Faces from the past Friday - we called him Dave ...

Continuing on from the previous four cousins + 1, today I will talk about one of the cousins: David Ernest McCann (my first cousin 3 x removed).

David Ernest was born in Warrion Hills, Colac, Victoria in 1888. David was the 8th child of James McCann and Mary Harriett Wilson, a family of 6 boys and five girls. 

In the 1914 Commonwealth Electoral Roll, David was living at Rewa, Howson Street, Brunswick (an inner suburb of Melbourne) with an occupation of painter.

He enlisted in the AIF on 22nd February 1916 and gave his occupation as telephone linesman. His service number was 628 and he was assigned to B Company, 37th Battalion. David was single and aged 26 years and 3 months. His description on enlistment was: Height 5' 6"; Weight 142 lbs; Chest 36 ins; Complexion Fresh; Eyes Hazel; Hair Brown; Religion Methodist. This is the only mental picture we have of David.

Wordless Wednesday - Rev Samuel Marsden

Rev. Samuel Marsden (1765-1838)
My 4th great-grandparents on 9th January 1804 were married at
St John's Parramatta by Rev Marsden.

Arthur Llewellyn Roberts & Premature Senility

Arthur Llewellyn WWI

While sorting through some family history yesterday I came across Arthur. He was the husband of my 1st cousin 3x removed, Agnes Blair Oswald. 

Arthur was born Abt. 1866 and married in Wallsend, New South Wales in 1866. Arthur and Agnes had five children, two girls and three boys.

Arthur was a blacksmith by trade, so I imagine quite a handy fellow.

Arthur heard the call to arms on 28th February 1916 and as a blacksmith was posted to the 35th Battalion Reinforcements, 3rd Divisional Veterinary Section as a Substantive Farrier. He was 44 years and 1 month of age.

All went well for Arthur, he was posted to France and on 19th October 1916 was transferred to AAVC (Australian Army Veterinary Corps) as a "shoeing smith" and promoted to S/Smith Cpl on 10th January 1918.

Then on 10th June 1918 he was transferred to Dover and London Headquarters to proceed to Australia for discharge. What I found very interesting is the reason for his discharge - "Premature Senility". 

What had happened to Arthur in the previous six months? He was obviously fine in January when he was promoted. He was 46 years old at this time. Was he ''shell shocked"? Was he kicked in the head by a horse? We will never know the real reasons. Perhaps it was all too much for Arthur.

Arthur returned to Australia and lived a quiet life in Newcastle and died on 19th October 1942, aged 76. I hope that he recovered and enjoyed the rest of his life. He was listed in the electoral roll as a retired blacksmith.

Madness Monday

It's Monday - and Mental Health Week started in Australia on Sunday 5th October, so, it must be Madness Monday.

I know of two other members of my family, apart from myself, who have experienced 'madness'. My paternal great grandmother and my father. Both were in asylums at some stage, for long or short stays. Today I will write about my great grandmother, Mary Connor.

Mary was born Mary Cameron in 1835 in Glenmore Ardnamurchan Scotland, the sixth child of Dugald & Christian Cameron. The Cameron family left Scotland on the Blenheim 29th August 1840 and arrived at Port Nicholson (Wellington, New Zealand) on 27th December 1840. There is evidence of  the family arriving in New Zealand but no proof of the family 'crossing the ditch'. However, Ann Cameron. Mary's older sister married Hugh Connor on 20th April 1845 at Williams River, New South Wales. Mary married Hugh Connor's brother, William Connor, on 19th July 1853 at Bartie's Farm near Hinton, New South Wales. Mary was unable to read or write at the time of her marriage.

Marriage of William & Mary 1853 by Robert Blain, Presbyterian Minister

Faces from the past Friday - the four cousins + one

Last week on Faces from the past Friday I wrote about Harold George McKerihan and his death at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. Shortly after writing about Harold I remembered another cousin that I had temporarily mislaid, if you can mislay a cousin that is.

He is Leonard Alexander Thomas DSM (my 3rd cousin 1x removed) so, having 'found' Leonard I'll write about what i know of him.  

Leonard was born on the 20th October 1896 in Grateley, Andover, Hampshire, England to Jonas William Thomas and Agnes Alexander. Leonard was the third son of eight children, four boys and four girls. Leonard was 13 at the time of the

1911 census and a school student.

HMS Glory 1899

He joined the R N R (Royal Navy Reserve) as a Trimmer on 14th August 1915 and was soon aboard HMS Victory. Leonard's vital statistics were as follows: height 5' 10";  complexion Dark; eyes Blue; Chest measurement 35½". He was confirmed navally medically fit for confirmation of rating. So perhaps we can imagine this young man aged just 19, excited about a great adventure.

Crew of HMS Vivid in the time Leonard was there
I wish I knew which one he was

Wordless Wednesday - Gilbert Samuel Colin Letona Birkbeck

Gilbert Samuel Colin Letona Birkbeck was my step-great-grandfather