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This blog will be a record of stuff I find interesting, discover or write. Interested in family & local history, cemeteries, reading & libraries, old stuff, research & writing, photography, wine and fine dining plus lots more! Immersed in local history, fascinated by technology and social media and would like more time to spend doing the things I love!
Showing posts with label Belshaw family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belshaw family. Show all posts

Saturday, 26 April 2025

R is for Railway Employee

John Allen Belshaw was employed by the NSW Railways as a truck examiner, when he was accidentally killed in a terrible workplace accident, 17,000kms from his place of birth. 

       John Belshaw's death certificate, 1902

A truck examiner inspected the rolling stock in the railway yards, to make sure it was operational. Tragedy struck when John was killed, aged 45, on the 29 August 1902. He was run over by a locomotive at the Redfern Railway Station and died of his terrible injuries. The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported at the time of his death:

The City Coroner…at the inquest on Saturday morning concerning the death of John Allen Belshaw, a truck examiner, who was run over by a locomotive at the Redfern Railway station on the preceding day. Evidence was given to the effect that on Friday morning, deceased was the line behind two cars, when an engine came out from one of the platforms. Someone called out and  deceased looked round, seemed to hesitate and was immediately knocked down and run over. The fireman of the engine stated that when deceased was first seen he was only a yard or two from the buffers. The whistle was blown and the brakes applied, the engine being brought up by its own length. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

An Inquest was held at the Lloyd’s Hotel the following day and the Coroner was  J. C. Woore. The Daily Telegraph article was a little more revealing. It stated that the “shocking fatality” happened about 8am and that the body was “fearfully mangled.” It also reported that Belshaw was “picked up in a terrible condition, his head being badly smashed and his right thigh crushed. The Civil Ambulance Brigade was summoned and the man removed to the Sydney Hospital where Dr. Webb pronounced life extinct.”  Belshaw was employed at the Darling Harbour yards. At the time of the accident the Belshaw family were residing at Prospect Street in Surry Hills & Roger was only four years old. 

There are over 50 accounts of John's accident published in the newspapers all over the country.

    The Daily Telegraph 30 August 1902 p. 10

Life would have been tough for Georgina and one wonders if the family received any compensation.

John's story ended a long way from his original home. Born in Magheralen a small village in Northern Ireland in 1856, he was the son of William Belshaw and Jane Allen. He married Georgina Ferguson/Hill in 1882 and the couple had four children. During this early period, John was noted as a farmer.

Sometime following their marriage, John and Georgina migrated to Australia. They travelled in 1888 on the steamer 'Orient' via Adelaide arriving in Sydney in 1889. Their youngest child, at the time, Jane Allen Belshaw, died at sea, she was only eight months old.

The family settled in Sydney, first living in Bondi and then mostly in the vicinity of Redfern and Surry Hills. Several more children were born to John and Georgina in Sydney, Muriel was born in 1890, at the time, John was recorded as a general labourer living in Chester Street Redfern but by 1898 he was recorded as an Examiner of Railway Trucks, when his last child, Roger was born.

At the time 1902 the family were living at 7 Prospect Street, Surry Hills. 

This is my contribution to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (#AtoZChallenge)

Tuesday, 3 October 2017

Happy birthday Grandma Belshaw

Our great grandmother, Florence Amelia was born on the 2 October 1886. Also known as Florrie, she was the eldest surviving child of hotelkeeper Henry Ponting and his wife, Louisa nee Richey. Born in Temora, in south-western NSW, her siblings were Harry Francis 1888, Alice Maude 1890, Phoebe Louisa 1892 and Lily May in 1893. The eldest child, a daughter, died in 1886.

In the late 1890s her parents parted ways with Henry remaining in Temora operating his hotel, while Louisa left, heading to Sydney. Louisa met Alfred Petty and by 1898 was giving birth to their first child. Henry Ponting died in Temora on 3 April 1903 in Temora, leaving Louisa and Alfred able to marry, which they did, six months later, on 30 October 1903 in Sydney. 

Florence met Robert Belshaw and when she was 20 years, the couple married in Sydney on 27 October 1906. The marriage was witnessed by her step-father Alf Petty and her sister, Maud.

Robert and Florence Belshaw's marriage certificate in 1906


Florence had four younger Petty step-brothers but lost her brother Harry, in June 1908 just before his 20th birthday. Harry was working as a labourer in Mudgee and died with enteric fever at Mudgee Hospital. Just a few weeks later, Louisa Petty died on 18 July 1908 in Sydney Hospital. The cause of death was a malignant gall bladder. She was only 44. 

Her sisters also married in their 20s. Phoebe married John William Nolen in 1912, Maud married John Joseph Moore in 1913 while Lily married chemist, Alfred Hynard in 1915. An interesting incident occurred in 1909, when Robert, and his sister-in-law Maud, were charged with stealing a trunk in Sydney. Read more about this here.

Rob and Florence Belshaw


Sadly Flo and Rob lost their eldest daughter Doris from appendicitis, she died in 1915, she was only 8 years old. Read more about the story of Doris here

A lot of Flo’s life was tragic. She lost two more siblings with Phoebe dying in 1936 while Lily committed suicide in 1946. There is more about Lily’s life here  Two of her stepbrothers died tragically. Syd Petty died in 1943 in what is now known as Thailand and Abe died in 1944 aged 43 as a Prisoner of War in Indonesia. More about her Petty brothers here.

Flo and Rob had eight children, all born in Sydney:

1. Doris May 1907 – 1915 (She died aged 8 from appendicitis and is buried at Rookwood.)
2. Edna May 1908 -1992 married Arthur F. Green.
3. Florence Muriel 1910 - 1979 (my Grandmother) married John William Leach 1933.
4. Phyllis Roberta Maude 1913 - 1994 Married Alfred George Patterson in 1946 & following his death Clarence Chislett Davis in 1949.
5. Lillian Irene 1915-1982 married Tom Ryan.
6. Robert Francis 1919 - 2012 married Jean Emily Caldwell Wearne in 1948. He had also married Norma Alix McClelland in 1943 who died in 1946.
7. Leonard Allen 1921 - 1991 married Olga Merrickley
8. Arthur Maurice 1923 - 1944 Died Borneo, SIN during WW2.

For many years the family lived in Lower Campbell Street in Surry Hills, one of Sydney's inner suburbs. Flo’s youngest son Artie was keen to join up when he was only 16. He had been in the air cadets and was desperate to enlist and eventually enlisted in the RAAF in the 43rd Squadron in July 1942, three months before he was legally allowed. His older brothers Bob and Lenny had already joined up. Artie, a bombadier, died 21 April 1944 when the Catalina he was in, crashed near Borneo, he had only just turned 21. His family were devastated. 

Rob and Flo with their three sons, L to R Len, Artie and Bobby.


In the 1940s after Artie’s death, Flo and Rob moved to Melbourne Road Riverstone. Rob died in 1948, family ascertain from a broken heart after the tragic loss of Artie. Flo continued to live in Melbourne Road with most of her family living closeby.

She died from chronic cardiac failure in 14 June 1969. She was not buried with her husband Rob at Rookwood, but cremated at Pine Grove Memorial Crematorium at Eastern Creek.

Our Great Grandma Belshaw


Wednesday, 26 April 2017

Who was Lillian May Ponting?

Lily May Ponting was the youngest sister of our great grandmother, Florence Belshaw. She was a bit of a conundrum in our family, and much of her life is a mystery. She apparently committed suicide and I recently located some additional facts, revealing more behind the sad incident. Here is a some of Lily’s story.

She was born Lily May on 23 December 1893 at Upper Temora, a small town, north-east of the Riverina NSW. Lily was the youngest of six children of hotelkeeper Henry Ponting and Louisa Richey. Her siblings were Florence Amelia born 1886, Harry Francis 1888, Alice Maude 1890 and Phoebe Louisa 1892. The eldest child, a daughter, died in 1886.

At the time of Lily’s birth, her Mother was 29 years old, while her Father was more than twice that age, at 62. She was baptised on 8 May 1894 at Temora, and they probably lived at the hotel which was called the Bristol Arms. Just a few years after Lily’s birth, Louisa left Temora and took her children and moved to Sydney. Lily was only about 4 years old at the time. Louisa had either met Alfred Petty in Temora or moved to Sydney, as she was pregnant with his first child by December 1898. Louisa and Alfred had four sons born during six years. Alfred Arthur born 1899, Abraham ‘Abe’ Charles 1901, Henry George ‘Syd’ 1903 and Ernest William 1905. When Henry Ponting died on 3 April 1903 at Temora, Louisa and Alfred were free to marry, which they did, six months later, on 30 October 1903 in Sydney. 

Tragedy struck the family again when Harry Francis, the only Ponting boy, died 8 June 1908 just before his 20th birthday, his Mother and sisters were heartbroken. Harry was working as a labourer in Mudgee and was so unwell he was taken to District Hospital Mudgee. He died four days later as a result of enteric fever and also perforation of ulcer of the intestine. (Enteric fever is also known as typhoid and the cause is often salmonella spread by eating or contaminated food or drinking water.)

Louisa and Alfred were not together for long, as she died on 18 July 1908 in Sydney Hospital. The cause of death was malignant disease of the gall bladder. She was only 44. At the time, Lily was only 15 whilst her younger Petty half-brothers were aged between 3 and 9 years old. Although Lily’s father was Henry Ponting she was only a child when her Mother took her to Sydney. It is not known if Lily saw her father again and probably had few memories of him. Alf Petty would have been her main father-figure and she often went by the name Lily or Lilian Petty.

By this time, my Grandmother, Flo had married Robert Belshaw in Sydney on 27 October 1906 and had two children of her own, Doris and Edna, when Louisa died. Lily’s other sisters also married. Phoebe married John William Nolen in 1912, while Maud married John Joseph Moore in 1913.

Lily May Ponting 1893-1946
Courtesy State Records


As a young woman, Lily's photograph, taken in her 20s, reveals how beautiful she was. When Lily was 21 years old, she married chemist, Alfred Hynard on 18 September 1915 in Christ Church, North Sydney. Alfred was 27 at the time and although World War 1 had started the year before, he had not, and did not, enlist, although his younger brother, Percy Joseph did.  Alfred appeared to have financial difficulties and there were several appearances for bankruptcy, in 1916 and 1918. In 1916 he was living at 156 Alfred-street, North Sydney and was listed in the paper under Voluntary Sequestrations. 

The marriage did not last long and on 18 November 1920, it was dissolved by decree of the Supreme Court of NSW. Alfred was the petitioner and he applied for a dissolution of his marriage with Lily May Hynard (formerly Petty), on the ground of her misconduct with Richard Holden, or Saber, who was joined as co-respondent.  There are also a number of references to Alfred in the newspapers being tried at various courts under the Gaming and Betting Act and it is possible that he had a gambling problem.

On 9 July 1925, Lily married again. Her second husband was Harold Beverstock Williams, the son of George Henry and Marion Frances Williams, on 9 July 1925 at St Barnabas Church of England, Sydney. This marriage only lasted a couple of years when Harold petitioned Lily for divorce on the grounds of desertion for three years. This was advertised in the Sydney Mail 25 March 1931. Unusually the marriage was not dissolved by decree of the Supreme Court of NSW, until 22 August 1941, no. 1162/30. 

Lily was living at 137 Victoria Road, Darlinghurst, in 1925 and her occupation was recorded as a photographer. Phoebe Nolen, died in Prince Alfred Hospital from heart disease on 8 December 1936 aged 42 years, leaving her daughters Gladys and Dulcie orphans. There was only twelve months between sisters, Lily and Phoebe.

Petty brothers, from left, Abe Syd and Ern.


World War 2 commenced in 1939 and Lily’s half-brothers enlisted and served their country. Henry known as “Syd” had joined the Navy as a young man. He enlisted in WW2 in June 1940 and was in the A.I.F. 2/30 Bn, and his rank was Sergeant. Syd was reporting missing in Malaya and died from an illness in November 1943 in what is now known as Thailand aged 40.  According to the newspapers, his wife did not find out until 1945, two years later that he had died. He is buried at Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery.  Abe began his military service in the AIF in 1940. He died on 23 August 1944 aged 43 from dysentery as a Prisoner of War (POW) and was buried in Ambon War Cemetery in Indonesia. Her nephew, Artie Belshaw was also a casualty.  He died 21 April 1944 when his Catalina crashed near Borneo, he had only just turned 21. More about this here.

Lily Ponting

Lily possibly with Tom Baldwin


At some stage Lily began a relationship with Tom Baldwin, a poulterer, and “they lived together as man and wife.” By 1946 they were living at Camperdown. 

 The Sun  19 June 1946
Courtesy Trove

On Anzac Day in 1946, Lily and Tom attended the march. Prior to “the march she was worried over her brother, who died after being a POW for 18 months. She had said on a number of occasions that she could hear her brother calling to her.”

As the 8th Division marched, Lily had a "giddy" turn and Tom took her home. At the time they were living at 124 Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown. Sometime after arriving home, she committed suicide by taking poison, cyanide which she administered herself. Tom found her dead, the following morning. Due to the nature of her death and suspicious circumstances, an inquest was held on 27 April Mr R M Stewart SM, the City Coroner.

Her sister Maud, by this time was married to Jack Hanlon, “said they lost two brothers in the war. Her sister was more attached to the one who died In Malaya, and worried over it.” Additional evidence given at the inquest stated that Lily was employed as a cleaner at Camperdown Hospital. Here she “had access to poisons which were not locked away. The Coroner returned a finding of suicide.”

Her funeral was held in the Private Chapel at 59 Parramatta Road, Annandale on the afternoon of 27 April, after the inquest.  She was buried in the Church of England Cemetery at Rookwood. Much of Lily's life is mystery, hopefully this story reveals more about her story and her poignant end. 

REFERENCES 
SUICIDE HEARD BROTHER CALLING (1946, June 19). The Sun p. 3  
IN DIVORCE. (1931, September 9). The Sydney Morning Herald p. 7
IN DIVORCE. (1920, March 31). The Sydney Morning Herald p. 8
IN BANKRUPTCY. (1918, August 8). The Sydney Morning Herald  p. 4
(1916, December 16). The Sydney Morning Herald p. 9
Nichols family tree 
Birth, death & marriages certificates
Family Notices (1946, April 27). The Sydney Morning Herald p. 29

Tuesday, 10 May 2016

TROVE TUESDAY ~ DORIS MARY BELSHAW 1907-1915

This Trove Tuesday post is about my Nanna's eldest sister who died as a young girl with a disease that is now treatable. Doris Mary Belshaw was born 30 Apr 1907 at home at 4 Little Bourke Street, Sydney. Two nurses were present at the birth Nurse Yarrowick and nurse Verco. She was the first born child of Robert 'Rob' Belshaw and his wife, Florence Amelia nee Ponting. Doris was born six months after their marriage on 27 October 1906.

Four more daughters were born to the couple, Edna May born 1908, my Grandmother Florence Muriel 1910, Phyllis Roberta Maude 1913 and Lillian Irene born early 1915. The girls were treasured by both sides of the family.

Doris with her Aunty Muriel Belshaw, her father's younger sister.
Source: Nichols Family Archives.


In the latter part of 1915, when Australia was in the throes of World War 1, eight year old Doris was struck down with appendicitis. She was taken to Sydney Hospital and attended by Dr Arthur Meehan and would have been in a fair amount of pain with the tenderness, fever and abdominal pain. Unfortunately she succumbed to the infection and passed away on 3 November 1915. The official cause of death was suppurative peritonitis and toxaemia. 

The funeral procession for Doris Mary Belshaw near Central Railway heading for Rookwood.
Rob Belshaw is seated next to the driver on the second wagon.

Source: Nichols Family Archives.


On 5 November, the small girl was buried at Rookwood. The undertaker was T. Dixon

Memoriam card for Doris, eldest daughter of Robert & Florence Belshaw

After the grief and sorrow of losing Doris, the Belshaw family expanded. Three sons were born to Rob and Florence, Robert Francis in 1919, Leonard Allen 1921 and Arthur Maurice completed the family, born in 1923.


Family Notices. Sydney Morning Herald 4 November 1918, p. 6


However the family did not forget Doris. For many years after In Memoriam's were placed in the newspaper. Many notices appear in Trove, historic newspapers. Notices were inserted by her parents and sisters, as well as aunties and friends. Well into the 1930s her parents were still inserting a notice. Her sisters and brothers did not forget her either. Her memory was passed on through several generations.

Family Notices. Sydney Morning Herald 3 November 1931 p. 8

Friday, 22 April 2016

REMEMBERING ON ANZAC DAY

Today Australia commemorates Anzac Day, the day that not only marks the Gallipoli landing in 1915 but also “the day on which we remember all Australians who served and died in war.” Several members in our family, and connected to our family, served in World War 1 and 2 and a number lost their lives. This is their story, lest we forget.
Bob, Len and Artie Belshaw
Olga Belshaw


The three sons of Robert and Florence Belshaw all enlisted in World War 2 (WW2), much to the dismay of their parents and older sisters: Florrie, Phyllis, Lily and Edna.

ROBERT ‘BOB’ FRANCIS BELSHAW 1919-2012 enlisted in August 1940. His brother LEONARD ALLEN BELSHAW 1921-1991 enlisted in the AIF in August 1942 and was discharged six years later in 1948. In 1945 he married OLGA MERRICKLEY who had enlisted in December 1943. Olga was discharged in June 1945, two months after their wedding.


The youngest son was ARTHUR MAURICE ‘ARTIE’ BELSHAW 1923-1944 who wanted to join up when he was only 16. He had been in the air cadets and was desperate to enlist. Artie finally enlisted in the RAAF in the 43rd Squadron in July 1942, three months before he was legally allowed. He was a bombardier and flew with the Flying planes.

Artie Belshaw
Artie was killed in action when the Catalina he was crew member of, was shot down near Borneo. He died shortly after his 21st birthday, on 10 April 1944. His remains were eventually laid in the Labuan War Cemetery in Malaysia. His signet ring a 21st gift from his parents, was used to identify him. His extensive Service Records and information about his death and repatriation can be viewed on the National Archives website. The family were very close and were devastated when they received a telegram advising them he was Missing In Action (MIA) and held out hope until they finally got official confirmation. To this day the extended family cherish his memory.

One of the letters from Arties' mother, Florence still waiting for confirmation of her son's death two years after he was presumed dead.  Service Records, National Archives of Australia, A705 166/5/501


Our Gt-Grandmother Florence Belshaw, had four younger half-brothers, who served.

ALFRED ARTHUR PETTY 1899-1975, known as Arthur he enlisted at the end of WW1 in 1918 in 33rd Batt, His guardian at the time was listed as his half‐sister, Phoebe Nolen. ABRAHAM CHARLES PETTY 1901-1944 was as “Abe” and began his military service in the Australian Army in 1940 at Cowra, Service Number NX52875.  He died on 23 Aug 1944 aged 43 from dysentery as a Prisoner of War (POW) a at Ambon and at the time was a Rank Gunner and posted on the 18 Anti‐Tank Battery. He had a daughter called Joyce F. Petty who died in 1924 aged about 3 and it is believed our Mother, Joyce Nichols nee Leach was named for this child. He is buried in Ambon War Cemetery in Indonesia, grave reference 20. A. 7. HENRY GEORGE PETTY 1903-1943 but always known as “Syd” joined the Navy as a young man and served on HMS Platypus from 1918 and later the Penguin. In 1919 aged 16, he deserted but joined the Royal Navy in 1921. He enlisted in WW2 in June 1940 and was in the A.I.F. 2/30 Battallion, and his rank was Sergeant, service no. NX57356.  Syd was reporting missing in Malaya. His wife at the time was issued  with  a  notice  to  quit  their Government  tenement  at  Westlake despite being married to a member of the A.I.F. who was been reported missing and whose whereabouts are unknown to the Army authorities. He died from an illness in November 1943 in what is now known as Thailand aged 40.  According to the newspapers, his wife did not find out until 1945, two years later that he had died. His Grave reference in Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery is A5. G. 2. He was survived by his 2nd wife and 2 daughters. The youngest was ERNEST WILLIAM PETTY 1905-1989. He enlisted in Sydney in 1941, service no. was NX66790. At the time he said he was born in 1911 not 1905. He served in the Middle East in the 6th Division between 1941 and 1942. He was promoted several times, his last as Staff Sergeant in 1944 and discharged in February 1946. He was married 4 times and after the war migrated to NZ where he remained for the rest of his days.
Petty brothers, believed to be from left - Abe Syd and Ern early 1940s.


ROGER BELSHAW 1898-1970 enlisted in 1917 in Sydney having been in the Cadets for 2 years previous before serving in World War 1. Roger was a cabinet maker, the son of John and Georgina Belshaw and youngest brother of Robert Belshaw. Roger was born in Sydney and sadly was only a young child when his father, John was killed by a train at Redfern. He served in the 1st Battallion and was fortunate to return home. He also served his country again in WW2.

Roger Belshaw


JOHN WILLIAM NOLEN 1888-1917 was a Private in the 29th Battallion, Australian Infantry. He had married Phoebe Ponting, sister of Florence Belshaw in 1912. He had two daughters Gladys and Dulcie. He died of his wounds in the field, in October 1917. His death is commemorated at The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Record of J. W. Nolen's death from his Service Records NAA: B2455
Courtesy National Archives of Australia


As things became difficult and the war developed, WILLIAM 'BILL' ROBERT NICHOLS 1903-1958 joined the Volunteer Defence Corp in Riverstone. On 22 April 1942, he enlisted in the A.I.F. and was a mechanic/fitter in the 1st Australian Armoured Brigade and served his time in the north west including places such as Broome and Marble Bar. He was always disappointed not to have been in action. Towards the end of the war William applied for a discharge as he was very concerned with his father’s health and was discharged on the 8 February 1945.

William Robert Nichols


His cousin JOHN NICHOLS 1906-1989, a mechanic, was also in the AIF joining up in June 1940. Service no. NX29590 During the fall of Singapore he was taken by the Japanese as a Prisoner of War (POW) and taken to Changi Prison Camp, a most wretched and desperate place, a place in which words possibly cannot describe. The Japanese soldiers discovered that John was handy as mechanic/driver so he was sent to Japan to work in a production camp. At the end of the war, he was liberated by the US Forces and fed nutritional food, for the first time in 3 years. He weighed only about 6 stone, he had been about 16 stone. Whilst John was being held in Changi as a Prisoner of War, he was declared “Missing in Action” with most of his family thinking he was missing and dead. He dreamt of home and wrote this poignant poem to remind him. John was finally discharged from the 2/20 Battalion in January 1946.

My Prayer compiled by John Nichols whilst a POW in Changi


Bill’s other cousin ERNEST WILLIAM NICHOLS 1902-1959 also enlisted at Richmond in April 1942 and was discharged in October 1945.


Bill Nichols rear left,  with his cousin Ern on right plus family. My Dad, Ern is left front and his brother Warren on the far right. Taken at Parramatta Park, while Bill and Ern were on leave
Another shot of Bill and Ern

Uncle Bert, ALBERT LEWIS LEACH 1916-1974 enlisted in the Australian Army in Sydney on 12 August 1942. He had two Service Number NX102768 and N107096 and was discharged on 10 May 1946.

Aunty Amy, Annie Nichols nee Richardson’s sister, was married to Jack, JOHN JAMES PORTER 1882-1918. They were obviously devoted and Amy fondly refers to him as "My Jack". From 1911 Jack was the Headmaster at Gosberton Clough School at Spalding, Lincolnshire. He enlisted in the London-Scottish in February 1915 and departed for France following his training in June 1915. His number was 511051 in "B" Coy, 2nd/14th Battalion. He was appointed to the rank of Sgt-Major and miraculously managed to survive the horrendous circumstances of the war to the final stages but was unfortunately “Killed in Action” in Belgium on the 21 August 1918 aged 36 years. He is buried at site A.8 at the Locre No. 10 Cemetery at Heuvelland, West-Vlaandereb in Belgium.

Jack Porter taken in Jerusalem in January 1918

Although not technically a family member, EWAN QUINE KEWLEY 1890-1917 was the defacto partner of Aunty Maud nee Ponting. They were together from about 1915 and during this time and up to 1920, she went by the name Mrs Maud Kewley. At the time she was married to John Joseph Moore but her divorce was finalised until 1920. Ewan Kewley came from the Isle of Mann, and migrated first to NZ in 1909 then onto Australia at a later date. Ewan enlisted in January 1916 in Sydney and described as 5’9” with brown hair, blue eyes and a tattoo of a coat of arms on his left forearm. He was Driver 9950, 31st Coy Australian Army Service Corps. In May 1916 he embarked in Sydney on the HMAT Karroo A10 and sent overseas but sent back to England to recuperate after an illness. He died from pneumonia and meningitis at the Tidworth Military Hospital on 25 September 1917. He is buried in a private grave at Kirkmouran Cemetery at Douglass Isle of Mann and remembered with honour at Kirk Marown St Runius, Churchyard. In his war records Maud states she is his wife and is listed variously as next of kin, punitive wife and friend. Maud travelled to the UK to be with him, living in Seaforth Lancashire and later Walton near Liverpool before returning home to Sydney. She later married Willie Russell and Jack Hanlon.

Family Notices The Sydney Morning Herald 29 Sep 1919 p. 8.  
Ewan's final resting place on the Isle of Mann


Our extended family are proud of those who served and will proudly remember them particularly those who sacrificed their lives.