Maker: Tracy Kersel

Panel number: 233

Petition sheet number: 286

Person honouring: Eliza Ellen Kersel

Relationship to maker: Daughter’s great-grandmother

According to her sons’ military records, Eliza Guest was born in Brighton, England.

She married John Kersel from Scotland in 1888, in New Zealand and they lived in Allenton, Ashburton for several years. Eliza signed the petition here.

By 1911, they had moved to Scandia Street in Palmerston North and by 1917, they were living at 53 Ruahine Street. 

Eliza gave birth to at least eight children: John Edward (1890, died aged 1yr), Adam (1891) Robert Tait (1893) Herbert (1895), Kenneth (1897), Doris (1901), Norman (1903), and Jean Myrtle (1905). 

Two of Eliza’s sons saw active service in France in World War 1 and a third also joined the army. Herbert attempted to gain exemption from service as ‘the fourth son’. Eliza’s husband argued that her health would suffer if all four of her sons went to war. The appeal was dismissed and Herbert was conscripted but was not posted overseas. All four sons survived the war.

Eliza died in June 1951 aged 82. She was buried in Terrace End cemetery Palmerston North alongside her husband (died 1922).

Panel materials: Cross-stitch on white Aida, raffia flowers, photos printed on fabric, and handprint made in acrylic paint. Faux pearls recycled from an old necklace.