BA1374/98: "Wesminster Abbey" built by John Parr's father, ca.1911

Summary

The family of John Parr, born 1873 in NZ, died Thorncombe, England 1966. Graduated Canterbury University, BSc 1896. In 1898 John was recruited by C Y O’Connor to work on the Western Australian Goldfields Water Supply, first as draftsman, then in 1901 as Assistant Engineer, G.W.S. John was consigned to the construction of the 100 foot Mundaring Weir. In 1901 John returned to Christchurch, NZ to marry Kate Isherwood (1873-) John returned to Northam with Kate after their marriage. At first they lived in a tent, but before long moved into a house where four of their five children were born. John was later involved with the Canning Dam water supply. Pipelines were one of his responsibilities and weekend family excursions along the pipeline in the department’s Model T Ford were a feature of their life. From 1915 to 1919 John was employed as acting Engineer in Chief based in Perth. For about a year he commuted at weekends until the family shifted to 689 Beaufort Street, Perth in 1916. In 1917 John won the ICE George Stephenson Gold Medal for a joint paper he wrote with Percy O’Brien “The Coolgardie Water-Supply, Western Australia,” which updated earlier papers on the construction and maintenance of the scheme. John became Chief Engineer of the W.A. Public Works Department in 1919, retiring in 1936. They returned to Christchurch soon after. In 1951 Kate and John moved to England. John senior died in Thorncombe in 1959. John and Kate had 5 children; Kitty, born 1902, Northam, educated Perth College, BSc University of WA. Died Thorncombe, England, 1996. John, born 1905, Guildford Grammer, Royal Institute of British Architecture, London. Lived most of his life in Reigate, married Jill Hodson, 3 daughters. Died Reigate, England,1973. Marjorie, born 1906, Northam, Perth College, BA & BSc, University WA. Lived New York and London, moved to Christchurch 1996. Died Christchurch, NZ, 2000. Dorothy, born 1909, Northam, Perth College, married Tom Hobbs, Christchurch, New Zealand. 2 daughters, 2 sons. Died Blenheim, NZ, 2001. Sally, born 1913, Perth, Perth College, BSc University of WA. Married Micheal Ferrar in Christchurch, NZ, shifted to England early 1950s, living in Blackheath London. 1 daughter, 1 son. Died 1969.