Vera Elizabeth GREEN (1905-1987)

[Printer]

Hello,

I am hoping that someone might be able to assist in finding some details for me about Vera Elizabeth GREEN (nee Fox).

She was born Vera Elizabeth FOX in 1905, Christchurch New Zealand. She married Reginald BIRD in Singapore about 1936. He was in the Civil Service, and when Singapore fell to the Japanese, in 1942, he was taken prisoner, and never seen again! Vera was evacuated to Colombo, and then onto Durban, South Africa.

She obtained a private post at Wykeham, a girl's school in Pietermaritzburg. Her mother died, in 1943 in Christchurch, NZ and after her return, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Army Service for 4 years. Upon discharge she bought and ran a Boarding House, in Durban.

She met William (Bill) Green, a Property and Real Estate Agent. He joined the Pietermaritzburg City Corporation as a Property Valuer, retiring after 20 years as Head Valuer. In 1974 the couple moved to 12 Rouken Glen, 381 Musgrave Road, Durban.

Vera Green was very much involved with many activities in Pietermaritzburg, including the Order of St. John. In 1976 Bill Green died, and Vera returned to Christchurch, NZ but then in 1977 she returned to Pietermaritzburg, and once again began the task of instructing nurses. In 1981 she was appointed District Staff Officer of Nursing.

Vera died in 1987 in Pietermaritzburg.

I am not familiar with the facilities available for finding family in South Africa. I have posted all the information that I know and am hoping to be able to find out more about Vera and her husband, Bill Green. Thank you.

Printer

[dbree]

Hi Printer,

In case you haven't seen this,

A marriage Oct. 31, 1951 Natal, South Africa
Green, William Alfred, age 45, b. England, divorced, poultry farmer
Bird, Vera Elizabeth (nee Fox) age 45, b. NZ, divorced
C.E. and K.P McIntosh, witnesses
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DH7S-FWF?mode=g&i=2533&cc=2063749

Cheers,
DB

[dbree]

Hi Printer,

UK Incoming Passenger List, Durban to Southampton Feb. 17, 1950 on the ship Edinburgh
Castle,
Green, William A., age 43, Land and Estate Agent, going to 15 Kingwood Rd., Colchester, Essex,
last permanent residence South Africa
On the same ship,
Bird, Vera Elizabeth, age 44, going to New Zealand High Comms. Office, Strand London, last
permanent residence South Africa.

Ship board romance perhaps.

Cheers,
DB

[Printer]

Hi DB,

Thank you so much. That's a fantastic find, and very much appreciated. I have found a photo of the apartment where the couple lived in Musgrave Road, Durban too.

Is there anywhere that I might be able to find the death notices or the graves?

Regards.

Printer

[pampoen]

Here is Bill Greens grave stone http://www.eggsa.org/library/main.php?g2_itemId=2773244

[Printer]

Hello pampoen,

Thank you, so very much. Not only the gravestone, but date of death and name of cemetery. I never expected that. Only need Vera's headstone/place of burial now. Regards.

Printer

[pampoen]

I put your story on a Pietermaritzburg group seeing as Vera nursed/taught there I had one reply. This is all they know. Unfortunately one cannot go to the main cemetery as vagrants and drug dealers live there amongst the graves and it is too dangerous. From a Shirley Rawstorne. Yes that was Vera Green.She was concerned with St Johns Ambulance Division.When I knew her she and Bill lived in Hilton and she and my Mom were friends.I was a schoolgirl at that time and grew up in Hilton.She later lived in Nurae flats in Alexandra rd.A lady to her fingertips.

[Printer]

Hello pampoen,

Thank you for your assistance. The description of Vera Green given by the lady who replied is quite true! I found this article about the cemetery:

http://www.news24.com/Archives/Witness/A-GRAVE-SITUATION-the-death-of-a-historical-cemetery-20150430

The cemetery closed for burials in 1948, which means Vera Green was buried somewhere else. is it possible to find out exactly where?

Thank you. Regards.

Printer

[pampoen]

She may have been buried at Mountain rise cemetery in Pietermaritzburg and this one is also too dangerous to go to hence nobody is photographing the graves so I don't see a picture of her grave.