2.

Eliza Jane PHILLIPS,^{17 18} daughter of Robert PHILLIPS and Hannah DANIELS, was born c. 1835 in Buttevant. County Cork, Ireland.¹⁹ calculated from Death cert. and Headstone. Eliza married Alexander Simpson MACDONALD on 10 Feb 1856 in St. Paul's Church, Port Adelaide, South Australia.^{20 21 22} 25/106 Marriage by banns on Registration, but by license on Church document. Eliza died on 9 Oct 1879 in 6 Innes St., Inverness, Scotland.²³ from death cert. Heart disease. Eliza was buried in Tomnahurich Cemetery, Inverness, Scotland.²⁴

Eliza was born in Buttevant, Ireland, about 1835, where her father was a teacher. We next hear about her at her marriage in Port Adelaide, Australia age 22, in 1856 to Alexander, a sailor. How and when she moved to Adelaide has not been verified, however perhaps a likely arrival of Eliza in South Australia is as an assisted immigrant on the ship 'Australia', from Plymouth 14 October 1855 arriving Port Adelaide 22 January 1856, as a "servant" from Cork, age 19. She was amongst a large number of young Irish women. She would marry only 19 days later .The marriage Certificate gives Thomas Dallison (a local teacher) and Catherine Dewar (her mark-could not write) as witnesses. Marriage by banns, but by license on the Church document. The presiding Minister was Edward Bayfield, described in the Adelaide Directory as an Immigration Chaplain.The couple then moved to Calcutta where their son Walter was born. Walter was baptised in Rangoon, Burma. Alexander was described in the baptism record as a Commander, merchant marine. He then worked for some time in Burma until his death in 1865, and it is not known where Eliza and Walter lived at that time. It is possible that they lived in Calcutta whilst Alexander was stationed in Burma but no evidence to that has come to light.

By 1871 she was living at Forres, a small town near Inverness at the census. A presumption is that this may have been because of her husband's family living in the area. Both of her parents were alive in Ireland still, and her sister in Brisbane, Australia. She was described in the census as living on a pension - an "annuitant". In the house was her son Walter, age 11, a student. He attended the "Forres Academy" school. They may still have been living in Forres in 1875 according to the local Valuation Returns.

She died in Inverness, the major town in the area, Inverness-Shire. Her son Walter was the informant on her death certificate in 1879. He paid for her grave at Tomnahurich Cemetery, on a very picturesque hill outside of the town. Her headstone inscription was cleaned and read for RK in September 2006 - "Erected by Walter A Macdonald in affectionate remembrance of his mother Eliza Jane Philips who died 9th October 1879 aged 45 years". It is a Scottish convention to name dead women by their maiden names.

Death notice in Inverness Newspapers

People > Deaths

Phillips, Eliza Jane, Innes Street, Inverness

Inverness Advertiser 18 October 1879

Page/Col Ref:2G

People > Deaths

Phillips, Eliza Jane, Innes Street, Inverness

Inverness Courier 16 October 1879

Page/Col Ref:8E

The original notices also indicate that her deceased husband A.S. Macdonald was "of the Conservatory Forest, Prome, India^{21,23,25,26,27,28,29,30,31}"

Alexander Simpson MACDONALD was born in 1829.^{32 32} From death certificate. Alexander was a Ship's Captain/ Mariner. Commander, Merchant Service. Assistant Conservator of Indian Forests.^{17 18} He died on 22 Jun 1865 in Myanyoung, Burma.^{32 33} He was buried on 23 Jun 1865 in Myanyoung.³²

The first we hear of A S Macdonald is his marriage in South Australia at Port Adelaide. No further information has been found on him around 1856 in South Australia. Port Adelaide at that time was the fledgeling port for Adelaide and a focus for immigrants arriving regularly on sailing ships. The marriage certificate gives his rank as mariner, his age as 28, born in 1828. The spelling on the certificate is McDonald, a common alternative for MacDonald, and his full name is given as it is in various other documents, which seems a little unusual. A well established schoolteacher was a marriage witness, Thomas Dallison. The birth age given on the marriage certificate roughly agrees with Alexander's age given on his death registration, making his birthdate 1828-1829.

After his marriage to Eliza Jane Philips the next we hear of Alexander is at Rangoon in 1859 at the baptism of his son where he gave his occupation as merchant navy Commander, in other words a ship's Captain. He was described as a marine Captain on his son's death certificate. Lower Burma in 1853 after the 2nd Anglo-Burmese War was administered by the British Government. Alexander became employed in the Indian Forest Service as "Assistant Conservator of Forests" based at Prome. He was transferred there from the Rangoon Division to the Prome sub-division in September 1864 according to the newspaper "Homeward Mail from India". It is not yet known how he secured this position or what background he had to suit the position. It is true that many Scots were involved with shipping on the Irawaddy River as sailors, merchants, shippers and shipbuilders. For example, the Bengal Marine became a privatised Scots firm, the Irrawaddy Flotilla, integral to the British history of Burma.

A document entitled "List of uncovenanted civil servants European and East indian in the Office of the Conservator of forests British Burmah 1st may 1865" lists Alexander as an Assistant Conservator of Forests at a salary of 350 pounds, period of residence in India unknown. Thacker's Directory 1866 and 1865 also list him as assistant conservator, Forest Department, Prome-Pegu Division. Until the professionalisation of the Forestry Department beginning in 1866, officials were first drawn from civil and military ranks. The purpose of the developing Forest Service was to oversee the Teak nurseries, ensure their regeneration and to control their exploitation. "The Indian forest Service- its originand progress" explains the historical context. This must have been a difficult job, coping with the monsoonal weather, the confused political and cultural position of forest harvesting, and the tropical forests, where "herds of wild animals roam the forests, in which are also tigers, panthers and bears". Also mentioned in "Peeps at many lands-Burma" are wild pigs, deer, venomous snakes and pythons. There was a high turnover of staff in the Forest Service at that time. The high death rate was attributed to climate and disease. Alexander's tenure at Prome seems to be relatively short-lived, (although it's unsure when he began) as his death was recorded in 1865. It was not mentioned, as might be expected, in 'Burma: Register of European deaths and burials', nor in "Returns of Deaths of Uncovenanted Servants and Other Officers" from 1870-1876.

Details of his death were finally discovered in 2010. He died at Myanyoung (Myan-Aung, Myan-Oung), a town on banks of the Irrawaddy River in Burma, well downriver from Prome. Myanaung in 1865 had a population of 5000 and suffered a smallpox epidemic that year. It had a medical officer stationed there and a hospital was opened that year. The town had been a military base but that was disbanded in 1861 with the establishment of a new police force. It had however a substantial presence of British Government offices as well as Missionaries. Alexander's death certificate states that he died of septicaemia after a gunshot wound to the foot. The "Friend of India and Statesman" reported that he died from the effects of a shot which he had received in an elephant hunt" He was probably buried close to where he died , at Myan-aung. It may not have had a cemetery, and the town was prone to be inundated by regular monsoon river floods and so any trace of a grave is unlikely to be found. Most burials in the area were at Thayetmyo, the British Garrison further upriver. Thayetmyo was a frontier military station formed in 1855 housing British troops and administration. It had a busy cemetery. Very few headstones survive to the present. The British India Office report of "Burials at ThayetMyo, British Burmah and its outstations" indicate that he was buried by an Assistant Commissioner on the day following his death. The "Friend of India and Statesman" newspaper indicates that he was promoted to be in charge of the Tharawaddy Division from 2nd June 1865 shortly before his death on 22nd June. The "Englishman's Overland Mail", quoting from the 'Moulmain Advertiser' reporting on the death observe that "we heartily trust that it may prove a warning to any imprudence similar to that which led to the loss of a desevedly respected officer".

His wife Eliza Jane's death certificate, informed by their son gives his title of "Indian Forest Conservator". Her newspaper death notices also indicate that deceased husband AS Macdonald was "of the Conservatory Forest, Prome, India" . That position was must have been held in high regard by the family as it was preferred to the title of Ship's captain. Eliza did receive some kind of pension as she was described in the 1871 census in Forres, as an annuitant. It is possible that the annuity was from the "Uncovenanted Service Family Pension Fund" or the "General Annuity Fund" listed in Thacker's Directory 1865^{17,21,29,31,32,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51}.

Alexander Simpson MACDONALD and Eliza Jane PHILLIPS had the following children:

3.

Rebecca PHILLIPS, daughter of Robert PHILLIPS and Hannah DANIELS, was born c. 1835 in Buttevant. County Cork. She married Bryan HENNESSY on 31 Jan 1853 in St. Anne's, Shandon, Cork, Ireland.^{52 53} She died on 9 Mar 1874 in Adelaide Street, Brisbane, Qld. aged 39.⁵⁴ She was buried on 10 Mar 1874 in C of E cemetery Brisbane.⁴

Rebecca was living in King's Street Cork at the time of her marriage. Rebecca lived 8 years in Queensland before her death, so she and Bryan migrated in 27 Feb 1866 to Brisbane on the ship "Legion of Honour". Her Death Certificate states that she was born In Buttevant. She Died of Phthisis, now called tuberculosis.

She had 7 children, 4 being born overseas as her husband was in the army.^55,56

Bryan HENNESSY, son of David HENNESSY (c. 1797-1885) and Anna FITZGERALD (c. 1800-1884), was born in 1832.⁵² He was a soldier.⁵⁵ He married Emma Maria MORGAN on 22 Aug 1881 in Bangalore, Madras, India.⁵⁷ He died on 4 Apr 1905 in Wellington, Madras, India.⁵⁸ He was buried on 5 Apr 1905 in Wellington.

Bryan was a British Army Private, in the 1st Royals, living in Cork Barracks at the time of the marriage. Their first child was born in Corfu in 1854 (many Regiments went there during the Crimean War), their third child in Lancashire and from then on the children were born in Australia.

When Bryan William Hennessy was born on 14 May 1833 in Waterford, Ireland, his father, David, was 36 and his mother, Ann?, was 33. He married Rebecca Phillips and they had seven children together. He then married Emma Maria Morgan on 22 August 1881 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

His Military serial number was 2532. 2nd Battalion, The 1st of Foot Regiment (The Royal Regiment or The Royal Scots, then later The Lothian Regiment). He was a Musician, obtained from daughter Anne's birth certificate. Bryan William Hennessy served in the military in 1855 in Crimea, Ukraine, when he was 22 years old, in 1856 in Malta when he was 23 years old, and in Gibralter, Eastern Cape, South Africa, when he was 24 years old.

He left London in 1865 and arrived In February 1866 at Moreton Bay.

His son Walter was born in 1866 in Brisbane and Bryan's occupation was given as a "clerk on government work" and he was described as a magician in newspaper sources. After his wife Rebecca passed away in1874 he was noted as departed from Wellington, New Zealand, destination Bombay. He was on tour with an entertainment group in April 1880 in Burma. Son Walter's marriage certificate describes Bryan as a Bandmaster.

Bryan then married Emma Maria Morgan in Bangalore, Karnatka, India in 1881. He was 48 years old. In 1885 they were living in Lahore, Punjab.

His stage name became "Professor Hennicke" and he and his wifelived in Williamstown, Victoria and purchased the license of the Bay Pier Hotel.

Information then indicates his whereabouts being in Bombay, India. He died aged 71 in April 1905 in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, India, and was buried there^55,59,60,61.

Bryan HENNESSY and Rebecca PHILLIPS had the following children:

4.

Walter Alexander MACDONALD, son of Alexander Simpson MACDONALD and Eliza Jane PHILLIPS, was born on 21 Jan 1859 in Calcutta, India.¹⁷ Calcutta given as birthplace in death certificate. Also gave d.o.b. as 1859 in 1881 & 1891 censuses. Walter was baptised on 4 Jun 1859 in Rangoon, Burma.^{62 17} He was a Chief marine engineer.^{63 64} He was Presbyterian. He married Annie SMITH on 26 Jun 1894 in St. Colomb's Cathedral, Londonderry, Ireland.⁶⁵ Charles /Boyton/, Married in Cathedral, Church of Ireland, Marriage certificate extract, Parish of Templemore, County Derry on , 1/4/82 Residence at time of marriage 14 London St., Derry. Walter died on 11 Aug 1915 in Balmain Hospital, Sydney. Mitral regurgitation, cardiac failure, Late of 3 Glossop St., Balmain Sth.Death regn. no. 9411/077 , issued27/8/81, Buried 13/8/1915, Presbyterian cemetery, Rookwood. Walter was buried on 13 Aug 1915 in Presbyterian cemetery, Rookwood, Presbyterian section 5C grave 9436.^{66 67} Buried 13/8/1915, Presbyterian cemetery, Rookwood.

After being born in Calcutta and christened in Rangoon, the next we hear of Walter was that in 1871, age 11, he was at school and living in Forres, a small town near Inverness, Scotland, in a house with his mother, an annuitant. In July 1871 he was mentioned in the 'Forres Elgin and Nairn Gazette' as having received a prize in 5th Class Latin and 5th Class Writing at the Forres Academy. The school was a well regarded burgh school overseen by a rector an other teachers with 146 attending boys and girls "for the most part sons and daughters of bankers,farmers, shopkeepers, tradesmen and labourers of the more comfotable class" according to the Education Commissioners' Report on the Forres Academy reported in the above newspaper in 1868 and further in 1871. The average leaving age was 13 or 14. Walter's father had died in Burma in 1865.

In 1879, aged 20 he was noted as the informant for his mother's death at Inverness.

By 1881 at time of the UK census he was listed aboard S.S. Copeland at Plymouth St. Andrew, Devon, England as 2nd. Engineer, one of 14 crew, mainly Scots. It was an iron steamship for general cargo and passengers (shipwrecked in 1888).

Two years later in 1891 he was living in Glasgow, North Wallace St. boarding with the Sutherland family as an 'employed Marine Engineer'.

His residence at time of his marriage to Annie Smith in Londonderry in 1894 was 55 Main St., Glasgow. By 1894 he was the Chief Engineer of the "SS Olive" travelling between Ireland, England and France. (sunk in 1900).

The 1901 Census finds Walter, Annie and their 2 children, Margaret and Walter, living in Glasgow at Newlands Terrace, Kilmarnock Road. The census was taken on April 3rd. 1901, so their emigration to Australia was after that date. According to his death certificate he came to NSW in 1901, age 41. However the Unassisted passenger lists reports him as coming as crew, First Engineer, on the Ship "Ramornie" from Glasgow in 1902. This was a new steamer built for the North Coast Steam Navigation Company. Perhaps his wife and children travelled on the same ship as it was a combined passenger and cargo ship.

ELectoral rolls 1903 have their residence at Marrickville, Durham St., Walter an engineer, and Annie, Domestic duties.

By 1913 the Electoral rolls list him and Annie at 19 Renwick St., Drummoyne, he listed as an engineer, she as home duties. Sands Directory 1913 corresponds with this.

Walter's newspaper death notice states "late engineer of the N.C. Steam Navigation Company". He worked on the "North Coast Run" on steamships carrying cargo from Sydney as far as Queensland and all ports in between. It was a notoriously dangerous run with many ships foundering in heavy conditions. He was, at the end of his career the most Senior engineer of the company according to Don Knight.

The death certificate states "late of 3 Glassop St., Balmain South". And Sands 1915 Directory has him at that address. He died intestate, estate valued at 153 pounds.^{25,63,64,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80}

Annie SMITH, daughter of Robert SMYTH ( - ) and Margaret UNKNOWN ( - ), was born in Mar 1863 in Londonderry, Ireland. She was a Nursing Sister. She died on 14 Apr 1946 in Balmain Hospital. Congestive cardiac failure, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, Death regn. 7804/343 Late of 40 Edwin St., Drummoyne, Buried 16 April 1946 at Presbyterian cemetery, Rookwood, by Methodist Minister. Annie was buried on 16 Apr 1946 in Presbyterian cemetery, Rookwood, Section 5C, grave 9436.⁶⁶ Buried 16 April 1946 at Presbyterian cemetery, Rookwood, by Methodist , Minister.

Annie was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. According to the Derry Journal she was the youngest Daughter of the late Robert Smith. She had a Scottish accent according to Ken Knight. She married husband Walter in 1894 (her address given as 14 London Street) in Londonderry and they moved to Glasgow where their 2 children were born.They moved to Australia sometime after 1901. In 1903 they lived at Marrickville in Sydney. He was listed as an engineer and she as domestic duties. By 1913 they had moved to Drummoyne, and then to Glassop Street Balmain before Walter died in 1915. He had been a ship's engineer and would have been away from home some time while their children were growing up. Her interests were Music and gardening. According to Grandson Billy's eulogy she was "a broad speaking Scottish lady who did not tolerate frivolity". By 1917 she was listed as living alone at 19 Renwick St., Drummoyne.

In 1925 her daughter Rita died and she took over care of the 2 children Billy and Donald at Foucart St., Rozelle. Annie was then a nurse looking after some old people, and came to care for them at Foucart St. They then moved (by horse and cart!) to Thompson St., Drummoyne.Then to Broughton St.,Drummoyne where "they had a garden in the Depression." Then to Edwin St., Drummoyne.

Her Death Certificate indicates that she was "late of 40 Edwin St., Drummoyne". This was where her son Walter was living as well. And this was the address that Don returned to in 1946 after his naval demobilisation.

Annie visited her daughter Rita's grave every Sunday, and took her grandson Donald with her when he was a boy, according to Don, as related by Ken Knight in a "Knight family conversation in 1997^70,81,82,83.

Annie SMITH and Walter Alexander MACDONALD had the following children:

12.

Walter Alexander MACDONALD, son of Walter Alexander MACDONALD and Annie SMITH, was born on 28 Jun 1895 in Glasgow, Scotland 95 Kilmarnock Rd., Shawlands District Eastwood County Renfrew. GROS 562/00 0311. Walter was a Ship's Engineer. He was Presbyterian. He married Irene Jessie CREAR on 28 Nov 1925 in St.Saviour's Church, Glen Osmond.⁸⁷ He married Jean Johnson PORTER c. 1940 in Brisbane. from death cert WAMacdonald. Walter died on 10 Mar 1963 in "Home of Peace+, Petersham, Sydney. lymph carcinoma 1961/1963. Walter was buried on 12 Mar 1963 in Rookwood Independent cemetery, Presbyterian section 5C, grave 9436.^{66 66 72} 68 years, from Home of Peace, Petersham. Same grave as father.

Walter's Death certificate indicates immigration to Australia c. 1905.

His nickname was "Mudgee", according to Ken Knight, and like his mother was a beautiful pianist. He lived for a while with the Knights' at Rowntree St. Like his father, he became a ship's engineer.

He was in the merchant navy during WW1. He was awarded the Mercantile Marine medal and British medal, issued care of an address in Bathurst, NSW. according to his naval papers.

His address at father's death in 1915 was with his parents, 3 Glassop St., Balmain South.

By 1922 the Electoral rolls have him at 90 Short St., Balmain, engineer. He married Jessie Crear in 1925 in South Australia. Jessie died in 1934. He married again about 1940 in Brisbane to Jean Porter, who was still alive at his death in 1963. They were living at Charles Street, Ryde, about 1950, Lorraine Knight remembered.

His death notice has his address as 76 Charles St., Ryde although he died at the Home of Peace, Petersham. He is interred at the family grave in Rookwood Cemetery.

Member Mercantile Marine sub-branc^70,72,81,88h

Irene Jessie CREAR, daughter of William Stewart CREAR ( - ) and Ellen Catherine WOOD (1870-1940), was born on 20 May 1901 in Port Pirie, South Australia.⁸⁹ from marr. reg. Irene died on 18 Nov 1934 in Port Pirie.^{90 90} Info from grave photo.

Photo of headstone is from Billy Knight's photo album. According to death transcription she lived at Port Pirie, South Australia.⁹⁰

Still alive at Walter's death in 1963

Lorraine Knight remembers them living at Charles St around 1950 "they had 2 big white dogs".

13.

Margaret Harken MACDONALD, daughter of Walter Alexander MACDONALD and Annie SMITH, was born on 4 May 1899 in Glasgow. She was a Music teacher. She was Presbyterian. She married Edward Arthur KNIGHT on 20 Oct 1917 in St. Barnabas Church, George St. West, Sydney.⁹¹ 9847/1917 (C of E church). Margaret died on 9 Aug 1927 in Coast Hospital, Little Bay, Sydney.^{67 92 93} Streptococcal Meningitis, Death regn.no. 11742/136 issued 29/8/73, Late of 41 Foucart St., Rozelle. Margaret was buried on 28 Aug 1927 in Presbyterian cemetery, Rookwood, Presbyterian section 5C grave 9436.^{66 67 94} Buried 28/8/1927 Presbyterian cemetery, Rookwood.

Margaret was known as "Rita". Her family emigrated to Australia in about 1901 from Glasgow, where she was born.

She was reputed to be a beautiful singer,as well as a music teacher. Ken Knight remembers her singing "Where my caravan has rested". Her son Don Knight said that she made a couple of piano rolls for Mastertouch piano Roll Company in Sydney.

At her marriage to Ted Knight in 1917, her occupation was listed as Home Duties, age 21, residence Mosman, according to her marriage certificate.

She died when young of Streptococcal Meningitis leaving 2 young children, Bill age 9, and Don, aged 2. She was buried 10/8/27 at the Presbyterian cemetery, Rookwood, next to her mother and father. Rookwood Independent cemetery. Presbyterian section 5C grave 242.GPSLatitude - S33 52 19.683 (33.872134) GPSLongitude - E151 2 58.9429 (151.049706). There is only 1 photo surviving of Rita.

Don always visited his mother's grave at Rookwood cemetery on trips to Sydney.⁸¹

Edward Arthur KNIGHT, son of William George Joseph KNIGHT (1865-1931) and Amelia Alice JONES (1869-1947), was born on 28 Jun 1895 in Balmain Nth.^{95 96} Reg. no.20166. Edward was a Fitter & turner, Marine Engineer.^{97 98 99 100} He was educated at Balmain Christian Bros. school.⁸¹ He was Baptised Catholic.⁸¹ He married Bridget Victorine GARVEY in 1936 in Sydney.⁹¹ reg. no. 17395. Edward died on 13 Oct 1972 in Sydney.^{101 102 93} 67877/1972 Heart failure. Edward was buried on 16 Oct 1972 in Catholic Lawn cemetery, Rookwood. Mortuary 3, Lawn 3, Grave no. 743.^{101 103 102} Service at Church of St. Joseph, Liverpol Rd., Enfield.

Ted was born "during a strike", according to his mother, humorously indicating his personality. He attended Balmain Christian Brothers school, and according to his family he was a real "Larrikin". This was an epithet that was used, not coincidentally, to describe his son Billy, and then Billy's son Kenny. Physically Ted was a small man. "Six stone soaking wet", someone said.

He was lIving at his parents residence in 1917, according to Electoral rolls. At marriage, age 22, he was a marine engineer, residing at Balmain, according to the marriage certificate. His wife Margaret, known as "Rita" died in 1927. He had 2 children by then, and they were raised mainly by Rita's mother Annie Macdonald. Ted's address was Drummoyne at his father's death in 1931.

During WW1. Ted was a ship's Engineer, mainly in the Atlantic. He was 4th engineer on a cargo vessel, the "Toromeo", ex Transport Branch of the Navy Department, then under the control of the Commonwealth Government Line in February 1919, sailing from Liverpool to New York. It was the time of the end of the "Spanish Flu" pandemic. Five crew members died on the ship of influenza, and were buried in a community grave in New York. Ted said he survived by drinking rum. "While at New York, the Toromeo experienced a tragic epidemic of influenza among themembers of the crew during the 5 weeks stay at the American port.The Chief Officer and 5 other members of the crew, succumbed to the disease. The victims included the 3rd engineer and the carpenter. Fifteen others were left behind in hospital when the Toromeo sailed for Wellington. The outbreak on the steamer was remarkable in view of the epidemic having almost entirely disappeared in New York". Ted had contracted some flu and always spoke with a husky voice from then on .

He sapparently bravely helped a little boy who had diptheria by clearing a blockage in his airway.

Ted worked at Mort's Dock, Balmain, Sydney, as a fitter. According to his son Bill, Ted's lunch sandwich was "a double rum". Jack Knight's father, William Frank Knight was annoyed that Ted didn't get his engineer's certificate because he was a very, very good draughtsman, and some of his work was used as examples at Sydney Technical College. He was apparently renowned as an expert at removing a ship's propeller from its shaft.

In September 1942 he was living at the Knight family home at 14 Rowntree St. Balmain.Then during WW2 he moved to 56 Boyce St., Glebe Point. During WW2 he was a fitter at Mort's Dock,and he was retrenched from there in 1957. He married his second wife "Bridie" during WW2 in 1936. She had been working in a local hotel as a barmaid. They lived at Boyce St., Glebe, near Harold Park, Sydney. This is where he was known to RK, where there was always Resch's Dinner Ale on offer, and ginger ale for Rhett^{70,81,97,98,99,100,101,104,105,106}.

Edward Arthur KNIGHT and Margaret Harken MACDONALD had the following children:

17.

William Frank KNIGHT, son of Edward Arthur KNIGHT and Margaret Harken MACDONALD, was born on 24 Mar 1918 in Mosman, Sydney.⁸² He was a Fitter & turner. He was Methodist. He married Elsie May RANKIN on 17 Feb 1942 in Sydney.¹⁰⁷ married 14/2/42 a/c to. William died on 8 Oct 2003 in Laurieton, NSW. He was buried on 14 Oct 2003 in Taree Crematorium, NSW. Service in Manning GReat Lakes Memorial Gardens Crematorium.

Bill was named William Frank after his uncle, in case his uncle did not return from the War.

He was living as a boy at the corner of Spring St.and Short St., Birchgrove. Photo's from his album show him playing with his first cousin Norma Sievwright when very young.

His humour was ever-ready. During Kerry Knight-Robertson-s nuptial mass wedding (Catholic), Don Knight, methodist, took communion. When brother Billy asked if he wanted to follow Billy said "he's a publican, I'm not that thirsty".

Bill and his brother Don were living at Foucart St. Rozelle when their mother died. Then their Grandmother Annie Macdonald, who was a nurse looking after some old people, came to care for them at Foucart St. They then moved (by horse and cart!) to Thompson St., Drummoyne.Then to Broughton St.,Drummoyne where they had a garden in the Depression. Then to Edwin St., Drummoyne. Don went into the Navy at 17. Bill, who had lived at other family houses, including Rowntree St., and with his Aunty Else at 98 Curtis Rd.Balmain, got married from Edwin St. He was in the army at the time. Then he moved to Bondi, was sent to Ingleburn by the Army and luckily escaped going with the Battallion which went to Singapore. Bill went to Rozelle school, said he was the "youngest to pass the QC" and eventually to Drummoyne High School. When he was 16 he obtained a job at Lever's in Balmain. He worked at Mort's Dock as a fitter, was put off during the 1948 coal strike, then returned, and then worked as a fitter at McNiven's.

Bill's life was best described in this eulogy given by his son Ken in 2003.

"Dad’s early childhood was spent in the Balmain and Drummoyne districts of Sydney. Dads brother Don was born in 1925 and not long after this they lost their mother and both Dad and Don were raised by their Grandmother on their mother's side, who by all reports was a broad speaking Scottish lady who did not tolerate frivolity.

Dad would not talk much about his life except to say that things were tough and his Grandmother did the best she could for them both—though reading between the lines and hearing vague stories from relatives, they did indeed do it tough—as did a lot of people at that time.

Dad attended school in the Balmain and Drummoyne areas completing his schooling in 1933 with the Intermediate 'Certificate at Drummoyne High School where he attained A's and B's. Given that at the time it was the Great Depression period - Dad was lucky to gain an apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner, completing this in 1938.

Dad joined the army 19d) January 1942 and was discharged on 13th December 1945, [ never leaving our shores]. He was one of the lucky ones.

On the 14th Feb 1942 Dad married Elsie May Rankin and they went on to have three children in Lorraine, Christine and Ken, and remained married until Mum's death in June '1983.

After the war dad worked as a fitter with Mc Nivens icecream, also gaining 'his boilermakers license when that company was taken over by Lever Bros. He stayed with them until 1964 and then joined Balm-Paints at Cabarita as a Fitter/Boilermaker untiI his retirement in 1982.

Over the years dad enjoyed a lot of leisure activities—fishing, cricket , horseracing, Rugby League and Union, lawn bowls and dancing. On the fishing side of things he loved to go down to Lake Conjola with his mates from Levers and just kick back doing nothing but fishing and drinking. He wasn't too good at fishing but BOY could he drink – the family holidays were held at either Ettalong or Palm Beach.

Dad's job at Levers was the envy of all the other employees (about 500 of them). I know because I worked there for 12mths, got to know and talk to some of his workmates. He had this work shop area which 'was as big as a house’ with only him in it—it also had its own private entrance into a lane way—instead of having to go thru the main gates- Out 300mts from the Kent Hotel (where the film “Caddie” was made). They reckon he spent equal time between work and the pub. He said that was only fair!!

In 1950/60 he was sent to Lowood near Ipswich in Queensland to oversee the setting up of machinery for the NEW WONDER FOOD – Deb instant mash potato. He stayed there off and on for l8months , was then asked to move to Ballarat to head up the maintenance team at their factory. He declined- instead opting for a more lucrative position in the workshop with the back entrance near the pub.

After leaving Unilever (I think he was sprung once too often in the pub) he continued to associate with his mates from there going to the S.C.G every Saturday for the match of the day and once the match of the day format finished he didn’t go to another League Game.

The same crowd would gather in summer months to have a punt with the S.P.Bookie and get dressed up in their suits and take their wives to each Epsom and Doncaster Days — this practice continued for many years.

Dad played minor grades 3rds\4ths with Drummoyne Rugby Union in the late 30’s, although I can’t imagine his skinny legs in footy shorts. The photos are around somewhere.

Dad’s love of cricket is my earliest or most vivid memory of him — He would often go to the S.C.G or Sheffield Shield Games and the Test Matches, he would take me along sometimes- sit me on the wooden seats in front of the hill with a drink and a packet of chips while he said he had to see someone and would not be long. He would always come back to see me during drinks and lunch breaks. I guess the bar was too crowded then.

Through his youth Dad played cricket with teams from Drummoyne and after the War played in a Sunday comp. with Eastern Park Cricket Club- this competition was played in a social atmosphere even though it was a competition and OH YES there was a keg on tap.

He gave cricket away for some years and then became interested in the late 60’s and became secretary of the J.W.S/Bayview Club at Gladesville and continued in that role until the 80’s when with no players the club folded. During this time he was also Secretary of the Gladesville District Cricket Ass. and again Sec. of the Combined Gladesville Dist. C.A and Balmain C.A. when they merged. If any of our teams were short a man Dad would help out fielding even though in his late 50’s early 60’s.

In the late 6o’s Mum and Dad decided to try Forster as a new holiday destination and it became their favourite spot , coming up twice a year for holidays - one in particular stands out [tell story]

After dad retired he decided lawn bowls would be a good sport and so even though he had played for some years before he started to get involved in the running of the Putney/Tennyson Bowling Club which was run on a voluntary basis from the president down and committee members had to do voluntary hours behind the bar. Dad became secretary of the registered club. During his tenure rum purchases skyrocketed , however when compared to sales there was a marked discrepancy

DAD LOVED RUM.

There is a photo of dad’s father at a Mort’s Dock Xmas party of the early ’20,s sitting at a table with his work mates- carved in one of the heavy beams above the table was “TED KNIGHT RUM KING”. If his father was the King Dad was surely the “PRINCE” of rum drinkers.

He loved rum that much that he would drink it with a dash of cloves just so Mum wouldn’t think he had been drinking it, the theory the cloves would mask it ---it didn’t work—--she knew.

During the latter years he was also Secretary of the Gladesville R.S.L. Bowls Club, a job he enjoyed doing as it meant an excuse to be at the club — not that he needed an excuse.

He was always an active person-not strenuous stuff- he enjoyed walking- he never had a car license- it would not bother him in the slightest if he had to walk 5klm. If there was no transport he would set off on foot—people would stop and offer him a lift —most times he’d decline saying it was exercise and besides it made him thirsty. He liked the layout of Forster. He would walk from the Lakes and Ocean to Forster Bowls Club then the R.S.L up to the Golf Club then off to the Tavern and on to Pipers Bay no doubt having a OP rum and a middy of black at each stop and he would tell you the difference in price at each location.

Dancing was another of his and mum’s favourite pastimes with Saturday nights and Sunday arvos spent at the Blue Rinse cutting a rug—as he would say. After mums passing in 1983 Dad continued to haunt the Blue Rinse and started dancing with fellow widow Jean Rust who became a very good friend to dad nursing him back to health after his Aortic Aneurism and his triple by-pass operations. They were good friends and it is ironic that they would both be affected by Alzheimers/dementia.

In November 2000 we decided to bring dad to Forster as his memory and behaviour patterns were erratic; we knew he was in the early stages of dementia. With him not knowing where he was or where the bathroom or bedroom was and couldn’t find his way back from down the street—some funny things happen to people when in this state —pyjamas/undies story.

Dad was a person who would avoid drama —if he was cranky you would know only by him pursing his lips and giving a sigh. He was a simple person who needed little in the way of material things, he had a ready grin for all and would always look for the positives in people.

Most of Dad’s friends and relatives have pre-deceased him with those still alive too old or frail to travel. Dad’s brother Donald died in 1995 and he has an uncle who is still here at 93yrs. of age Ken Knight senior.

To those who attended today especially those who have covered some distance to be here, and to those who rang to pass on their condolences and those who couldn’t be here I know that he would thank you, just as Lorraine, Christine and I do. Thank you.

To the staff at Camden/Haven Hostel who looked after Dad so well for the last years of his life we especially thank.

HE HAD A GOOD INNINGS WITH PLENTY OF LAUGHS.

WE’LL MISS HIM.^81,82,99,108"

Elsie May RANKIN,¹⁰⁹ daughter of Alfred William RANKIN (1881-1954) and Lillian May ABBOTT (1885-1919), was born on 24 Mar 1919 in Bangalow, NSW.¹⁰⁷ born 15/5/1918 a/c to. Elsie died on 21 Jun 1983 in Sydney.^{107 107} M.

Elsie was a dancing instructress when she met Bill.⁹⁹

Elsie May RANKIN and William Frank KNIGHT had the following children:

18.

Donald Macdonald KNIGHT, son of Edward Arthur KNIGHT and Margaret Harken MACDONALD, was born on 30 May 1925 in Sydney. He was a Ship's Officer, Hotelier. He was Methodist. He married Jean Norma HALL on 22 Jun 1946 in Christ Church, Gladesville, Sydney. David J.Knox, Marriage Certificate C694305, Witnesses - Ian E Barton, Norman E Smith. Donald died on 21 Oct 1995 in Launceston. Heart failure,whilst suffering terminal liver cancer. Donald was buried on 21 Oct 1995 in Cremated Launceston Crematorium. Ashes with son, Rhett Knight.

Don was born into a working-class family - father a ship's engineer, mother the daughter of a ship's engineer. Don's mother died when he was aged 2, brother Billy 9. Perhaps because their father, Ted, worked full-time or could not cope with 2 young boys, Don and Bill were brought up by their maternal grandmother Annie Macdonald, an Irishwoman from Londonderry. Annie was a nurse by profession. According to Don's brother Bill "by all reports was a broad speaking Scottish lady who did not tolerate frivolity....but who did the best she could for them both". Annie's husband Walter had died in 1915. Although she was stern, Don spoke about her fondly. In later life whenever Don visited Sydney he always visited the family grave at Rookwood. Annie came to care for them at Foucart St., Drummoyne. They moved (by horse and cart!) to Thompson St., Drummoyne. Then to Broughton St., Drummoyne where they had a garden in the Depression. Next to Edwin St., Drummoyne. Don went into the Navy at 17. Bill, who had lived at other family houses, including Rowntree St., got married from Edwin St.

Don went to Drummoyne Primary School and Drummoyne High School. He attended the Methodist Church in Drummoyne, and was in the "Boys Brigade" during Primary School. He spent 3 years at High School, and after finishing school he obtained a job as a clerk with WD&HO Wills and Co. in the city. Don may have been a a surf lifesaver, probably at Narrabeen, explaining his lifelong love of bodysurfing. He had a friend at Narrabeen, Larry McNab, whose mother was reputed to be a relative or family friend of his mother. Don visited Mrs. McNab several times before her death, last time at Collaroy.

Before the War Don sang in a vocal group called the "Arabian Knights". He was 17 years of age when in it, according to Ian Barton, another member. It was 3 part harmony consisting of members Ian Barton - bass, Don Knight - melody, and Herb Smith - tenor. It was a National competition and they won it. The show was broadcast by Macquarie network 2GB. Assessment was done by vote, and the groups were auditioned first. The show pianist was Marie Ormston, the "Melody Girl". She was engaged to Frank Brown (contempt of Parliament). The "Arabian Nights" were invited to sing at their wedding, but war intervened. Don was also on "Amateur Hour" in an instrumental group, the "RonDonIans": Ron Gowans - sax, clarinet, became professional and later played with Tommy Tycho, Ian Barton- Spanish guitar, Don - piano accordion, George Watson - drums.

Because he was only 17 he had to get his father's authorisation to enlist in the Navy. This was obtained only grudgingly, according to his cousin, Jack Knight. He kept waiting outside the pub door for his father Ted to sign the document which he eventually did. Don was mobilised for War service 0n 7.9.42. His naval experience was mainly on Corvettes, and he was a member of the Corvette Association in later life, attending reunions from 1980 until 1992, and taking senior roles in the Association.

"Corvettes are one of the smallest warships in the Australian navy and were built in local shipyards in Australia. They served in World War II escorting merchant ships around the Australian coast, swept for mines and rescued survivors from bombed ships."

Training during WW2 seems to have been: "Cerberus" to Jan 1943."Rushcutter" to April 1943. HMAS Rushcutter was an anti-submarine school, and a radar and gunnery school at Edgecliffe, Sydney.

Don served on the "Cairns", corvette, then the"Geraldton" minesweeper during 1943 during the invasion of Sicily in the Mediterranean, in Atlantic convoys, and in the Persian Gulf convoys from Aden to Bombay. He was on HMS "Canopus", a naval shore establishment in Alexandria in 1943. From April 1944 until February 1946 he served on the "Yandra, Radar ship until he finished his navy service. Yandra remained in eastern Australian waters conducting routine patrol, anti-submarine and escort duties which extended as far north as New Guinea. "Don had qualified in Radar and Gunnery at "Rushcutter". His photos and memorabilia show that he had visited many places during WW2, including Bombay, Calcutta, Karachi,Kandy, Suez, Port Said, Alexandria, Gibraltar, Haifa, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Aden, Cairns, Milne Bay, Fremantle and Eden.

During the War he met his future wife Jean when he was on leave. They exchanged hundreds of letters during the War and whilst he was in the merchant Service.

He was demobilised on 4.3.1946, and his WW2 discharge address was 40 Edwin St., Drummoyne. His discharge was a month before his grandmother Annie Macdonald died.

After demobilisation Don went back to work for WD&HO Wills for about a year. During a period of leave he went to sea for a trip with close friend Norm Smith's wife, Molly Smith's father, Captain Haydn. Don then served under the captain on "60-miler" cargo ships, about 60 miles up and down the coast from Sydney for a couple of years. Haydn persuaded Don that he needed more qualifications which meant going on longer voyages. Don then joined Miller's shipping company. Ships he sailed in included the "William Macarthur" and the "Birchgrove Park". And the Union Steamship Company's "Kamona", and the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company's "Mildura". Don wrote to Jean whenever he was ashore and the letters indicate many sailings to Strahan, Hobart, Brisbane and other Australian ports. He was examined for and passed his 2nd Mate's certificate of Competency. Later he sat and passed exam for 1st. Mate's certificate of Competency. He didn't take up a captaincy, although he only had about 12 months before he could qualify for it. Life at sea was proving difficult for a young married couple with a young child. Don was a Masonic Lodge member first at Birkenhead in Sydney,joining on 22/8/1946, continuing membership in Tasmania from 1977 at the Army and navy Lodge as a Master Mason, retiring in June 1990.

By June 1947just before son Rhett's birth, the family was was living at 25 Dean St., Enfield, and were still there in October 1948.(232), and in July 1950.

Don left the sea in 1953. His last port of call was Newcastle on 15th April 1953.Whilst on leave from the Merchant Navy, at a weekend trip to Mt. Victoria Hotel, Don was spotted by the owner, Doyle Mallett, organising a dance for all the guests. Mallett persuaded Don to leave the sea to work for him, learning the hotel trade at his hotels in Katoomba, Mt. Victoria and Petersham.After leaving the sea, Don went into the hotel trade, and eventually managed the Annandale Hotel for a period whilst the owners were overseas, living on the premises. After that came a stint managing "Gearins' Hotel" at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains (Including a short stint at the Mount Victoria Hotel). Then, spotted by Reg Ansett, Ansett Hotels contracted Don to develop and manage the Club Hotel at Burnie in Tasmania. In April 1955. He certainly did that, lifting the beer sales from nowhere to be the second largest of any hotel in the state. One of the attractions for drinkers in the Public Bar was the television set. License Number One in Tasmania. The family moved to Launceston about 1958. A photo of the Club hotel was notated on the rear "our hotel from 1954-1958" by Don Knight. He organised many dinners for the local ex-P.O.W.'s, serving extra-hot curries for them in a private room. Part of the reason for moving from Burnie was the urging from Jean who was concerned that Don's vocabulary was becoming limited to "Ow yer goin' mate, orright?" and thought that a more elevated tone would be more appropriate for them both. After several years the Centennial Hotel in Launceston was purchased freehold, and soon the building was re-developed. Whilst owning this Hotel, Don took over the lease of the Hotel St. George Launceston in August 1961 from the Brewery, and after many years, eventually sold it in August 1980. He had a great interest in, and appetite for, wine. His interest led to him being appointed the first Vineyards Association of Tasmania Executive Officer, a part-time honorary position, from 1984 to 1990.

Like many others from slightly deprived backgrounds, Don was proud of his wartime experiences and his time at sea. It opened up for him new worlds and interaction with many different people from all stratas of society. He celebrated these experiences for the rest of his life; by referring to them (whilst he was on his boats "Lady Jean", then "Shenandoah" he was the Captain and everything was referred to in naval terms), by socializing with like-minded people, and by joining and working for interest groups related to them (the Naval Association and Legacy - Launceston president from1973).

Likewise, he was proud of his Scottish ancestry - through his mother's side he was a Macdonald and given that as his second name. She was born in Scotland and although he knew little of her forbears other than the story that his great grandfather was a Master mariner, he loved the idea of his Scottish descent. He celebrated it in many ways, most obviously by introducing the idea of a "Burns night" (25th January) to the Beefsteak and burgundy Club. Every year a Burns night would be held at his hotel, the St. George. A Haggis, made by Don, using ingredients (lung, heart and other nasty bits) from the friendly German butcher Wolfgang next door, was piped into the gathering by a bagpiper from the local Caledonian band. Burns' "Ode to a haggis" would be recited by a local Scot and the ceremonies would be overseen by the local Chieftain, Bill Thompson, another Scot, and close friend. Much revelry ensued, drinking and singing - lots of good fellowship and also good for business.

Don's gifts were his social skills - he genuinely loved and enjoyed other people. He could relate and adapt to people from all backgrounds, was naturally friendly and outgoing. He enjoyed individual interaction and he loved a party.

He loved old musicals and in his retirement would watch many of them again on video .He had a great knowledge of songs and where they came from and who sang them as well.

Beauty Point. In the 1960's Don and jean bought a shack on the waterfront at Beauty Point, 40 minutes drive from Launceston. They renovated this over a number of years to a pleasant house. From here, Don was able to develop his passion for boats and the sea through a motor cruiser moored close by. The weekend routine was often to come to Beauty Point on a Sunday (or on a Saturday, returning to the Hotel for the Saturday night) and cruise and fish in the Tamar, eating onboard or barbecuing ashore somewhere. This was often done with other families and friends aboard or on their own boats: most notably the Hendersons' in the early days, and other boat owners (Rex Stephens, John Roark and families) later on. The boats had the advantage of being very fast, powered by large petrol motors, of being able to have a full day on the water and get back home quickly to have a social gathering at home afterwards. Because they were motor boats they were looked down on by some in the yachting fraternity as 'not real boating'. Don was aware of this snobbery and was always careful not to offend yachties.

In 1971 jean and Don had an overseas trip for 4 months, visiting Hawaii, Mexico, Bahamas, New York, Portugal, Spain,Paris, London, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece and South Africa. They had previously travelled to Japan in the 1964.

Don and Jean never had a house of their own (apart from their shack) until they purchased 30 High Street, Launceston in about 1980. They lived either in rooms at their hotels (Club Hotel, Centennial Hotel, St. George Hotel) or rented local flats (Dean St. Ashfield, Sydney, Cook Rd. Centennial Park Sydney, Frederick St. Launceston and Elphin Rd. Launceston). Frederick St. was a long-term stay and so was decorated appropriately according to Jean's taste. So the purchase of High St. was a milestone for them, particularly as it was in a very upmarket part of Launceston and was an imposing residence. They had come a long way from Gladesville and Drummoyne in Sydney.They were gradually renovating and decorating High St. and they had one upstairs bedroom full of antiques and bric-a-brac ready to be used. When Jean first was affected by Alzheimer's disease in about 1989 the renovations stopped, and when she was put into private care at a local nursing home, gradually Don sold off many antiques in order to pay for her care.

Don was a wonderful carer, religiously visiting Jean, usually twice daily, and became on best of terms with the nursing staff and many residents.

He faced his own mortality with great equanimity being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer 3 months before his death in 1995. He had begun some research into his family history at that time and would have loved to see how it developed^{82,99,100,105,106,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117}.

Jean Norma HALL, daughter of Frederick Poole HALL (1893-1944) and Isabella Jean MCLEAN (1894-1987), was born on 13 Feb 1925 in 88 Lyons Rd., Drummoyne, Sydney.¹¹⁸ born at "Nurse Rice's Private Hospital".Birth certificate A 271477 extract 27/12/41. Jean was a Bank Officer ,Hotelier. She was C of E. She died on 17 May 1996 in Mary's Grange Nursing Home, Taroona, Hobart, Tasmania. Alzheimer's Disease. Jean was buried in Cremated Hobart Crematorium. Ashes with son, Rhett Knight.

Jean attended Gladesville Primary School, and then Riverview High School to Intermediate Level. She then worked at the Rural Bank in Martin Place, Sydney city as a typist/office assistant in the Chief Accountant's office, 8th Floor from 5th Jan 1942 until 5th April 1946, shortly before her marriage. Jean and her sister Shirley were Legatees after their father Fred's death. She and Don became attached during 1943 and many hundreds of letters were passed between them during the war and whilst Don was in the merchant Service. After her marriage to Don, and Rhett's birth, they lived at Enfield and then Centennial Park whilst Don was still at sea. She worked as a barmaid in various hotels whilst living at Centennial Park before Don came ashore and they managed the Annandale Hotel for a period.

During their hotel management, Jean often would take responsibility for the kitchen and accommodation roles, complementing Don's public relations side.

She was a gifted interior decorator and an avid antique collector. In Tasmania she was contracted to do the decorating for several other Tasmanian hotels. Her eulogy, written and delivered by Nancy Schaffner tells of the cruel disease which eventually took her life¹¹⁹.

Jean Norma HALL and Donald Macdonald KNIGHT had the following children:

21.

Kenneth William KNIGHT, son of William Frank KNIGHT and Elsie May RANKIN, was born on 28 May 1950 in Sydney.¹⁰⁷ He married L D R in 1976. He died on 22 May 2020 in Forster, NSW.^{121 122} He was buried on 1 Jun 2020 in Great Lakes Memorial Gardens, Forster.

C of E

Due to Covid 19 restrictions the funeral was held online as well as at the Funeral Chapel.

Putney School

Worked for Ampol

Moved to Harbord 1976

Moved to Wagga 1980

Moved to Newcastle

Moved to North Ryde, Syney

Moved to Forster 1988¹²³

L D R was born in 1950. She and Kenneth William KNIGHT had the following children: