Photo of Henry & Sarah kindly provided by Selwyn Stevens

Henry was a son of William Sowerby (1791-1844) & Jane Hellier Rowley (1805-1873) who arrived in Lyttelton on the Samarang on 31 July 1852. Also with him was a John Sowerby, possibly a brother.

He was on the Canterbury Electoral Roll as living in Rangitata (about 10km east of Geraldine)

Henry married Sarah Jane Heim at Peel Forest, Rangitata, when he was 34 and she was 18. Sarah arrived in New Zealand in Feb 1869, having 'run away' from an elderly suitor - they married 2 months after arrival

Both Henry and Sarah were great Salvation Army supporters
They had 15 children over 20 years
.. http://tinyurl.com/2s4x2v5b ..
1870 - 1959 William Sowerby (+Harvey)
1871 - 1942 Lydia Mary Sowerby (+Mitchell)
1872 - 1946 Henry Albert 'Harry' Sowerby (+Maru)
1874 - 1911 Albert Sowerby (accidental shooting)
1876 - 1941 Charles Sowerby (+Smith)
1877 - 1884 Alfred James Sowerby (age 6.11 in Geraldine)
1879 - 1879 Vincent John Sowerby (age 4 months)
1881 - 1963 George Sowerby (+Johnson)
1883 - 1969 Walter Sowerby (+McLenaghin)
1885 - 1885 Arthur Sowerby (age 1 day in Geraldine)
1886 - 1956 Florence Maud Sowerby (+Smith)
1887 - 1955 Ernest Reginald Sowerby (+Peck)
1888 - 1968 Clara Annie Sowerby (+Kearns +Bowen)
1890 - 1953 Percy Sowerby (+Peck +Peck)
1892 - 1918 Frederick Heim Sowerby (+McKay, KIA France)

The family moved north to the Manawatu about 1898
He & Sarah died 2 days apart - "WAR CRY" 3 March 1928
Brother and Sister Sowerby of Woodville Answer the Call
February 7th and 9th marked the passing of our veteran comrades. Brother and Sister Henry Sowerby. After spending nearly sixty years together, it seemed fitting that they should be called Home within a few hours of each other.
It was with this thought in mind that Mrs Adjutant Campion in her prayer at the graveside was led to use the words of the good old Book: "They were pleasant in their lives and to their death they were not divided."
Their large family of surviving sons and daughters, with but one exception, were present, and bore eloquent testimony to the love and affection that existed between them and their dear parents.
Though with grief-stricken hearts and tear-bedimmed eyes they viewed the last rites performed, it was with a sense of consolation that they heard the words so definitely spoken by Adjutant Campion: "In sure and certain hope of meeting again."
Brother and Sister Sowerby were converted forty years ago at Peel Forest, then an outpost of Ashburton Corps, under the ministration of Mrs Captain John Field.
Very faithfully, together with other comrades, they kept the Flag flying at the Outpost. They often recalled many interesting incidents of early-day warfare. Later they were transferred to Geraldine Corps, thence to Feilding, and finally to Woodville.
During their many years here, their faithful service as Salvationists, in active of retired life, in public or private, has been of great value.
Large numbers in Woodville as well as in other places have been helped and blessed through association with them.
They were laid to rest with full Salvation Army honours, there being a large following at both funerals. A memorial service was held Sunday evening, when feeling references were made to their consistent characters.
Deep sympathy goes to the loved ones, who for so many years looked to their dear parents for guidance and counsel. - Richards