

James (Jim) Geraghty fought in the Korean War (1950-1953). Later he drove logging trucks for many years. One of his Rimu logs formed part of the Ngatuhoa Lodge facilities that were built in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park in 1967. For many years Jim owned the Caltex Service Station in Greerton, Tauranga. He was my second cousin twice removed - Debbie McCauley (2013).
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James (Jim) William Geraghty was born in Queensland, Australia, on 24 November 1929. His parents were James Lawrence Geraghty (1908-1975) and Myra Thelma Johannah Lucy Geraghty (nee Newson) (1910-1996) who married in Australia on 16 July 1929. The family moved to New Zealand in 1931. Jim and his siblings were raised on the family farm at Tauriko, which is close to Tauranga.
Jim attended the old Tauranga High School. Ken Prentis writes on the Old Friends website: 'We moved in to the new college before it was officially opened. My interest (and Ken McLean's) was explosives. Also maths and science. Jim Geraghty helped us with some ingredients for our hobby'.
Later, Jim went to Australia and took up an apprenticeship as a Diesel Mechanic. Whilst there he joined the 42nd Battalion of the CMF (Australian Army Citizens Military Force), a part-time Australian Army Service.
After returning to New Zealand in 1950, Jim managed his father's farm at Tauriko. At the time the Korean War was in progress and he decided to volunteer for the New Zealand Army for Korea Service. In 1952-3 Jim served in the Korean War (1950-1953) with the New Zealand army. He was part of New Zealand's K-Force.
On 1 November 1961 Jim married Isabel (Belle) Rose Robinson (1930-2012). Isabel had three children from her previous marriage; Divina, Warren and John, who James adopted. They had two children together; James and Peter.
Jim drove logging trucks for many years. One of his Rimu logs formed part of the Ngatuhoa Lodge facilities that were built in 1967: 'The three ply lining from a Rimu Log logged from the Opuiaki area by Jim Geraghty'.
For many years Jim owned the Caltex Service Station in Greerton, Tauranga.
Jim Geraghty died in Tauranga Hospital on 28 January 2013. His death notice’s appeared in the New Zealand Herald and the Bay of Plenty Times:
GERAGHTY, James William. (Jim). Korean War NZ Army 204364, Aust Army 42nd BTN 32430. Passed away peacefully at Tauranga Hospital on 28th January 2013. Aged 83 years. Dearly loved husband of the late Belle. A service for Jim will be held at Elliotts Rosebank Chapel on Friday 1st February at 1pm followed by an interment.
GERAGHTY, James William. Dearly loved father and father in law of Peter and Michelle. (Australia). Loved grandad of Daniel, Jason and Samantha, and great grandchild who hasn't stepped into the world yet.
GERAGHTY, James William. Dearly loved father of the late Jim. Loved grandfather of Natasha, Kayla, Kristie, James, Briahnne and Caitlin. Great grandfather of Levi and Western. (New Zealand Herald, 31 January 2013)
References:
Bay of Plenty Times (31 January 2012).
Colin Geraghty (personal communication, 2013).
McCauley, D. (2012). The McCauley Family of Katikati, New Zealand: 1876-2012. Tauranga, New Zealand: Mauao Publishing.
New Zealand Herald (31 January 2012).
Old Friends.
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This page archived at Perma CC in September of 2016: https://perma.cc/ET83-HNNM
Year: | 2013 |
First Names: | James William |
Last Name: | Geraghty |
Date of Birth: | 24 November 1929 |
Place of Birth: | Queensland |
Country of birth: | Australia |
Date of death: | 28 January 2013 |
Place of death: | Tauranga Hospital, New Zealand |
Place of burial: | Pyes Pa Cemetery, Tauranga |
Place of settlement in Bay of Plenty: | Tauriko |
Later places of settlement: | Tauranga |
Residential address: | 69 Harrier Street, Greerton, Tauranga |
Spouses name: | Isabel (Belle) Rose Robinson |
Spouses date of birth: | 1930 |
Spouses date of death: | February 2012 |
Spouses place of death: | Tauranga, New Zealand |
Spouses place of burial: | Pyes Pa Cemetery, Tauranga |
Date of marriage: | 1 November 1961 |
Fathers name: | James Lawrence Geraghty |
Fathers date of birth: | 10 September 1908 |
Fathers place of birth: | Auckland, New Zealand |
Fathers date of death: | 21 October 1975 |
Fathers place of death: | Brisbane, Australia |
Mothers name: | Myra Thelma Johannah Lucy Newson |
Mothers date of birth: | 1 September 1910 |
Mothers place of birth: | Cooroy, Queensland, Australia |
Mothers date of death: | 27 February 1996 |
Mothers place of death: | New Zealand |
Name of sibilings: | Frederick Neil Geraghty, Greville Newson Geraghty, and Colin John Geraghty |
Name of the children: | Divina Geraghty, Warren Geraghty, John Stephen Geraghty, James William Geraghty, and Peter James Geraghty |
Military Service: | Korean War (1950-1953) |