Poppop's Story: A Journey Through Generations

Robert Young, affectionately known as Poppop, was born in Sunderland, England, on January 5, 1877. As a young child, he traveled to New Zealand with his three sisters, Lily, Belle, and Molly and his Uncle Michael, and Aunt Elizabeth. They arrived as assisted immigrants on the ship Wairoa, which set sail from England on July 19, 1879, and reached Wellington on November 4, 1879. Out of a group of twelve immigrants from Sunderland, nine were members of the Young family.

Poppop was educated at Nelson College and later trained as a dentist in Martin, hoping to save enough money to buy a farm. He married Florence Ward, who was born in Aston, Birmingham, on October 11, 1899. They are said to have met during a Gilbert and Sullivan production. Florence, known as Wogs in the family, was aware of the age difference between them and altered her age to 24 years in the family Bible to appear younger.

 Together, they had eight children: 

1. Robert Oswald (Bob) - 1902, Marton

2. Marjorie Lysbeth (Marly) - 1903, Marton

3. Dennis Stanley- 1905, Marton

4. James Heppell (Jimmy) - 1906, Marton

5. Basil Hamilton - 1907, Marton

6. Nancy Gwyneth (Nan) - 1909

7. Ronald Martin (Pup or Bill) - 1913

8. Barbara Joyce - 1915

During the war, Wogs managed the household and raised their eight children, with significant help from Poppop’s three sisters.  They felt that Wogs was not good enough to be the mother of their brother’s children so all the children were taken in under their care.  They had never married, as many men were away fighting, and they had the time to support Wogs with the children. Affectionately they were called the Maiden Aunts. The aunts and children often travelled with their grandparents, the Reverend Robert Young, and his wife Ann, who were involved in church work. 

Poppop’s father, also named Robert Young, had been a housemaster and timber merchant in England before becoming a missionary in New Zealand. He eventually served as the Vicar of St Mark's in Carterton. Poppop's mother, Ann (nee Eggers), hailed from Bishopwearmouth. Ann died in Carterton in 1907 at 65 years of age. The family eventually settled at 255 River Rd, Christchurch, where The Rev. Robert Young lived until he was 97 years old, passing away in 1940. Poppop provided for his sisters and his father throughout this time.

Poppop had an adopted brother named James Young, affectionately known as Jim. While not much is known about him, it is remembered that Poppop held a deep fondness for him. Jim served in the South African Boer War from 1899 to 1902 but tragically passed away at just 22 years old in Worcester, Cape Colony, in 1901 due to pneumonia. His full name was James Longhurst Young.

After returning from the war, Poppop and Wogs lived in Christchurch. They helped fund their eldest son Bob into a farm in the Pohangina Valley, where they stayed with him until he married. It was then that Poppop and Wogs moved to Otaki in 1932, having bought 44 Tasman Rd. Poppop would have been 55 years of age at this time. With the onset of World War II in 1939, Poppop took charge of the Home Guard until 1944.

In retirement, Poppop enjoyed gardening and spending time with his many grandchildren. He was active in the community and became the first President of the Otaki Returned Servicemen’s Association in 1934. Poppop passed away from a heart attack on February 25, 1953, while at the Otaki Bowling Green, he was 76 years of age.  His funeral was held with full military honours he was laid to rest in the Marton Cemetery.

Family Memories

The family remembers Robert Young, nicknamed "Mother Young," for his keen understanding of people. His grandson, Arthur Cooper, noted that Poppop was quick to assess character and treat others accordingly. He certainly had a sense of humour. When grandson Arthur Cooper lead the “strike” over the Xmas dinner, Poppop actively backed Arthur all the way. All his daughters were furious with Arthur particularly Nan, she was seething but couldn’t do anything to stop it. The Great Strike.

Arthur, who was more daring than the other grandchildren, also had Poppop chasing him down the road with a rake! It didn’t end well, as Poppop had a heart attack. He didn’t blame Arthur, but he wasn’t going to let his cheeky little grandson get away with his misdemeanour. Poppop could see that Arthur had ‘character’, and he quite liked that.

During the attack on Chunuk Bair, Poppop took over Colonel Malone’s role and led the Auckland Battalion. He was tasked with scouting troop positions when 300 men were killed in ten minutes. Poppop remained in place until nightfall, waiting for a safe opportunity to escape. His grandson, Tim Cooper, described him as a strict yet fair disciplinarian.

 While living in Otaki, Poppop was often seen relaxing in his leather chair by the dining room window. He was the dominant figure in his marriage to Wogs, making most household decisions. Poppop planted pine trees for firewood on their two-acre property and enjoyed growing vegetables.

 In a lighthearted moment, he once answered the door to a young boy selling pumpkins—his own pumpkins! Poppop found it amusing, treated the boy kindly, and sent him on his way with some friendly but firm advice.

 He took great pride in his hydrangeas. 

Footnote:  Rev. Robert Young had become a home missionary with the Wesleyan church, serving in Palmerston North 1879, Greytown 1883, Opunake 1885 and Motueka 1890. He resigned this position in early 1893 to be ordained into the Anglican church and served as curate at Palmerston North 1893-6, priest at Foxton 1896-8 and vicar of Carterton 1st Dec 1898.

Many thanks to grandson, Simon Young, who researched and correlated much of the information used as a source for compiling this page. Thank you to other family members for their contributions.