LUXFORD, JOHN ALDRED (1854-1921) was born at Hutt, his parents having arrived in New Zealand in the Duke of Roxburgh (1840). He was educated at the school of the Rev. W. Fell and later at the Wellington Grammar School (before it was incorporated in Wellington College). In 1875 he was received for training for the Methodist ministry. He studied under the Rev. Joseph Berry and at Canterbury College, began his ministry at Woodend (1876), and was ordained in 1880. He married (1880) Emma Allen Mansfield, daughter of the Rev. John Aldred. Luxford held several important pastorates, and proved himself a thoughtful preacher, a wise administrator, and an able representative of his Church in the community. The church at Rugby Street, St Albans, was erected under his leadership. As a freemason he filled the master's chair and also the office of grand chaplain. For many years he was convener of the naval and military committee. In 1902 he was chaplain to the 40th New Zealand contingent in South Africa. In 1903 he became president of the New Zealand Methodist conference. In the war of 1914-18 he left New Zealand with the Main Body, served in Egypt and Gallipoli, and won a wide reputation for valorous and self-denying devotion to the needs of the wounded and dying. At Suvla Bay, while ministering to the wounded, he was shot in the leg (which was amputated). Later he was chaplain to the military hospital at Walton-on-Thames. He sought superannuation from active work in 1916, and returned to New Zealand in Sep 1919. A resolute and heroic soldier, he was twice mentioned in despatches; attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was made a C.M.G. He died on 28 Jan 1921.

M.A.; R.P.

Reference: Volume 1, page 272

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