Volume 5 – Kent and Beyond by Steve Green

Part 5 - Sawyers of the East India Docks – The Descendants of William Alchin and Ann Knock of Meopham ... continued...

1.5  ~~  George Alchin

George was probably born at Meopham to William Alchin and Ann Knock and he was baptised at the church of St John the Baptist, Meopham on 22nd June 1806. He moved to London as a teenage boy in the early 1820’s – no doubt he was already working. George Alchin in later life was a sawyer and he was probably employed in connection with the shipbuilding industry at the East India Docks in the East End of London.

George married Elizabeth Church in the late 1820s, probably at All Saints’ church, Poplar. According to the 1851 census she was born at Poplar in about 1808. It seems likely that she was baptised at St Dunstan’s church, Stepney on 29th November 1807, the daughter of Richard Church and Elizabeth Davison (see the box for more details on the Church family).

George and Elizabeth had at least seven children – Francis (1830), Ann (1832), Sarah (1833), Charlotte (1837), George (1839), Emma (1842) and Elizabeth (1850). All the children except for Sarah, Emma and Elizabeth were christened in their then parish church of St Dunstan’s, Stepney.

At the time of the census on 11th June 1841 George and his family were living at Burchfield’s Rope Walk. The census enumerator was Isaac Ramsey who was described as a timber merchant and quite possibly he was George’s employer. The 1851 census records that George (wrongly enumerated as John Alchin) was a sawyer and he and his wife and four of their children were living at Bromley St Leonards.

Both George and Elizabeth were still alive in 1855 when their son Francis migrated to Australia, but George died on 20th April 1856 at 3 Providence Place, Cotton Street, Poplar (Poplar 1856 June qtr Volume 1c Page 399). George had been ill for five months with Phthisis (consumption). His occupation on his death certificate is recorded as journeyman sawyer and his age was stated to be 49 years. George’s elder brother, John, was present at his death. John Alchin’s address was recorded as 9 Spreadeagle Street, Limehouse.

1.5.1  ~~  Francis Henry Alchin

Francis was born at North Street, Poplar in the East End of London on 17th January 1830 according to his family Bible, which still survives. The bible is inscribed “Francis Alchin this Book given to him by his affectionate grandmother June 26th 1849. She died 10th December 1850. Buried at Bromley Church, Middlesex”.

The baby boy was christened Francis at St Dunstan’s church, Stepney on 20th June 1830 and he may have added Henry to his name later in life. The 1841 census records that the 11 year old boy was living with his family at Burchfield Rope Walk, Poplar. The 1851 census records that Francis was a sawyer and he was boarding at 6 Robin Hood Lane, Poplar.

Francis was a sawyer like his father and he was more than likely employed in shipbuilding at the East India Docks. At the time of his marriage Francis was living with his family at 4 Kirby Street, Poplar and his future wife Ann was living at 16 Grundy Street, Poplar.

Francis married Ann Eliza Christophers after publication of the banns at All Saints Church, Poplar on 8th August 1852 (Poplar 1852 September qtr Volume 1c Page 1083). Witnesses to the wedding were Francis Middleton (Francis’ step-grandmother was born Jane Middleton) and Mary Ann Willis (probably Ann Christophers’ mother) and the ceremony was performed by the Rev’d Vaughan. Francis Alchin was the only one who could sign the register, the rest had to make their mark.

Ann Eliza Christophers was born at Poplar, London on 9th November 1829, the daughter of William Henry and Mary Christophers. William Christophers was a tailor and raised his family at Poplar although he died in 1838. His widow married a sawyer James Willis and she may have been Mary Ann Willis, the witness to Ann and Francis’ marriage.

Francis and Ann Eliza emigrated to Australia with their infant son Francis and baby daughter Mary Ann on the vessel “Rose of Sharon”. They departed from Southampton on 10th January 1855 and arrived in Sydney on 13th April 1855 after a voyage of 93 days. The family moved to Australia under the 5 pound assisted migration scheme. The passenger manifest shows that both Francis and his wife were literate and belonged to the Anglican faith though it seems that they later became Wesleyans.

Francis and Ann Eliza (she appears to have mainly used the name Eliza) had 10 children (5 of each sex), of whom 2 boys and 3 girls died in childhood whilst their eldest son was killed at the age of 20 in an accident in a sawmill. The children were Mary (1854), Francis (1855), George (1856), Alfred (1858), Eliza (1859), Emma (1861), Charlotte (1863), Henry (1865), Arthur (1867) and Sarah (1871).

The family seemed to have spent all their time in Sydney but they moved house regularly, possibly they were living in lodgings for some time after their arrival in Australia. They first moved to Balmain where their son George was born in 1856. Then they moved to Lane Cove for a short time in 1857, before returning to the city. In early 1858 they were living at Kent Street, later that year they were living at Sussex Street, in 1859 they were at George Street and in the following year they were at Clarence Street. The family then stayed put for the period 1861 to 1867 at Wentworth Place, Philip Street.

The 1867/68 electoral roll for the seat of East Sydney records that Francis Alchin was a householder of 163 Phillip Street. In the 1869 Sydney Directory his address is given as 86 Devonshire Street. In 1870 the family was living at 15 Charles Street, Wooloomooloo, in 1871 at Dixon Street, Haymarket and in 1875 they were living at 53 Holt Street, Strawberry (Surry) Hills. They later moved for the last time to 16 Charles Street, Marrickville.

Stories handed down in the family tell that Francis Alchin senior would spend months away from home at a time with his bullock team felling timber on the north shore of Sydney Harbour. In the 1870s he worked as a saw sharpener and in 1875 he was possibly working with his eldest son at Hudson’s Steam Sawmill on the Botany Road when his son was killed in an accident. In later life he became a machinist for the NSW railways.

The gravestone of Francis and Ann Alchin in the Old Methodist section of Rookwood Necropolis, their great grand-daughter Judith Green, nee Turner is standing alongside

Francis died of heart failure after a short illness on 30th April 1901 (NSW 1901/5956). He was attended by Dr R.B.Wade during his final illness. Francis was buried on 1st May 1901 in the Old Methodist section of Rookwood Necropolis (near the main entry gates) after a service performed by a Church of England minister, the Rev’d A.E.Bellingham (he baptised / married / buried several members of the family over the period 1893 – 1910 at a number of different churches). Francis’ burial was witnessed by his surviving sons George and Arthur. Probate of his estate was granted shortly afterwards (Probate NSW 4/23058).

Ann lived to be 86 years of age. In her old age her young grandson Ronald Witcombe was made to sleep at her house, just down the street from his own, each night to keep her company. She died at her home “Poplar” in Charles Street, Marrickville on 7th March 1916 of heart disease (NSW 1916/1550). She was last seen by her physician, Dr C.R.Hodgson, on 4th March.

Ann was buried alongside her husband in the Old Methodist section of Rookwood Necropolis on 8th March by Rev’d H. Rogers and her burial was witnessed by the undertaker Charles Wood. Ann’s death was certified by her son George who was then living at Church Street, Parramatta (probably at the fire station where he was Station Officer). Ann and Francis are buried with their two sons Henry and Francis and a memorial over their grave still exists. Probate of her estate was granted (Probate NSW 4/73454).

1.5.1.1  ~~  Mary Ann Elizabeth Alchin

Mary was born at No. 7 Queen Street, Bromley New Town at 1.40 p.m. on 28th June 1853 (Poplar 1853 September qtr Volume 1c Page 552) and she was christened at All Saints church, Poplar. Mary migrated to Australia with her parents in 1855 but she died at her home in Sussex Street, Sydney on 10th September 1858 (NSW 1858/1098) aged only 5 years.

Mary died of “inflammation” after an illness of four days. She was last seen by her physician, Dr Moon, on the day of her death. Mary was buried on 12th September at Camperdown and her burial was witnessed by Richard Thomas (undertaker) and William Johnson. Her father’s occupation was given on her death certificate as “labourer” rather than “sawyer” which appears as Francis’ occupation on all other surviving documents.

1.5.1.2  ~~  Francis Henry Alchin

Francis was born at his parents home at 32 Cawdor Street, Bromley New Town at 10.14 p.m. on the 26th September 1854 (Poplar 1854 December qtr Volume 1c Page 523). His parents took him to Australia as an infant and they were taking a huge risk doing so as the death rate aboard the emigrant vessels among young male children was quite high.

Frances became a sawyer like his father and grandfather and he was working for the Hudson Steam Saw Mills on the Botany Road at the time of his death in an industrial accident. The Hudson’s were later linked by marriage to the Witcombe’s (Elizabeth Agnes daughter of Edwin and Julia Burton Witcombe married Robert Burton Hudson in 1883).

According to a coroner’s report Francis died on 14th August 1875 (NSW 1875/3856) from “injuries accidentally received while in the discharge of his duties” at the saw-mill. The early steam saw mills were deadly places with an ever-present danger from exploding boilers and the poor quality steel used in the saws. This was in the days long before industrial safety. The coroner, Henry Shiell, held the inquest on the day of Francis’ death and it was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald of Monday 16th August 1875.

“CORONER’S COURT

An inquest was held, on Saturday afternoon, on the body of a man named Francis Alchin, who was killed at Hudson’s sawmills on Saturday morning. The following evidence was taken after viewing the body.

Francis Alchin deposed he resided at 53, Holt-street, Surry Hills; the dead body just viewed by him was that of his son Francis Alchin, aged 20 years, a native of London; deceased was unmarried, and a labourer by trade; he had of late been working at Hudson, Brothers, Botany Road; deceased left home about 10 minutes past 6 o’clock on Saturday morning, to go to his work, when he was all right; he next saw him about 8 o’clock at Hudson’s mills; at that time he was unable to speak; he took him to Dr Morgan’s, in Cleveland-street, and he died immediately after leaving the doctor’s house; when he first saw the deceased in the mill he pointed to his throat, on which he noticed an abrasion of the skin; he could not say what the deceased was doing when he met with the injury; deceased was of very temperate habits; about half an hour after he first saw the deceased suffering, his death took place.

John Pullen deposed: He resides at Pitt-street, Redfern, and is employed by Messrs. Hudson, Brothers as machinist; he knew the deceased, Francis Alchin; he was present on Saturday morning at Hudson, Brothers’ mills, when deceased received the injuries which eventuated in his death; he witnessed the occurrence; about half-past 7 o’clock on Saturday morning, he was standing close to the deceased, who was engaged sawing some box-wood of pine, with a circular saw; there was an elderly man employed with deceased doing this work; the deceased was cutting some pine lengthways, into half-inch pieces; it was a thick piece they were sawing; they cut it till they had got to the outside piece, which dropped in the side of the bench; the man engaged with deceased, whilst lifting the boards which had been cut off, touched the outer piece, which was lying on the bench, on the extreme end, and caused the opposite end to rise on top of the saw; the saw, which was in motion caused the piece of wood to bound back and strike the deceased under the chin; deceased was, at the time, standing in front of the saw; the end of the wood struck the deceased; on seeing the occurrence, he picked the deceased up and gave him a little water; deceased was only able to say: “Tell my father”; he went and did so, and his father came and took him away; deceased was a young man of temperate habits; the deceased and the old man were on friendly terms.

Dr. Cosby Morgan deposed: A little before 8 o’clock on Saturday morning the deceased, Francis Alchin, was brought to his residence in Cleveland-street by his father and another man; deceased was then in a state of collapse, and very pale; he placed him on a sofa and gave him a little brandy, which he could not swallow; he was informed that the deceased exhibited all the symptoms of extravasations of blood on the brain; he never rallied, but grew rapidly worse; the man who came with deceased’s father procured a dray to convey deceased home, but he died as soon as he had been placed on the dray; he had no doubt that the cause of death was pressure on the brain from the rupture of a large vessel at the base of the brain; a violent blow on the jaw and throat would cause this to take place, and fatal bleeding within the cranium would soon ensue.

Richard Thomas deposed: He resided at Chippendale, and works at Hudson, Brothers’ steam sawmills; he knew deceased, who was working at the same bench with him on Saturday morning; he and deceased were engaged cutting some half-inch stuff; deceased was attending to the saw, and as the stuff was sawn he (witness) carried it away; as each length was cut off he removed it; the outer piece was lying on the bench as he was taking away the last piece cut; the outer piece lying on the bench jumped on the top of the saw; he did not know how it got on the saw.

The jury returned their verdict to the following effect: - ‘The said Francis Alchin, at Sydney, on the 14th instant, died from the effects of injuries accidentally received whilst in the discharge of his duties at Hudson, Brothers’ steam sawmills on the Botany Road.’ “

Francis was buried on the 16th August 1875 at Haslem’s Creek (now known as Rookwood Necropolis) witnessed by the undertakers Charles Kinsella junior and Henry Kinsella. His death certificate provides no details of any religious service. Young Francis was only weeks away from his 21st birthday at the time of his death.

1.5.1.3  ~~  George James Alchin

Francis and Ann’s first Australian born child was George James Alchin who was born at Balmain at 9.07 a.m. on Good Friday 21st March 1856 (NSW 1856/1870). George married Hannah Eliza Bedwell at the Wesleyan Church at Hay Street, Sydney on 3rd October 1877 but for some reason their wedding was not registered for another 62 years (NSW 1939/12777). Hannah was born in Hobart Town on 16th December 1858 and she was the daughter of Alfred Henry Bedwell and Jane Bevis.

In the late 1870s George was employed as a packer and in the late 1870s he and his growing family were living at Cleveland Street, Darlington in the Redfern district of Sydney. In the mid 1880’s George was employed as a vanman or carrier and he and his family were living at Morris Street, Summer Hill.

George and Hannah had twelve children – George (1878), Violet (1879), Myra (1882), Elsie (1884), Henry (1886), Daisy (1887), Louisa (1890), Harrie (1892), Frank (1894), Jessie (1896), Lucy (1898) and George (1901). Five of their children died as infants from a variety of causes.

George worked as a carter before joining the Metropolitan Fire Brigade as a Driver 3rd Class on 28th April 1890 on a salary of 2 pounds five shillings per week. There is a family tradition that he served as a volunteer fireman for some years prior to that date. George was initially assigned to the George St West station in central Sydney. From the evidence it appears that George was very experienced and competent with horses.

George’s personnel papers from his service in the NSW Fire Brigade have survived. They show that he was 5 foot 7 ˝ inches tall with a chest measurement of 36 inches. On 28th April 1891 his pay was increased to 130 pounds per annum. On 1st October 1892 George was promoted to Fireman 2nd Class and to Fireman 1st Class on 1st July 1893.

George seems to have got into some sort of trouble with his employer because on 18th March 1896 he was reduced to Fireman 2nd Class. His file was notated “Reduced by resolution of the Fire Brigade Board to Second Class, and placed at the bottom of the Class. See Letter book J, Page 798”. It cannot have been too serious a lapse as he was promoted back to Fireman 1st Class on 1st October 1899 with an increase in pay to 150 pounds per annum.

He also served at Marrickville, Castlereagh Street City, Woollhara, Waterloo, Redfern, Randwick and Paddington stations and at the time of his father’s death in 1901, George was stationed at Walker Street, North Sydney. He received a Good Conduct Medal on 1st January 1904, a second one on 30th June 1905 and a third on 22nd December 1905. Each medal was awarded with an “honorarium” of 1 penny per day.

On 31st January 1913 the Parramatta Volunteer Fire Brigade was disbanded and a permanent Brigade of four men was established with a horse drawn petrol motor and turbine engine for pumping. On 3rd March 1913 George Alchin applied for, and obtained, the position as Station Officer of the Parramatta Brigade, which was then located at the corner of Church and Fitzwilliam Streets. His niece Grace Turner (nee Witcombe) remembered being taken by her mother to visit her Uncle George at Parramatta Fire Station before World War One. George applied for retirement in 1919 due to changes in the Superannuation Act, which would have given him a lesser pension if he had remained in the Fire Service.

George retired on 30th September 1919 to the central coast of New South Wales at Woy Woy where he owned a pair of cottages named after his children – “Halfrange” (Harry, Frank and George) and “Vimydalo” (Violet, Myra, Daisy and Louie). He died in the larger of the cottages on 25th March 1923 (NSW 1923/3258) aged 67 from a cerebral haemorrhage and arterio-sclerosis. He was seen by Dr Jessie Wyper on the day of his death. Probate of his estate was granted (Probate NSW 4/118193).

George has a well-known tombstone carved in the shape of a fire helmet at Rookwood Old Wesleyan Cemetery in Sydney where he was buried on 27th March. The Rev’d Robert Rook of the Church of England read the service and the witnesses to his burial were E.Hawkins and S.Bunn. George’s wife Hannah died at her youngest son’s home at Knowlman Avenue, Pymble on 18th June 1939 (NSW 1939/8572) and she is buried with her husband, and daughters Jessie and Lucy, in the old Wesleyan cemetery at Rookwood. Probate of her estate was granted (Probate NSW 4/243942).

1.5.1.3.1  ~~  George A.H. Alchin

George was born in Sydney in 1878 (NSW 1878/1962) and he died there as an infant. George was buried at Rookwood on 28th July 1878 (NSW 1878/1396).

1.5.1.3.2  ~~  Violet Louisa Alchin

Violet, known as Nin, was born at 28 Cleveland Street, Darlington on 9th August 1879 (NSW 1879/6568) and the witness to her birth was Mrs Fisher. Violet was a witness at her Aunt Sarah’s marriage to Arthur Witcombe at St Clement’s church, Marrickville in 1893. Violet trained as a children’s nurse and she travelled the world with the family (the Solomons) who employed her.

Violet married Richard William Harvey at all Saint’s Church in Palmerston North (New Zealand) on 7th March 1906. Richard was a seaman and he was born in Harwick, Essex on 12th February 1877 to Thomas Harvey, an engineer, and Elizabeth Dougall. The marriage was performed by the Rev’d C. Coleridge Harper after a license was obtained the same day from the Bishop of Wellington. Wedding licenses were sought when marriages needed to be performed hurriedly and there was insufficient time to proclaim the banns. The witnesses to their wedding were Reginald Davis, an accountant of Palmerston, and Bridgett Gallagher.

By 1907 Violet and Richard had returned to Australia and Richard was working for the NSW Dredge Service. At the time the family was living at 151 Cumberland Street, Sydney but they later moved to Mosman and then to Newcastle. Violet and Richard had two children – Richard (1907) and Francis (1911). Richard senior later worked for the Department of Customs and Excise in Sydney where he specialised in searching ships (the author has worked in the Australian Customs Service since 1974).

Richard died at Sydney from cancer of the throat on 4th January 1952 (NSW 1952/35) aged 74 years. Violet died at “La Salette” Nursing Home on Blaxland Road, Ryde on 4th July 1968 (NSW 1968/33310) aged 88 years.

1.5.1.3.2.1  ~~  Richard George Thomas Harvey

Richard (Dick) was born at 151 Cumberland Street, Sydney on 20th November 1907 (NSW 1907/32088). The witnesses to his birth were Dr Luker and Nurse Alexandra, and there is a surviving photograph of Nurse Alexandra holding the baby (see above). Dick joined the Merchant Marine when he was 13 years old and spent many years at sea. He never lost his love for the sea and his son and grandson have maintained that tradition.

Dick married Vera Clarice (Von) Prentice at St Philip’s Church, Sydney on 6th January 1940 (NSW 1940/371). Von is the daughter of Henry Gordon Prentice and Elizabeth Rebecca Plimsoll Blacker and she was born at Lakemba on 28th April 1910. Dick and Von had  two children born at Mater Hospital at Crows Nest – Peter (1941) and Ann (1944). Dick and his family later lived at Avalon on Sydney’s northern beaches. He died in Ryde District Hospital on 29th September 1999 aged 91 years.

1.5.1.3.2.2  ~~  Francis Harrie Harvey

Francis (Frank) was born at Cleveland Street, Redfern on 26th April 1911 (NSW 1911/22445). Frank Harvey was born at Redfern, Sydney on 26th April, 1911 and went to Chatswood High School and Fort Street High School. He left school at 15 as his father said he must go and learn a trade. He started as a Lithography artist in the office at S.T.Leigh’s but did not like it. Frank answered an advertisement for an apprenticeship with John Fairfax and Son and stayed with the company until he was 64, finishing as their Production Composing Manager.

Frank married Irene Cawte Lambert at Christ Church, Lavendar Bay in North Sydney on 28th February 1935 (NSW 1935/2010). Irene was born at Kingaroy in Queensland on 7th May 1913 and she is the daughter of Walter Richard Darcy Lambert and Margaret Patterson Doig. Frank and Irene had two children – Margaret who was born at North Sydney and Maxwell (1939 - 1991) who was born at Eastwood.

Frank enlisted in the RAAF at Sydney on 2nd September 1942. He was discharged as a Leading Aircraftsman from the 11th Mobile Fighter Control Unit on 29th November 1945.

1.5.1.3.3  ~~  Myra Nereda Alchin

Myra was born in Sydney in 1882 (NSW 1882/145). She married James Fleming at Sydney in 1908 (NSW 1908/6755) and they had three children – James (1911), Myra (1912) and Esma (1916). They spent much of their married life at Newtown in Sydney.

The  photo (below middle) shows four generations of Alchin women – Eliza Alchin holding her great grand-daughter Edna Goodfellow, standing left is her grand-daughter Peggy Goodfellow and right her daughter Myra Fleming.

Myra died at North Sydney in 1950 (NSW 1950/16104) aged 68 years.

1.5.1.3.3.1  ~~  James William Fleming

James (Jim) was born at Newtown on 17th March 1911. He married Marjorie Eleanor Jesson at Newtown in 1935 (NSW 1935/19642); she was the daughter of Frederick and Madeline Jesson. Jim and Marjorie had three children – Jeanette, Barry and Helen.

Marjorie died from kidney trouble at Newtown in 1956 (NSW 1956/30609). Jim subsequently married Jessie. Jim died on 17th April 1979.

1.5.1.3.3.2  ~~  Myra Neridah Fleming

Myra, who was named after her mother but was called Peggy, was born at Newtown in 1912 (NSW 1912/19702). She married Wallace Donald Goodfellow at Newtown in 1932 (NSW 1932/6630); he was born at Masterton, New Zealand on 12th May 1906. Wallace and Myra had two children – Gwen and Edna.

Wallace enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F. at Liverpool on 26th November 1942. He was discharged as a Warrant Officer II on 22nd November 1945. Peggy later married Bert Williams who pre-deceased her. Peggy died in 1999.

1.5.1.3.3.3  ~~  Esma Jessie Fleming

Esma was born at Newtown on 18th June 1916 (NSW 1916/27203). She married Ross Campbell Stevenson at Newtown on 4th June 1942 (NSW 1942/12215). Ross was born at Stanmore on 4th June 1917. Ross served in World War II as a Corporal in the Command Provost Company (Service # NX584). He enlisted at Ashfield on 3rd November 1939 and he was discharged on 26th December 1944.

Ross and Esma had two children – Sandra and Dennis. Esme died at the Gold Coast, Queensland on 18th November 2001. She was cremated and her ashed sprinkled over the ocean.

1.5.1.3.4  ~~  Elsie Millicent Alchin

Elsie was born in Sydney in June 1884 (NSW 1884/2291). Elsie died at her parent’s home at Morris Street, Summer Hill on 3rd April 1885 (NSW 1885/3361) aged only 10 months. She had been ill for 30 hours with double pneumonia. Dr David Collingwood last saw her on the day of her death.

Elsie was buried at Rookwood Necropolis on the 5th April 1885. There does not appear to have been any religious service. The witnesses to her burial were John Bennett and A. McLellan.

1.5.1.3.5  ~~  Henry Franis Alchin

Henry was born at Morris Street, Summer Hill on 4th June 1886 (NSW 5893). Dr Moir and Mrs Shanahan were the winesses to his birth. Henry died (probably at Summer Hill) within a fortnight (NSW 1886/3136) and he was buried at Rookwood on 16th June 1886.

1.5.1.3.6  ~~  Daisy Mildred Alchin

Daisy was born at Newtown on 30th September 1887 (NSW 1887/9534). As a child Daisy had a bout of rheumatic fever which weakened her heart and left her very deaf. She appears to have lived in a defacto relationship with William George Fitzell who had been previously married to Aida Nipper in 1904.  Bill was born in County Kerry in Ireland on 9th February 1883.

Daisy and Bill Fitzell had two children before their marriage at St Leonards in 1917 (NSW 1917/6251). Altogether they had six children – William (1913), Kathleen (1916), Frank (1918), Mildred (1920), George (1923) and Noeline (1924). Her youngest son died in New Guinea in 1942 and the shock of his death contributed to her own early death a year later.

Daisy died in her sleep at Woy Woy on 28th June 1943 (NSW 1943/18407) aged 55 years. Bill died at Croydon on 28th March 1950 (NSW 1950/4945) aged 62 years.

Bill & Daisy Fitzell with young Bill and Edna in late 1916

1.5.1.3.6.1  ~~  William Henry Fitzell

William (Bill) was born at Sydney on 23rd September 1913 (NSW 1913/39622) and his birth was registered as William H Alchin. He married Muriel Maude Regan at Parramatta in 1933 (NSW 1933/7858). Muriel, who was known as Queenie, was born in about 1912. They had three children, one of whom William J. died aged 2 days and they also had a daughter Lynne.

Bill was 5 ft 10 inches tall and worked in the Post Office. He enlisted in the Army at Paddington on 1st September 1942 and he served in World War 2 as a gunner in the 2/3rd Anti Aircraft Regiment (service # NX97992). Bill Fitzell died on 13th June 1980 and Queenie died in 1985 aged 73.

1.5.1.3.6.2  ~~  Kathleen Edna Fitzell

Kathleen, known as Edna, was born at Sydney on 26th February 1916 (NSW 1916/551). Her birth was registered both as Fitzell and as Alchin. Edna married Reginald Vallis Hyland at Parramatta in 1938 (NSW 1938/17873). Reg and Edna had five children – Ronald, Janice, Patricia, Bruce (1948-1956) and Mark.

Their second son, Bruce, was drowned in a storm water drain during a flash flood on 27th October 1956 when he was aged only 8 years. Edna worked in the mail order department of Anthony Hordern’s. Reg Hyland died in about 1980 and he was survived by Edna.

1.5.1.3.6.3  ~~  Frank Cornelius Fitzell

Frank was born at Randwick on 10th March 1918 (NSW 1918/2358). He married Shirley Lillian Hawtree at Redfern in 1943 (NSW 1943/12613) and they had two children – Paul and Terry. Frank was very tall at 6 ft 4 in tall and he served with the NSW Police Force for many years. In later life Frank suffered a serious stroke and could not speak properly.

Shirley died at Westmead Hospital aged 81 on 29th November 1999. Frank unfortunately suffered several further strokes and he died at Westmead Hospital after a long illness on 30th July 2000 aged 82 years.

1.5.1.3.6.4  ~~  Mildred Marie Fitzell

Mildred, known as Betty, was born at Randwick on 13th September 1920. She married James Tattersall at Croydon in 1940 (NSW 1940/18485). Jim and Betty had six children – Peter, a stillborn infant (1948), Kay, Narelle, Michael and Maureen. Jim Tattersall was the son of William Tattersall and Isabella Smith.

1.5.1.3.6.5  ~~  George Jackson Fitzell

George was born at Parramatte on 30th April 1923 and prior to enlisting he was living at Woy Woy. He enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F. at Paddington on 6th May 1941 (NX7067). George was posted as a Gunner to the 2/1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. George died from scrub typhus in New Guinea on Tuesday 15th September 1942 aged 19 and he is buried in Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery (Grave B1 B3).

George was a despatch rider for his unit. Twelve months after his death his clothes and personal possessions were returned to his mother. This caused his mother great shock and probably contributed to her early death. His gloves even had the indentations of his fingers still showing.

1.5.1.3.6.6  ~~  Noeline Isabel Fitzell

Noeline was born on 1st December 1924 and she died from meningitis aged 8 months at Annandale in August 1925 (NSW 1925/10594).

1.5.1.3.7  ~~  Louisa Eliza Alchin

Louisa was born at Summer Hill near Ashfield on 1st March 1890 (NSW 1890/4734). She married Reginald Leigh Graham at St Philip’s church, Sydney on 4th May 1910 (NSW 1910/3814). The ceremony was performed by the Rev’d A.E. Bellingham and the witnesses were Archer Aley and Gertie Brown.

Reg Graham was a storeman of Erskineville at the time of his marriage. He was born at Coogee in 1889, the son of a miller, Robert Graham and Isabella Johnson. Reg and Louisa Graham had six children – Lucy (1912), Ruth (1914), Violet (1916), Harrie (1919), David (1921) and Bruce (1925).

Louisa (Auntie Louie) was forever moving house. Apparently her husband never knew where he was coming home to. The story goes that he would come home and find a note to say that she had moved and would give the new address. When he got there everything would have been set up including the curtains.

Reg worked for a time as a tally clerk with the NSW Railways and later in the Railway Workshops at Everleigh. He also worked for some time for his brother in law George Alchin at the Wire Gate and Fence Company at Crows Nest.

Reg died at North Sydney in 1960 (NSW 1960/35356) aged 71 years and he was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Chatswood. Louisa died at Chatswood on 5th November 1962 (NSW 1962/31286) aged 72 years.

1.5.1.3.7.1  ~~  Lucy Lois Graham

Lucy was born at Mosman on 11th June 1912 (NSW 1912/31598). She married Douglas Pratt Duncan at Westmead in 1944 (NSW 1944/4840). Douglas was born at Inverurie, Scotland on 3rd November 1903. He enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F. at Leichhardt on 8th January 1942 (NX86494). He was discharged as a sapper from the Engineers on 9th November 1945.

Lucy died at Ballina on the NSW north coast on 7th June 1988 shortly before her 76th birthday.

1.5.1.3.7.2  ~~  Ruth Alison Graham

Ruth, known as Tottie, was born at Granville on 29th January 1914 (NSW 1914/5312). She married William Leslie Blain Cook at North Sydney in 1938 (NSW 1938/8398). Tottie died on 1st June 1981 aged 67 years.

1.5.1.3.7.3  ~~  Violet Hannah Graham

Violet, known as Violy, was born at Mosman on 28th October 1916 (NSW 1916/49012). She married James William Waldron at North Sydney in 1937 (NSW 1937/13454). James and Violy had three children – Virginia, Judith and John. James was living at Walgett when he enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F. at Paddington on 11th June 1940. He reached the rank of Lance Corporal in the 2/17th Infantry Battalion (service # NX29949). He was discharged from the Army on 18th September 1945.

Violet and James divorced and she later married Thomas Kerr at the Registry Office, Bankstown on 31st December 1947. Thomas was the son of Thomas Kerr and Emily Hall and at the time of his marriage he was employed as a driver. Thomas and Violet had three children – David, William and Geoffrey. Both David and William died as young adults.

Violet died at Sydney Hospital on 5th September 1967 (NSW 1967/4696) aged only 50 years. She was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Chatswood.

1.5.1.3.7.4  ~~  Harrie Wallace Graham

Harrie was born at Sydney on 16th January 1919. He died in May 1919 (NSW 1919/4920).

1.5.1.3.7.5  ~~  David McCloy Graham

David was born at Mosman on 5th May 1921. David enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F. at Paddington on 27th May 1940. He served in the Western Desert as a sapper in the 2/6th Field Company (service # NX17432). He was one of the Rats of Tobruk. David returned to Australia and he married Kathleen Constance Farr at North Sydney in 1945 (NSW 1945/23261).

David worked for his uncle at the Wire Gate and Fence Company before going to Western Australia as a bull dozer driver. He returned to Sydney and worked for his uncle again before he moved his family to the NSW north coast near Taree. He died at Southport in Queensland on 17th February 1985 aged 63 years.

1.5.1.3.7.6  ~~  Bruce Reginald Giles Graham

Bruce was born at Sydney on 26th November 1925. He served in the Royal Australian Navy as a stoker during WWII (# 34312). He was discharged from the RAN from HMAS Penguin on 6th February 1949 after 6 years service. Bruce never married and could not settle back into civilian life. He died at Manly on 29th October 1967 (NSW 1967/36413) aged 41 years.

||   Previous Page Viewed  ||  Next Page  ||