Robert Harvey Edmeades
Robert Harvey Edmeades was born in Morrinsville in 1914, to George Warren and Rosanna Edmeades nee Strand. Robert's father was at that time working as a plumber, but the family moved to Putaruru in 1920 when his father was able to purchase a farm. Robert attended Putaruru Primary School until he gained his Proficiency Certificate, and then went to College in Matamata. His wife Ina would note in her biography that 'These were long days for a lad, helping to milk in the morning, cycling two and a half miles to catch the train, then home again by 4.30 after his studies'. Despite being a promising student, Robert had to leave school early to help on the family farm.
Robert was a diligent member of the Putaruru Methodist Sunday School and bible class, earning a number of scripture examination certificates. He was also a lay preacher and a few of his sermons are held in the family archives. In addition to work on the family farm, Bob took on contract work in the district such as ploughing and fencing. He had saved enough by 1938 that on his marriage to Ina Fitness he was able to purchase a new dining room suite, bedroom suite and a carpet square. Bob and Ina farmed on the Edmeades family farm in Tapapa Road (now Whites Road) for many years. Bob also gained his commercial drivers license and drove the local school bus. The extra income would have been very useful for raising the couple's 10 children. During World War Two Bob enlisted with the army and trained at Papakura Military Camp. He was posted first to the Anti-Aircarft Unit at Belmont, and then to Fort Dorset near Wellington Heads, when he was promoted to Lance Bombardier and joined the 2nd echelon awaiting departure for overseas. However after a short illness he was declared medically unfit to travel. Alongside his parents, Bob and Ina became founding members of the Putaruru Baptist Church in the 1930s, and both served as deacons. Bob was well known as an excellent tenor, and took up the role of church choirmaster. He was also committed to community development, and served on the Putaruru High School Board of Governors for many years. In later years Bob was a founding partner and director of Custom Blend Fertilizers. He worked as a farm advisor, and specialized in soil health. While he was working for Custom Blend, the couple moved to Mt Maunganui for a time. However when Bob retired in 1983 the couple returned to Putaruru, and Bob died soon afterwards in 1985. |