DNA - Who Did I Think I Was?

I have been researching my Family History for some years now.  I began back in 1990 long before I had bought my first computer.  I used to go to the nearest Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints and spend at least a half day each week trawling through records on micro fiche.  I remember the excitement of finding the first names that belonged in my tree.  I originally became interested in finding out who was who in my blood line following a fall down a spiral stair case which resulted in a badly sprained ankle.  The morning after my fall my leg was black and blue and my foot right up to the shin was so swollen that it looked like an elephant's foot, so there was little else for me to do other than stay at home and rest with my foot up.  I began looking back through old photo albums and whilst doing that came across my Maternal Grandmother's original marriage certificate.  I then noticed many of the names on the certificate, some I recognised as being related to my Gran and others that I wondered about, so following my recovery set about researching into the family.

My Gran in her Wedding Dress

In 2002 I purchased my first computer and not long after I discovered the website of Ancestry.  at first I was not successful in finding any more than I had already found through the Later Day Saints Library.  As the years passed by the Ancestry web site added more and more resources and before long I was gathering more and more information.  I remember the shock of finding that my Great Great Grandfather was actually born, perhaps I should be thinking more of the shock his Mother felt when she first realised that she was a pregnant single woman!!  However as time will tell us all, if it were not for them, we would not be.
I got to the stage where I had more than 5000 people in my tree, so then sat back and relaxed somewhat, I only add more people these days when I find them practically staring me in the face!!
Earlier this year I joined Ancestry once more as I decided to do a little more on my husbands family tree, he had long since lost interest, but I think that us people who do all of this research are probably born sticky noses.   It was around that time that I began to notice Ancestry's advertisements for Ethnic DNA Testing.
What was the point in me having my Ethic DNA Tested, I knew that I was of British blood through and through, in face 75% was English and 25% Scottish, so why would I want to be tested.  Still curiosity got the better of me and off I went and purchased the testing kit, followed the directions and sent it back.  The instructions that it came with said that once received it would then be sent off to America and around six weeks later the results would come through.    The results were ready a little earlier than promised.
It is right now that I wish that I had taken science classes at high school instead of the Commercial Classes.  My Ethnic DNA results were a shock to say the least.  My 75% English and 25% Scottish or 100% British has flown right out of the window.  The new results give me 99% European consisting of 44% Western Europe being France/Holland/Germany areas bearing in mind borders have moved constantly over time.  21% Irish, 16% Scandinavia, only 9% Britain, 5% Italy/Greece, 3% Iberian Peninsula and 1% Eastern Europe followed by a final 1% from the Middle East,  some would say that makes me a mongrel, but I really think I prefer the word Hybrid.  Where did all this come from? I guess that I will never know.
Adoptions only became a legal entity in the early part of the 20th Century.  Prior to that unwanted children were most often raised as waifs, Grandmother's often raised their daughter's illegitimate offspring as their own.  Childless couples would in many cases not have hesitated to take on an unwanted babe as their own.   My own Step Father never knew during his life time that his elder sister was actually his Mother.  We could say that these were the lucky children that did not grow up in orphanages and be put out to work at ages as young as 5 years old.
The other aspect is that our Englishness began centuries ago with the movement of people across the continent and English Channel. The Vikings raided, robbed and raped around the region.  The Spanish shipwrecks along the English Coasts, The Roman occupation of England, Western European farmers and animal herders crossing the channel in search of green pastures, not to mention perhaps a dalliance with a middle eastern businessman.   Like I said earlier, we will never know.  The English Language that continues to evolve along with time is probably by today almost completely unrecognisable to what it was 500 years ago, but many of our words are sourced from French, German, and other European Languages.  Latin was once the language of those from sufficient wealth to allow an education as was Italian and Greek to a lesser extent, all of these languages probably combine to give us the language that we speak and recognise today.
I think I know who I am, just not very sure of the journey that made me who I am.

My Title

There is a little known Law in Scotland that says a person has the legitimate right to assume the title of Laird, Lord or Lady when they own a piece of Scottish Land, but it is impossible to 'buy a title'.  There are websites that claim to sell Royal titles and titles of nobility but these sites are fakes.Owners of Scottish land have the legitimate right to assume the title of Laird, Lord or Lady in place of the title of Mr, Mrs or Miss that they already use.
     I came across the website www.highlandtitles.com and thought, great, about time I was recognised as a lady, especially in this Aussie land full of yobs and boguns, so I set too and looked it all up and basically find that all is above board, by purchasing my little plot of land, I opted for the smallest piece and made my date of the bestowing of my title, the same day as my 70th birthday.  Now it appears that I cannot sell this little piece of land but I can leave it in my Will to those that will inherit from me!!!   It is one square foot of land at Glencoe Wood, Keil Hill. Highland. Scotland and is actually more about preserving land for nature than providing Titles for snobs.  Still I may buy a plot or two for some of my snobbish relatives for birthday presents!!! No they aren't really snobbish but some would be just slightly chuffed at the idea.  A really nice idea of conserving a piece of land and restoring it to it's original condition.


signed and sealed by Lady Pamela Harrod

TICKMOREND HOUSE, TICKMOREND, HORSLEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

 

Tickmorend House  circa 1867

Tickmorend House is an English Heritage Grade II Listed Building.  The listing states the property was built in the late seventeenth century.  There is very little remaining of the earlier building, it was in a derelict state and rebuilt in the 1830's.

The first recorded document referring to dwellings at Tickmorend is in 1562 but it is not possible to identify the location of the preoperties.  Various documents continue to mention Tickmorend in 1615, 1624, 1638  and 1676 but unfortunately there are no maps therefore it is not possible to pin=point houses.  The spelling of Tickmorend has had a number of changes over time: Tickmoor, Tickmore, Tickmore End, Tickmorend and finally Tickmorend.

In 1718, Tickmorend House was purchased by one Samuel Cambridge from an Nathaniel Sparks.  The Cambridge Family resided in Horsley since 1600.  Samuel Cambridge married Hester Marmon in July 1732 at St Martin's Parish Church, Horsley.

Tickmorend House remained in the Cambridge Family until 1776 when it was purchased by one John Harvey, timber merchant, who obtained a mortgage from Mark Beavington, tanner, of Chipping Campden.

John Harvey was born in 1724 in Horsley.  He was the son of William and Jane.  John Harvey married age 31, one Elizabeth Nicholls age 19 on the 28th September 1755 at St Martin's Parish Church, Horsley.  John and Elizabeth had four known children:  John in January 1756, William 1757, Edward 1760 and Hannah 1761.

Elizabeth Harvey died, age 50 on the 17th August 1777.  John Harvey senior died age 73 in 1797 and Tickmorend House passed to his surviving son John.

John and Elizabeth's son John married, age 38, to one Sarah Ball on the 26th March 1794 at St Martin's Parish Church, Horsley, John and Sarah had six known children: Hannah in 1792, Elizabeth in August 1794, Sarah in March 1798, John on the 29th November 1799, Mary in March 1803 and Harriet in November 1805.

In 1815, John Harvey age 16, fought at the Battle of Waterloo.  He was in the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards under Lieutenant Colonel Dawkin and received a Waterloo Medal.

Battle of Waterloo Medal

John Harvey died age 60 in 1816 and Tickmorend House passed to his only son John.  In the 1830's John made extensive repairs and alterations to the house.

The 1841 Horsley Census Survey Returns state;

Tickmorend House

John Harvey, head age 40, gentleman of Independent Mans.

Elizabeth Roberts, age 25 farm servant.

John Harvey married, age 48 to his servant Elizabeth Roberts, age 35 on the 26th September 1848.  Elizabeth was born in Stonehouse in 1813 but very little is known about her before her marriage.

John and Elizabeth had two children: Elizabeth Isabella on the 12th March 1859 and Sarah on the 15th June 1853.

The 1851 Horsley Census Survey Returns state:

Tickmorend House

John Harvey, head, age 50, gentleman and landed proprietor

Elizabeth Harvey, wife age 35

Elizabeth, daughter age 1

Sarah Taunilow age 15, servant.

John Harvey died age 54, on 11th January 1854 at Tickmorend House.  The will states:

I John Harvey of Tickmorend give and bequeath all my real and personnel estate to my friends Thomas Henry Kingscote and Thomas Stokes, Surgeon.  To hold in Trust and administration for my said children by my wife until they attain the age of twenty-one and to their heirs.  To give my said wife an income from my estate as long as she remains a widow.  I also give and bequeath to my natural son, John Harvey Howell nineteen guineas.

John's will was very carefully worded to ensure his wife, Elizabeth, was unable to have access to any money.  Thomas Henry Kingscote was a Colonel of the Royal North Gloucester Regiment of the Militia and resided at Rockness Hill.  Thomas Stokes was a Colonel in the Militia and a Surgeon.  The Trustees immediately applied to Chancery for Elizabeth and Sarah Harvey to be made Wards of Court.

John Harvey Howell was born in 1825 in Horsley, the son of John Harvey of Tickmorend House and Charlotte Plummer.  John (a Paddington Railway Policeman) married Grace Pride(who was also born in Horsley) in 1854 in Tetbury.  In 1871, John was employed as the South Lodge Keeper, Kensington Place. London.  Grace died in July 1863 and John remarried in 1865 at St Margaret's Church, Westminster to Elizabeth Fisk who was born in Scotland and also predeceased him by a year.

The 1861 Horsley Census Returns state:

Tickmorend House

Elizabeth Harvey, head 48 widow

Elizabeth, daughter age 11

Sarah daughter age 8

Harriet Woodland, age 19, general servant

Thomas Henry Stokes died in December 1861 and was replaced as Trustee by George Birt Smith, solicitor.

Sarah Harvey died age 17, on the 17th December at Tickmorend House.

Elizabeth Isabella Harvey married, age 21, one Thomas Benjamin Maysey Mills, age 24, on the 30th March, 1871 at St Martin's Church, Horsley.

Thomas Mills was born on the 10th April 1846.  He was the son of Joseph (fellmonger - a dealer in animal skins and hides) and Ann (nee Maysey), Joseph and Ann had five known children:  Joseph in 1835, Samual Willis in 1839, Benjamin Thomas in 1841, Catherine Maria in 1844 and Thomas in 1856.

Joseph Mills died, age 61, on the 5th February 1864 in Nailsworth.  The probate states he left an estate valued at three thousand pound sterling.

 Joseph Mills 1802 - 1864

Ann Mills (nee Maysey)

The 1871 Horsley Census Survey Return states:

Tickmorend House

Elizabeth Harvey, head, 59 widow and occupying farm of 40 acres.

Elizabeth Cleveland, niece age 36.

Elizabeth Cole, age 17, general servant

Thomas and Elizabeth were on honeymoon in London and not recorded in the Horsley 1871 census.

Thomas and Elizabeth had a very large family with thirteen known children, six of who emigrated to Canada and Australia:

Thomas John Harvey born on the 16th February 1872, and died in 1946.

Joseph William born on 20th February 1873 and died in 1940 in Brisbane, Australia.

Egbert born on 27th April 1874 and died in December 1945 in Saskatoon, Canada.

Percy Edward born on the 15th September 875 and died in 1940.

Harold born in 1877 and died in December 1949 at Saskatoon, Canada.

Wilfred Claude Giles was born in 1878 and died in 1926.

Sarah Laura Elisabeth (Elsie) was born on 5 September 1881 and died in April 1906 at Tickmorend House.

Carl Maysey was born on 14th May 1882 and died in December 1950.

Gwendolin Maud Elizabeth was born on the 15th November 1883 and died in October 1967 at St. Kilda, Victoria. Australia.

Zoe Annie Wilhelmina was born on 25th March 1885 and died in 1965.

Lionel Fred was born on 31st January 1890 and died in 1970 at Carisbrook, Victoria. Australia.

Walter Roy was born on the 4th April 1892 and died in July 1972 in Sydney. Australia.

 Harvey/Roberts family group circa 1867

John Harvey Howell died, age 50, on the 24th May 1874 at 14 Young Street, South Kensington but was still employed at Kensington Palace.  The probate states he left an estate valued at three hundred pounds to Thomas Howell, Cabinet Manufacturer of 119 Drummond Street, Euston Square.  Thomas was the son of John and Charlotte (nee Plummer) Howell and was born in August 1839 at Horsley.  John and Charlotte had seven known children:  William in 1830, Sarah in 1833, Charles in 1835, Thomas in 1839, Harriet in 1843, Walter in 1846 and Fanny in 1855.  John and Charlotte resided at Nupend with Charlotte receiving benefits from an annuity.

 

Lodge Gate Place Kensington

Elizabeth Harvey, widow died age 64 on the 7th October 1877 at Tickmorend House and the probate states she left an estate valued less than one hundred pound and all her effects passed to her daughter, Elizabeth; she also left a bequest of five pound to her servant, Emily Marks.

Thomas Stokes, the Harvey family Trustee died, age 86 in August 1880 and was replaced by William Henry Smith, solicitor.

The 1881 Horsley Census Survey Returns state:

Tickmorend House

Thomas Mills, head, age 34, farmer

Elizabeth wife age 31

Thomas son age 9

Joseph son age 8

Egbert son age 7

Percy son age 5

Harold son age 3

Wilfred son age 2

Sarah daughter age 2 months

Annie  M  Manners, age 17 servant.

  

 Thomas and Elizabeth Mills

 

Tickmorend House 1883

The 1891 Horsley Census Survey Returns state:

Tickmorend House

Thomas Mills, head, age 44, farmer

Elizabeth, wife, age 41

Thomas, son, age 19

Joseph, son age 17

Percy, son, age 15

Harold, son, age 13

Wilfred, son age 12

Sarah, daughter, age 10

Gwendolen, daughter age 7

Zoe, daughter, age 6

Lionel, son age 1

Elizabeth Mills, widow, age 64 


The 1901 Horsley Census Survey Returns state:
Tickmorend House

Thomas Mills, head, age 54, farmer

Elizabeth, wife, age 51

Joseph, son, age 28

Sarah, daughter, age 20

Lionel, son, age 11

Roy, son, age 9

Robert Bragin, age 15, visitor

Elizabeth Mills died, age 52, on the 26th December 1902 of Tuberculosis.

 

Elizabeth Mills

  
Thomas Mills died, age 59, on the 18th February 1906 of natural causes accelerated by excessive drinking.  The Gloucester Citizen reported: After lunch he retired, as was his custom, to the summerhouse with his pipe and papers.  Shortly after 4.00 pm his son-in-law went to call him for tea, and found him dead.  In May 1896, the family sold the summerhouse via the small advertisements in the local paper.

Tickmorend House (referred to as Tickmorend Farm in the sales details) and Estates was sold at auction on the 23rd May 1906 at The George Hotel, Nailsworth; on direction of surviving Harvey family trustee William Henry Smith

Tickmorend Farm a compact and exceedingly useful hill dairy farm.

The Homestead comprises a substantially stone-built and stone tiled Cotswold Farmhouse, containing Drawing Room, Morning Room, Living Room, Kitchen, three bedrooms, three good Attics.  Back kitchen with spring of water, Larder and Cellar.  Pleasure and Kitchen garden.  Farm buildings with cow shed, Stables, Coach-house, Pig-styes and Fowl-houses.

Four stone-built cottages.  And 17 acres of pasture land and orcharding.

   

Tickmorend House was purchased by one Hugh Percy Witchell (known as Percy).  He was the son of Thomas (Landlord of the Rose and Crown, Nympsfield) and Charlotte Edith (nee Daniels) Percy married Eliza Kate Chappell Bell in March 1886.  Percy and Eliza had three known children:  Edith on the 16th November 1886 - 1973, Henry in 1889 and Norman George in 1895.

Percy and his family had previously resided at the Rose and Crown where Hugh had taken over the tenancy of public house from his father.

The 1911 Nailsworth Census Survey Returns state:

Tickmorend

Hugh Percy Witchell, head, age 46 farmer

Eliza Kate, wife age 47

Edith daughter, age 23

Norman, son age 15

Edith Witchell married one Gilbert Tudor in October 1912; they had one child Edith Mary on the 10th October 1914.

Gilbert died, age 30, on the 13 July 1916 in a shooting accident in woods near Uley, Dursley.  The probate states: Gilbert Tudor, Butcher of Rushmire Farm, Wotton-under-Edge an estate valued at Five Hundred and Nineteen Pound sixteen shillings and eight pence.

Hugh Percy Witchell died, age 62, on the 14th August 1927 at Tickmorend House.  The funeral took place at St Martin's Church, Horsley.  The Probate states he left an estate valued at Two Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty One Pound thirteen shillings and three pence.


Gloucester Citizen 27th August 1927:

Death of a Horsley Farmer - Sequel to kick from a cow.                                                            
We regret to announce the death of Mr Percy Witchell of Tickmorend House, Horsley, which occurred during the early hours of Sunday morning.  The deceased who was 62 years of age was a well known agriculturist having farmed at Horsley for over 20 years.  Amongst other activities he had taken a keen and practical interest in the Nailsworth Horse Show.  It appears than on August 5th he received a slight kick from a cow, of which at first he took little notice.  Five days later he consulted a doctor, his condition being serious.  Further medical advice was called in. but death took place on Sunday.     The Inquest on Monday afternoon the Deputy Divisional Coroner (Mr R H Smith) sitting without a jury, held an inquiry at Tickmorend House, Horsley, into the circumstances attending the death of Mr Witchell.  A verdict was recorded that death was due to septicaemia, the result of a kick by a cow on August 5th.

Edith Mary Tudor, married age 19, to one Frank Comley Garlick on the 4th August 1934 at St Martin's Church, Horsley.

Eliza Witchell died, age 79, in June 1941 at Tickmorend House and her estate passed to her son Norman.  Edith and Frank Garlick came to live at the house with Norman.

The 1954 Horsley Telephone Directory states: F. C. Garlick, Tickmorend House, Nailsworth. 4469

Norman George Witchell died, age 74, in January 1970, without issue and Tickmorend House passed to his sister, Edith.

Edith Tudor died, age 86, on the 7th April 1973 at Tickmorend House and her estate passed to her daughter, Edith Garlick and her husband Frank.

In 1974, Tickmorend House with 20 acres was purchased at auction by Roger Franklin for Thirty Siz Thousand Pound.

 Roger Franklin

This History of Tickmorend House was commissioned by Roger.

 

Life Goes On

Many years ago when in my teens, I met and became good friends with a girl of the same age as me.  Her name was Lynne Sentance, we were soul mates, at least we thought we were like teenage girls do.  We shared our thoughts and our dreams and our hopes for the future, but I think that the most important thing in our lives at that time was whatever the latest fashion trends were.  On occasion I spent sleepovers at Lynne's place and she at my home.  I was just a little bit jealous of Lynne because she had such a groovy with-it Mother in the shape of her Mum Carol whose real name was Audrey, but always called by her middle name as many people are.  Lynne also had a younger sister called Felicity and two younger brothers, Kingsley and Warwick, altogether they were a nice family and all had much affection for each other.  Carol and her husband had split up, his name was Mark I think, never met him and I know that Lynne did not like him as he was not her father, but her step father.  That was another thing we had in common, I also had a step father whom I did not like.  Lynne's birthday was on the 15th January and mine was the 14th, my parents lived in Northcote Ave, Caulfield when I was born and Lynne lived but one street away in Fitzgibbon Crescent, but we were destined not to meet for another sixteen years.  I was going to Dacomb Business College in Little Collins Street, Melbourne when we first met.  A group of us used to go across the road up into the Coles Cafeteria during breaks and one of the girls from the college had a friend called Lynne who on occasion would join us.  I lived at Macleod in those days and Lynne lived at Caulfield, but my father lived at South Caulfield with his sister and mother, so there were times particularly at the end of the week when I would head to their home where many of my weekends growing up were spent, thus my friendship with Lynne grew.  By the time we had passed our teenage years we had gone off on our different paths of life and not seen nor heard of each other again for many many years.
      About 18 months ago, I by chance while looking for something on the internet found a death notice for Lynne's mother Carol, she had passed away back in 2006 I think, I then typed in several names and when I typed in Felicity's name an address and phone number came up, so I wrote to her and included a long letter to Lynne and asked her to pass it on.  Not only did she do this, but she also rang me the night after she had received the letter and explained to me the things that had happened to Lynne throughout the years that we had not been in touch.  Felicity passed my letter to Lynne and Lynne also rang me as well as writing to me and sending a current photograph, yes it is fifty years plus since we knew each other and yes we have both changed somewhat, I think she looks really good, but I would not have known her had we passed in the street,  but tell me what 67 or 68 year old still looks as they did when in their teens.  This is a photo of Lynne today

and she now has a current up to date photo of me.  I hope we don't loose touch again.  We may have, Lynne was staying at a place at Chelsea in Victoria and I think there may have been plans afoot for her to either go on a holiday with her daughter or to go and live with her in Cairns, not sure which, but I haven't heard from her since then back in January 2013.
     Yesterday I had a bit of a look around on the Internet and typed in Lynne's married name and  was stunned when the following story came up, it is a good story though.

 As published in the Melbourne 'AGE' Newspaper on February 7, 2009

Generous soul won hearts and made a mark in Fitzroy and beyond.

Margaret Tomkins, with a photo of her lifelong friend Morris "Monty" James. Photo: Penny Stephens

Given little in his early life, Monty James went on to help others, revealing an ever-curious, capable and compassionate character.
THE odds were stacked against Morris "Monty" James early on in life. Born blind. Abandoned at six weeks old. Raised in an institution.
At his death, at 67, on September 27, Monty lived in a dingy bedsit in a less savoury part of Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.
But he was loved as a gentle and generous soul. He was a local identity in his North Melbourne jumper: white cane in one hand, transistor in the other as he walked.

Advertisement

More than 150 people attended his funeral at the Brotherhood of St Laurence in Brunswick Street.
This week, the RSPCA estimated that Monty had raised $300,000 to $500,000 for charity, tin-rattling at Queen Victoria Market. For more than 35 years, he collected for the RSPCA, the Royal Women's and Royal Children's hospitals and The Alfred hospital burns unit.
In the latest RSPCA News, he is pictured grinning and cradling a baby possum. Living in institutions and rented rooms, however, meant he never owned a pet.
Monty's sister, Lynne Rodan, says their mother, Audrey, a single milliner from Elsternwick with strict parents, fell pregnant at 20. Soon after Monty was born in 1942, she relinquished him to the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind.
Margaret Tomkins, a blind girl then aged 11, was among students and staff who looked after Monty at the RVIB's Prahran nursery. They became lifelong friends.
"He was a very curious kid, he loved pulling things apart, loved exploring, he had an incredible memory. He could tell you what cricket team played on what day and date and how many runs they made," Mrs Tomkins said.
He lived at the institute until he was 15 when he was sent to Kew Cottages, a home for mentally ill children, but Mrs Tomkins helped lobby for him to leave the home "because he wasn't retarded, and his behaviour was not inappropriate. He was a lot brighter, but less able to get around."
For the next 30 years, he lived at an RVIB hostel in Prahran, then a Canterbury rooming house, working in factories.
About 1990 he moved to Fitzroy, where he would visit the Indian nuns in Gore Street, the Brotherhood in Brunswick Street, and a Johnston Street gym. He was a regular at the St Vincent de Paul soup van.
Mrs Tomkins said Monty was "a gentle person. Friendly and outgoing, but a bit removed, and a bit remote in some ways."
RSPCA fund-raising manager Yvonne Steiner said the amount he raised was "an outstanding achievement for anyone, let alone someone who has overcome a life of hardship and lived with a disability".
Although his mother, Audrey, contacted him when he was 35, the relationship failed. She died in 2007. Mrs Rodan did not know Monty existed until she was 35 and he 37; they became close. He had two sisters and two brothers.
Mrs Rodan often asked Monty to live with her in Cheltenham, but Fitzroy was where he felt at home. She scattered Monty's ashes in her garden. "I can go out every night and talk to him. I say, 'Hi Monty, I'm thinking of you. You're here amongst family and friends.' "

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/generous-soul-won-hearts-and-made-a-mark-in-fitzroy-and-beyond-20090206-7zzr.html#ixzz2T2GWjxTk

Since all of the above we have been in touch with each other on quite a few occasions. Life has been a bit heavy handed on Lynne, a couple of marriage breakdowns and the sudden death of her last partner which left her in a very delicate state.  However she has hopefully turned the corner and is now heading into a more positive phase of her life.  The sudden death of her young brother Kingsley was a dreadful upset to her and the rest of the family, it is as if all of these awful things have been sent to test her.  She has survived and will continue to do so with the love and support of her family.

Sixty and 64 Years Ago

 I remember in 1949 being so terribly disappointed because there was to be a Royal Visit when the then King George 6th and Queen Elizabeth (later The Queen Mother) were to visit Australia, not sure but I seem to correctly or incorrectly remember that the then Princess Elizabeth was also coming.  I remember my Mother telling me that the Princess could not come because she had just had a baby, that of course was Prince Charles.  I think that perhaps as a then five year old, I was simply wanting to see a real Princess and I think that excuse was given to me as a child because it was an easier one for my Mother to use rather than trying to explain the state of the King's ill health to a child.  My Mother bought a makeup mirror for her handbag that was sold as a souvenir of the 1949 Royal Visit that didn't happen, I have photographed it, not easy to photograph as it reflects being a mirror, so this is the best that I could do.

It is only about 5 x 8 cms.

  
It is sixty years ago since a Royal Visit by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh that I remember well.  It was 1954 and during the previous year myself and a number of other girls in my class at Graham Street State School in Port Melbourne were chosen to dance the floral dance before the Queen and Duke.  There had been a visit by Princess Elizabeth prior to this, I think, can't remember the previous one too well, but I do remember being taken with my brother Sid and Mum to St Kilda Road where we waited among the throngs of people to get a glimpse.
Three times a week at school, we were to go to a section of the play ground where we learned the steps to the Floral Dance that we were to perform.  I don't know how many hundred children were there to perform but there was a combination of the Floral Dance and the Maypole performed and it culminated in Spelling out the words "Welcome ER11'.  I found this old photo on later which would have been taken on that day.

Each child was given two tickets so that parents could come along and watch as it was performed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (M.C.G.), my Mother was too busy to go so I gave my tickets to Auntie Hilda who was a keen supporter of the Royal Family, she and her friend and next door neighbour came along as there was also a chance of a close up look at the Queen.

I clearly remember that jeep as it whizzed around through the children as we all stood there hoping that it would stop in front of us, but no such luck, so much to try and fit into a visit with so much to see and do in such a short time.  Each and every one of us that performed on that day were presented with a lovely shiny brass medal as a commemoration of the visit, I still have mine.  It is photographed below.

 

Picture shows both sides of the medal.

This all took place back in the days when we had school assembly every Monday Morning, we all stood at attention and the boys would salute the flag and then all children would place their right hand over their heart and repeat the following:-

                                                          I will Love God and my country,

                                                          I will honour the flag,
                                                               and cheerfully obey my parents,
                                                          Teachers and the Law.

I like to believe that we tried to live up to it. 

My Mother used to tell me a story about the 1944 Royal Visit to Australia by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.  At that time as part of the war effort Mum was working as a Tram Conductress, Men had always held the jobs as conductors until then, but as they were in short supply all being off at war, women were allowed to hold those jobs. During their visit to Australia, it was known that part of their route was to be along St Kilda Road, Melbourne which was a major tram route, and as Mum for some unknown had me with her when I was only a few months old was standing on the running board of the tram nursing me whilst the tram was halted for the Royal cavalcade.  The Royal car which also held the Lady in Waiting drew up along side the tram, with no hesitation the Lady in Waiting reached up to Mum and asked could she have a quick nurse of the baby.  Mum handed me down to here where she cooed etc at me and I gurgled in return, she then handed me back to Mum and Mum was so embarrassed to see a very obvious wet patch down the front of the Lady in Waiting's silk shantung costume.  So there you are, even though I have no memory of it, I have it on good authority that I have peed on Royalty.

The Changing Faces of George Harrod

This one was taken right at the end of 1929 when every time he opened his mouth they would shove food into it, you can tell can't you?

This one would have been taken about 1950-1951

This one was 1972 at Rosebud during an  athletic meeting

on George's left is Peter Chisnell and on his right is Gil Lockhardt

This shot was taken to appear in a Senior Scene magazine in an article on

                       keeping fit as you age, he was about 50 years old here and had just run his
                                                                         first Marathon.

This was in Bangkok April 1992 on route to England

he was 62 then.

2002 Taken at Nagoya Castle in Japan

age 73

and finally here he is at age 82 at the end of 2012

proudly showing off the Safari Suit that he had tailor made

in Singapore in 1981, proud of the fact that it sill fits.

Our Backyard

This is our cat Angel isn't she cute, spends time peeping through the cracks in the fence, the people that live behind us have two cats and two large dogs, their cats jump the back fence and spend a lot of time in the yard next door to us.  Angel has this imaginary line around the area and feels offended if any cat should come into that area.  We have added an extra two feet of trellis to the top of the back fence so that she can't jump over and some rolls of fine wire to foil any attempts, so she has settled to peep through the cracks and in cat language warn any trespassers off.

A hive of activity in the garden today, at least it was for this pollen collector doing the rounds to take back to the bee hive.

The Cattleya Orchid is showing us an early bloom this year.

It's a Tibouchina, isn't it lovely, no it's not ours,

three of them were growing together in a neighbours front yard

and their fences are in the midst of being replaced, so they have been

dramatically cut back and put into buckets to hopefully be able to replant.

Angel at age 18 years and 3 months, still has kitten moments.
Video taken on 21 May 2019.