Histories

by Dorothy Manning (nee Hodges) - daughter
James Herbert Edward Hodges (Jim) was born 24 December 1889. His father was Carter Job Hodges who was a grave digger in Karori, Wellington. Jim's was one of five boys born in Kaiwharawhara, the brothers names I can recall were Richard, Joseph and William.
Jim worked in a grocers shop in Kaiwharawhara. He volunteered for service in World War I, his regimental number was 27894 and he served with the 2nd Otago Regiment. He was badly injured and spent a year in Sling Hospital in England recovering from his injuries.
After returning home from the war he worked at St Mungo Soap Works in Kaiwharawhara until he retired at age 60. Jim married Annie Ernestina Steinmuller in Hunterville and they lived at 12 Huia Street, Petone all their married lives. They had two children, Keith James Hodges died in his early 40's (Keith had no children); and Dorothy Anne Hodges who was born 22 December 1936, married Don Manning. Dorothy and Don had three children; Paul, Sheryl and Simon.
Jim never drove a car and was happy to walk or use his bicycle to get around. He would bike from Petone to Belmont when he was 70 to work in his daughters garden. He lived a simple life but was a very happy man, a lovely father and grandfather to his grandchildren. He spent many hours creating parrots and toys from wood in his shed. He also loved gardening, fishing, doing Crosswords and the Target puzzle in the newspaper every day. (Source www.tributes.co.nz)