Archive #2/65: The Herrick Family

Edward Herrick was a partner in a family farm at Tautane and had a prominent public life serving as Reserve Bank Governor (1930-1938), Napier Harbour Board (1930-1945), Chairman of Williams and Kettle, Stock and Station Agents (1938-1958) and on the Te Aute Trust Board.

Five of the Herrick boys served in World War 2 with the sixth, Jasper signing up for the army in 1939 but being refused because of the size of the family contribution at the time. During the early part of World War II, they were jointly described in the province as “The Fighting Herricks”, the subject of admiration for bravery.

Terrence, twice decorated, joined the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, England at the age of 13. He went on to have a distinguished career in the Navy, commanding a Destroyer in the Mediterranean during the war.

Lawrence, who was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross, joined the Royal Navy at sixteen and was described as the first New Zealander to command a submarine. Dennis joined the RNZAF as a pilot in 1939. In 1940 he was awarded the George Medal for Bravery for his role in the dramatic rescue of a pilot from a burning aircraft. In June 1941 he was shot down while bombing shipping off the coast of France and later died of his wounds.

Brian joined the RAF in 1939 as a flying officer. In November 1940 he was reported missing, presumed dead when the Blenheim bomber he was in failed to return after a mission.

Michael joined the RAF in 1938 and as a fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down three enemy aircraft. In 1941 he was promoted to Squadron Leader and saw action in the Pacific. In June 1944 he returned to Europe where he was killed when a Mosquito aircraft he was flying was shot down over Denmark. In July 1944 he was posthumously awarded the U.S. Air Medal for gallantry.

The Herrick Family hold a special place in the history of Lindisfarne College, and throughout the years the Lindisfarne family has acknowledged this unique relationship. There is the annual presentation of the Herrick Cup, the Herrick Building (former squash court) that hosts all the precious College archives, the Herrick Window, a Moose Head and the painting of the three Herrick brothers who gave their lives in the World War of 1939 -1945.

The Herrick Cup was presented in 1955 by Mr and Mrs EJ Herrick and their family, to be a memorial to their three sons, Dennis, Brian and Michael. The Cup is awarded to the boy, in addition to reasonable success in work and games, been most marked by unselfishness, personal efficiency, attention to duty and loyalty to the School.

In 2018, the College welcomed Eddy and Ethne Herrick’s great, great grandsons, George and Will Herrick.

For more photos click here.