1. PERCY WILLIAM APPLEBY 1881-1957                                                              Family Trees

Percy, the first child of James and Jane, was the only one of their seven children to be born in England. He was born on 2nd August, 1881, in Heighton, Durham. James registered the birth on 28th. He was two years old when the Abergeldie sailed from Liverpool to Australia, (2) and it was no small achievement for a small child to travel on such a long voyage. By the time he arrived in Sydney he had travelled 20,000 kilometres by sea and some distance from Shildon to Liverpool to embark on the ship beforehand.

He attended Milltown School in South Bathurst, where he received a certificate to verify that he had been educated up to the standard of education required by the Public Instruction Act 1880.(3) He would have been twelve years old by then. He also went to Sunday School at St. Barnabas Church, South Bathurst and was a regular worshipper there with his family.

Percy joined the Department of Railways on 12th October 1896 at the age of fifteen years as an apprentice car and wagon builder at the rate of pay of ten pence per day.(4) He also studied shorthand at the Railway Institute and gained a certificate for an advance pass with 80% on 30th December 1897.(5) He continued his apprenticeship until war was declared in South Africa when he enlisted on 18th February 1901, at the age of nineteen, with the 2nd Battalion of N.S.W. Mounted Rifles, and was given the No.1189 and rank of Private. On the eve of his departure for Sydney from Bathurst Percy was given a farewell social by his fellow employees on the Railway and presented with a gold medal and all sorts of good wishes for a safe return.

Many of the recruits in the South African War were rough horsemen, country men, farm labourers etc. who had never soldiered before and had to learn discipline. Camps of instruction were established at Randwick in Sydney. The men were put through a rapid and comprehensive course to fit them for duty. Horses were selected and purchased as rapidly as possible and handed to their riders, who were taught the routine stable duty. The men were issued with uniforms and equipment, and organised into squadrons, which were divided into troops and then into sections of four. Each soldier was exercised in recruit drill, musketry, marching and squad work and the duties of an irregular horseman both mounted and dismounted. No horses were brought back from South Africa. Only single men were accepted and the pay was 1/6 per day (25c), on enlisting and five shillings (50c) after landing overseas.

Percy's regiment left for overseas on 15th March, 1901, after about one month' s training and arrived at Port Elizabeth on 17th April with a total of thirty-three officers, one Warrant Officer and six hundred and seventy-four N.C.O's and six hundred and fifty nine horses.

Whilst in South Africa the regiment served in Western Transvaal from 23rd April until 1st October - their principal operations were the capture of Potgieter's Company on the Vaal on 24th May and the capture of General de La Rey's Convoy of one hundred and six wagons, cattle and ammunitions. The regiment, under Major General Fetherstonhaugh, engaged in many night marches resulting in over one thousand persons being captured.(6)

The following is a copy of a letter written by Percy to his parents whilst overseas:

Klerksdorp.

About May 14, 1901

Dear Father and Mother,

I received your first letter about ten days ago and was very glad to hear you are all enjoying good health. We have fairly started on the job and have a good idea what soldiering means. We started from Klerksdorp 10 days ago and only travelled 40 miles and then worked back again in a different  route but what a time we had, we have orders to burn everything, villages, farm houses, cornfields, and we take every person white or black with us and bring them back to Klerksdorp. There is a very big refugee camp here and they are all put in there. We have about 100 whites and 600 Kaffirs. We have good tucker because every farm house we come to we commandeer fowls, pigs, etc. We always have a flock of sheep with us which we are allowed to kill and there are potatoes and pumpkins all over the place so we are pretty well off. The only thing I miss is the bread, we only get biscuits served to us and they are pretty hard. We have had a bit of fighting when our advance guard got cut of one lieutenant was killed, 4 privates killed and about ten wounded. We were on the right flank that day when the rear guard came galloping and reported that they had been fired on.

About 6 of us went back and waited for a while but only saw about 4 Boers galloping away, we did not get one of them. White and Pascoe were among the men captured when the Lieutenant was shot. There were about 30 of them. Pascoe had his horse shot from under him. They stripped White and sent him back in his shirt, underpants and boots. Pretty kind weren't they? They never take prisoners, they shoot their horses, take their rifles and ammunition etc. and let them go. They are a very smart lot of men the way they travel about the country, not surprising of course, they are not handicapped with a big convoy of mules etc. They have a pack horse and can travel about very quickly. There are two convoys just near us. Lord Methuen and Major Babbington. Tom King, from Bathurst, is with Babbington, have just had a yarn with him, he expects to be sent home any minute. Billy Cook wishes to be remembered to you, he is doing all right here, quite a different man. I might tell you that I am a confirmed drunkard, we have rum served out every night about a thimbleful. I was advised to take it by the Captain who told me it was the best medicine I could take. I do not care much for it. I see by your letter that the church spire is nearly finished, it will look all right. I think about you every Sunday, of course it makes no difference here Sunday or Monday.

We have no Protestant Minister here. He was sent back to Cape Town for something he did coming over. I do not know the facts very well. How did the cricket team get on, I hope they won. How is the Band getting on, are they still mounted or gone bung. Tell Uncle if he was on the Veldt sometimes he would hear Weber, Rossini, Meyerbeer and all the other Masters being whistled with a vengeance. The only musical instrument I have heard is a Kaffir harp, it makes a noise just like an engine blowing off only not quite so loud but that is better than nothing. We haven't time for much music. We are up pretty early in the morning, sometimes 2.30, sometimes 4, never later and travel without a spell till three in the afternoon. It is pretty cold here 1 can tell you - no tents and two blankets and an overcoat and a waterproof sheet. It is not as warm as bed. I often have to get out of bed and walk about to warm my feet, 2 pairs of socks on too, but it doesn't matter, it all puts in time. You can send this letter to Auntie Maggie and tell her I haven't had the least chance of writing to her. How is Auntie Liz and the little baby getting on and what did they call him, it's a boy isn't it, I quite forget. No time to think of babies. Ask Miss Letcher if she has any vanities we can't get a smoke here when we get away from town. We smoke cigarettes made from Boer tobacco (which we got from a farm) and newspaper. Lieutenant Mackintosh has been promoted to Captain of C squadron, he came up to me yesterday and had a yarn. Both Captain Lydiard and he are very much liked here. I am riding my third horse. Sgt Mullampy got my first one which was an English mare, the second one knocked up and I have our officer's little chestnut. I showed him to you when we were at Randwick. You know they had two but had to give one up to the men. He is a bit flighty but is a good little colt all the same.

How is Billy gettin on. I suppose just the same nothing to do and plenty of time to do it in. Uncle ought to come out here and learn to ride. You have to be careful. There are holes all over the place.

Remember me to all enquiring friends and you can let any particular friends look at my letters as I can't write to them all Well, I think this is a fair thing don't you. I know you don't like reading long letters so I will draw to a close. If you don't get a letter for 3 weeks or so don't worry for the only chance I get to post a letter is when we come to a big town with a railway and as Klerksdorp is the end you will see we have a long wait. I did not receive the Bandsman yet only the letter you sent in Melbourne. We are expecting mail out here any minute.

Well, it’s a long letter that has no end so au revoir,
With love from your affectionate son, Percy W. Appleby.
I am in good health not even a cold.
The mail has just arrived. I have received no letter only the Bandsman. PWA.

 The regiment embarked for home at Capetown on 4th May, 1902, calling at Albany, Perth, Melbourne and finally disembarking in Sydney on 4th June. Percy was discharged on 11th June 1902, after serving one year and one hundred and forty-four days in the army, one year and seventy-seven days being abroad. He was awarded the South African medal.(7)

A beautiful stained glass window was placed in St. James Church, Sydney in memory of the men killed in Percy's regiment and at Bathurst in 1909 plans for the erection of a non-utilitarian statue and cupola were adopted and the foundation stone was laid on Empire Day that year. The memorial was unveiled by Earl Kitchener of Khartoum on 10th January 1910. Earl Kitchener's visit only lasted a few hours, and he reviewed the troops, unveiled the monument and was entertained to dinner before leaving again for Sydney. It wasn't until December 11th 1963, that the Bathurst City Council decided to add the name of Lt. P. J. Handcock to the memorial, after representations from the Returned Servicemen's League. Lt. Handcock had been tried by court martial and executed by firing squad in South Africa, during the Boer War, for complicity in the murder of some prisoners. The circumstances of the court martial were highly controversial and many people think that Handcock was treated unjustly,

On his return to South Bathurst, Percy resumed duty with the Department of Railways on 23rd June 1902 and finished his apprenticeship on 30th June 1903. He was employed as a labourer and oiler for a further ten months when his services were dispensed with.

At some time during his youth Percy joined the Bathurst District Band, where he was trained by his uncle, Sam Lewins, to become one of Australia's great Bass players. He won many awards playing his Enharmonic Bass, among which were:

Orange                        1899 First Prize

Bathurst                      1901  First Prize

Sydney                        1902 First Prize

Ballarat Vic.               1902   First Prize

Ballarat                        1907  First Prize

Sydney                        1908 First Prize

It was during the years following his dismissal from the Department of Railways, that Percy came to Sydney. He belonged to Glebe 1st Grade Rugby Union Team.(9). He also joined Wirth's Circus and played in the band. He later went to Ararat, where he was employed as a carpenter by a builder named Joshua Stephenson. Joshua was the local bandmaster, so it was natural that Percy played with the Ararat Brass Band in Victoria.

It was here that he met Emily Eliza, daughter of William Bennett Colley, a butcher, and his wife Emily Eliza. The romance grew and eventually led to Percy and Emily being, married on 'nth September 1948. Emily travelled from Arrant to South Bathurst to be married, after being fa^rewelled by her friends and relations at a social evening when she was presented with a silver backed hairbrush and comb in a case.(10)

 "Rev. Cannon Thompson officiated at the wedding which took place at St.Barnabas Church, which was beautifully decorated and the choir sang 'The voice of Eden'. The bride, who was given away by Mr. Samuel Lewins, uncle of the bridegroom, was dressed in an Empire gown of pale blue soir de ninon. The bodice was draped with tucked net, filet insertion, glace silk and applique and finished with pale blue tassels. She wore a white crin hat, with puffed crown and spotted tulle, trimmed with pale pink roses and white ribbon. Her gifts from the bridegroom were a gold chain and pendant set with pearls and a shower bouquet. Miss Gladys Appleby (sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Linda Lewins (cousin of the bridegroom) were the bridesmaids. Both wore dresses of white Swiss muslin, trimmed with embroidered Anglesea valenciennes lace, and silver tassels and finished with folded belts of white satin. They also wore hats of white valenciennes lace and spotted net, trimmed with white ribbon and carried shower bouquets of crimson carnations and streamers, which with a gold brooch and cross respectively, were a gift from the bridegroom. Mr. Lewis Appleby, brother of the bridegroom, was the best man.

The bridegroom's mother wore a black costume. The skirt was black voile and bodice black silk with applique trimmings. Her hat was black crin, adorned with glace silk and brown roses. Mrs. Sam Lewins, also wore a black voile skirt with a pale green glace silk blouse with guipure trimmings and a green hat.

After supper which was served in "Kiora", Rocket Street, Mr. and Mrs. Appleby left by mail train for Sydney en route to the South Coast to spend their honeymoon. The bride travelled in a wine coloured coat and skirt, with a lace front and champagne shade crin hat, trimmed with pink silk and pink and champagne cowslips.

Percy was re-employed with the Department of Railways as a car and wagon builder, on 20th April,1908, and lived in a house that his father had built for him and Emily on land at the side of his house next to the Lewins' house in Brilliant Road. It was here that Emily gave birth to their first son, Kenneth James, who was born on 16th July,1909, followed by their first daughter, Jean Emily, on 17th July 1911 and two years letter a second daughter, Joyce Merritt, was born on 18th July 1913.(12)

Percy resigned from the Department of Railways on 15th November 1913 and he and Emily and their family moved to Ararat to live for the next three years. It was while they were there their son, Jack Bennett, was born on 9th October 1915. They then returned to Bathurst in 1916 when Percy was re-employed as a carriage builder till he was assigned to the Everleigh Workshops, Sydney, in 1917, where he worked for the next five years. Whilst they were residing at 94 Glenfarne St. West Kogarah, their third daughter Majorie, was born on 5th October 1917. During his stay at West Kogarah, Percy joined the Kogarah District Band. On 13th November 1922, Emily gave birth to another son, Arthur Lewis. Those of Percy and Emily's children who were of school age attended Hurstville Primary and Secondary Schools.

In 1923 Percy was transferred back to Bathurst where he and Emily and their children lived for a time at Busby Street, South Bathurst, a few doors from the late Prime Minister, Ben Chifley, and later moved to another house in Bent Street. Their last son, Noel was born on 4th February 1929.

 It was while Percy and Emily were living in South Bathurst, this time, that Percy became the conductor of the City Band and of course continued his career with the Bathurst District Band, still competing in solo competitions.

There is little doubt of the love of music in Percy's life, for not only did he have interests in the Brass Bands, he was for a number of years choirmaster at St. Barnabas Church and the Railway Male Voice Choir. The latter won many championships at the Sydney Railway Eistedfords and later the City of Sydney Open Competition.

Once more Percy was transferred back to Sydney where he worked as a sub-foreman at the Alexandria Railway Workshops until his retirement on 1st October 1943 at the age of 62 years. Dining his time with the Department of Railways, Percy received three bonuses of two guineas each and one guinea bonus for suggestions for improvements to the making of or the fittings to carriages.(13)

Percy and Emily resided in Short Street, Banksia and later at 88 Tabrett Street, Banksia where Percy died on 10th January 1957. Emily continued to live at Banksia for a time but later moved to Tumut and lived with her daughter, Jean and her husband Sam, until her death on 12th March 1977 at the age of 93 years.

REFERENCES

1. Birth Certificate, General Register, England.
2. Shipping lists, Abergeldie State Archives of N.S.W.
3. School files, State Archives of N.S.W.
4. Railway Service Records, Archives, State Railway Authority, Sydney.
5. Certificate held by Jack Appleby.
6. Copy of letter found in family scrap book and also original held by Jack Appleby.
7. Official Records, Australian Military Contingents to South Africa. Col.R.L.Murray. R.A.A. State Library.
8. Family Scrap Book.
9. Letter from Jack Appleby. January 1984.
10. and (11) Family Scrap
11. Birth Certificate, Register of Births,Deaths and Marriages, Bathurst.
12. Railway Service Records, Archives, State Railway Authority.

2. MABEL ANNIE APPLEBY 1884-1970

Mabel Annie, the first daughter of James and Jane, was born on 11th August, 1884, at Anglesea St. Waverley (1). She was christened at St. Mary's Anglican Church, Waverley, on 6th September by Rev. Robert McKeon.(2)

Soon after her birth the family moved to South Bathurst to live. When Mabel was old enough she attended Milltown School (South Bathurst), obtaining a certificate like her brother Percy to indicate that she had been educated to the standard required by the Public Standard of Education Act, at the age of twelve years.(3) Her headmaster at the time urged James and Jane to allow Mabel to stay on at school and later train as a teacher but apparently they didn't agree to this and Mabel commenced working at Hunter's Shoe Store where she stayed for some time and at one time was learning millinery without pay. After a few years James decided that Jane needed assistance at home and Mabel left work to help with the housework.

Although Mabel wasn't a member of the St. Barnabas Choir, like other members of the family she was a regular worshipper there and taught Sunday School for a few years.

On 30th October, 1912, Mabel married John (known by many as Jack) Briggs at St. Barnabas Church. The marriage was conducted by Rev. Chas. Allan. The church was packed with friends of the happy couple and the service enlivened by the choir singing appropriate music.(4)

After their marriage, Jack and Mabel lived in the house next to Mabel's parents in Brilliant Road. On the 14th January, 1914, their first son, Lewis George, was born, followed by Margaret Edith, who was born on 31st January 1915 and Lucy Isabel on 2nd August 1916.

When Lucy was about six months old, Jack, who worked for the Department of Railways as a fireman, was transferred to Sydney, and the family moved there and lived in a house called "Mascotte" at 10 Ross Street, Dulwich Hill. While they were living there Lewis, Margaret and Lucy were baptised into the Roman Catholic faith at St. Paul of the Cross Church, Dulwich Hill.

In 1921 Jack and Mabel and the family moved to Buckland Street, Alexandria and lived there till 1922 when Jack was transferred to Lismore where they lived at North Lismore for about six months before moving again, this time to Dubbo, where Mabel gave birth to their second son, Terence James, on 13th August 1924.

After about sixteen months at Dubbo Jack was transferred again and he and Mabel and the family moved to Lismore where they continued to live for several years. Their first home was in Diadem Street where their youngest son, John William, was born on 11th May 1926. In 1927 they then moved to Bent Street which was to be their home for several years.

 Mabel's favourite pastime was dressmaking and crocheting and she made many beautiful woollen rugs and fine crochet articles. I can remember when we were children and going to Lismore for our holidays, looking forward to Aunty Mabel making my sister, Dorothy, and me a new dress for the summer. Mabel's hands were seldom idle and it was very rare to see her sitting without a piece of crochet in her hands which she mostly gave as gifts to relations and friends.

In 1926, Mabel converted to the Roman Catholic faith and when they settled in Lismore they soon became involved with activities in St. Carthage's Cathedral, where Jack was the bell ringer for twenty years. Mabel was one of the original Vice Presidents of the St Vincent's Hospital Ladies' Auxiliary when it was formed in 1933. When she went to the meetings she would spend most of the time cutting out bedspreads, locker covers, serviettes etc. for the hospital wards.

It was a very proud moment for Jack and Mabel when Lucy entered the Presentation Convent at Lismore on 2nd February, 1937, and became Sister Mary Ignatius, later Mother General and was known as Sister Lucy Briggs.

Jack resigned from the Department of Railways on 3lst March, 1937(5) and commenced working as a commercial traveller with John Bardsley Co. Pty. Ltd. grocery wholesalers, which took him to several townships on the North Coast district of New South Wales and many visitors to Lismore were able to spend a lovely holiday there travelling with Jack and Mabel as Jack did his "rounds" to his clients. The welcome mat was always on the doorstep at Bent Street for visitors to Lismore and it wouldn't be unusual for Jack to take guests on a trip to perhaps places like Brisbane at a moment's notice and Mabel to make up a batch of her delicious cornish pasties to take with them.

Jack became ill in 1953 and resigned his job with Bardsleys. By then they were well known among the residents of Lismore and they took a keen interest in the development of the district especially when Jack was an Alderman on the City Council and it was with sadness that they decided to sell their home in 1959 and come to Sydney to live. However, by then all their family, with the exception of Lucy, were living in Sydney, so they were close to them and lived with their son, John and his wife, Betty.

Jack died on 3rd October 1961, at the age of 73 years and Mabel lived another nine years and died on 9th November 1970. They were both interred in the Northern Suburbs Cemetery.

REFERENCES.

1. Birth certificate, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Sydney.
2. Information by telephone from St. Mary's Church, Waverley
3. School records, State Archives, Sydney.
4. Scrap Book
5. Railway Service Records, Archives, State Rail Authority.

 

4. LEWIS JAMES APPLEBY 1888-1971

Lewis was the third son of James and Jane, born in Seymour Street, Bathurst, on 4th January 1888.(1) He attended Milltown School and later Bathurst Public School.

When he was fifteen years old he commenced working with the Department of Railways in the Locomotive Branch as a call boy and his rate of pay was 2/6 (25 cents) per day. From there he worked as cleaner for five years, a fireman for two years and was promoted to chargeman and worked for a short time at Parkes, Dubbo, Orange and Goulburn and finally Bathurst. (2)

Lewis, like his father and brother Percy, was a prominent member of the St. Barnabas Church and also belonged to the Bathurst Railway Institute Choir and the Bathurst Philharmonic Choir. It was through the latter choir and its trip to Ballarat to compete in an eisteddfod there, that he met and fell in love with Madeline Pearse, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pearse of Bathurst. The romance led to their marriage on 15th September, 1917, at All Saints Cathedral, Bathurst.

The wedding was preceded that morning with choral Eucharist at the Cathedral where one hundred friends of the bride including members of the choir and Sunday School attended. All Saints Cathedral was crowded with interested spectators on the Saturday evening when the marriage of Mr. Louis(sic) James Appleby, second son of Mr. and Mrs. James Appleby of South Bathurst, and Miss Madeline (Madge) Pearse, youngest daughter of Mr. A. Pearse of Russell Street, was celebrated. The Rev. Canon Wilton officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, presented a charming appearance. She was attired in a white crepe-de-chene dress, with a court train suspended from the shoulders, where it was fastened with lilies of the valley.

She also wore a wreath and veil, beneath which was a dainty little cap, and carried a shower bouquet of arum lilies and hyacinths, tied with white streamers and an ivory bound prayer book the gift of the Rev. H.H. Pritchard, superintendent of the Sunday School.

The bridesmaid was Miss Renie Pearse, who wore a neat nattier crepe-de-chine frock, with a black crepe-de-chene hat, lined with pale pink and trimmed with the same colour (sic) and nattier blue posies. Mr. H. Wilkes, of Orange, was the best man. The service was fully choral, a large muster of the choir being present. When the bride elect entered the Cathedral the choir sang the hymn "The voice that breathed o'er Eden"; during the signing of the register Miss Naomi Dawson sang "Beloved it is Morn" whilst at the conclusion of the service the Cathedral organist, Mr. Leicester Johnson played the wedding march and Mr. Lynch pealed the Cathedral bells.

The wedding breakfast was held at Natty Woods, where the supper room was prettily decorated by the friends of the bridge. About forty guests were present, including the mother of the bridegroom, who was dressed in a navy costume, with a black hat and carried a posy of violets.

 Mrs. Ernest Robins of Blayney, and aunt of the bride, was the hostess. She wore a black silk costume with a tuscan and black hat. The Rev. Canon Wilton presided and the following toasts were honoured: The King, submitted by Mr. S. Lewin, the Bride and Bridegroom, proposed by Canon Wilton; the Bridesmaid proposed by Mr. P. Appleby and acknowledged by Mr. H. Wilkes; the Parents of the Bride and Bridegroom proposed by Mr. A. Marsden and acknowledged by Messrs. Pearse and Appleby and Absent Friends proposed by Mr. Warren Carr.

A large number of beautiful daffodils used in the decorations of the room were presented by Mrs. Marsden, whilst the bouquets and posies were made and given by Miss Ida Purser. After the reception, Mr. and Mrs. Appleby left by motor car on their honeymoon. They will reside in Orange. Among the large collection of presents were valuable gifts from Mr. Appleby's fellow employees in the Department of Railways at Orange and an additional gift from the Cathedral Choir and Sunday School teachers. (3)

After their marriage Lewis and Madge lived at Orange where they soon became involved in the church life at Holy Trinity Church of England where Lewis was a member of the choir. They lived at Orange for the next five or six years, during which Madge suffered two miscarriages. She returned to Bathurst for the birth of their son, Bruce, who was born on 17th June, 1920.

In 1923, Lewis was promoted to second class chargeman and was transferred to Goulburn. Whilst they were living there, Madge gave birth to their first daughter, Lois Irene, on 6th March 1924.

When Lewis received another transfer back to Bathurst on 12 September 1924 the family returned there and bought the house in Brilliant Road (now Lewins St - named after Samuel Lewins) that James and Jane had lived in and remained there until Lewis retired from the Railway Department on 4th May 1948. It wasn't long before Lewis and Madge resumed worshipping at St. Barnabas Church and Lewis joined the choir again.

Madge gave birth to another daughter, Mary Elizabeth, on 28th December 1927. As the family grew up they soon became involved with the activities of the church and attended Sunday School and were confirmed there. Lewis was Treasurer of the church for many years.

Soon after Lewis retired the family moved to Sydney and lived at 8 Barnards Avenue, Hurstville. Lewis loved his garden and spent many hours in it resulting in a lovely display of flowers both in Bathurst and Hurstville.

When Lewis became ill he entered a nursing home at Liverpool, Sydney where he died on 7th October 1971 and was cremated at the Rookwood Crematorium. Madge continued to live in the family home for some time until she was unable to look after herself and moved to Brisbane, where her youngest daughter Mary lived, to the Marycrest Retirement Centre at Kangaroo Point.

 She passed away on 23rd February, 1985 just a few weeks before her 89th birthday, at the Mount Olivet Hospital and was cremated in Brisbane on the 25th.

Although Madge moved from Sydney to Brisbane, she continued to take an interest in the lives of her relatives and friends and when she was able to write her letters were always very welcomed. I am very grateful to her for her help and interest in compiling this history and am sorry that it was not finished in time for her to read it. 

REFERENCES.

1. Birth Certificate, Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Sydney.
2. Service records, Archives, State Rail Authority, Sydney.
3. From an article written in the local newspaper kept by Jane Appleby in the family

 

5. CLARENCE FREDERICK APPLEBY 1890-1896

Little is known about Clarence who was born on 28th January, 1890 at Pye Street, Bathurst. Again Mary Ann Tinkler assisted with the birth.(1)

There is no evidence of any photos or oral evidence about his short life. At the age of six years he died from malignant scarlet fever on 11th December 1896, at Torch Street, South Bathurst, just a few weeks before his seventh birthday. He was buried in the Church of England portion of the Bathurst Cemetery. The Rev. Howard Lea officiated at the service. (2)

REFERENCES.

1. Birth Certificate, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Sydney.
2. Death Certificate, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Sydney

6. GLADYS MARY APPLEBY 1892-1983

Gladys was the youngest daughter and longest surviving child of James and Jane, who was born on 16th January, 1892 at Busby Street, South Bathurst.(1). When she was old enough she attended Milltown School and then finished at Bathurst Public School. I can remember my mother telling me, at some stage, of her schooling at Milltown. She had to leave school half an hour each day before the whistle for lunch at the Railway workshops would blow, to go home and collect James' hot lunch and take it down to him where he was working. What the reason was for this I don't know.

When Gladys left school she joined the firm of Webb and Co. and worked in the Millinery Department trimming hats and worked there until her marriage. When she left she was still only earning five shillings (fifty cents) per week.

Gladys was a regular worshipper with her family at St. Barnabas Church where she was confirmed, was a member of the Girls' Friendly Society, sang in the choir and worked on the stalls at the Parish Fairs.

It was through her father's and Uncle Sam's interests in the Bathurst Band, that she met Leslie Whatley, who played the kettle drum. She and her girlfriends, especially Linda Lewins, spent many hours listening to the band when it gave regular recitals in Machattie Park. As the romance between Leslie and Gladys grew, Gladys would often be dressed ready to go out with Leslie, who would be late arriving because he had to wait for some of his pigeons to come home from a race somewhere in the country.

Gladys married Leslie, who was the third son of Charles Knowles and Emily Whatley of "Lorna Doone" Seymour Street, Bathurst, on 7th October, 1915 at St. Barnabas Church. The officiating minister was the rector, Rev. J.C. Allen. (2)

The church for the occasion was beautifully decorated by girlfriends of the bride and her cousin, Alice Lewins, presided at the organ playing appropriate music. As the bride had been a prominent member of the choir for many years, the church was naturally very crowded and the service was a choral one, the choir singing "The voice that breathed o'er Eden" as the bride entered the church on her father's arm, attired in a dainty frock of crepe-de-chene, the coatie (worn over a blouse of ninon trimmed with embroidered ninon) being finished with silk crochet buttons, tassels and medeci collar of embroidered ninon, train falling from the waist of crepe-de-chene lined with sill; malines lace and caught with orange blossoms. The veil was plain tulle and wreath of orange blossom. She carried a beautiful bouquet, the gift of the bridegroom. She was attended by two bridesmaids, Pearl Whatley, sister of the groom and Elsie Giblett, girlfriend of the bride, who wore pretty frocks of pink crepe-de-chene, the scalloped coatees being worn over blouses of shadow lace, skirts corded at the waist, hats of blue tulle with posies of pink roses and pink velvet streamers and carried shower bouquets of pink sweet peas and bebe ribbon streamers, the work of Miss E. Jones of Bathurst. The bridegroom was supported by Dick Whatley, best man and Lewis Appleby as groomsman.

 The bride's mother, who was dressed in a mole crepe-de-chene dress and black toque, received the guests at the school hall where a dainty supper was partaken and after the usual toasts the happy couple left by motor enroute for Melbourne and Adelaide where they spent their honeymoon. The bride travelled in a frock of rose spotted voile pinafore effect over a white voile blouse trimmed with clunies lace and buttons and a black tulle hat lined with pink and trimmed with roses and black velvet streamers. (3)

After their marriage, Leslie and Gladys moved to Wellington where Leslie held the position of timekeeper with the Department of Railways. It was here that their only son, Allan Victor, was born on 31st August, 1916. From Wellington, Leslie was transferred to Harden for a short time before he and Gladys and Allan moved to Sydney and stayed a short time with Leslie's parents until they moved into their own home at 6 Myra Road, Dulwich Hill in 1920 where their first daughter, Elsie Jean, was born on 12th October 1922 and later a second daughter, Dorothy Gladys, was born at Nurse Simpson's Hospital in New Canterbury Road, Dulwich Hill, on 20th January 1929.

Leslie spent many hours in his garden, the results of hard work showing with a beautiful show of flowers every year and Gladys found pleasure in being able to have a house full of their blooms.

Soon after coming to Sydney, Gladys began to attend St. Stephen's Church of England Church, Hurlstone Park, where she was a regular worshipper for over sixty years, partaking in several activities during those years. She was a member of the Women's Guild for several years helping with stalls at the Annual Fetes and tea meetings. When Allan joined the Boy Scouts, Gladys became a member of the Scout Group. Leslie, Allan, Elsie and Dorothy were all confirmed at St. Stephen's and later Allan,

Elsie and Dorothy were married there and their children christened later on. Leslie was a member of the Men's Society and for over thirty years auditor of the Church.

In 1939, at the outbreak of World Ward 11 Leslie and Gladys were to see war declared for the second time, only this time it was to affect them in a much more personal nature when their son, Allan, enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F. on 3rd June 1940 and sailed overseas on the Queen Mary on 24th December of the same year. He returned home in 1942 and married Joan Crocket and after only seven day's leave was sent to New Guinea and was there till peace was declared in 1945 when he returned safely home. During this time Gladys and Elsie belonged to the Civilian Aid Service and were trained to be ready in case of an air raid. Fortunately their services were not needed.

During their years in Sydney, Gladys and Leslie's home was always an open house to country visitors who were welcomed to stay whilst holidaying in Sydney. Samuel Roy Lewins, Ken Appleby and Lewis Briggs boarded with them at different times while they were pursuing their studies for their careers.

 Leslie died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of eighty one on 16thJuly 1971.(4)  After a short time Gladys sold her home and went to live with her daughter, Elsie. Many of the houses in Mya Road were demolished in the early 1970's to make way for home units and at the time of writing this history, Leslie and Gladys' home was only one of five still standing.

Gladys lived with Elsie for a further ten years until, because of her health, it became necessary for her to enter Chesalon Nursing Home at Summer Hill where she was a patient for nearly two years and where she died on 27th April, 1983, at the age of ninety-one years. She was cremated at Rookwood Crematorium.

REFERENCES

1. Birth Certificate, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Bathurst
2. Marriage Certificate, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Bathurst.
3. Extract from Family Scrap Book.
4. Death Certificate, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Sydney.

7. LANCE FREDERICK APPLEBY 1900-1937

Lance was the youngest of James and Jane Ann's children who was born at Brilliant Road, South Bathurst on 17th June, 1900. (1) He commenced his education at the Milltown School and finished at the Bathurst Technical School.

When his parents died, he lived with his brother, Lewis and Madge and served his apprenticeship as a baker in Bathurst but when it was found that the flour was affecting his lungs, he gave up that position and joined the Department of Railways in 1924 as a cleaner in Bathurst and worked at Cowra and Temora in that capacity.(2) In 1927 he was promoted to a fireman at Cowra where he met his wife Alice Keys, who was born at Ariah Park, and they were married at Cowra on 19th October, 1929. Later Lance was transferred to Cootamundra. Their only daughter, Joan Ann, was born at Murrumburrah on 2nd May 1930.

Lance continued to work at Cootamundra till his death in Sydney on 22nd June 1937 at the age of 37 years. Alice went back to Bathurst to live and later Joan and her husband Ted, moved to Wamberal, N.S.W. and Alice lived with them where she died on 15th February 1978.

An article in a church paper in Bathurst written by Ven. Archdeacon Needham in 1937 read as follows and shows something of the character of Lance that endeared him to his family and friends.(3)

From Generation to Generation.

For many years that this congregation can remember the Appleby family has been a living part of this parish. The generation that has passed away played an active and useful part in its life  and work; and this is equally true of the present generation and of the young people growing up. Mr. Louis (sic.) Appleby is not only honorary treasurer but also a mainstay of the choir; his elder brother, Percy, until his work called him elsewhere was our unusually competent choirmaster; moreover young Lois of the third generation sings in the choir and plays the piano for the Sunday school. Since this family has been so long well known and valued by all, it is not surprising that a deep and general sadness came as a cloud upon us all with the news of the unexpected passing onwards of Lance Appleby at the early age of 37 years.

He had been born and bred in this parish and here he has been nurtured in the fear and love of God, and while here had given of his best to the life and work of St. Barnabas Church; not the least valuable contribution that he made sprang from his native high spirits and good humour, for he was full of life and fun, bringing brightness into the dullest company. We cannot explain why he was taken so soon from his wife and child who seemed to need him sorely, but the wise God, who makes no mistakes no doubt has a nobler part for him to play in the richer life of the Unseen Home. May the Great Comforter be what He alone can be to those bereaved of this promising young man.

Lance belonged to and sang in Bathurst and Cowra Musical Societies.

 REFERENCES

1. Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Bathurst. NSW.
2. Service records, Archives, State Rail Authority, Sydney.
3. From the Family Scrap Book.
   
   

NEXT PAGE

Home