Tom Kirkup
Jesse Woods delves into the past to tell the story of a Waikato rugby rep turned businessman, golfer and bowler.
Kirkup played for Waikato, out of the Ōhaupō club, a century ago.
The first line on Ōhaupō Rugby Sports Club’s Waikato honours board states ‘1925 Tom Kirkup’.
This year marks a century since the club’s first official representative player was named – and his family didn’t even know.
It remains a mystery as to where Kirkup lived in the area and why he chose Ōhaupō for his rugby – and it’s possible he never returned.
It seems that 1925 was his only season at Ōhaupō.
There are no team photos from that era to prove otherwise, other than the 1925 junior squad. The 1931 Ōhaupō Hotel fire destroyed many records.
The goalkicking forward was the 91st Waikato representative. He played six matches, scoring a try and a conversion.
Auckland-based John Caulfield, now in his mid-90s, recalled his father-in-law’s history.
Caulfield married Kirkup’s only daughter, Merle (1930-2016).
Thomas James Kirkup was born in the family home, Jesmond Dene, in Mt Albert on October 12, 1902.
“Tom always delighted in telling me it had a central hallway ‘the length of a cricket pitch – 22 yards’,” Caulfield said. “After the family’s occupation, it served many years as a private hospital.”
Kirkup attended Gladstone Primary School and secondary schooling at Seddon Memorial Technical College – now part of Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
Very little is known of his life in the early 1920s. Caulfield said the immediate family had no idea of his time in the Waikato.
“This does not surprise us, as family history points towards very little or no sibling contact, and Tom spoke very little about himself,” Caulfield said. “Prior to his return to Auckland and subsequent marriage, we have always had only a vague idea that he went farming.”
According to census records, Kirkup was back in Auckland by 1928.
He built a home in Epsom after marrying Dulcie Thomas. Daughter Merle was born two years later.
Kirkup acquired an importing business, which included the New Zealand Agency for Dinky Toys, Hornby model trains and Meccano. This was his occupation until retirement.
Dulcie died in 1949 and Kirkup married twice more. His second wife also died young. He and third wife Kathleen “Kay” Nicholls moved to St Heliers for their final years.
Caulfield said his father-in-law became a serious golfer following his rugby career.
“Merle’s little girl memories included helping her parents plant trees at the Maungakiekie Golf Course on the slopes of One Tree Hill before the club moved to the current Mt Roskill location,” Caulfield said.
Titirangi then became Kirkup’s club and he played at senior level there for many years.
“With a number of friends and equally formidable golfers, he then became a founding member of the Muriwai Golf Club,” Caulfield said.
“Until the rebuilding of the course after erosion damage, the longest hole, a par 5, was named after him – Long Tom.
“He was of more than average physique and this was a reference to the need for considerable strength to achieve par on the then number one stroke hole, especially in windy conditions.”
Kirkup was invited to become a member of the Eagles Golfing Society, an honour he greatly prized.
The family all remember him playing off a handicap of two.
As Kirkup’s game began to decline, he unearthed a new talent at St Heliers Bowling Club. He found challenge and companionship on the green.
Kirkup died in 1981 from the effects of leukaemia and was laid to rest at Purewa Cemetery.
“[Tom] was an astute businessman and many times I benefitted from his advice in my business affairs, which, once sought, was always very willingly given,” Caulfield said. “He was very proud of his two granddaughters, Louise and Victoria.
“My late wife and I were always relieved to be informed they had ‘risen to the occasion’, whatever it may have been.
“Praise indeed from one whose standards of social behaviour and courtesy were legendary, and which won him a wide circle of friends. He was of generous nature and forgiving of people’s frailties.
“Everything he did was aimed toward perfection and we are glad to have the memories of his exemplary personality.”
Tom Kirkup in the 1925 Waikato team. Photo: Waikato Rugby
