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The Doyleston returned soldiers settlement
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TitleThe Doyleston returned soldiers settlement 
DescriptionIn June 1919 the Ellesmere County Council (ECC) received notice from the Canterbury Land Board (CLB) that the Estate of Archibald (1834-1904) and Catherine (Clephane) (1852-1918) McLachlan, of Groteholme Farm, Drain Road, Doyleston, had been sold to His Majesty the King (Government).
Their son Alan had just returned from serving in WW1.
At the time, the ECC was not pleased as the Government paid no rates on their land and as an example, no money had been received from the Homebrook Settlement for two years before the soldiers occupied the land.
The Doyleston Settlement was one of 7 properties that the CLB had purchased but there was pressure for the Board to purchase more farms for returned soldiers.
The farm of 382 acres (155ha) was subdivided into five sections.
The Doyleston Settlement was supposed to be balloted at the end of October but the Government Printing Office was busy and could not print the plans and so it was advertised in early November and the ballot for 36 applicants took place on 21 November 1919 and possession was allowed immediately.
The land, which was on Drain Road, west of the Railway Line was considered good agricultural land in grass and stubble and was for immediate possession.
The sections ranged from 98 (40ha) to 66 acres (27ha), with annual rents from £158-17-0 to £85-1-0.
Section 1 - 98 acres (40ha)
Martin Dalley (1890-). Dalley forfeited his lease and it was transferred to William Henry Harbidge (1887-1962) in 1922. Harbidge sold in 1925, leaving the district in 1939. He served on many committees in Doyleston, especially the library.
Section 2 -66 acres (27ha)
James Richard Godsell (1890-1970). He married Mary Ellen (Nell) Holley, they lived in ’Groteholme´. Jim and Nell belonged to many organisations. They bought land around them and farmed with their son Amos and wife Jocelyn and daughter Marie and husband Tony Lentjes. Jim’s grandson Richard Lentjes now owns part of Section 5 on Manse Road.
Section 3 -69 acres (28ha)
James Germain,(1890-1961) William’s brother. He sold in 1928 to farm in Aylesbury with his wife Constance Jane (Wilson). Other owners were, Bert Hood and Ken Fea, the present owner is Anton Pearcy.
Section 4 –76 acres (31ha)
William Germain. (1881-1925) William, was a farmer and shingle contractor but was killed in a gravel fall in July 1925 at Prosser’s Pit, leaving a wife and children John and Alice. This section was leased from 1933. His wife Jessie Stronach (Taylor) lived in Leeston until her death in 1962. Alice married Bill Bonifacio.
Section 5 – 72 acres (29ha)
William Leonard Sutton. William was unmarried and boarded with Mrs Fisher on Manse Road. He sold up in 1939 returning to the Army for WW11, then serving as a Camp Guard at Westerfield Military Camp until 1946.
The Ellesmere Guardian in October 1920 reported that 62mm of rain fell in one night making a total of 150mm in one week, flooding the Soldier Settlement and most of Doyleston, not a good start for the new farmers.
By 1928, even though the land had been revalued, the farmers were still struggling to make a good living.
Shona McCartin,
Ellesmere Historical Society and Doyleston Community Committee
DateBetween 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoyleston
DescriptionIn June 1919 the Ellesmere County Council (ECC) received notice from the Canterbury Land Board (CLB) that the Estate of Archibald (1834-1904) and Catherine (Clephane) (1852-1918) McLachlan, of Groteholme Farm, Drain Road, Doyleston, had been sold to His Majesty the King (Government). Their son Alan had just returned from serving in WW1.
At the time, the ECC was not pleased as the Government paid no rates on their land and as an example, no money had been received from the Homebrook Settlement for two years before the soldiers occupied the land.
The Doyleston Settlement was one of 7 properties that the CLB had purchased but there was pressure for the Board to purchase more farms for returned soldiers.
The farm of 382 acres (155ha) was subdivided into five sections.
The Doyleston Settlement was supposed to be balloted at the end of October but the Government Printing Office was busy and could not print the plans and so it was advertised in early November and the ballot for 36 applicants took place on 21 November 1919 and possession was allowed immediately.
The land, which was on Drain Road, west of the Railway Line was considered good agricultural land in grass and stubble and was for immediate possession.
The sections ranged from 98 (40ha) to 66 acres (27ha), with annual rents from £158-17-0 to £85-1-0.
Section 1 - 98 acres (40ha)
Martin Dalley (1890-). Dalley forfeited his lease and it was transferred to William Henry Harbidge (1887-1962) in 1922. Harbidge sold in 1925, leaving the district in 1939. He served on many committees in Doyleston, especially the library.
Section 2 -66 acres (27ha)
James Richard Godsell (1890-1970). He married Mary Ellen (Nell) Holley, they lived in ’Groteholme´. Jim and Nell belonged to many organisations. They bought land around them and farmed with their son Amos and wife Jocelyn and daughter Marie and husband Tony Lentjes. Jim’s grandson Richard Lentjes now owns part of Section 5 on Manse Road.
Section 3 -69 acres (28ha)
James Germain,(1890-1961) William’s brother. He sold in 1928 to farm in Aylesbury with his wife Constance Jane (Wilson). Other owners were, Bert Hood and Ken Fea, the present owner is Anton Pearcy.
Section 4 –76 acres (31ha)
William Germain. (1881-1925) William, was a farmer and shingle contractor but was killed in a gravel fall in July 1925 at Prosser’s Pit, leaving a wife and children John and Alice. This section was leased from 1933. His wife Jessie Stronach (Taylor) lived in Leeston until her death in 1962. Alice married Bill Bonifacio.
Section 5 – 72 acres (29ha)
William Leonard Sutton. William was unmarried and boarded with Mrs Fisher on Manse Road. He sold up in 1939 returning to the Army for WW11, then serving as a Camp Guard at Westerfield Military Camp until 1946.
The Ellesmere Guardian in October 1920 reported that 62mm of rain fell in one night making a total of 150mm in one week, flooding the Soldier Settlement and most of Doyleston, not a good start for the new farmers.
By 1928, even though the land had been revalued, the farmers were still struggling to make a good living.
Shona McCartin,
Ellesmere Historical Society and Doyleston Community Committee
DateBetween 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoylestonConnections
CollectionHistory of DoylestonPlaceDoylestonOrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyDoyleston Community Committee
PlaceDoylestonOrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyDoyleston Community CommitteeAttribution
Researched ByShona McCartinWritten ByShona McCartin
Written ByShona McCartin Click on the image to add
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The Doyleston returned soldiers settlement (Between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020). Selwyn Stories, accessed 10/12/2025, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5295
