MAY IRENE ORMISTON (nee

CHILDS) 1888-1964

May Irene Childs, the granddaughter of two Queensland pioneer families was born in Sandgate, Queensland on the 26th of May 1888. May was the fifth child of David Joseph Childs and Lucy Jane Deagon.

May Irene aged about 3 years

An entry in her fathers’ diary on May 26th recorded her birth “My dear wife was delivered of a fine daughter at 1.40am this morning”. A further entry on May 30th “Doing Well”.

May Irene’s father David Joseph Childs born in Stringston (i), Somerset on March 25th 1844 the son of Thomas Joseph Childs and Mary (nee Wheddon) was one of nine children.

Six of the children Thomas 16 years, Ann 12 years, James Raworth 8 years, Mary 6 years, David Joseph 4 years and Flora Hephzibah just 18 months old, all born in Somerset England, arrived in Moreton Bay with their parents on board the sailing ship “Fortitude” on January 21st of 1849.

Eldest son John Wheddon Childs, born in 1930, is not listed on the ship’s reconstructed passenger manifesto. No original passenger list from the

Fortitude’s voyage to Moreton Bay appears to exist.Two other children, Robert born in Stringston in 1836 lived only seven months and Elizabeth born in 1834, died of typhus fever just days before the ship arrived in Moreton Bay. She was buried at sea off the coast of Ballina aged just 14 years.

May Irene’s grandfather Thomas Childs married Mary Wheddon in Bridgwater, Somerset in 1829. They are recorded in England’s census of 1841 (June 6th) as living in “Ditch Priory” in the parish of Stringston, county of Somerset.

The six surviving children are listed in the census. The two youngest children, David Joseph and younger sister Flora Hephzibah were born following the census and before the family left for Australia.

The “Fortitude”, a sailing ship of 640 tons under Captain Christmas, sailed from Gravesend near London, England on September 14th 1848. After nearly four months at sea, traversing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the “Fortitude” reached the Southern Ocean south of Western Australia.

“The SS Fortitude”Arrived in Moreton Bay January 21st

1849

After another month at sea they arrived in Moreton Bay. The ship did not visit any ports between London and Moreton Bay.

Due to quarantine precautions it was some weeks after the arrival of the ship before the immigrants could be transhipped up the river to Brisbane. In the meantime they set up camp on Moreton Island.

Thomas Childs, the son of a yeoman farmer and listed on the ship’s

1

manifesto as an “agriculturalist”, farmed land at Newstead on the Brisbane River on the future site of the “Brisbane Gasworks”. It appears the land known as Portions 58 and 61 was originally owned by Peter Hartley (58) and John Campbell (61). Thomas Childs purchased the land, totalling forty-six and a half acres, in March of 1865 (See addendum 1). From other records the Childs family farmed the property in the years prior to 1865. It may have been leased during the fifteen years or so prior to the land being owned by the Childs family. Title deeds seem to show that the majority of the land was sold in 1866 at about the time Thomas was purchasing land at Nudgee,

The property was named “Beulah” (ii), the name more than likely had a Biblical connection.

Son John Wheddon and daughters Mary and Flora Hephzibah were left sub-divided portions of the property on Thomas’s death in April of 1881. Daughter Ann inherited the remainder of the property which was auctioned eighteen months later in 1882. In the Post Office Directory of 1882, Ann Child’s address is listed as “Beulah” Skyring Terrace, Breakfast Creek.

Thomas Childs (May Irene’s Grandfather)

The Childs family’s immigration to Australia was part of Reverend Dr. John Dunmore Lang’s plan to colonise the settlement of Moreton Bay with Protestant free settlers. Previously mainly convicts from the United Kingdom had been used to populate the colonies.

The population of Brisbane, when counted in 1846, was 820 with another 103 in Ipswich. There were 14 clergymen, six lawyers and six doctors as well as 13 other educated persons, as the census described the “more informed” level of the settlement.

Some free white settlers had purchased land in Moreton Bay commencing in 1842, however the authorities of the time did not welcome Lang’s plan to make the settlement “free”. The promises of land made by Lang to the immigrants did not immediately materialise.

The contract of Thomas Childs to purchase land in the colony of “Cooksland”

Official neglect forced the new arrivals to camp in the bush in the area of Fortitude Valley, where today the name commemorates their stamina as well as their first ship. The land was on the site of the current Exhibition Ground.

Two further ships the “Chaseley” and the “Lima” carrying free settlers, arrived during 1849. This made a total of 562 immigrants who arrived under Dr Lang’s sponsorship.

Authorities ultimately recognised their claims for land etc. Those first months in a new land would have been tough for the immigrants and their families.

Many of the immigrants would have been part of the “separatist movement”. In 1859 Queensland finally separated from New South Wales along the 28th

parallel.

Records show that eldest son John Wheddon Childs was married by Rev. John Dunmore Lang in Scots Church

2

Sydney, to Mary Holder on March 20th

1854. Mary’s family had come to NSW from Frampton, Gloucester UK as assisted immigrants aboard the ship “Emigrant” in 1849. Her father Joseph, a publican and mother Elizabeth had a family of seven, four sons and three daughters.

John and Mary had three daughters born in Queensland, Elizabeth, Annie Bertha and Esther Gympie. Esther Gympie, who is said to be the first baby born in the Gympie (Qld) Hospital, has recorded on her Birth Certificate two other siblings a boy and a girl both of whom had died prior to her birth in 1869. Records exist of a daughter, Elizabeth, born at Spring Creek in Victoria in 1858. She died aged just seven weeks. No known record of the birth of a son exists in Victoria, NSW or Queensland.

John Wheddon Childs is recorded on various documents as an employee of Queensland Railways, a miner, night watchman, and caretaker. He was bequeathed property in his father’s will. It is likely he followed the gold discoveries in Victoria (1850’s) and in Gympie in the 1860’s.

Both John who died in 1901 aged 71 and wife Mary who died in 1905 aged 70, are buried in the Nundah Cemetery separate from the family plot.

Thomas Childs Jnr. assisted his father to establish the original farm “Beulah” on the Brisbane River. He later married Mary Anne Clarke in 1864 and carried on a successful cask and case manufacturing business in the area around Newstead. He is listed in the 1883/84 Post Office Directory as a cask broker at Montpellier Road, Breakfast Creek.

Thomas and Mary had one son Thomas William Robert Childs born in 1868. Thomas Childs Jnr. died in 1899 aged 68.

The Queensland Electoral Register of 1880-1884 shows Thomas Childs Jnr as owning freehold land at “O’Reilly’s Hill” in the State electorate of Enoggera. It is likely that O’Reilly’s Hill is where Cloudland stood for many years in the twentieth century.

Third son James Raworth Childs died in 1877 aged 37. He never married. Flora

Hephzibah Childs also unmarried died in 1881 aged 33.

Both James and his sister Flora are buried in the family plot at the Nundah Cemetery.

Daughter Ann Ridler (nee Childs) is buried in a plot only metres away with her second husband John Rowe Ridler. She died in 1898.

Ann (May Irene’s aunt) for a short period before his death was married to William Deagon, Lucy Jane’s father. This no doubt led to some tension in the family at the time.

Also buried in the Nundah Cemetery is daughter Mary (May Irene’s aunt) who on October 10th 1867 married William Clark from London. He had also come to Australia with his parents on board the “Fortitude”. William was an adventurous individual who at various times in his life was described as explorer, pioneer pastoralist, miner, timber getter and magistrate.

Together they had seven children born mostly in the Gympie area. They seem to have settled at Manly, Brisbane before their deaths in 1918 (William) and 1921 (Mary).

Their grave in the Nundah Cemetery is separate from the Childs plot.

Mary Clark nee Childs and husband William.Henry Gunders is the husband of their third daughter Flora Ann. Flora Ann died in 1965 and is also buried in the plot.

3

The above article is from the Moreton Bay Courier of May 8th 1860. The boy mentioned would have been May Irene’s father David aged about 16 years.

Accident - On Wednesday last, an accident which might have been attended with very serious consequences, but which happily resulted in a flesh wound, occurred to Mr. David Childs (son of Mr. T. Childs, of Beulah.)The young gentleman was standing with his arm leaning on the muzzle of a loaded gun, when the piece went off by someunaccountable means, and the whole charge entered the arm a little above the wrist, and came out at the elbow, fortunately breaking no bones, and injuring none of the primary arteries. We are happy to say that Mr. Childs is likely soon to recover the use of the limb.

Brisbane Courier Friday 5th December 1862

Thomas Childs Snr. in January of 1864 purchased 2 blocks Nos. 293 & 294, totalling 69 acres from Mr. J Sands and in 1866 with his youngest son David’s help, started the planting of grape vines at Nudgee. The property was commonly known as “Childs Farm”. The farm at Nudgee in later years was also planted with citrus and other fruit trees as well as pineapples.

On Thomas’s death, May Irene’s father David Joseph inherited a third share of the property at Nudgee, then known as “The Toombul Vineyards”. David later inherited another third from his older brother James Raworth Childs following his death in 1877. The final third was purchased from his sister Ann in 1881. He lived at the vineyard with his family until his death in 1918.

The place name Toombul is derived from an aboriginal word meaning “hoop pine”

and pronounced by the local aboriginals something like “Toombul”.

The family home at Nudgee. May Irene’s father is in the sulky in the foreground.

The winery was very successful. The wines, including champagne, won many medals in Australia and abroad. It has been reported that David could be considered as the father of the Australian wine trade in Queensland.

A wine label from the “Toombul Vineyards”

As well as being a successful winegrower and vintner David Joseph found time to serve his community. In 1878 he was made a Magistrate (JP). For four years 1883-1887 he served as a member of the first Toombul Divisional Board. (Council)

4

David Joseph Childs (May Irene’s Father)

In 1878 he was elected to the position of Worshipful Master of the North Australian Lodge of Freemasons. The Lodge being the oldest lodge in the colony. In 1894 he was elected a life member of the parent lodge.

May Irene’s father David Joseph Childs in Masonic regalia. circa 1880

May Irene’s paternal grandmother Mary was the daughter of John Wheddon a clothier (the maker/seller/retailer of cloth/clothing) of Somerset, England.

Mary was born on December 29th 1804 in Kilve (iii), Somerset and died on January 26th 1879 and is buried in the family plot in the Nundah Cemetery (formally the German Station Cemetery) with her husband Thomas and three of their children.

The poem below, dated July 18th 1859, was transcribed from a book left by Mary Childs. It is thought to have been penned by her and the book is currently in the possession of May Irene’s daughter, Peg Snelson.

Good news is come to Brisbane TownHurrah for separation

Tis really true, we tell it youWithout exaggeration

We shall have for our governorT’will please you the relation

Sir George Ferguson Bowen, nowHurrah for separation

Yes hail it strong you sought it longLoud be your acclamation

Till echo bound the joyful soundBeyond the squatters station

The time was seen God bless the QueenVictoria thy donation

We thankful own, bind to thy throneThis day the infant nation

We fervent bend, to heaven sendOur ardent supplication

That God may bless with peace and restThe young, the new born nation

Young Queenslanders now show to them

That scorn our exaltationThat we are men and worthy men

To have this separation

Mary Childs nee Wheddon(May Irene’s Grandmother)

May Irene’s father David Joseph who died in 1918 aged 74 and her mother Lucy Jane who died in 1919 aged 64 are buried in the family plot in the Nundah Cemetery.

5

The Cemetery is located in Hedley Avenue Nundah and the family plot is marked with a commemorative plaque.

Plaque in Nundah Cemetery

May Irene’s mother Lucy Jane Deagon born on January 8th 1855 was the fifth daughter of William Deagon and Mary Jane (nee Smith). Lucy Jane had five sisters and one brother all born in Devon England, who immigrated to Australia on board the sailing ship “Flying Cloud” in 1862.

Lucy Jane’s birth was reported in the local newspaper of the time, Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post on Thursday January 11th 1855 “Birth-January 8th, at Southmolton, the wife of Mr Deagon, grocer, of a daughter”

The Flying Cloud a 1139-ton sailing ship under Master Henry Cooper Keene left London for the 140-day voyage to Australia on October 10th 1862. Arriving in Moreton Bay on January 12th 1863.

“The SS Flying Cloud”Arrived in Moreton Bay January 12th

1863

On board were 519 passengers. William Deagon aged 42 years is recorded on

the ship’s manifesto as a farmer. Lucy Jane had just turned 8 years when she arrived in her “new” home.

Lucy Jane Deagon circa 1866(May Irene’s Mother)

May Irene’s grandfather William Deagon was born in South Molton (iv), Devon, England in 1821. His father Edward was a grocer.

The population of the parish of South Molton in 1850 was 4800, large enough to have thirteen grocers and tea merchants listed in White’s Devonshire Directory. William Deagon’s business is listed as being in Queen Street South Molton

He is recorded in three consecutive English censuses commencing in 1841 as living in Barnstaple Street, South Molton. William Deagon named one of his residences at Sandgate, Barnstaple Cottage. Granddaughter “Belle” Childs was born there in 1884.

In 1841 his father Edward is recorded as head of the residence and a grocer by occupation. William is listed with two brothers and four sisters.

May Irene’s great-grandfather Edward Deagon some forty years earlier, in 1798, was decorated for his initiative and bravery when Chief Gunner on board the naval ship “Minotaur”.

The “Minotaur” was one of Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson’s victorious fleet in the Battle of the Nile. The medals presented to Edward are with his granddaughter Millicent Coward’s (nee Deagon) family.

6

The census of 1851, following his marriage to Mary Jane and the birth of their three eldest children, records William’s occupation as grocer. It appears as though William had taken over the “family business”.

William Deagon circa 1880(May Irene’s maternal grandfather)

By 1861 just a year before the family’s departure for Australia, William is recorded as being a grocer, spirit merchant and farmer with 100 acres employing three men. By this time their family of seven children is complete including May Irene’s mother Lucy Jane. William Deagon purchased the Sandgate Hotel on the corner of Palm Avenue and Eagle Terrace in 1863 after arriving in Queensland in 1862. It was a rest station for Cobb and Co coaches on their way to and from Brisbane.

Prior to moving to Sandgate he had a business in South Brisbane and was for a time host of the Prince of Wales Hotel on the corner of Edward and Charlotte Streets in the City.

The original Sandgate Hotel in Eagle Terrace.

(It was later moved to the corner of Brighton Road and Fifth Avenue and

used as a residence)He became a leading member of the local community. He was secretary of the first Sandgate School Committee and was an alderman from the inception of the borough of Sandgate.

He was Sandgate Council’s second elected mayor in the years 1882, 1883 & 1884. During his term as mayor he officially opened the railway station at Sandgate. It marked the first railway line from Brisbane to Sandgate. The suburb of Deagon and a number of other landmarks in the area are named in his honour.

William Deagon probably also had property on which he raised cattle. He registered the cattle brand 7WD in March of 1873.

William died on May 5th 1885 and is buried in the family plot with his first wife Mary Jane who died the previous year. Mary Jane (nee Smith) was born in East Down (v) Devon in 1818. Her father is recorded in the 1841 English census as a farmer. The graves, in the Bald Hills Cemetery, are marked with a headstone.

Lucy Jane’s two eldest sisters Catherine Ann Girling (nee Deagon) born in 1845 and Mary Smith Deagon born in 1846 died within three years of the family arriving in Queensland.

Mary died of consumption in November 1866 whilst the family were at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Edward Street, Brisbane. Catherine died a year earlier in November of 1865. It is likely Catherine died in childbirth with her only child “Polly” – Mary Anne Girling.

Her other sisters were Elizabeth Raymond born in 1849, Millicent Coward born in 1851 and the youngest Agnes Marshall born in 1860.

7

Lucy Jane Childs (nee Deagon) centre with her mother Mary Jane (left) and

Agnes (right)Lucy Jane’s only brother Charles Smith Deagon, born in 1858, died in Devonshire England on March 26th 1887 when revisiting his birthplace. He was aged just twenty-nine. His grave is in the South Molton Cemetery, England.

Charles never married and as a consequence the family name was not carried on in Australia.

A memorial plaque for Charles exists in the family plot at the Bald Hills Cemetery, Barrett Street Bracken Ridge. All family members except for Lucy Jane are buried or have memorial plaques in the cemetery.

Deagon Family Plot in the Bald Hills Cemetery at Bracken Ridge

Reverend James Love on March 25th

1879 married May Irene’s mother Lucy Jane Deagon and her father David Joseph Childs in a double ceremony at Sandgate. Lucy’s sister Millicent and Thomas Coward were also married during the ceremony.

May Irene’s parents David Joseph and Lucy Jane Childs circa 1900

David and Lucy had seven daughters and two sons; all were born either at the “Toombul Vineyards” or at Sandgate in Queensland.May Irene’s brothers William Lionel Childs born in 1880 and David Deagon Childs born in 1898 were the eldest and the youngest of the nine children.

Lucy Jane Childs, with her six youngest children and her sister Agnes. circa

1900(From left, Dorothy, May Irene, Agnes

Marshall, Queenie, Vida, Marjorie (front) David and Lucy Jane)

May Irene’s father David Joseph died on November 24th 1918, her mother Lucy Jane just four months later on March 4th

1919.

Following the death of his father David, William Lionel Childs carried on the winery. William married Rachael Ann Fountain in 1906. They had six children.

After working his way up through the ranks, William achieved the rank of Captain in the Moreton Bay Regiment.

8

He was involved in the training of Australian troops at Enoggera during WW1 before their embarkation for overseas.

May Irene’s elder brotherLieut. William Lionel Childs circa 1905

He lived with his family on the property until his death in 1935. During this time about 200 acres of the property was sold to create a golf course. William was a keen golfer and was instrumental in the development of a course on the family property.

William Lionel (left) at the official opening of a clubhouse in the early

1930’s

Quote taken from a Nudgee Golf Club publication: -

“The original nine-hole course was laid out by a group of golfing enthusiasts including Mr W Childs, the owner of the land and Mr W Scott, a Scottish professional during the latter half of the 1920’s and was utilised by the group and their friends on a social basis”

The Nudgee Golf Club stands on the site of the original Childs property.

William Lionel Childs is buried in the Childs family plot at the Nundah Cemetery with his wife Rachael who died in 1961. They had six children.

The winery was carried forward by his eldest son and May Irene’s nephew, Lionel Falshaw (Chappie) Childs. Lionel, who had interests in theatres, including the Odeon in Brisbane, later sold the business to his younger brother Stephen Fountain Childs.

Stephen ultimately was forced to close the business in 1963 as a result of changes to the Liquor Act.

The Sunday Mail on June 2nd 1963 reported:

Historic Old Wine Saloon To Go

“A historic, 97 year old Nudgee wine saloon will be among the 15 to close their doors for the last time this month. The saloon, tucked back from Nudgee Road, has the Nudgee golf course as a backdrop and is surrounded by a miniature zoo. Part of the golf course was originally the saloon’s vineyards.

Licences of the 15 saloons will be cancelled on June 30 under the 1961 Liquor Acts amendment. The 15 licences together with a sixteenth South Brisbane wine saloon licence cancelled early this year will be allocated to restaurants.

It is a tragedy that a place like this has to go, lessee of the Nudgee saloon Mr Greg Tucker, said today. Sixty per cent of our customers are local people, and the others come from all over Brisbane. They are good, decent types. We don’t let any rough types in. Women are not allowed in the public bar: we have a lounge for them. We supply many churches with alter wine.

Owner of the saloon, Mr S F Childs whose family built it in 1866 said: The law says it has to close, There is nothing we can do about it.”

Nearly a century of operation at Nudgee!

Following Stephen’s death in 1980 the final five acres of the original property was sold to the Main Roads Commission to form part of the Gateway Arterial Road.

9

At the time of David Joseph’s death his younger son David Deagon Childs was recuperating in an English hospital from wounds he received in France during the First World War.

David Deagon Childs joined the Australian Military Forces in September of 1916 aged 18 years and was assigned to the Field Artillery Brigade as a Gunner. His occupation at the time he joined is recorded as Vigneron. He embarked for overseas in May of 1917.

He joined the 2nd Division Artillery Brigade in Rouelles, France in early October of 1917. Within six weeks of commencing active service he was “gassed” in action. He was unable to join his next posting with the 4th Field Artillery Brigade for three months as he recuperated from the gas attack.

On September 18th of 1918 he was wounded in action for a second time. This time he suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and buttock. His wartime service was over as his injuries healed in an English Hospital.

He arrived back in Australia on February 1st 1919 two months after his father David Joseph’s death and just one month before his mother Lucy Jane passed away. He was discharged from the A.I.F. a week after his mother’s death in March of 1919.

David Deagon Childs married Eleanor Ruddy in 1924, they had one son Frank David Childs in the same year.

Tragically Eleanor died from tuberculosis the following year in 1925.

At the time of his brother William’s death in 1935 David was farming on land at Helidon, Queensland.

David Joseph Childs and family circa 1910

(In front from left, Vida, David Joseph, David, Lucy Jane & Marjorie. Rear from left, Dorothy, Belle, William, Queenie,

May Irene & Violet.)

May Irene’s sister Violet born in 1882 married James Falshaw Fountain on June 12th 1906. They had five children. Violet died in childbirth with her sixth child (unregistered) on May 4th 1920, just one month before May Irene was married. She lived until her death on the Fountain property “Thorncliffe” at Burpengary.

She is buried in the Caboolture Cemetery in King Street with her husband, her parents-in-law and her daughter Frances.

James Falshaw Fountain was the brother of Rachel Fountain who married Violet’s brother William in the same year on October 17th

Sister Belle (Anne Millicent) born on August 28th 1884 married Edward Gulbrandson on April 3rd 1912. They had four children. Belle who died in 1951 and her husband Edward are buried together in the Toowong Cemetery on the corner of Frederick Street and Mt Coot-tha Road Toowong.

Sister Queenie (Lucy Victoria) born on July 2nd 1886 married John Thomson on April 12th 1920. They had no children. She died in 1971.

Sisters Dorothy born on September 5th

1890 and Marjorie Deagon Childs born on September 10th 1892 never married. They lived at “Lynton” at Sandgate until their respective deaths in 1972 and 1961.

Dorothy was cremated and her ashes interred at the Nundah Cemetery. Marjorie is buried in the family plot at Nundah with her mother and father.

Youngest sister Vida Winnifred born on July 19th 1895 married Ken Allen-Waters on June 15th 1928. They had two sons and lived for a time at “Zealander” in Maxwell Street at New Farm. Vida died in 1968.

10

The “Childs” sisters circa 1905

(From left sitting, Queenie, Violet, Vida & Belle. standing Marjorie, May Irene &

Dorothy)

May Irene completed her school years at Nudgee State School. Following her graduation from school she was employed at the school as a “pupil teacher” where she qualified as a teacher.

May Irene, like her sisters before her, took piano lessons. A Pianola purchased after her marriage was part of the families essential possessions as they moved around the State.

An entry in her brother William’s 1900 diary September 28th:

“Violet and May went to town this morning. It was May’s examination in music. She had her photo taken.”

She was a competent pianist and made sure her three daughters had the opportunity to learn as they grew up.

May Irene aged about 10 years

May Irene was admitted as a teacher in March of 1903 aged 15 years. Her parents however were reluctant to allow their daughter to travel the State alone. When transferred by the Education Department to the country in 1908 she resigned until she reached twenty-one years of age. She was re-admitted as a teacher in April 0f 1909.

May Irene began her country teaching career at Boonah in 1909. This was followed by postings to Rockhampton and Sandgate before she was forced to resign at the time of her marriage. At that time no married women could be employed in the Public Service.

Sister “Queenie” was admitted as a teacher in March of 1902. She presumably did not suffer the same problems with her parents as May. Her career was continuous from 1902 until her first transfer in November of 1908 followed two years later by another transfer in October of 1910.

May Irene in foreground with other teachers in Rockhampton 1910

(Miss Seddon right, Miss Godfrey centre, and Miss Dwyer left)

11

May Irene (right) with sister Queenie (centre) and another teacher on the

steps of the Sandgate School circa 1914

May Irene with her mother Lucy Jane circa 1910

May was a keen horsewoman in her younger days as well as having some skill on the tennis court. Early in her life she drove the motor vehicles of the time.

May Irene driving a Baker’s Van in a parade. circa 1919. Likely a

homecoming celebration, given the “Roll of Honour” in the rear of the van.

May Irene the “horsewoman” circa 1915

May met her future husband Florence James “Jim” Ormiston at The Gums near Tara Queensland when visiting her sister Ann Millicent (Belle) Gulbrandson, nee Childs.

Belle and her husband Edward Gulbrandson owned a property close to “Foreston”, a property that Florence Ormiston managed for his Sydney based cousin, Faulkner Andrew Ormiston.

Belle and Edward married in 1912 so it is probable that May Irene first became aware of Florence in the period 1912 until the early years of World War 1.

Florence who had migrated from his native Ireland in 1905 enlisted in the Australian Military Forces in February of 1916, he was twenty-eight. Following his posting to the Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane he embarked for England in October of the same year.

He was to join the Australian Forces in France, was wounded in action on at least two occasions and returned to Australia in March of 1919 after being awarded a Military Medal for his bravery.

Following his return to Australia Florence was awarded a lease of land at Pikedale near Stanthorpe in Queensland. This was part of the scheme, “soldier settlement” for returning servicemen.

Wedding Invitation from her unmarried sisters. May Irene’s parents died prior

to her marriage.

12

May and Florence were married by Reverend Greenwood in the Nudgee Methodist Church in Brisbane a year later on June 2nd 1920. They were both 32 years old.

There appears to be a doubt in the detail about where May Irene and Florence were married. The invitation above shows the Nudgee Methodist Church. Their marriage Certificate records the place as the home of Mr Childs at Nudgee (presumably her brother William’s home at the vineyard). The notice in the Newspaper records the place as Kuta, which is understood to have been another residence at Nudgee.

It is possible that because her elder sister Violet died in childbirth just one month before, wedding arrangements were changed.

May Irene and Florence, June 2nd 1920

Following their honeymoon at Noosa they started their married life farming land at Pikedale. It is recorded on their marriage certificate that Florence was an orchardist by occupation.

Marriage Notice in Brisbane Courier 1920

May Irene and Florence’s Marriage Certificate

Peggy their first-born arrived at the Stanthorpe Hospital on November 5th

1921.

Life at Pikedale was tough for the family with a young baby, especially given that the returning soldiers had been “settled” well away from markets for their produce.

May Irene & Florence’s home at Pikedale

The family left the Stanthorpe area in the early 1920’s to begin a new career, managing hotels.

Following the family’s departure from Stanthorpe, daughters Joan on April 3rd

1924 and Irene on April 8th 1926 were both born in Miss Margaret Young’s Nursing (midwife) Home at Sandgate.

13

Peggy and Joan circa 1925

During the period 1921 until his death aged 41 on December 29th 1927 in the “Hillcrest” Hospital at Rockhampton, Florence managed hotels in Fernvale (west of Ipswich), North Arm (north of Nambour), Bajool (south of Rockhampton) and the Hotel Central in Rockhampton.

Florence, second from right, outside the Hotel Central in Rockhampton circa

1927

He died from pneumonia/cardiac failure and is buried in the South East Corner of the Old Rockhampton Cemetery Queensland.

The inscription on his headstone reads: -In

Loving Memory Of

My Dear Husband Florence James Ormiston Died 29th December 1927 MM 26 Batt. AIF

Old Rockhampton Cemetery (South-East Corner)

Following Florence’s death, the family with no family support in Rockhampton returned to live with May’s brother William’s family at the Nudgee vineyard. At the time of Florence’s death, youngest daughter Irene was just eighteen months old.

May Irene with her daughters circa 1930

(Peggy, May Irene, Joan-standing & Irene)

After a short time at Nudgee, May and her three daughters then spent much of the next decade living with her sister Dorothy at the guesthouse “Lynton” in Sandgate.

14

“’Lynton” at 66 Eagle Terrace, Sandgate

May Irene’s mother Lucy Jane provided for her daughter in her will when she died in 1919. Two properties, “Beulah” and “Bowden” adjacent to Lynton were left to her. It seems likely that the properties were sold at some time soon after her marriage in 1920.

“Lynton” and the property “Clovelly” directly behind it in Rainbow Street had been left to May Irene’s sister Dorothy in her mother’s will.

Except for “Beulah” the properties were named after towns in Devon close to South Molton were Lucy Jane was born.

Joan and Peggy in the front yard of “Lynton” circa 1930

The girls attended the Sandgate Primary School where May Irene had once been a teacher. Her sister Queenie also taught at the school prior to her marriage.

A sample of May Irene’s handwriting in daughter Peggy’s autograph book 1933

Peggy completed her education whilst living at Sandgate. Her final years at the State Commercial High School in Brisbane necessitated a train trip each day to attend school.In 1938 the family moved to Ashgrove. Initially they rented a house in Kinnaird Street on the banks of Enoggera Creek. Later they moved to the house next door in McLean Parade which later became the family home of her daughter Peggy.

Joan completed her primary education at Sandgate State School and after moving to Ashgrove she also attended the State Commercial High School.

The family home at Ashgrove in McLean Parade

After attending the Sandgate School for six years, Irene completed Grade 7 at Oakleigh State School, Dorrington. She like her sisters before her completed her secondary education at the State Commercial High School.

15

May Irene in side yard of her Ashgrove home circa 1950

At around the time of the families move to Ashgrove, May Irene was awarded a War Widows Pension. This helped her in being able to rent a house and educate her daughters. The family attended the Ashgrove Methodist Church in Ashgrove Avenue where they became involved in many facets of the Church’s activities. Prior to coming to Ashgrove the family attended the Baptist Church in Flinders Parade at Sandgate.

May Irene’s nephew Frank Childs, who served in the RAAF during the Second World War, also lived with the family during this period.

May Irene and her daughters had family support close by in Ashgrove Avenue. Her sister Belle and husband Edward Gulbrandson owned a small business in which May shopped.

Across the road, also in Ashgrove Avenue, her nephew William Deagon Fountain lived with his family.

May Irene with her daughters at Ashgrove circa 1943

Daughter Peggy was the first of the sisters to be married. She married William “Bill” Snelson on January 5th

1946 in the Albert Street Methodist Church, Brisbane.

Dennis Snelson, Joan, Peggy, Bill, Irene and Roy Ascough 1946

Peggy and Bill had three children, Patricia Ann in 1947, Judith Leigh in 1950 and John Ormiston in 1955.

Second born Joan married Samuel MacGregor “Mac” Summers the following year, 1947, in the Fortitude Valley Presbyterian Church on November 22nd. Reverend Samuel Summers, Mac’s father, conducted the ceremony.

16

“Mac”, Joan, Irene & Malcolm Summers 1947

Joan and Mac had two children, Roslyn Joan in 1949 and Iain MacGregor in 1953.

Youngest daughter Irene was also married in the Valley Presbyterian Church to Ronald Vincent “Ron” Warren on July 16th 1949. They too were married by Reverend Samuel Summers.

Clair Balgue, David Lloyd, Ron & Irene 1949

Irene and Ron had four children, Paul James in 1950, Jan Irene in 1952, Lyndal Kay in 1956 and Catherine Laura in 1964.

Bill, Peggy, May Irene, Mac, Roslyn and Joan

(At May’s nephew, Frank David Childs wedding circa 1950.)

May’s six eldest grandchildren circa 1954 at Joan and Mac’s Morningside home.(From left, Jan Warren, Roslyn Summers, Judith Snelson, Iain Summers, Patricia Snelson and Paul Warren)

May Irene with the Summers and Snelson grandchildren at Sandgate

circa 1958(from left Iain, Judith, Roslyn, Patricia &

John)

May Irene in her later years lived at various times with her sisters, her

17

daughters and their families. She had no permanent home after the time she spent with her daughters renting the house at Ashgrove.

May Irene with Lyndal Kay Warren in Dalby 1957

She was able to help when her grandchildren were born. In 1950 each of her daughters presented her with grandchildren, she managed to help them all.

May Irene died from cancer in the Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital aged 76 on July 3rd 1964, two years after her youngest grandchild Catherine was born.

May Irene at Mt Coot-tha with daughter Irene Warren and granddaughter Catherine Laura Warren 1963

May Irene did not live to see any of her fifteen great-grandchildren born between 1971 and 1995.

Her funeral service was held at the Mt Thompson crematorium at Holland Park.

A plaque remembering her life is mounted on the memorial wall at The Gap Uniting Church in Waterworks Road, Brisbane.

The plaque is mounted together with one for her beloved husband Florence James.

Daughter Joan passed away on November 3rd 1988. Her husband “Mac” died three years earlier on August 6th

1985.

They also have memorial plaques at The Gap Uniting Church.

One other plaque on the memorial wall at the Church is for daughter Peggy’s husband “Bill” who died on February 8th

1997.

18

May Irene Ormiston who was born in 1888, saw the birth of our nation in 1901 and experienced the trauma of two World Wars.

As a teenager she would have read about the Orville Brothers first flight in 1903. In her later years she would have watched on television, the reports of manned space travel.

The after effects of World War One cut short her married life after only seven years. She was left to raise her three daughters all under seven years of age at a time when a World Depression was looming.

She died in 1964 after experiencing much change during her seventy-six years.

May Irene is fondly remembered by her daughters as an intelligent, supportive but tactful mother who provided them with much love and encouragement.

(i) The English County of Somerset is bordered by the county of Devon to the West and the Bristol Channel to the North. Stringston in West Somerset, bordered in the south by the Quantock Hills, is an ancient village and parish about 16 kilometres west of Bridgwater. Almost directly North across the Bristol Channel is Cardiff, the major city in Wales.The population of the small parish of Stringston in 1850 was around 150.

(ii) A name symbolically applied to Israel

“Thou shalt no more be termed ”Forsaken” neither shall they land any more be termed “Desolate”: but thou shall be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married”. (Isaiah 62: 4)

In this quotation, frequently used since Hosea, the prophet wishes to express the future prosperity of Israel. The land once desolate shall again be populated.

(iii) Kilve a small village in the northwest of the English County of Somerset. Kilve is west of Bridgwater and a little further west of Springston along the coast of the Bristol Channel. It is bordered to the south by the Quantock Hills

(iv) South Molton a town in the English County of Devon. The county is bordered by the counties of Cornwall to the West and Somerset to the East. The Bristol Channel to the North and the English Channel to the South. South Molton is in the Northeast corner of the county close to the border of Somerset.Ironically it is only a short distance from Stringston and Kilve.

(v) East Down a small village in the North- East of the English County of Devon, It is just west of South Molton and about 10 kilometres east of Barnstaple.

Information contained in this story of May Irene Ormiston’s life came principally from research done by Ron Warren and David Gulbrandson, with help from her daughters and grandchildren.

19

Version 12 5/2/2010

20

21

Beulah Farm Newstead. (Addendum 1)

The property on which Thomas Childs senior and his family settled at some time following their arrival in Queensland in 1849 was named Beulah Farm. It would appear that Beulah was formed substantially from adjoining Land Portions 58 and 61 at Newstead (probably known as Breakfast Creek at that time). The portions had the Brisbane River and Breakfast Creek Road as common boundaries.

The records appear to show that Portion 61 was Crown Land, purchased from the then NSW Government in 1845 by a Mr John Campbell, for 40 pounds ten shillings. Portion 58 was similarly sold to a Mr Peter Hartley in 1849 for the same amount.

Some minor sub-divisions of both portions occurred over the years until the title of the remaining 46 acres 26 and a half perches (portions 58 and 61 combined) was transferred to Thomas Childs senior on March 20th 1865.

In June of the same year 3 acres 2 roods and 21 perches of the title was transferred to his wife Mary Childs. A further 24 perches was sold? to William Smith in October of 1865.

In April of 1866, 42 acres were sold, possibly to the Brisbane Gas Company. The remaining 1 rood 22 perches was left in Thomas Childs will on his death in April of 1881. His wife Mary had died earlier, in January of 1879.

Presumably the 3 plus acres transferred to wife Mary in 1865 was bequeathed to Thomas when she died in 1879. The land appears to have been subdivided in the intervening years and sections were bequeathed to Thomas’s children on his death. Subdivisions (allotments) 1, 2, 3 and 4 were left to David Joseph Childs.

22

Allotments 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 18 to John Wheddon Childs and Mary Clarke (nee Childs) as tenants in common. Allotments 10, 11, and 17 to Flora Hephzibah Childs and allotments 12, 13, and 16 to Ann Childs.

Flora Hephzibah died just three weeks after her father.

The 1 rood 22 perches that remained of the original title transferred to David and Ann on Thomas’s death. William Deagon’s name was added on his marriage to Ann and when Ann married John Ridler following William Deagon’s death his name appeared on the title.

Adjoining allotments 14 and 19 were not specifically left to any of his children and may be the 1 rood 22 perches, which remained of the original title following Thomas’s death.

Thomas Childs had also purchased land at Nudgee in January of 1864. This would be the beginning of the families Toombul Vineyards.

It is an historical fact that the Childs family farmed the land known as Beulah well before Thomas gained title of the land in 1865. One can only speculate as to the status of his tenure – maybe it was leased? Some more research is necessary.

40 perches make a rood4 roods make an acre

23