale or continuation of my legal practice my Book Debts and
moneys owing to me shall no be included but shall be collected for the
benefit of my Estate.
9. My Trustees shall invest the capital moneys belonging to my Estate in
Government Stocks or Municipal Stocks of Durban Johannesburg or Capetown
and the income shall be applied by my Trustees firstly in the payment to
my Wife of a personal allowance of £25 per month and the balance in the
maintenance education and support of my children.
10. As each child marries or attains the age of 25 years there shall be
paid to him or to her one seventh portion of the value of my Estate, the
remaining one seventh portion after payment has been made to all my
children shall be paid to my wife.
11. To establish any of my children in a suitable profession or business
my Trustees are authorised to advance capital to them on account of their
respective shares.
12. It shall be the duty of my Trustees to see that my daughters marry
under Ante-Nuptial Contract and the bequests to them under this Will are
for their own separate use and benefit.
13. Upon payment to all my children of their respective shares in terms
hereof the bequest of income in favour of my wife shall end.
14. In the event of the income from my Estate from capital invested as
provided in paragraph 9 hereof being insufficient to meet the needs of my
Wife and Children, a portion of the capital of my Estate not exceeding one
half thereof may be invested by my Trustees in first mortgage or rent
producing property in Durban or in rent producing property in
Pietermaritzburg or Johannesburg. But it is my wish that if possible the
whole of the capital of my Estate shall be invested as set out in
paragraph 9 hereof.
15. In paying the share of capital due to my respective children in terms
hereof, my Trustees shall transfer to them personally securities
representing the amount thereof.
16. I nominate and appoint my Wife Alice Mildred and Thomas James Houston
to be the Executors of this my Will and Trustees and Administrators of my
Estate giving and granting to them all such powers as are allowed or
required in law and especially those of assumption and substitution. As
soon as my son Kenneth Donthorn attains the age of 21 years he shall be
assumed as a Co-Trustee with the same powers.
17. The Life Policies in favour of my respective sons shall belong to them
and be converted by my Trustees into suitable endowment Policies for their
benefit.
18. I bequeath my Volschenk Pictures and my Etchings to my daughter
Phyllis to become her property on her marriage and my Watch and jewellry
to my two sons and my Camera to my Son Geoffrey.
19. Any child who may predecease me or the period of distribution leaving
children, his or her share shall devolve upon them per stirpes.
20. I declare this to be my Last Will and Testament and desire that it may
have effect as such or as a codicil as may be found to consist with Law.
Thus done and signed at Vryheid this Eighteenth day of November in
the Year of Our Lord One thousand Nine hundred and Thirty two.
"S.E.HENWOOD"
Signed by the Testator the said Sidney Evelyn Henwood in the presence of
us the undersigned who in the presence of the Testator and of each other
have hereunto set our hands as Witnesses to the foregoing Will and
Testament
"F.EMMETT"
"J.N.PERRY"
1910 - 1945: "Entabeni" at 219 East Street in Vryheid, Natal
1937: Vryheid, Natal (Natal
Civil Records Deaths 1937 Durban film 007751147 image 1149)
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