Thursday, March 23, 2023

Kitty Harris Townson and Margaret O'Riordan Hamilton of Koo Wee Rup

When the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital at  Koo Wee Rup opened on Wednesday, May 23, 1923 there was an extensive report in the Koo Wee Rup Sun (read it here). This line caught my interest -  Mrs M. Hamilton then declared open a ward to the memory of the late Mrs Townson.  This post looks at the lives of these two women. 

Kitty Townson

Kate Dyson Townson, known as Kitty, was born on July 11, 1881, the eldest of the six children of  William Harris (1846-1914) and his wife Mary Augusta Derrick (1860-1940). (1).  Kitty's great-grandfather, Thomas Derrick, was one of the original settlers at Kew, and her grandfather, Samuel Derrick, owned a farm on Bulleen Road (now High Street) in Kew, before he moved to Lancefield around 1880. Samuel's sister, Ellen Quick, who died at the age of 36 in March 1859, was the first person to be buried in the Boroondara Cemetery; she left behind four young children. Samuel's wife, Mary, also died young, at only 37. In March 1871, Mary was found in a waterhole on the farm at Kew and could not be revived. The Inquest returned a verdict of accidental death. Mary had been on the point of giving birth to a child and the baby also did not survive. Mary left behind eight children aged between 18 years and 2 years old (2). 

Kitty was born at Lancefield and her birth was followed by her siblings, William Howarth (1883-1926), Ruby Mary (1885-?), Samuel Derrick (1887-1888), John Samuel (1893-1961) and Tom Derrick (1897-1973). Her father, William, was a Music Teacher.  Around September 1900, William and Mary left Lancefield for Kerang, where he had accepted the offer of an extensive practice at Kerang and Pyramid Hill.  Kitty stayed in Lancefield to continue her duties of music teaching. (3).

Around 1910, Kitty moved to Cranbourne where she was listed in the Electoral Roll as a Music Teacher. She had this same address until 1916, however it appears she may have moved to Koo Wee Rup earlier than this, according to some of the reports, below, of her activities in the local area. 


Miss Harris supplies excellent music
South Bourke and Mornington Journal, October 13, 1910 



Kitty Harris' successful students
Lang Lang Guardian December 22, 1915  


More successful students
South Bourke and Mornington Journal January 25, 1917 



An excellent programme organised by Kitty
South Bourke and Mornington Journal March 14, 1918  

Why did  Kitty move from Lancefield to Cranbourne? It may have been because her brother, John, was  living in Yannathan around this time, although his address in the Electoral Rolls was actually Kerang, and his occupation was a Law clerk; however this report from the Koo Wee Rup Sun, of November 1918, claims him as a Yannathan soldier.


John Harris' brush with death
Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 6, 1918 

Whatever the reason for her move, Kitty was a popular personality in the area and on December 29, 1917 she married Henry John Townson at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newport. One of the witnesses was Mary O'Riordan, more of whom below (4). Local historian David Mickle, describes Harry (as he was known) as a popular young storekeeper who worked at O'Riordan's store at Koo Wee Rup (5). The marriage certificate lists her age as 31 and his as 27; his age was correct but she was actually 36. Harry had been born in 1890 in Kilmore as Henry John Banks, to Sarah Banks and father 'unknown'. (6). 


Kitty organises a concert for the Bush Nursing Association
Koo Wee Rup Sun May 7, 1919, p. 1

Sadly, the marriage was cut short by the premature death of Kitty, who died of Spanish Influenza on June 12, 1919, when she was only 37,the same age as her grandmother, Mary Derrick and just one year older than her great-aunt, Ellen Quick (7).  We turn to David Mickle again who wrote - She had been a popular musician and played at most concerts and dances. Her death meant  a great loss to the town and everyone felt very sad about Harry's bereavement. (8).

Her Obituary from the Koo Wee Rup Sun (9)  is transcribed here. 
The news of the death of Mrs (“Kitty”) Townson, briefly referred to in our last issue, has been received everywhere with great sorrow. There was not a more popular and deeply loved lady throughout the whole shire, and her death leaves a wide gap which will be hard to fill. The deceased lady, by her charming personality and unaffected good nature, kind and charitable disposition, endeared herself to all who knew her. When her services for sweet Charity were required they were always given with a smile. Her name will always  be revered while there are loving hearts to beat and memory exists.

Truly the removal of this sweet woman from our midst amply demonstrates the axiom that -
Kind hearts are more than coronets
And simple faith than Norman blood.

The late Mrs Townson attended her last public function at the Five Mile on Friday night, June 6, and presented her last programme. This function is destined to be a memorable one, as it was the precursor of much pain and sorrow, and the removal from our midst of several residents  whose deaths are deeply deplored. On Saturday Mrs Townson took ill, and she lingered up to Thursday afternoon, when she passed peacefully away at the age of 37years. The deepest sympathy is felt for her sorrowing husband, who was ill in bed, but is now fortunately recovering. To Mrs Harris also the utmost sympathy is extended in the loss of a loving daughter.

The funeral took place on Friday, the remains being interred in the Pakenham Cemetery. A large concourse followed the remains to their last resting place. It is certain that the cortege would have been much larger had the event been more widely known. The Rev. E.J. Evans read the Anglican burial service at the graveside. There were a large number of floral offerings. Amongst the mourners were Messrs Tom Harris and W.H. Harris, brothers of the deceased. The scene at the graveside was very affecting.  The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr O. Smith, of Pakenham.

It was interesting that Kitty had an Anglican Burial Service but was married in a Catholic Church; I presume Harry was a Catholic. The details of Harry's life after the death of his wife have proved somewhat elusive. At some time he left Koo Wee Rup and in 1923 he married Elizabeth Auld Kipling. In the 1927 Electoral Roll he is listed at 26 The Esplanade, St Kilda. In 1931, the couple were at 116 Harold Street in Middle Park and he also operated a grocery store in Victoria Street, Malvern. There were no children from either marriage and I believe he died in 1931 (10). 

Margaret Hamilton

Margaret Mary O'Riordan was born December 3, 1884, in Bordertown, South Australia to John and Elizabeth (nee O'Callaghan) O'Riordan. The family then moved to Victoria where Mary, known as Mollie, was born in 1887 and then Joseph Leonard (1890-1892). The last three children were born at Koo Wee Rup, where their father had opened the first store, in Station Street. John Leslie O'Riordan was born on August 26, 1892, the first white child born in Koo Wee Rup,  and he was followed by Eileen (1895 -1899), and Joseph in 1899 (11). 


 Jim and Joe Moore, Joe Morrison (Blacksmith), Margaret Hamilton, Les O'Riordan.  Mid 1920s. In the entrance to O'Riordan's Store, the picket fence is of the attached residence. Station Street, Koo Wee Rup, Royal Hotel in background. 
Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society photo.


O'Riordan's Store and residence; Margaret Hamilton's Post Office, Station Street, August 1924 flood.
Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society photo.

Margaret's husband, Henry Campbell Hamilton (SN 4719) enlisted on January 14, 1916 at the age of 39 and his occupation was 'Manager, General Store' and his next of kin was his 'friend', Miss O'Riordan of Koo Wee Rup (12). Miss O'Riordan soon became his wife as they were married on January 29, 1916 at the Catholic Church in Koo Wee Rup. Henry was listed in the 1914 and 1916 Electoral Rolls as a 'horse trainer' and I assume that he managed O'Riordan's store (where Harry Townson also worked); so did he get that job when he became sweet on Miss O'Riordan or did he get into the family business after they started going out? Perhaps being the manager of a general store provided a more consistent income than being a horse trainer.


Wedding notice of Margaret and Henry
The Argus February 26, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2092162

The Lang Lang Guardian (13) had this lovely report of their wedding. Mollie O'Riordan was her bridesmaid, she also did the honours for Kitty Harris the next year; and Kitty played the Wedding March at the service.
A very quiet wedding ceremony was performed at St John's R. C. Church, Kooweerup, on the 29th ult., The Church was nicely decorated by the lady friends of the bride and although the day was wet and stormy, a large number of friends attended the service. The contracting parties were Miss Maggie O'Riordan and Mr Henry Hamilton, the Rev. Father Cusack was the officiating priest. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr J. L. O'Riordan, and Miss Mary O'Riordan, sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid. Mr F. Ellis being best man. The bride was daintily gowned in white embroidered organdi muslin over white silk, and wore a pink crepe de chine hat with white lancer plume. The bridesmaid was gowned in white embroidered voile. As the bridal party left the church amidst showers of confetti, Miss K. Harris played the beautiful wedding march. A reception and breakfast was given at the Coffee Palace, where the toast of the 'Bride and Bridegroom' was ably proposed by Father Cusack, and responded to by the bridegroom. The bridesmaid's toast, proposed by Mr Barlow was responded to by Mr F. Ellis. The presents were both numerous and costly. The happy couple left by the evening train for their honeymoon, amidst showers of confetti and rice, and as the train was about to start their many friends sang 'For they are jolly good fellows.'

Their daughter, Mary, was born in 1917, and she was to be their only child as Henry sadly, Died of Wounds, on October 8, 1917, sustained whilst fighting in France. As Henry had embarked in July 1916 for service overseas, he would never have met his little girl.


The many death notices for Henry Hamilton. Alice and Denis McNamara had the Royal Hotel at Koo Wee Rup, interesting that they are related to Henry, I'll work out the connection one day.
The Argus, October 27, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1659082

Mrs Hamilton died on July 20, 1938 at the age of 53. Her Obituary from the Koo Wee Rup Sun (14) is transcribed here. 

Obituary - Mrs M. Hamilton 

It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of Mrs Margaret Hamilton, which sad event occurred at 5.30 a.m Wednesday at the home of her sister, Mrs A. Grantley, Kooweerup. Deceased was the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs O’Riordan, pioneers of this district, and was born at Bordertown, S.A. Her husband, Mr Henry Campbell Hamilton, was killed in action in 1917. For the past 30 years  the deceased had capably performed the duties of post-mistress at Kooweerup, and through this office as well as the great interest she had at all times taken in movements  in the interest of the district and in charitable causes she had gained the friendship and love of all with whom she had come in contact, and the news of her demise has naturally created quite  a gloom over a very wide area. Deceased, who had been ailing for the past two years, had so bravely borne her suffering that to many her demise was anything but expected. She leaves a daughter (Mary), two brothers (John and Joseph), and one sister (Mrs A. Grantley) to mourn her great loss. The internment will take place in the Dandenong Cemetery to-day (Thursday), the cortege leaving St. John’s Church, Kooweerup, after Requiem Mass has concluded at 10 a.m. 

Mrs Hamilton also had an obituary in The Advocate (15) -
Mrs. Margaret Hamilton, of Kooweerup, passed to her eternal reward on Wednesday, July 20. She was the widow of the late Mr. H. C. Hamilton (killed in France) and loving mother of Mary, dearly beloved sister of Mollie (Mrs. Grantley), John Leslie and Joseph O'Riordan. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. John's, Kooweerup, by Rev. J. McNamara, and was attended by a large congregation. The funeral was the largest ever seen in the district. The service at the graveside was read by Rev. Fr. McNamara, assisted by Rev. Fr. Cremin, P.P.; Rev. Fr. Joyce, P.P.; Rev. Frs. H. Ellis, W. Rovira, O'Sullivan. R.I.P

You can imagine what a sad, but proud, occasion the opening of the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital must have been for Margaret Hamilton, having to open a ward in honour of her late friend, Kitty Townson, and also having to see the Memorial plaque unveiled for the fallen soldiers, including her late husband, Henry (16)


Footnotes
(1) Birth certificate
(2) Kew Rate Books on Ancestry.com; Samuel Derrick's obituary Weekly Times April 2, 1910, see here; I have written about Ellen Quick and the Boroondara Cemetery, here; Mary Derrick - her maiden name is listed variously as Lehmann, Leman and Layman. Report of her death South Bourke Standard, March 10, 1871, see here and report of her Inquest The Herald, March 10, 1871, see here.
(3) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Death and Marriages; Kerang Times, September 14, 1900, see here.
(4) Marriage certificate
(5) Mickle, David J Mickle Memories of Koo-Wee-Rup (The Author, 1983), p. 63 
(6) Marriage certificate, Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.
(7) Death certificate
(8) Mickle, op. cit., p 63
(9) Koo Wee Rup Sun, June 18, 1919, page 1.
(10) Elizabeth Auld Townson died in 1937 and there was no mention of Harry in her death notice (The Age, August 31, 1937, see here). Also,  the 1937 Electoral Roll showed she was living (without Harry) at 317 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, which was her brother's address according to the death notice. The Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of July 2, 1931, see here, had the following notice -

Does this meant he was insolvent or that he had died? Either way, it's the last reference to Harry I can find. 

(11) Genealogy SA https://www.genealogysa.org.au; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Death and Marriages; Mickle, op.,cit pp 19 and 36. John O'Riordan died September 17, 1901 and Elizabeth died March 9, 1910. 

The Argus September 18, 1901 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9608585



Mary, known as Mollie, and Kitty's bridesmaid, married Alan Grantley in 1924. She died in 1980, aged 93. John Leslie (known as Les) O'Riordan married Margaret Colvin in 1918, and they lived at Mallow, in Rossiter Road, now the headquarters and Museum of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society. The house was built by her father, John Colvin.  Les died in October 1978 and Margaret in October 1955. I have written about Les, here. Joseph O'Riordan, born in 1899, died in 1957, I don't know if he ever married. 
(12) Attestation papers, National Archives of Australia, see here.
(13) Lang Lang Guardian, February 9, 1916, see here.
(14) Koo Wee Rup Sun,  July 21, 1938, page 1, 
(15) The Advocate, September 1, 1938, see here.
(16) Read about the Memorial plaque, here

No comments:

Post a Comment