Brake, Fred Roland, 1900-1976 (Person)

SummaryFred Roland Brake (1900–1976) was a carpenter, dairy farmer, Jersey breeder, yachtsman and harbour master associated with Aongatete, Katikati and Tauranga. Born at Milford, Auckland, on 24 March 1900, he trained as a carpenter and developed a lifelong interest in sailing. He married Christina in 1921; their daughters included Beatrice, Jean and Anne.

Brake farmed at Matamata from 1934, moving to Walkers Road East, Aongatete, in 1938 and to a 45-acre property at Park Road, Katikati, in 1940, where he established the “Seaway” Jersey Stud. During the Second World War he served with the Air Force as a guard at Tauranga Airport.

A keen Tauranga Harbour boatman, Brake commissioned the 38-foot launch Seaway about 1950 and completed its cabins himself at Katikati. While working aboard it he heard the Ranui distress call as the vessel foundered at the Tauranga Harbour entrance and ran to notify police. Electoral rolls place him at Aongatete in 1938, Katikati in 1943–49, Tauranga in 1954 and Panmure by 1957. After returning to Auckland he became Auckland Harbour Board harbour master for the Panmure area. He died at Panmure on 1 May 1976.

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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, Brake, Fred Roland, 1900-1976 (Person)

Personal Information

First Name(s)Fred RolandSurnameBrakeDate of Birth1900Date of Death1976

Relates To

EventsRānui sinking, 28 December 1950 (Event)

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AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

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Brake, Fred Roland, 1900-1976 (Person)