Esther Georgina Lock was an active member of the Nelson community during the First World War. Her husband, William Lock, was Mayor of Nelson from 1913 to 1915, and in her role as Mayoress, Esther presided over a number of charitable organisations and dedicated much of her time to social causes. She was closely involved in the Belgian Relief Fund, the Lady Liverpool Fund (of which she was chairwoman) and the Red Cross, organising donations and fundraising events for all three causes. For her work throughout the war years, Mrs Lock was awarded the Médaille de la Reine Elisabeth (Queen Elisabeth Medal) from the Belgian government and an M.B.E. from Britain.
Family information
Parents: George Edward Levien and Eliza Levien (née Heathwood?)
Born: 1867?
Died: 23 August 1955, aged 88 years
Buried: Karori Cemetery, Wellington, cremated
Married: William Lock, 1892
Children:
- George Lock
- Alfred Lock
- Lillian Lock (Mrs H. Young)
Active in: Nelson
Obituary/death notices
1
LOCK, Esther Georgina – (30 Nebay Road, Wellington and formerly of Nelson), on August 23rd, 1955, at Wellington, widow of William Lock and loved mother of George, Alfred and Lillian (Mrs H. Young).
- Nelson Evening Mail, 23 August 1955, p. 1
2.
LOCK – On August 23, 1955, at Wellington (30 Nevay Road and formerly of Nelson), Ester Georgiana, widow of William Lock and loved mother of George, Alfred, and Lillian (Mrs. H. Young). Funeral service in our Chapel, John Street, Tomorrow (Thursday), August 25, 1955, at 10.30 a.m. thereafter at the Crematorium, Karori.
Dominion, 24 August 1955, p. 1
Selected sources
'For Those in Need', Nelson Evening Mail, 11 August 1914, p. 4
'Belgian Relief Fund', Colonist, 11 September 1914, p. 7
'Aid from Nelson', Colonist, 23 January 1915, p. 5
'Belgian Relief Fund', Colonist, 29 June 1915, p. 3
'Lady Liverpool Committee', Colonist, 1 July 1915, p. 6
'Red Cross Committee', Colonist, 4 August 1915, p. 4
'Lady Liverpool Fund', Colonist, 21 August 1915, p. 2
'Belgian Relief Fund', Colonist, 21 August 1915, p. 2
'Daffodil Day', Colonist, 30 August 1915, p. 2
'An Enthusiastic Meeting', Colonist, 14 September 1915, p. 6
'Daffodil Day', Colonist, 15 September 1915, p. 6
'Women's National Reserve', Colonist, 25 September 1915, p. 3
'News of the Day', Colonist, 25 September 1915, p. 4
'Lady Liverpool Fund', Colonist, 25 September 1915, p. 5
'Order of the British Empire: Distinctions Conferred on New Zealanders', New Zealand Free Lance, 24 October 1918, p. 17
Nelson Evening Mail, 23 August 1955, p. 1
Dominion, 24 August 1955, p. 1
Community contributions