Tunks, Thomas, 1809-1886 (Person)

SummaryCaptain Thomas Tunks, was an early resident of 22 years' in Tauranga, likely whom "Tunks Reserve" is named after.

Thomas Tunks joined the 68th Durham Light Infantry in 1825, at age 16. He served in Canada, Ireland and went through the Crimean War. After resigning, he came out to New Zealand in 1861 where he obtained a military grant of land. He then offered his services to the Colonial Government in 1863, where he was appointed captaincy in the 1st Waikato Regiment.

His interest in welfare of the Tauranga district included being chairman of the Town Board, a member of the Borough Council and director of the Tauranga-Rotorua Railway Company. In 1914 he was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in Tauranga.

He married Elizabeth Frances Boylan in 1864 in Auckland and they raised a family of at least three sons and two daughters, one of whom died in infancy
- Mary Tunks
- Alfred Tunks
- Charles Tunks

Both Thomas and Elizabeth Tunks are buried in the Mission Cemetery in Tauranga. SourcesTauranga 1882-1982 (Bellamy, Alan Charles, 1923-2004)Bay of Plenty Times, 29 April 1886, Page 2Sunlive article, 14 August, 2023Auckland Grammar School Archives

Our People (authority)

Tunks, Alfred Francis Daly, 1870-1936 (Person)

Tunks, Elizabeth Frances, (née Boylan) 1832-1916 (Person)

Alexander Turnbull Library: Ref PA2-0858. Hemus & Hanna (Auckland) fl 1879-1882 :Portrait of Capt Tunks, Tawanai

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesLicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Tunks, Thomas, 1809-1886 (Person)

Personal Information

First Name(s)ThomasSurnameTunksAlso Known asCaptain Thomas TunksGenderMaleDate of Birth1809Place of BirthCoventry, EnglandDate of Death28 April 1886Place of DeathTaurangaPlace of Burial/CremationMission Cemetery, Tauranga

Whānau

ChildrenTunks, Alfred Francis Daly, 1870-1936 (Person)Mary Bull (nee Tunks)Charles Tunks

Partner

PartnerTunks, Elizabeth Frances, (née Boylan) 1832-1916 (Person)Date Married31 May 1864Place of MarriageAuckland, New Zealand

Military Service

Armed ForceImperial ArmyUnit68th Durham Light InfantryConflictCrimeaRankOfficer

Military Service

Armed ForceColonial ArmyUnit1st WaikatoRankCaptain

Admin

Type of ContributionLibrary authority

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Tunks, Thomas, 1809-1886 (Person)