Searching for Arthur von POELLNITZ

[spades]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for any information for Arthur VON POELNITZ or POELLNITZ who in 1875 was a Mounted Constable in the Armed Constabulary, based in Wanganui.

My research suggests that he was gentry, possibly a hereditary Baron from Bavaria, who arrived first to Australia and then moved on to New Zealand, later returning to live in NT and NSW Australia. I am keen to discover his place of birth, parents, marriage and place of death/burial, probably after 1919.

Research discoveries to date:

A ‘Baron Arthur Von Poelnitz’ arrived at Melbourne aboard the Black Ball Line’s Princess Alexandra in June 1868:

The Argus, 15 June 1868, page 4, column A.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5818987

The same passenger was described as a lieutenant in the Cuirassiers of the King of Bavaria:

The Age, 15 Jun 1868, Page 2 THE NEWS OF THE DAY.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/176997776?searchTerm=von%20poelnitz

Arthur makes no appearance the Armed Constabulary rolls or in NZ BDM records, although Archives New Zealand holds six documents dating to 1875 which refer to a VON POELNITZ as a member of the Armed Constabulary.

Arthur was a champion rifle shot, winning the Carbine Champion Belt (later renamed the Charles Upham Memorial Cavalry Champions Belt) in 1875.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Upham_Memorial_Cavalry_Champions_Belt

In 1876 he was appointed Court Interpreter to the Immigration Officer:

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 March 1876, Page 2
Appointment. — Mr Arthur VON POELLNITZ, who, it will be remembered, was in possession of the Carbine Champion Belt up till the late representative firing, has been appointed interpreter and assistant to Mr Brewer, the Immigration officer. As a large number of foreign immigrants of various nationalities are expected to arrive, the appointment is a necessary one.

In November 1877 at Christchurch he narrowly escaped conviction on a legal technicality for embezzlement of the Acclimatisation Society while the society's curator:

Wanganui Herald, 22 November 1877, Page 2
The arrest of Arthur VON POELNITZ, at Christchurch, on a charge of embezzlement, is an item of interest to many in this district to whom "the Baron" was well-known.

By 1882 Arthur was living in the Northern Territory, AUS, as in June 1882 a Mr. A. VON POELNITZ of the Palmerston Rifle Club won the B.A.T. Mess Challenge Cup for the third time:

Northern Territory Times and Gazette, 24 June 1882, Page 2 PALMERSTON RIFLE CLUB
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3152446?searchTerm=von%20poelnitz

By 1884 Arthur was married (no record found in NZ BDM) and living in Fiji when he was convicted of forgery and sentenced to seven years imprisonment, as this article reveals:

Manawatu Standard, 5 June 1884, Page 2
LOCAL AND GENERAL.
A certain VON POELNITZ, who was well known in Wanganui a few years ago (says the Chronicle) as a member of the Armed Constabulary and a crack shot having once won the carbine champion belt, has lately got himself into trouble in Fiji. He has been convicted of forgery, and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. Since his imprisonment his wife has sued for a divorce, which has been granted. At the hearing of the divorce case the evidence was of a very extraordinary nature, and some very startling disclosures were made as to the principle parties concerned.

Reference and link deleted by OP - spurious.

I cannot find any record of a death or marriage, and I would love to know the details of the forgery case in Fiji.

Any help gratefully received.

Spades

Edit by Spades 13 June 2024: Subject line edited to reflect accurate spelling of surname.

[mckha489]

11 Mar 1873
Melbourne
Age 26
Naturalization
Occ. soldier
Born Lindau, Bavaria


In 1911 in Kent is this couple. Don’t know if it’s too far fetched!  He’s the right age. And naturalisation date is very close.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWDH-FRK


Ancestry has a record for a son H. W. Von Poellnitz RAF, who died  as a result of injuries 1918 at Basra. motor car accident.

Photo in papers. And caption says he was grandson of Sir Walter Elliot of Wolfelee.

[rosie17]

Don't know if this is the same person you are after but from the census records mcka489 posted
This is the probate record for the wife mentioned
Poellnitz Baroness Caroline Elizabeth of Blacklee Station Sidcup Kent wife of Baron Arthur James John Robert McKenzie Poellnitz died 30 January 1920 Administration London 4th March to the said mentioned
Effects £141 10s 4d

Rosie

[mckha489]

And in 1921 he is widowed and in Kensington with his sister.

[mckha489]

That wife’s death

[mckha489]

Update

H.W. = Herman Walter

[mckha489]

Deleted. Confusing myself

[rosie17]

A tree on geneanet says the marriage was October 10, 1887.  Wonder where. Can’t find it so far
Which would mean Herman W. Must be a son of wife 1.

Yes I could not see one either there seems to be plenty of tree's for Caroline but not much information on Arthur ..Think it might just be a coincidence with the names 

Rosie

[mckha489]

Marriage