Harold Auton LOW was born on 19 August 1909 in Gisborne, New Zealand. He was the eldest son of Harold Beauchamp LOW and Elizabeth AUTON. Harold Auton LOW was known as Auton LOW and because his father was called Harold, I will refer to Harold Auton LOW as Auton.
Auton’s parents, Harold Beauchamp LOW and Elizabeth AUTON had married on 2 October 1906 at the Methodist Church, Durham Street, Christchurch, New Zealand. The Marriage Witnesses were Elizabeth’s sister, Jessica AUTON and Harold Beauchamp LOWs brother, Gibson LOW.
Both of Auton’s parents had grown up in and around Christchurch, New Zealand. Harold Beauchamp LOW was born at Styx which in those days was a little outside of Christchurch. It has now been absorbed into the main city.
Auton’s father, Harold Beauchamp LOW entered the grocery business at the age of 15 and by age 22 he had attained the position of manager of the Papanui Stores Co. In 1906 he opened his own grocery business at the corner of Barbados and Armagu Streets in Christchurch, New Zealand. He was there for 10 years and at one time had five branch shops in Sydenham, in Babados Street at the corner of Columbo and Casual Street, Linwood and at the corner of Manchester and Armagh Streets. Later he began as a general merchant of Messrs Lows Ltd at Manchester Street. He was also manager of mercantile branch of Canterbury Farmers’ co-operative Company in Rangiora and Sales Manager of the New Zealand Flour Mills. He sold out when he had a serious illness preventing him from carrying out his business for a long period.
Harold Beauchamp LOW and his wife Elizabeth LOW nee AUTON moved to the warmer climate of Gisborne for health reasons and Harold became the first representative of the Hoover Vacuum Cleaning Company and was on staff of the Poverty Bay Electric Power Board. He was also with the Gisborne Sheepfarmers Frozen Meat and Mercantile Company Ltd while later his family took over the business of Le Grand Cafe.
So Auton LOW was born 19 August 1909 in Gisborne, New Zealand. In 1912 another child was born. Auton had a brother who his parents called Cyril Francis LOW. In 1918 another child was born. Victor Gibson LOW. All three boys grew up in Gisborne and made their lives there.
Auton joined the Airforce during the war and was a war photographer. He was interested in photography and some of his photos were published in magazines. He photographed Queenie GRIFFITHS for some magazines who he later married.
Auton’s father Harold Beauchamp LOW died on 29 August 1935 at Cook Hospital, Gisborne, New Zealand of Chronic Gastro Enteritis resection Powell Intussuseption and Secondary Anaemia.
Auton’s brother Cyril Francis LOW married Elizabeth Gould TRENGROVE on 19 April 1937 at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Gisborne, New Zealand. Elizabeth was known as Betty and was born in 1912.
Auton married Queenie Evelyn GRIFFITHS on 9 April 1938 at Gisborne, New Zealand. Queenie Evelyn GRIFFITHS was born 29 November 1914 in Wellington, New Zealand. Her parents were Clarence GRIFFITHS and Theresa QUINN. Her mother was of Irish heritage. It has been difficult to find any information about Clarence GRIFFITHS as he left his wife Theresa when Queenie was still a baby. He never returned.
Little twins were born a few months after Auton had married Queenie in November of 1938. One of the twins was stillborn.
Auton went on to own the Le Grand Cafe in Gisborne which was a family business first started up with his father Harold Beauchamp LOW. Auton and Queenie had three children and they spent a lot of time with the families of Auton’s two brothers Cyril and Victor (known as Gibson).
Auton’s brother, Victor married Gloria Joyce FOSS. Auton’s daughter was a flower girl at the wedding.
The LOW family lived at 22 Salisbury Road, Gisborne. The house is no longer there. It is a popular holiday destination and as it was a beachfront property, the street now has Motels on it.
Auton died of Influenza on 6 March 1952 in Gisborne, New Zealand. His children were still very young. His wife, Queenie was only 36 when she was left as a widow with three young children.
Harold Auton LOW (known as Auton) is buried at Taruheru Cemetery, Gisborne, New Zealand. He left behind a young wife and young children. Auton’s brothers Cyril and Victor (known as Gibson) continued to take care of the family. They are remembered as being very helpful.
Queenie, Auton’s wife helped Auton’s mother, Elizabeth LOW nee AUTON and nursed her in her old age.
