Mary Elizabeth PATCH was born on the 25th of October 1891 at Cooyar Station, near Emu Creek in Queensland. Her parents were Thomas Joseph PATCH and Elizabeth CONNORS.The following advertisement appeared in the Brisbane Courier of Wednesday 9 December 1891;
PATCH - On the 25th October, at Cooyar Station, the wife of Thomas Patch, of a daughter. Both doing well.
Her early days were spent working the land with her family on Roslyn Station at Emu Creek.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Friday, 12 March 2010
William Thomas O'NEILL 1888-1969
William Thomas "Nugget" O'NEILL was born in the Tamworth NSW region on the 16th of December 1888( *exact location to be determined by birth cert - on order - possibly Pine Hills Estate as were his siblings). He was the third born child (and second son) of Patrick Joseph O'NEILL and Christina Janet PAT(T)ERSON.
William's father Patrick died of throat cancer when he was only three years old. His mother Christina never re-married, so presumably brought up the children by herself, and probably with assistance from her extended family members.
Like his two brothers, Ernest and Leslie, William moved north to Queensland.
William met Mary Elizabeth PATCH, and they were married at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Toowoomba on the 24th of November, 1914. Mary's parents were farmers on Roslyn Station at Emu Creek, a settlement about 78km north of Toowoomba.
After their marriage, William and Mary lived at Killarney, Kooralgin and Kangaroo Flat where William was a timber-feller.
The National Archives war records for all three O'Neill sons indicate that they were all born at Crows Nest, a town approximately 44km north of Toowoomba.
In 1922 they journeyed with their friends, Mr and Mrs Archie Watts to Bonalbo in New South Wales, a town about 45km north east of Casino. Travelling by buggy, and with three small children and a baby, the trip took three days.
Two subsequent children were born at Bonalbo. It was when riding home from attending one of the births of these children, that Dr Willis was killed in an accident.
William was employed by the Bonalbo Timber Company until his retirement.
His wife Mary passed away in 1960. After her death he kept himself busy with lawn bowls and family holidays, including visits to his sister May in Newcastle.
William passed away on the 24th of November 1969, at St Vincent's Hospital at Lismore, the hospital two of his daughters had previously worked at as nurses.
There was a requiem mass celebrated in his honour, and he was buried at Bonalbo Cemetery on Tuesday, 25th of November 1969.
The following obituary appeared in the Northern Star 20th August 1970 edition;
"MR W. T. O'NEILL
The death occurred in St Vincent's Hospital Lismore, of Mr. William Thomas O'Neill, at the age of 80. Mr O'Neill's wife, Mary, predeceased him in 1960.
The O'Neill family came to Bonalbo with the late Mr. and Mrs. Archie Watts in 1921.
Until retirement Mr O'Neill was employed by the Bonalbo Timber Co. In later years he became a keen bowler, and holidayed with members of his family and with his only surviving sister, May in Newcastle.
Mr O'Neill is survived by his children, Nell (Mrs. P Laughren, Nambour), Tom (Ballina),Frank (Brisbane), John (Bonalbo), Mary (Mrs. F. L. Cawley, Ballina), Peg (Mrs. R Hannan, Sydney)."
**Shell record only - all certificates still to come **
*Birth certificate ordered 13/3/10
William's father Patrick died of throat cancer when he was only three years old. His mother Christina never re-married, so presumably brought up the children by herself, and probably with assistance from her extended family members.
Like his two brothers, Ernest and Leslie, William moved north to Queensland.
William met Mary Elizabeth PATCH, and they were married at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Toowoomba on the 24th of November, 1914. Mary's parents were farmers on Roslyn Station at Emu Creek, a settlement about 78km north of Toowoomba.
After their marriage, William and Mary lived at Killarney, Kooralgin and Kangaroo Flat where William was a timber-feller.
The National Archives war records for all three O'Neill sons indicate that they were all born at Crows Nest, a town approximately 44km north of Toowoomba.
In 1922 they journeyed with their friends, Mr and Mrs Archie Watts to Bonalbo in New South Wales, a town about 45km north east of Casino. Travelling by buggy, and with three small children and a baby, the trip took three days.
Two subsequent children were born at Bonalbo. It was when riding home from attending one of the births of these children, that Dr Willis was killed in an accident.
William was employed by the Bonalbo Timber Company until his retirement.
His wife Mary passed away in 1960. After her death he kept himself busy with lawn bowls and family holidays, including visits to his sister May in Newcastle.
William passed away on the 24th of November 1969, at St Vincent's Hospital at Lismore, the hospital two of his daughters had previously worked at as nurses.
There was a requiem mass celebrated in his honour, and he was buried at Bonalbo Cemetery on Tuesday, 25th of November 1969.
The following obituary appeared in the Northern Star 20th August 1970 edition;
"MR W. T. O'NEILL
The death occurred in St Vincent's Hospital Lismore, of Mr. William Thomas O'Neill, at the age of 80. Mr O'Neill's wife, Mary, predeceased him in 1960.
The O'Neill family came to Bonalbo with the late Mr. and Mrs. Archie Watts in 1921.
Until retirement Mr O'Neill was employed by the Bonalbo Timber Co. In later years he became a keen bowler, and holidayed with members of his family and with his only surviving sister, May in Newcastle.
Mr O'Neill is survived by his children, Nell (Mrs. P Laughren, Nambour), Tom (Ballina),Frank (Brisbane), John (Bonalbo), Mary (Mrs. F. L. Cawley, Ballina), Peg (Mrs. R Hannan, Sydney)."
**Shell record only - all certificates still to come **
*Birth certificate ordered 13/3/10
Thursday, 27 November 2008
May Gertrude Jeseline O'NEILL 1887-1983
May Gertrude Jeseline O'NEILL was born at the Pine Hills Estate, near Carroll, between Tamworth and Gunnedah on the 8th of May, 1887. She was the second-born child and only daughter of Patrick Joseph O'NEILL and Christina Janet PAT(T)ERSON.Her birth was witnessed by Mrs Walker, as was her brother's, twenty one months before her.
May's father Patrick died of throat cancer when she was only five years old. May's mother Christina never re-married, so presumably brought up the children by herself, and probably with assistance from her extended family members.
May never married, and does not seem to have had an occupation - perhaps she was a housekeeper of sorts.I have not been able to find much information on May. May's mother Christina resided in Manilla, and passed away there in June of 1919. The 1930, 1936 and 1943 New South Wales Electoral rolls show May living at Namoi Street, Manilla, and having the occupation of "home duties".
The 1949 electoral roll shows her living in Bonalbo NSW, the same town as her brother William. During that same year, she appears to have moved to Newcastle with another entry on the electoral roll for 1949 showing her living at 56 Margaret St, Mayfield. The 1954 electoral roll shows May living a few houses up from her previous address, at 28 Margaret St, Mayfield. Googlemaps reveal these to be standard Newcastle small weatherboard houses - I'm yet to discover if she was staying with relatives. After the death of her brother William's wife Mary, William would often visit May in Newcastle. William passed away in 1969, and May remained the last of her direct family alive.
The Newcastle Crematorium records show May as passing away in September of 1983 at the impressive age of 96. At the time she resided at St Joseph's Home at Sandgate, a Catholic Nursing Home.
Birth certificate on file.
With thanks to Jenny McCarthy for her Newcastle Crematorium look-up.
May's father Patrick died of throat cancer when she was only five years old. May's mother Christina never re-married, so presumably brought up the children by herself, and probably with assistance from her extended family members.
May never married, and does not seem to have had an occupation - perhaps she was a housekeeper of sorts.I have not been able to find much information on May. May's mother Christina resided in Manilla, and passed away there in June of 1919. The 1930, 1936 and 1943 New South Wales Electoral rolls show May living at Namoi Street, Manilla, and having the occupation of "home duties".
The 1949 electoral roll shows her living in Bonalbo NSW, the same town as her brother William. During that same year, she appears to have moved to Newcastle with another entry on the electoral roll for 1949 showing her living at 56 Margaret St, Mayfield. The 1954 electoral roll shows May living a few houses up from her previous address, at 28 Margaret St, Mayfield. Googlemaps reveal these to be standard Newcastle small weatherboard houses - I'm yet to discover if she was staying with relatives. After the death of her brother William's wife Mary, William would often visit May in Newcastle. William passed away in 1969, and May remained the last of her direct family alive.
The Newcastle Crematorium records show May as passing away in September of 1983 at the impressive age of 96. At the time she resided at St Joseph's Home at Sandgate, a Catholic Nursing Home.
Birth certificate on file.
With thanks to Jenny McCarthy for her Newcastle Crematorium look-up.
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Ronald Francis O'NEILL 1919-1976
According to Ronald's military attestation papers, he was born on the 18th April, 1919, in Townsville, Queensland.
He was the second-born child of Ernest Vincent O'NEILL and Florence TOPLIS.
The first public records I have discovered for Ronald are his WWII military records available on-line at the National Archives of Australia. There are two separate records. I have applied to have one digitalized, which should occur shortly.
The other set of records includes only two scanned pages, but does give me some initial information to work with.
The attestation papers to enter the military are dated 16th September, 1940. Ronald's occupation is listed as Hide Salter, presumably in relation to the Merinda Meatworks. He is unmarried at this date, and his postal address is C/- Post Office, Merinda. Ronald signed up for three years in the Militia, and his attestation papers were witnessed by Captain J.R.M. McCabe (James Ronald) of the 31st Battalion at Bowen.
His height was listed at 5' 8", with his weight at 142 pounds (approx 65kg).He had brown eyes and brown hair, with a scar on his right foot and leg, and no disability.
His father Ernest was listed as his next-of-kin.
The World War II Nominal Roll record shows Ronald being finally discharged on March 29th, 1946, with his final unit being the 31/51 Australian Infantry Battalion.
The Australian War Memorial site has a comprehensive history of this unit and their place in the war. Please read about it here:
Ronald Francis O'Neill passed away on the 22nd of May, 1976 at Bowen Hospital, aged 57.
In the subsequent months (I believe July 1976, actual date unavailable), the following obituary appeared in the Bowen Independent:
"Ronald Francis O'Neill
Bowen has had few more popular citizens that Ronald Francis ("Peggy") O'Neill who passed away on 22nd May at Bowen Hospital, and few have been faced with greater equanamity than he did, when told that he was suffering from a terminal illness which gave him only a short time to live. Ron went calmly about the necessary business of finalising his affairs so that no worry would be occasioned to his loved ones, collected his termination pay at Bowen Freezing Works as cheerfully as if he were going on holiday, and entered hospital prepared to die with a calmness of spirit that was an inspiration to all who knew him.
Ron was born at Townsville on a Good Friday, into a family with a strong Christian faith. His father, the late Ernest O'Neill, was a carpenter and boat builder at Rooney's Mill beside Ross Creek where the family lived in what had been a shearing shed way out at Prairie before it was moved to Townsville. Later they moved to Sellheim, where Mr O'Neill was employed at the old Burdekin Meatworks. When Borthwicks took it over he was one of the old hands retained, and he moved with his family to Bowen when the firm acquired the Merinda meatworks, and styled it the Bowen Freezing Works.
Ron was still a schoolboy at this stage, attending the Christian Brothers School at Townsville and on completing his education he also joined the staff of Borthwicks, and worked at various departments at Merinda until just before the Second World War, when he was sent to the firm's Melbourne works to gain carpentering experience. On his return he volunteered for war service, and joined the 31st Battalion. It was later merged with the 51st to become the 31/51 Battalion A.I.F., and with it he saw active service in Dutch New Guinea and Bougainville as a despatch rider and Bren gunner. His comrades found him to be a good fighting soldier, which was not surprising when it is recalled that his maternal great-grandfather was one of two Victoria Cross winners at the Battle of Rourke's Drift, starting the Zulu War in South Africa, when a handful of British regular soldiers fought off ten thousand Zulu warriors. The episode was recently recalled in the film "Zulu". The V.C. was later pawned when its winner went broke in civilian life running one of the picture panorama shows that preceded moving pictures, and the medal is now in the United States. Ron's grandfather was a tug skipper on the Mersey, and on his death his widow migrated to Australia with her seven young children and valiantly established them in their new land. One of them was Ron's mother, who was then 15 and a student attendant at the Manchester Art Gallery. She is still active and still noted for her artistic talents.
With a name like O'Neill, Ron could only attract one nickname in the Army, and he was known as "Peggy" from the time he joined until his discharge, and ever after by fellow Bowenites who served with him. But apart from his courage, he will be remembered by them for his happy ways, and for his cheerful optimism. As a "Don R" he would roar into camp on his big Harley Davidson motorcycle and lift the morale of the troops with optimistic rumours of an early return home or of leave to come. Such men were invaluable in any unit in the darker days of wartime service, and did more than their share for the war effort.
Returning to civilian life, Ron joined his father at Merinda as a works carpenter, where until his death he was to endear himself to every member of the staff and workforce by his cheerful good natured ways. His father predeceased him in 1952.
Ron married a Bowen girl, Miss Rosemary Pascoe, after the war, and is survived by her and two daughters, Colleen Tait (Melbourne) and Bronwyn (Bowen) and by his mother, to all of whom sincere sympathy is extended. One sister predeceased him. Throughout his married life Ron lived only for his family and his home, and his main pastime was fishing, which he loved to the point that he would have been happy to die with a line in his hand. He was noted for his many kindnesses to others and his thoughtfulness for those less fortunate. Truly one of nature's gentlemen, and one who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Holy Trinity Church was filled to overflowing when Ron's funeral service was held on 25th May, and the cortege was one of the largest seen in Bowen, as friends flocked to pay a last tribute to a good mate."
*With thanks to
1) National Archives of Australia war record digitalization service
2) State Library of Queensland "Ask a Librarian" Service.
He was the second-born child of Ernest Vincent O'NEILL and Florence TOPLIS.
The first public records I have discovered for Ronald are his WWII military records available on-line at the National Archives of Australia. There are two separate records. I have applied to have one digitalized, which should occur shortly.
The other set of records includes only two scanned pages, but does give me some initial information to work with.
The attestation papers to enter the military are dated 16th September, 1940. Ronald's occupation is listed as Hide Salter, presumably in relation to the Merinda Meatworks. He is unmarried at this date, and his postal address is C/- Post Office, Merinda. Ronald signed up for three years in the Militia, and his attestation papers were witnessed by Captain J.R.M. McCabe (James Ronald) of the 31st Battalion at Bowen.
His height was listed at 5' 8", with his weight at 142 pounds (approx 65kg).He had brown eyes and brown hair, with a scar on his right foot and leg, and no disability.
His father Ernest was listed as his next-of-kin.
The World War II Nominal Roll record shows Ronald being finally discharged on March 29th, 1946, with his final unit being the 31/51 Australian Infantry Battalion.
The Australian War Memorial site has a comprehensive history of this unit and their place in the war. Please read about it here:
Ronald Francis O'Neill passed away on the 22nd of May, 1976 at Bowen Hospital, aged 57.
In the subsequent months (I believe July 1976, actual date unavailable), the following obituary appeared in the Bowen Independent:
"Ronald Francis O'Neill
Bowen has had few more popular citizens that Ronald Francis ("Peggy") O'Neill who passed away on 22nd May at Bowen Hospital, and few have been faced with greater equanamity than he did, when told that he was suffering from a terminal illness which gave him only a short time to live. Ron went calmly about the necessary business of finalising his affairs so that no worry would be occasioned to his loved ones, collected his termination pay at Bowen Freezing Works as cheerfully as if he were going on holiday, and entered hospital prepared to die with a calmness of spirit that was an inspiration to all who knew him.
Ron was born at Townsville on a Good Friday, into a family with a strong Christian faith. His father, the late Ernest O'Neill, was a carpenter and boat builder at Rooney's Mill beside Ross Creek where the family lived in what had been a shearing shed way out at Prairie before it was moved to Townsville. Later they moved to Sellheim, where Mr O'Neill was employed at the old Burdekin Meatworks. When Borthwicks took it over he was one of the old hands retained, and he moved with his family to Bowen when the firm acquired the Merinda meatworks, and styled it the Bowen Freezing Works.
Ron was still a schoolboy at this stage, attending the Christian Brothers School at Townsville and on completing his education he also joined the staff of Borthwicks, and worked at various departments at Merinda until just before the Second World War, when he was sent to the firm's Melbourne works to gain carpentering experience. On his return he volunteered for war service, and joined the 31st Battalion. It was later merged with the 51st to become the 31/51 Battalion A.I.F., and with it he saw active service in Dutch New Guinea and Bougainville as a despatch rider and Bren gunner. His comrades found him to be a good fighting soldier, which was not surprising when it is recalled that his maternal great-grandfather was one of two Victoria Cross winners at the Battle of Rourke's Drift, starting the Zulu War in South Africa, when a handful of British regular soldiers fought off ten thousand Zulu warriors. The episode was recently recalled in the film "Zulu". The V.C. was later pawned when its winner went broke in civilian life running one of the picture panorama shows that preceded moving pictures, and the medal is now in the United States. Ron's grandfather was a tug skipper on the Mersey, and on his death his widow migrated to Australia with her seven young children and valiantly established them in their new land. One of them was Ron's mother, who was then 15 and a student attendant at the Manchester Art Gallery. She is still active and still noted for her artistic talents.
With a name like O'Neill, Ron could only attract one nickname in the Army, and he was known as "Peggy" from the time he joined until his discharge, and ever after by fellow Bowenites who served with him. But apart from his courage, he will be remembered by them for his happy ways, and for his cheerful optimism. As a "Don R" he would roar into camp on his big Harley Davidson motorcycle and lift the morale of the troops with optimistic rumours of an early return home or of leave to come. Such men were invaluable in any unit in the darker days of wartime service, and did more than their share for the war effort.
Returning to civilian life, Ron joined his father at Merinda as a works carpenter, where until his death he was to endear himself to every member of the staff and workforce by his cheerful good natured ways. His father predeceased him in 1952.
Ron married a Bowen girl, Miss Rosemary Pascoe, after the war, and is survived by her and two daughters, Colleen Tait (Melbourne) and Bronwyn (Bowen) and by his mother, to all of whom sincere sympathy is extended. One sister predeceased him. Throughout his married life Ron lived only for his family and his home, and his main pastime was fishing, which he loved to the point that he would have been happy to die with a line in his hand. He was noted for his many kindnesses to others and his thoughtfulness for those less fortunate. Truly one of nature's gentlemen, and one who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Holy Trinity Church was filled to overflowing when Ron's funeral service was held on 25th May, and the cortege was one of the largest seen in Bowen, as friends flocked to pay a last tribute to a good mate."
*With thanks to
1) National Archives of Australia war record digitalization service
2) State Library of Queensland "Ask a Librarian" Service.
Mavis TOPLIS ?-1918
Mavis TOPLIS was the first born child of Ernest Vincent O'NEILL and Florence TOPLIS.
She died as an infant in 1918. I have received the death certificate for Mavis, but i cannot locate it at the moment. Her cause of death was infantile tetanus. The certificate states she was 7 years old, but that does not make any sense at all. It was more likely seven days old.
As a side note, I've found that the Queensland certificates are full of transcription errors.
She died as an infant in 1918. I have received the death certificate for Mavis, but i cannot locate it at the moment. Her cause of death was infantile tetanus. The certificate states she was 7 years old, but that does not make any sense at all. It was more likely seven days old.
As a side note, I've found that the Queensland certificates are full of transcription errors.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Florence TOPLIS 1894-1989
Florence TOPLIS was born on the 20th October, 1894 at 24 Dickens Street, Pendleton, Salford, part of Greater Manchester City, Lancashire. She was the third child of eight of William TOPLIS (1869 Manchester - ?) and Louisa FRODSHAM (1871 Aston, Warwickshire - 1954 Bowen QLD). William's occupation is listed as Electrician (Journeyman).
This part of suburban Pendleton does not exist any more. During the 1960s, major slum redevelopments occurred, and this area was turned into Salford Shopping City and high density, high-rise housing estates.
The 1901 Census shows Florence, aged 6, and her family living at what looks like 1 Print St, Manchester. I have had a look at the other Census pages in this area, and they are all streets close to Manchester Piccadilly Station. However, Google Maps do not show anything remotely like Print St. Florence's father William's occupation is listed as Stationery Engine Driver, and her mother's occupation as Office Cleaner. There are two young ladies living with them whose occupations are listed as General Domestics. They may well be the Toplis servants.
Florence's parents either divorced, or William passed away prior to her mother and siblings emigrating to Australia on the SS Owestry Grange. The ship arrived in Townsville from London on the 17th March 1910.
On the 19th of March 1914, Florence married 29 year old Ernest Vincent O'NEILL in the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Prairie, Queensland - a tiny little town on the Flinders Highway about 50km from Hughenden. Her marriage certificate states that at the time, Florence resided in Prairie, whilst Ernest resided in Sellheim, some 221km distance from each other. The were married according to the rites of the Church of England. The witnesses to their marriage were Michael Christian Romer (unknown) and Rosina Toplis (Florence's sister).
In 1918, the infant daughter of Ernest and Florence, Mavis, passes away from infantile tetanus (have certificate but have temporarily misplaced it).
The electoral roll for 1919 shows Ernest and Florence residing at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate, Townsville, with Florence's occupation listed as "Home Duties". 1919 also sees the arrival of their son, Ronald, born on the 18th of April of that year.
The electoral roll for 1925 shows both Ernest and Florence living at Sellheim, near Charters Towers. I would presume that Florence and family have moved here for Ernest's work reasons.
Five years later, and the O'Neills are back at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate.
In 1942, their son Ronald enlists to join the fight for empire in World War II from Merinda in Bowen.
During WW2 in the early 1940's, Flo was known to turn up on the platform of the Bowen Railway Station and serve tea and homemade cakes and biscuits to the troops as they passed through Bowen.
The 1949 electoral roll again shows family movement; this time the O'Neills are living in Bowen, Far North Queensland. Ernest was working at the Merinda Meatworks as a carpenter. The Meatworks closed in 1998 and were completely demolished in 2004.
In 1954, Florence's mother Louisa passed away in Bowen. Florence provided the certification and details on her death certificate, and stated that the O'Neills then lived at Queen's Beach, Bowen.
Florence's husband passes away on the 8th of October, 1958 in Bowen.
Florence's only living child, Ronald Francis O'Neill dies in May 1976, leaving Florence a widow, and childless.
Florence's generosity is known to many in Bowen, as she hosts afternoon teas for the children of the neighbourhood.
At the age of 94, Florence died in July 1989 in Bowen North Qld.
*With thanks to Ray & Judy Clitheroe (a Toplis descendant) and Julie Dern for BDM & burial information look-ups
*Birth Cert on file.
*Marriage Cert 1914/1818 on file.
This part of suburban Pendleton does not exist any more. During the 1960s, major slum redevelopments occurred, and this area was turned into Salford Shopping City and high density, high-rise housing estates.
The 1901 Census shows Florence, aged 6, and her family living at what looks like 1 Print St, Manchester. I have had a look at the other Census pages in this area, and they are all streets close to Manchester Piccadilly Station. However, Google Maps do not show anything remotely like Print St. Florence's father William's occupation is listed as Stationery Engine Driver, and her mother's occupation as Office Cleaner. There are two young ladies living with them whose occupations are listed as General Domestics. They may well be the Toplis servants.
Florence's parents either divorced, or William passed away prior to her mother and siblings emigrating to Australia on the SS Owestry Grange. The ship arrived in Townsville from London on the 17th March 1910.
On the 19th of March 1914, Florence married 29 year old Ernest Vincent O'NEILL in the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Prairie, Queensland - a tiny little town on the Flinders Highway about 50km from Hughenden. Her marriage certificate states that at the time, Florence resided in Prairie, whilst Ernest resided in Sellheim, some 221km distance from each other. The were married according to the rites of the Church of England. The witnesses to their marriage were Michael Christian Romer (unknown) and Rosina Toplis (Florence's sister).
In 1918, the infant daughter of Ernest and Florence, Mavis, passes away from infantile tetanus (have certificate but have temporarily misplaced it).
The electoral roll for 1919 shows Ernest and Florence residing at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate, Townsville, with Florence's occupation listed as "Home Duties". 1919 also sees the arrival of their son, Ronald, born on the 18th of April of that year.
The electoral roll for 1925 shows both Ernest and Florence living at Sellheim, near Charters Towers. I would presume that Florence and family have moved here for Ernest's work reasons.
Five years later, and the O'Neills are back at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate.
In 1942, their son Ronald enlists to join the fight for empire in World War II from Merinda in Bowen.
During WW2 in the early 1940's, Flo was known to turn up on the platform of the Bowen Railway Station and serve tea and homemade cakes and biscuits to the troops as they passed through Bowen.
The 1949 electoral roll again shows family movement; this time the O'Neills are living in Bowen, Far North Queensland. Ernest was working at the Merinda Meatworks as a carpenter. The Meatworks closed in 1998 and were completely demolished in 2004.
In 1954, Florence's mother Louisa passed away in Bowen. Florence provided the certification and details on her death certificate, and stated that the O'Neills then lived at Queen's Beach, Bowen.
Florence's husband passes away on the 8th of October, 1958 in Bowen.
Florence's only living child, Ronald Francis O'Neill dies in May 1976, leaving Florence a widow, and childless.
Florence's generosity is known to many in Bowen, as she hosts afternoon teas for the children of the neighbourhood.
At the age of 94, Florence died in July 1989 in Bowen North Qld.
*With thanks to Ray & Judy Clitheroe (a Toplis descendant) and Julie Dern for BDM & burial information look-ups
*Birth Cert on file.
*Marriage Cert 1914/1818 on file.
Monday, 13 October 2008
Ernest Vincent O'NEILL 1885-1958
Ernest Vincent (Pop) O'NEILL was born on the 20th August 1885 in Carroll Gap, NSW, the eldest child of Patrick Joseph O'NEILL, a labourer, and Christina Janet PATERSON. Ernest's birth was witnessed by Mrs Walker, who I presume may have been the widwife of the area.
Despite Ernest being born at Carroll Gap, Ernest's father's residence was Currabubula, some 73km distance by today's roads (via Tamworth). This same situation seems to have occurred for the birth of the O'Neill's second child. Perhaps Christina travelled to where Mrs Walker lived in order to give birth. This is unclear at this stage.
Ernest's father died of throat cancer in 1892 when Ernest was 7 years old. Ernest's mother never re-married, so presumably raised the children on her own.
Family legend says there was some sort of falling out between Ernest and his family as he moved north to Queensland, and never spoke of them.
The Queensland electoral rolls then assist me in tracing Ernest's movements as an adult.
At the age of 28, we find Ernest working as a carpenter in Townsville, North Queensland, and living at the Excelsior Hotel, according to the 1913 electoral roll.
This photo of the Excelsior was taken during WWII, in the 1940s. Many thanks to Peter Dunn's "Australia at War" website.
In 1914, Ernest married a 19 year old English girl, Florence TOPLIS, at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Prairie, Queensland - a tiny little town on the Flinders Highway about 50km from Hughenden. Her marriage certificate states that at the time, Florence resided in Prairie, whilst Ernest resided in Sellheim, some 221km distance from each other. The were married according to the rites of the Church of England. The witnesses to their marriage were Michael Christian Romer (unknown) and Rosina Toplis (Florence's sister).
Florence emigrated to Australia with her mother and siblings in 1910 on board the SS Oswestry Grange ex London. She was born in Pendleton, Salford, part of Greater Manchester City in Lancashire on October 20th, 1894. Her parents were William TOPLIS and Louisa FRODSHAM. They were either divorced or William has died in the years before Florence emigrated to Australia. (More research required).
In 1918, the infant daughter of Ernest and Florence, Mavis, passes away from infantile tetanus. I have mislaid Mavis' death certificate, but it was unclear how old Mavis was. I think she may only have been a few days old.
The electoral roll for 1919 shows Ernest and Florence residing at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate, Townsville, with Ernest's occupation again listed as carpenter. 1919 also sees the arrival of their son, Ronald, born on the 18th of April of that year.
The electoral roll for 1925 shows both Ernest and Florence living at Sellheim, near Charters Towers. I would presume that Ernest and family have moved here for work reasons.
Five years later, and the O'Neills are back at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate.
In 1942, their son Ronald enlists to join the fight for empire in World War II from Merinda in Bowen.
The 1949 electoral roll again shows family movement; this time the O'Neills are living in Bowen, Far North Queensland. Ernest was working at the Merinda Meatworks as a carpenter. He retired from the Meatworks in 1953. The Meatworks closed in 1998 and were completely demolished in 2004.
In 1954, Florence's mother Louisa passed away in Bowen. Florence provided the certification and details on her death certificate, and stated that the O'Neills then lived at Queen's Beach, Bowen.
Ernest passed away suddenly on the 8th of October, 1958 at the Bowen Base Hopital. His cause of death was Cerebral Thrombosis. He was buried on October 9th, at the Bowen Cemetery.
The following notices were published in the Bowen Independent of 17th October 1958;
OBITUARY
The death occurred on 8th October of Mr. E. O'Neill. The deceased was a former Townsville resident, who later went to the Merinda Meatworks, from which he retired five years ago to his home at Queen's Beach.
THANKS
We wish to thank sincerely the business people of Bowen and Queen's Beach, workmates, close friends and firends of the late Ernest (Pop) O'Neill for the wreaths, messages of sympathy and condolences and those who helped in every way in our sudden and sad loss.
FLO, RON & ROSE O'NEILL.
*Birth Cert 1885/032925 on file
*Death Cert 1958/4309 5991 on file
*Marriage Cert 1914/1818 on file
*With thanks to the State Queensland of Library "Ask a Librarian" service for the obituary notices.
Despite Ernest being born at Carroll Gap, Ernest's father's residence was Currabubula, some 73km distance by today's roads (via Tamworth). This same situation seems to have occurred for the birth of the O'Neill's second child. Perhaps Christina travelled to where Mrs Walker lived in order to give birth. This is unclear at this stage.
Ernest's father died of throat cancer in 1892 when Ernest was 7 years old. Ernest's mother never re-married, so presumably raised the children on her own.
Family legend says there was some sort of falling out between Ernest and his family as he moved north to Queensland, and never spoke of them.
The Queensland electoral rolls then assist me in tracing Ernest's movements as an adult.
At the age of 28, we find Ernest working as a carpenter in Townsville, North Queensland, and living at the Excelsior Hotel, according to the 1913 electoral roll.
This photo of the Excelsior was taken during WWII, in the 1940s. Many thanks to Peter Dunn's "Australia at War" website.
In 1914, Ernest married a 19 year old English girl, Florence TOPLIS, at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Prairie, Queensland - a tiny little town on the Flinders Highway about 50km from Hughenden. Her marriage certificate states that at the time, Florence resided in Prairie, whilst Ernest resided in Sellheim, some 221km distance from each other. The were married according to the rites of the Church of England. The witnesses to their marriage were Michael Christian Romer (unknown) and Rosina Toplis (Florence's sister).
Florence emigrated to Australia with her mother and siblings in 1910 on board the SS Oswestry Grange ex London. She was born in Pendleton, Salford, part of Greater Manchester City in Lancashire on October 20th, 1894. Her parents were William TOPLIS and Louisa FRODSHAM. They were either divorced or William has died in the years before Florence emigrated to Australia. (More research required).
In 1918, the infant daughter of Ernest and Florence, Mavis, passes away from infantile tetanus. I have mislaid Mavis' death certificate, but it was unclear how old Mavis was. I think she may only have been a few days old.
The electoral roll for 1919 shows Ernest and Florence residing at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate, Townsville, with Ernest's occupation again listed as carpenter. 1919 also sees the arrival of their son, Ronald, born on the 18th of April of that year.
The electoral roll for 1925 shows both Ernest and Florence living at Sellheim, near Charters Towers. I would presume that Ernest and family have moved here for work reasons.
Five years later, and the O'Neills are back at Fourteenth Avenue, Railway Estate.
In 1942, their son Ronald enlists to join the fight for empire in World War II from Merinda in Bowen.
The 1949 electoral roll again shows family movement; this time the O'Neills are living in Bowen, Far North Queensland. Ernest was working at the Merinda Meatworks as a carpenter. He retired from the Meatworks in 1953. The Meatworks closed in 1998 and were completely demolished in 2004.
In 1954, Florence's mother Louisa passed away in Bowen. Florence provided the certification and details on her death certificate, and stated that the O'Neills then lived at Queen's Beach, Bowen.
Ernest passed away suddenly on the 8th of October, 1958 at the Bowen Base Hopital. His cause of death was Cerebral Thrombosis. He was buried on October 9th, at the Bowen Cemetery.
The following notices were published in the Bowen Independent of 17th October 1958;
OBITUARY
The death occurred on 8th October of Mr. E. O'Neill. The deceased was a former Townsville resident, who later went to the Merinda Meatworks, from which he retired five years ago to his home at Queen's Beach.
THANKS
We wish to thank sincerely the business people of Bowen and Queen's Beach, workmates, close friends and firends of the late Ernest (Pop) O'Neill for the wreaths, messages of sympathy and condolences and those who helped in every way in our sudden and sad loss.
FLO, RON & ROSE O'NEILL.
*Birth Cert 1885/032925 on file
*Death Cert 1958/4309 5991 on file
*Marriage Cert 1914/1818 on file
*With thanks to the State Queensland of Library "Ask a Librarian" service for the obituary notices.
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