Fine record of Service

My maternal Great-Grand-Uncle Thomas Fitzherbert MORGAN and his wife Sarah MCNAY were married in Victoria in 1894.
Thomas was born at Euroa in 1868, Sarah at Moonee Ponds in 1873.
They had eleven children born between 1895 and 1918, eight boys and three girls who, all except one of the girls who died of Meningitis at the age of 12, survived to adulthood.  One son, William was killed in World War One and another son Benjamin died in a German P.O.W camp in World War Two.

FINE RECORD OF SERVICE (1940, February 9). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5. Retrieved December 19, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11295149

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Friday 9 February 1940, page 5

---

FINE RECORD OF SERVICE

EUROA Thursday - The Morgan family of Euroa has a fine record of service. Seven of the eight sons of Mr. and Mrs. T F Morgan, of McGuiness street, Euroa have served or are serving King and country.
Privates A. T. Morgan and T. F. Morgan and Bugler W. J. P. Morgan killed in action on Gallipoli served with the A.I.F:  Petty-Officer J G Morgan has served his term in the Navy. Private John S. G. Morgan and Private B. R. Morgan have enlisted in the Second A.I.F and are in camp: and Lance Corporal H.C.S Morgan is in camp with the Militia at Seymour.

Born 1895 Euroa, died 1978 Euroa.

Born 1899 Euroa died 1982 Heidelberg, Victoria.

Born 1897 Euroa died 1915 at Gallipoli.

Born Euroa 1907 died at Essendon in 1982.

Sgt John Morgan born at Euroa, Victoria in 1918. Died Tallangatta, Victoria in 2004.

Benjamin was born at Euroa in 1910 died 1945 Germany.

Harry Somerville Halliday Morgan was born at Euroa in 1912.
 He died at Heidelberg in 1976.

Photos are from the Morgan Family Reunion book 1980 which was contributed to by many family members and compiled by Rhonda Morgan, then Payne.

Private Thomas Fitzherbert MORGAN 6842 - WW1

Thomas Fitzherbert MORGAN was born at Hillston, New South Wales on the 4th of January 1885, the fifth child and second eldest son of John Osborn MORGAN and Martha WARD.

He never married.

Thomas enlisted in the A.I.F 24th Battalion on the 31st of July 1917. 

He was age 31 years and 7 months,  5 foot 10 inches tall, weighed 11 stone 11 pound, fair complexion, blue eyes 6/6, fair hair, Religious Denomination C of E (Church of England).

Copyright expired - public domain

Description

"Studio portrait of 6842A Private (Pte) Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan. A labourer from Euroa, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Morgan embarked with the 20th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Nestor on 21 November 1917. Later posted as missing in action, it was subsequently discovered that he had been wounded in action and was being held as a prisoner of war in Germany. Following the Armistice he was repatriated to England and returned to Australia on 31 March 1919. This is one of a series of photographs taken by the Darge Photographic Company which had a concession to take photographs at the Broadmeadows and Seymour army camps during the First World War. In the 1930s, the Australian War Memorial purchased the original glass negatives from Algernon Darge, along with the photographers’ notebooks. The notebooks contain brief details, usually a surname or unit name, for each negative."  

Thomas was single.

Next of kin on his papers was his mother Mrs. J Morgan of Kirkland Street, Euroa, and his permanent address was given as Kirkland Street, Euroa.

Copyright expired - public domain

Thomas also enlisted in WW2.  His service record has not yet been examined.

MORGAN THOMAS F : Service Number - V380702 : Date of birth - 04 Jan 1888 : Place of birth - HILLSTON NSW : Place of enlistment - EUROA VIC : Next of Kin - MORGAN MARTHA

This photo of Thomas is in the Morgan Family Reunion Book.  

Could this be a WW2 photo and the above a WW1 photo?

Can any family members help?

All these Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan's are confusing. 

See Page

Tribute to the soldiers of my family

Private Thomas Fitzherbert MORGAN 55670 - WW1

Thomas Fitzherbert MORGAN applied to enlist in the Australian Imperial Forces on the 23rd of March 1917.
As he was under the age of 21 years both parents, T. F Morgan and Sarah Annie Morgan, had to sign their consent.

Thomas enlisted on the 2nd of  May 1917, aged 18 years and 2 months. His Service Number was 55670.
Occupation  Boot repairer.
Born near the town of Euroa.
Marital status single.
Next of Kin, father Thomas F Morgan Euroa.
Permanent address, McGuiness St Euroa

As all enlistees had to do, he signed the declaration:
I, Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force from 2 - 5 - 17 until the end of the War, and further period of four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed, or removed therefrom; and that I will resist His Majesty's enemies and cause His Majesty's peace to be kept and maintained; and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service, faithfully discharge my duty according to law.

SO HELP ME, GOD

Taken and subscribed at Euroa in the State of Victoria this 2nd day of May 1917 as a Private in the 7th General Victorian Reinforcements.

Thomas was 5 foot 3 and a half inches tall with a chest measurement of 30 - 33 inches.
Weight 8 stone 6 pounds.
Fair complexion.
Blue eyes both 6/6
Fair hair
Religious Denomination Presbiterian (sic)

Embarkation from Australia was on the 23rd of July 1918 on board  A74 HMT "MARATHON" at Melbourne
Disembarked A74 London on the 27th of September, 1918.

A74 HMAT MARATHON.
Copyright expired - public domain

Thomas was a Private in the 1st training battalion from Australia allotted to RFTS 7th Battalion.
He proceeded overseas from Southhampton to France on the 25th of January, 1919.

On the 8th of February, 1919 he was admitted to hospital with influenza.
On the 22nd of February, 1919  he rejoined his unit from the hospital.

Thomas returned to Australia from England on board the Persic on the 23rd of May 1919.

Copyright expired - public domain
Either one of two Private Thomas Fitzherbert Morgans who were first cousins once removed.

Australian War memorial Description

"Studio portrait of T F Morgan, either 6842 Private (Pte) Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan or 55670 Pte Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan. A labourer from Euroa, Victoria prior to enlistment, 6842 Pte Morgan embarked with the 20th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Nestor on 21 November 1917. Later reported as missing in action it was subsequently discovered that he had been captured and was being held as a prisoner of war. Following the Armistice he was repatriated to England and returned to Australia on 31 March 1919. 

55670 Pte Morgan, a boot repairer from Euroa, Victoria prior to enlistment, served as a Corporal with the 1st (Depot) Battalion at Broadmeadows before reverting to the rank of Private and embarking for overseas service 7th Victorian Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Marathon on 23 July 1918. He was later allotted to the 7th Battalion but the Armistice was declared before he could join his unit and he returned to Australia on 13 July 1919. Note: Although both men share the same name and are both from Euroa, there is nothing on their records to indicate any relationship. This is one of a series of photographs taken by the Darge Photographic Company which had a concession to take photographs at the Broadmeadows and Seymour army camps during the First World War. In the 1930s, the Australian War Memorial purchased the original glass negatives from Algernon Darge, along with the photographers’ notebooks. The notebooks contain brief details, usually a surname or unit name, for each negative."

Thomas later became a hairdresser and in 1924 was living at the Albion Hotel in Horsham, Victoria.

In 1926 he married Cathrine OLIVER.  They moved to Romsey in Victoria.

The Victorian electoral rolls show Thomas and Cathrine living at Romsey in 1931 and 1936 where he was still a hairdresser.

Thomas also enlisted in WW2
MORGAN THOMAS FITZHERBERT : Service Number - VX105801 : Date of birth - 18 Mar 1898 : Place of birth - ROMSEY VIC : Place of enlistment - FIELD QLD : Next of Kin - MORGAN CATHRINE

By 1949 they were living at 29 Thomas Street, Williamstown and were there until the 1980 Victorian electoral rolls.
Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan died in 1982.
Victorian death registration number 14802.

See Page

Tribute to the soldiers of my family

There are family trees and there are family trees

Recently I revisited a reunion book for my maternal grandmother's MORGAN family that was held at Euroa in November 1980.

The book was compiled from family members stories and photos by Rhonda Payne nee MORGAN who dedicated it to her grandparents Arthur and Eva MORGAN.

Book cover. 
It was later discovered that Sarah Morgan's maiden name was BLOUNT, not Brunt.

This book contains an extensive family tree of descendants of John and Sarah who migrated as assisted immigrants to Australia from Herefordshire, England in 1842 on board the ship "Lady Fitzherbert".

Over the following years and still ongoing, the family trees have been added to by an enthusiastic group of our family history researchers.

Tucked away inside the book I found a page written out by my Nanna Daisy FLEMING nee MORGAN.
These were a list of the children of her grandparents, Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan and Mary Ann Pike, all but two of her father's twelve siblings using the names she knew them as.
The two who aren't listed died in childhood. 
They are John Morgan (1867 - 1874 Euroa) and Maurice Morgan (1881 - 1882 Euroa)

Starting from the top of the list, which isn't in date order but as Nanna remembered each family.  Priceless and such a memory!

Uncle Ben - Benjamin Morgan born 1885, Euroa died 1910 Boggy Creek.

Wangaratta Chronicle, Wed Feb 9, 1910. "Sudden Death at Boggy Creek. - A young man named M. B MORGAN, 21 years of age, was found dead in his bed on Saturday morning at the residence of his brother, Mr. Wm MORGAN, Boggy Creek.  Deceased was a labourer, and had worked for Mr. H JONES and Mr. W C LEWIS, Moyhu.  While working for the latter he complained of heart pains and had to cease work.  On Wednesday last he consulted Dr McLAY, who told him that he was suffering from heart disease, and that from indications he would not live many days.  The remains were taken to Euroa for interment, as the family grave is in the cemetery at that place."

Uncle Tom & Auntie Sarah (Euroa) - Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan the 2nd born 1868 and died 1943 at Euroa.  Married Sarah McNay in 1894. They had eleven children Archibald, William, Thomas, Marion, Sarah, Jane, James, Benjamin, Harry, Edward and John.

Uncle Alex and Auntie ? - Alexander Frederick Morgan born 1875 at Euroa died 1946 at Eldorado near Wangaratta.  Alexander first married Emily Wakenshaw in 1897.  They had five children Herbert, Elizabeth, George, Emily, and Isabella.  His wife died in 1902.  Later Alexander married Alice Irene McCann in 1909.  They had four children Violet, Benjamin, Frederick, and Thomas.

Uncle Jock and Auntie Edie - John Pike Morgan born 1879 at Euroa, died 1953 at Jerilderie, NSW.  He married Edith Elsie Tynan.  They had no children.

Uncle George and Auntie Janet - George Morgan was born 1870 Euroa and died 1957 Euroa.  He married Janet Crockett in 1910.  They had one son, George Alexander Morgan.

Uncle Bob and Auntie May - Robert Maurice Morgan was born 1873 at Euroa, he died in 1952 at Wangaratta.  Robert married Hannah Mabel Morgan (no relation) in 1912.  They had ten children Ivy, Clifford, Robert (Maurice), Vivian, James, John Thomas (Tom), Benjamin, William, Arthur, and Norman.

William Thomas and Ada May (Mum & Dad) - William Thomas Morgan was born 1872 at Euroa, he died in 1950 at Wangaratta.  He married Ada May Hulme in 1905.  They had five children, four girls who had boys nicknames Clarice (Tod), my Nanna Daisy (Billy), Mavis (Bobby), Lila (Johnny) and then Herbert.

Uncle Ted and Auntie May - Edward Richard Morgan born 1883 Euroa died 1959 Melbourne.  He married Maria Paterson in 1909.  They had seven children.  Reginald, Gladys, Sylvia, Melinda, William, Edward and Jean

Uncle Fred and Auntie Nell - Frederick Alexander Morgan (it gets confusing when there are brothers Alexander Frederick and Frederick Alexander!) was born 1891 at Euroa and died 1939 Berrigan NSW.  He married Nellie Morgan (no relation) in 1911.  They had nine children. Frederick Attwell, John, Thomas Roy, Joyce, Valda, Nellie, Margaret, Ronald, and Faye.

Auntie Ease and Uncle Archie McNay - Isobela Sarah Morgan was born 1877 Euroa, died 1946 Yarrawonga.  She married Archibald McNay in 1896.  They had three children.  Marion, Lilian, and Archibald.

Auntie Pops and Uncle Harry - Marion Morgan (Pops) was born 1889 Euroa and died 1924 Beechworth, Victoria.  She married Henry Thomas McCoomb in 1911.  They had five children.  Neil, Marion Winifred, George, Evelyn, and Elsie. 

Remembering my much loved grandfather Archie Fleming

Much loved grandfather, Archie Fleming, left this life 40 years ago today; the 9th of November 1977.

He was 68 years of age.

His final resting place is Pine Lodge Lawn cemetery near Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.

He was survived by his wife, Daisy nee Morgan, one son, three daughters and twelve grand children of which I am the eldest.

Loved and always remembered Gramps.

Mystery photo of unknown gentleman possibly solved?

Today after a discussion with a cousin I had cause to revisit an old mystery photo from New Zealand.  

This discussion jogged my memory of an email I had received in June 2015 after a query to the Alexander Turnbull Library about the photo.

Fancy forgetting about it for that long.  

My only excuse is that life got in the way.

The above photo in my possession is courtesy of Brigid Simpson and the Lavin family collection of my great grand uncle, Alexander MORGAN in New Zealand.  Photo labeled "Unknown taken in Wellington". 

We have no idea of what connection these men had with Alexander Morgan whose family were all Roman Catholic.

Fiona Gray, research librarian at Alexander Turnbull Library would possibly date the photograph to c1890s.  Fiona kindly suggested the two outside gentlemen in the above photo were Rev James Gibb and Rev James Paterson

Portrait of Reverend James Gibb. S P Andrew Ltd :Portrait negatives. Ref: 1/1-013980-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23228151  http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23228151

Gibb, James (Rev Dr), 1857-1935
Presbyterian clergyman, political lobbyist. Presbyterian minister and Moderator. Wife, Jeannie Gibb (nee Jane Paterson Smith; married 1881 at Aberdeen; known as Jean in New Zealand). See DNZB (Vol 2, 1870-1900, p165-167) - http://natlib.govt.nz/items/22387441

I found this Creative Commons Image which I believe may well be the middle gentleman in the original photo.  Right side image of Rev George Thomas Marshall is from
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/Cyc02Cycl-fig-Cyc02Cycl0672a.html

THE REV. GEORGE THOMAS MARSHALL, Wesleyan Minister in charge of the Franklin Circuit, resides at Pukekohe. He was born at Leamington, England, in 1853, and held a position as book-keeper and cashier to a firm of English merchants, until he left for New Zealand, in which he arrived in January, 1881, by the ship “Loch Urr.” Before coming to the colony Mr. Marshall was a local preacher in connection with the Wesleyan Church, and became a candidate for the ministry in 1882. He was for one year at the Three King's Institute, as a student at his own expense, and for a second year by direction of the Conference. Mr. Marshall has been engaged in the work as a minister since 1883, when he was appointed to the PAGE 672 Upper Thames circuit. Subsequently he was at Kawakawa, Northern Wairoa, Paparoa, Tauranga, and Opunake respectively, and was afterwards at Richmond for four years. He was stationed at Pukekohe in April, 1899. Mr. Marshall was married, in 1887, to a daughter of the late Mr. W. P. Brown, a very old settler in the Bay of Islands, and has four sons and three daughters.

Photo of Rev James Paterson at right is courtesy of Fiona Gray, research librarian, Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand http://www.natlib.govt.nz/ 

As yet I haven't found further information on Rev Paterson.
There seems to be another.  Image can be seen at https://digitalnz.org/records/1541403/fig-238rev-james-paterson-presbyterian-minister-1869 but his photo seems too different.

Two men front centre are Rev Gibb and Paterson 1933.

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19330908.2.31.1

Do you think the mystery men have been found?

NFHM2017 Blogging Challenge Week 3 - River Lodden Victoria

One river in my family history that comes immediately to mind is The River Loddon which, after the Goulburn river, is the second longest in Victoria.  It begins near Musk, just East of Daylesford and travels North for nearly 400 kilometres to merge with the Little Murray River around Winlaton near Swan Hill.

A map of the river can be seen HERE at Bonzle.com

My great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann (Marrian/Marion) PIKE was born at River Loddon on the 10th of May 1847, youngest daughter of Isabella nee BEATON and John PIKE.  Loddon District covers a wide area and the exact location seems to be unknown, although likely somewhere near the Murray River.  

Her Obituary in the Euroa newspaper in 1933 had an interesting snippet about her memories.

THE EUROA ADVERTISER, FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1933.

MRS MARRIAN MORGAN

The death occurred at her residence, Euroa, on Friday last, of Mrs Marrian Morgan, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of the district. The late Mrs Morgan was one of the earliest residents, coming to this district in 1851, with her widowed mother, at the age of four years, and has thus resided here for 82 years. She was born in Loddon district, and had a good recollection of the early days, recalling an occasion, when she resided in the north, her mother had to leave her children and cross the Murray, a mile wide in flood, in a frail boat, to obtain provisions. They did not expect their mother to return safely.  After her marriage she resided for many years on a farm a few miles from Euroa, near Mr G. Harrison’s. She raised a large family, four of whom, with her husband, pre-deceased her. Her eldest son, John, was drowned in the Seven Creeks, near the Sydney road bridge, in flood time. For many years the late Mrs Morgan had resided in the town. The possessor of a kindly and genial nature, she held the affection of a large circle of friends and relatives. She leaves an adult family of one daughter (Mrs A. McNay, Yarrawonga), and eight sons, all of whom are well known here and held in high respect. The funeral took place on Sunday last. The graveside service was read by Rev. L. Hume. The pall bearers were Messrs, H., Edward, George and Arch Morgan, S. T. McNay, G. McCoomb and N. McCoomb; the coffin bearers were Messrs G., R., A., J., E., and F. Morgan, and Messrs T., J., and George Morgan jr., acted as flower bearers. Mr T. G. Ferguson carried out the funeral arrangements.

Wikipedia - electoral district of Loddon

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/585809

Created/Published Melbourne : Surveyor Generals' Office, Dec. 8 1855

#NFHM2017 Blogging Challenge - Week 3 - All the Rivers Run

Fleming brothers marry Mummery sisters

*"George William Finlay Fleming was born at Moyhu and was the 8th child of 11.  His parents were John Knight and Margaret Jane Fleming nee Splatt.  George started school at Edi and had to walk 5 miles each day, when the river was in flood the only way across was by a flying fox.  At about 6 years of age the family moved to a farm near Wangaratta.  They lived on several farms within this area during his school life.  George used to tell of how he would have to milk the cows of a morning before going to school in Wangaratta.  At the age of 19 he went to Melbourne for the show.  A group of them went for the evening and George had no partner so Edith Mummery agreed to blind date.  As she said " Thats how it all began."   We do not know for sure of the reasons, maybe he got tired of making regular trips to Melbourne - but about 2 years later George moved to the city where he got a job in a grain store.  He worked there for a short time until he got a more permanent job with Hoeffman's carting bricks to building sites - he carted the bricks to the memorial Shrine when it was being built.  In April 1936 he and Edith were married.  George became a warder at Pentridge - but he would joke that he always had a key to get out.  From there and his family moved to a farm at Timboon in the early 1950's.  He worked the farm and supplemented the farm work with building.  After leaving Timboon he moved to Kyabram for a short time then to Dandenong where he built flats, then about 1965 he returned to Kyabram.  His interests were fishing  and he was a keen shooter.  Graeme relates to a shooting trip to Queensland on which George hit the mark every time without a miss for 70 consecutive shots - he equalled his age which was a great achievement.  He loved the outdoors and he had an appreciation for nature and enjoyed travelling around Australia.  Towards the later years of George's life he would say we are not going up North this winter then the first frost would hit and George would start packing the caravan and be gone before the second frost arrived.  Alma Edith Mummery was known to most of us as Edie and she was born in Dandenong and was the 4th of 6 children.  She must have been a favourite of a particular Uncle, as he put her through Business College, after finishing Business College she got a job in the Dandenong Shire Office and from this she was teaching as a primary school assistant.  When Edie first met George she is quoted as saying " Thats the man I'm going to marry".  When Edie and George set some sort of record on a motorcycle from Berwick to Dandenong that Ron admits he hasn't been able to equal.  Edie was Secretary and President of the Ladies Guild.  She was always involved with the family and taught the grandchildren card games.  Unfortunately Edie was killed in an accident on Norfolk Island while on a holiday there with her sister Beryl."

I didn't find any engagement or wedding notices for Edith and George, perhaps because of the War.

Family Notices (1940, December 23). The Argus (Melbourne,Vic:1848-1957), p. 6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11312053

A.C.F. Notes (1942, February 11). The Dandenong Journal (Vic:1927 - 1954), p.16. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215707398

*"Gordon Raymond Fleming was the son of John Knight and Margaret Jane Fleming nee Splatt and was the 10th of 11 children, he was born at Edi. After his schooling he worked on the family farm, and at the age of 21 he got a job at H.V. McKay Massey-Harris working on farm machinery and installing milking machines.  Earlier at the age of 20, he attended his brothers wedding as groomsman, there he met Beryl, the brides sister who was also a bridesmaid, five years later, after World War II had begun, they married.  Three months after the wedding Gordon was assigned to England with the Department of Agriculture to help assemble farm machinery and demonstrate the machinery to Land Army women.  He was there for two and a half years, and on his return worked as a mechanic and bus driver for three years.  In 1949 Gordon, Beryl, Joan and John moved to Myrtleford where Gordon worked in Robertson's grocery store for 5 years, he then worked at Price's Garage as a car salesman for eight years before returning to farming at Rosewhite.  Whilst in Myrtleford Gordon took a keen interest in local football and later in lawn bowls, and his interest in bowls lasted many years.  In 1965 the family moved to another dairy farm at Nanneella near Rochester, in 1970 they moved to Katunga.  In 1985 Gordon, Beryl, John and Jill moved into Numurkah township.  Gordon belonged to the Numurkah Masonic Lodge and was actively interested in the Numurkah Golf Club, his other interests were the Bowling Club, fishing and duck shooting expeditions.  He was also a keen gardener, with fresh vegetables all year around and a wonderful array of colourful chrysanthemums especially for mothers day."

*The above notes were compiled by Mrs Jean Sharrad, a great-great granddaughter of William Finlay Fleming and Ann Jane Knight.  Jean has done an amazing amount of research and willingly shared her findings with interested family members.  She interviewed many family members although it isn't noted who supplied the above stories.
We thank you Jean

Read about the origins of Trove Tuesday at GOULD GENEALOGY HISTORY & NEWS

#NFHM Blogging Challenge - Week 2 - Careful He Might Hear You

Brenda Mary Adams (1905 - 1999)
taken 1926 (family collection)

My paternal grandmother kept her secrets very close.

It wasn't a custody battle but a battle for child maintenance which seemed to begin in 1913.  Nana would have been 8 and her brother 6.

I didn't know until a few years ago when I was searching through newspaper archives that they were almost made wards of the state because for many years their father didn't contribute maintenance for their care.

In 1913 he was found in Adelaide.

The first article I found was in the Adelaide Advertiser.

Thursday 16 October 1913
John Adams was charged with having, on April 1, deserted his wife at Ascot Vale, Victoria. Detective O'Sullivan produced a provisional warrant for the apprehension of the accused. On Tuesday afternoon the witness and Constable Mcinerney saw the accused in Gouger-street. He asked him for his name, and he replied that it was John  Gray. The witness said, 'I believe your name is John Adams, and you are wanted for wife desertion at Ascot Vale." The accused answered, "Yes. my name is John Adams." Inspector Burchell asked for a remand until Saturday, in order that an escort might arrive from Victoria. The request was granted. The accused, in asking for bail, said he was a bricklayer by trade and had been in Adelaide twelve months. Bail was allowed in himself of £30 and one surety of £30. 

I couldn't find any reports after that until the Essendon Gazette article in 1915 and the ongoing saga in later years which seems to have been played out in the Flemington Court house right through to 1918.

Thursday 31 May 1917 page 3
Maintenance Claim. Mary Adams proceeded against her husband, John Adams, on a charge of neglecting to comply with an order of the court granting complainant and her two children maintenance.  Mr. C. J. McFarlane, on behalf of complainant, said that since defendant was last in court, in November last,
Adams had contributed £13 5s on the order, but the arrears to date amount to upwards of £50. Some time ago defendant was brought from Adelaide on warrant.
In Adelaide, he was living in adultery with another woman and was at present continuing those relations and living with the woman at Kensington, while his lawful wife was left to support two children, aged respectively 10 and 12 years.
Unless defendant entered the witness box and gave sound reasons for his failure to comply with the order, he (Mr. McFarlane) would ask that Adams be committed to gaol. Defendant, on oath, said he was a brick layer, and for some time past had only been in temporary work. He had contributed as much as he possibly could, and had run into debt as a result of borrowing to meet the order. To Mr. McFarlane, I admit that I cleared   ? on a recent tender. I am living in the same house with a Mrs. H---- and her two daughters. I also stopped at her place in Adelaide. We are not living together as man and wife and I have never made admissions to that effect. I defy anyone to prove such as assertion. I do not want my children put on the State. I cannot support my wife because I find it impossible to get constant work. Mr. McFarlane: Do you remember the woman referred to suing her husband for maintenance? Defendant: Yes. Was the claim disallowed because the daughter of this woman swore that she had taken tea and toast to you and her mother who were in bed together?
Yes. she swore that because she was promised a new dress. Mr. Shaw, J.P. said the Bench experienced much difficulty in endeavouring to deal with this case. Defendant had since he was last in court paid his wife £13. and it was clear that he would not have been in a position to do that had he been sent to gaol. While sympathising with the complainant the Bench felt that it was advisable to adjourn the case for a further term of three months to give defendant an opportunity of ascertaining what he could do in the way of meeting the order Mr. McFarlane suggested that the case might be adjourned, to be dealt with by a police magistrate. Complainant took the view that if her husband was committed to gaol he would come to his senses and make an effort to pay for the maintenance of his wife and children rather than go there. The Bench did not favour the suggestion, and the case was adjourned till August 21.  

The many other news articles through until 1918 that show that Mary Adams wasn't going to give up her fight can be read HERE

It hasn't been revealed by any family members what happened in the following years and I haven't yet found where my grandmother and her brother attended school in Ascot Vale.

On the 1st of September 1928 My grandmother married her first husband, Eric Ebor Daniels. His occupation was a motor driver and hers a confectioner. She worked for the MacRobertson's chocolate factory. At the time of her marriage she was living at 24 Canning Street North Melbourne and Eric lived around the corner in Erskine Street where his father had a business as a produce merchant.

The next year the Wall Street Crash in October 1929 caused the Worldwide horrific economic downturn of the Great Depression.  The impact worsened in Australia over the following years and many people of all classes were financially crippled, out of work, homeless and in despair.

In these early years by grandmother and her little family suffered even more despair and heartache.

In 1930 (I am fairly sure in February but yet to obtain his birth certificate, the process of which I am unsure of as it isn't classed as a historical certificate.) little Ronald Francis Daniels was born. Again I need to obtain Ronald's birth certificate to find out where they were living but within the next year, I do know they at 10 Molesworth Street, North Melbourne.

Ronald Francis Daniels (family collection)
Location not recorded.

Poor little Ronald developed "Influenzal Meningitis"  He was admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital where he died two weeks later on the 15th of December 1931.

Family Notices (1931, December 16). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 1.
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203728858

Dad told me Nana always blamed the meningitis on Ronald's first haircut and she wouldn't get Dad's hair cut until just before he started school.

But their heartache wasn't over.
Thirty-three days later, on the 17th of January 1932, Ronald's father Eric died of Hodgkin's disease at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Eric and Ronald's grave
(family collection)

Eric Daniels
(family collection)

His death certificate states the duration of his disease was two and a half years. 
I just cannot imagine how my grandmother coped with all of this heartache.

Family Notices (1932, January 18). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 1. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203187394

The house at 10 Molesworth Street was only a ten-minute walk from both hospitals so on a recent visit to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where my husband had to undergo some tests I went for a walk to see the house. On the way, I wondered just how many times my poor grandmother had walked these paths.  

Royal Melbourne Hospital ca 1930 to 1940
 Author / Creator: Edwin G Adamson 1895-1974, photographer.
from State Library Victoria - No copyright restrictions
 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/153647

The hospital looks completely different today and I took a few photos at the entrance but never thought to take a more distant one of the whole hospital.

On the 24th of August 1933, only nineteen months after Eric passed away,  Mary Agnes Adams, my Nana's mother passed away at 10 Molesworth Street.

My great grandmother Mary Agnes Adams nee Morgan (1864 - 1933)

At that time the house was owned by Albert John Harford of 86 Molesworth street.
Albert had inherited the house from his mother Mary Ann Harford who died in 1910.  
Mary Ann Harford had owned the house since 1889.

The Great Depression would still be having an impact in Australia when Nana married my grandfather, James Forsyth (born James Musson - long story!) in 1937.
From a child's perspective, I think they lived a happy life together.

My grandparents at the wedding of my parents in 1958.

My grandmother, Brenda Mary Forsyth, formerly Daniels nee Adams.

#NFHM Blogging Challenge - Week 2 - Careful He Might Hear You

by Alexandra at Family tree Frog

Theme - Sumner Locke Elliott wrote a haunting tale about PS and his aunts, custody battles and secrets called Careful He Might Hear You.