Parents

Home

Shirres

With brother Leslie afterFirst World War

She was initially educated by father on the farm. Taught to count in German and say Greek alphabet before her father died when she was aged 7. She was then educated at Old Oamaru Rosary Convent by Dominican Nuns educated at Old Oamaru Rosary Convent by Dominican Nuns. She came to Europe in 1912, to initially live in Aberdeen but then went to France to do war work in the M.T.A.S.C. from which she was demobilised in 1920 and returned to Aberdeen..

She wrote a book on history of Shirres and Leslie Families "Sailing Ships and Sheep Stations" privately published and printed by Photo Process Printers Ltd., Christchurch, New Zealand in September 1964.

In her book Christian Selina describes her 1921 visit to the continent with her Uncle Leslie and Aunt Christian. This was typical of the yearly migration when they left Aberdeen from November to May to winter in Europe

"Uncle Leslie & Christian Selina travelled to Naples by ship of the Orient Line and were met on the quay by Aunt Christian & Miss Jamieson who had travelled by train via Pairs and Rome. After a few weeks in Naples travelled to Sicily staying at Palermo, Girgenti and Syracuse before reaching Taormino where they remained for two months enjoying the social life. Then to the French Riviera, at Monte Carlo was met by Maitland, the chauffeur travelling home through Provence arriving back in Scotland about the end of May."

"This delightful life continued for years though I sometimes varied it by going out to New Zealand. But how I could have exchanged such a glamorous life for the banalities of New Zealand I shall never know, except that stern duty called me or an urge to see my family"

This comment is reinforced by recollections of the Blackstock family that she tried to live the life of a lady on the farm (with formal breakfast served to her room before she got up when she insisted on being spoken to in French) and was only able to discuss matters with Ron and Christian who kept abreast of British politics to be able to do so.

She undertook war work in the 2nd world war, at one stage running a factory canteen.

She had numerous contacts in high places. When she arranged for her nephew and nieces, John, Nancy and Christian to visit Europe they went to many high society events, including a dinner with Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden. When brother Leslie came to Britain she attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace with him. Daughter Christian Blackstock states that she "Spoke many languages and mixed with Princes & noble families from all over the world - played bridge with Ribbentrop the German ambassador"

She used her contacts, as a relation of the Leslie's, to secure cheap tickets on Saville Shaw Line shipping. For example a Servile Shaw newsletter states: "C.S.Shirres sailed home on the "Gothic" on 1.3.1968.

In her later years she stayed at Riverside farm with Ron and Christian Blackstock but decided to go back to Europe. She died at St Mary's, Eastbrook Place, Dover in 1983.

This is the last Will and Testament of me CHRISTIAN SELINA SHIRRES of St Mary's 8, Eastbrook Place, Dover in the County of Kent spinster

1.

I HEREBY REVOKE all Wills and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me and DECLARE that this is my last Will

2.

I APPOINT EDWARD H WALL of 19 Old Buildings Lincoln's Inn London WC2A 3UP and RODERICK NOBLE of 5 Brunswick Gardens London W8 4HS to be my Executors and Trustees of this my Will

3.

I WISH my funeral to be completely private and the service conducted by a Roman Catholic Priest. After cremation I wish my ashes to be placed in the Family Vault in St Peter's Cemetery Aberdeen. Should this not be possible then I wish my ashes to be placed amongst the graves of the Shirres Family in Tullos Churchyard Tullos. I do not wish any flowers at my funeral.

4.

I GIVE the following pecuniary and specific legacies free of capital transfer tax:

(a)

To MADAME PEEL of Duinvhool Street 27, 8300 KnokkeHeist Belgium the sum of One hundred pounds (£100)

(b)

To MADAME LIBUSE LOLIC of Reseda Strasse 7 4230 Wessel 1 Germany the sum of Three hundred pounds (£300)

(c)

To my old friend Mrs DOREEN ADAM of Lansworth House 30 Brunswick Road, Hove, Sussex the sum of Fifty pounds (£50) together with my black cape.

(d)

To Mrs HERBERT ROBERTSON of 85 - C Clyde Road Fendalton, Christchurch 4, New Zealand my french chair

(e)

To the said EDWARD H WALL of 19 Old Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, London WC2A 3UP my french dressing table for his own use and benefit

(f)

To my nephew the Reverend MICHAEL PAUL SHIRRES O P of 1, St Benedict's Street Auckland 1 New Zealand all my books pictures and photographs my "Homeless Paintings" given to me by the Baroness Alda Anrep my silver wrist watch with bracelet and my walking stick

(g)

To the Benedictine Sisters of 47 Boaveriestraat Bruges Belgium my gramophone records and the small white cupboard in which the gramophone records are contained

5.

I DIRECT that all expenses incidental to the payment of legacies and to the distribution of the specific gifts contained in this my Will or any Codicil hereto are to be paid out of my residuary estate

6.

I DEVISE AND BEQUEATH the whole of my estate both real and personal not otherwise disposed of by this Will or any Codicil hereto unto the Executors of this my Will UPON TRUST to sell the same with power to postpone sale and out of the monies to arise from such sale to pay my debts and funeral and testamentary expenses and capital transfer tax AND TO HOLD the residue of the net proceeds of sale IN TRUST for my nephew the said Reverend MICHAEL PAUL SHIRRES O P to administer in the interests of the Dominican Father's Library 1 St Benedict's Street Auckland New Zealand

IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of June One thousand nine hundred and eighty-three

SIGNED by the said CHRISTIAN SELINA SHIRRES as and for her last Will

in the presence of us both present at the same time who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses:

Miss Maureen J. Ward NURSE c/o Vine Cottage, Sunnybank Close, Mayfield, E. Sussex

Mr Michael Howard Carr HIGHER CLERICAL OFFICER c/o Buckland Hospital, Conele (?) Valley Road, Dover, Kent

Christian Selina (far left) next to brother Leslie at a Garden Party in Buckingham Palace in 1952

Around the same time Christian Selina arranged for Niece Nancy and Nephew John to be in the box above the Royal Box at Covent Garden