Mary Broc Billows ( Grandmother ), was born in Dorchester, on 25th December 1851 and
lived in Poole, Dorsetshire, one of 9 children, she died on the13th August 1945 and is also
buried at Toowong Cemetery. Her father, Edward Billows ( 1817 – 1858 ), an Engineer went
to Calcutta, India in 1856 to install the gas street lighting. Whilst there he contracted Cholera
and died, soon after his wife with daughter Eva returned to England. Their other children had
remained at schools in England. They lived at Gustardwood near Wheathampstead. Grandma,
Mary Broc Wilsher , nicknamed ‘Polly’, was not well for a time and again for the records
went to live with a Lady Yarmouth, then later with a Lady Braedalbane, they became close
friends and she worked and travelled with her as her first assistant. The county house of Lady
Braedalbane was Taymouth Castle, Alberfeldy Perth in Scotland.
6
Mary Broc Billows of Gustardwood, arrived in Melbourne Australia on January 29th 1885 in
the Ship St. Peterbourough with her brother Fred, his wife and son Fred. ( the sailing ship
took 4 months ). Thomas George travelled to Melbourne from Brisbane and they were
married at St.Peters Anglican Church in 1885 by Canon Handfield. The bride was given away
by Colonel Bromwych and the bridesmaid was Kate Charmbury, a cousin of Mary. Kate later
married a Mr. Parker, manager of Argus Paper, Melbourne. Tom and Mary travelled north
soon after as the weather was too cold for Fred. Fred had an abscess on the lung for which
there was no remedy, he died on 24th.October 1886, age 37 years and is buried at Toowong
Cemetery. His wife and son Fred returned to England, her son Fred went to live in France,
joined the Army and was killed in action in WW1. BUT we do have a copy of a document
from the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour showing a Frederick John Wilsher died
21st April 1917, Number 997. 41st Battalion Australian Infantry, age 19 Native of England,
place of enlistment Gympie, Queensland, so maybe he did not return to England or there is
another Fred Wilsher ??
Thomas George Wilsher and Mary Broc Billows. Continued : They had three children,
Adeline, Gladys and George. ( details a little later )
When Gladys was three the Wilsher family moved from Sydney to Mackay, Queensland and
lived in a home in McAllister Street ( now demolished ). Thomas opened his first shop in
Sydney Street, as a confectioner and pastrymaker and later a second shop. He was well known
for his sweets and under Royal Patronage. Orders were sent to them on board the boat or
wherever the guests were picnicking and needing tasty morsels. He did well but crashed later
when too many imported sweets came on the market and the homemade were dearer.
He quit Mackay and tried farming at Grantham. It was no good, the cattle ( from Gatton
College ) caught a disease which was prevalent then. Things were grim.!
Daughter, Gladys did some clerical work at a store then entered nursing in 1912, George
joined the Post office, making this his lifelong career and later moving to the Sydney GPO.
Thomas George packed up and went to live at New Farm, Brisbane. Later to Hendra –
perhaps with Walter and Gladys’ home in Gerler road, then to their own home in Mein Street,
Eagle Farm.Thomas George had become a commercial traveller for Plumridge’s Sweets and
Huttons’ Smallgoods, covering along the coast of Queensland to Thursday Island. He spent a
lot of time working away from home. Eventually as Mary Broc became ill, they went to live
with their daughter Gladys and her husband Walter in15 Manson Road, Hendra. Thomas built
himself a small bed – sitting room in the garden of the home in Hendra. Gladys older sister
Adeline also lived with Gladys and Walter, she was a very frail spinster. For the record Mary
Broc (Billows) Wilsher died 13 th August 1945, aged 93, Although she lost her hair during
her sickness , when she died her hair had grown again, lovely black hair. Thomas George
Wilsher died 4th June 1953, aged 89 years and is buried at Toowong Cemetery. Brisbane.
In 1948 Thomas George returned to England for a visit and boarded with a lady in
Harpenden. According to his daughter Gladys, he supposedly saw his real Mother, Eliza Jane
( Tindall ) Calverly, who was very old. ( born 1847, so 101 years ). However he did not
confirm this in his diary. On his return from England by boat, he was met by the 3 daughters
of his cousin Leonard, Phyllis Bradbury, Gladys Gibson and Lena Wilsher. Descendants of
these three will still be living, probably in Perth, Australia.
:
7
Thomas and Mary had 3 children:
(# I) Adeline Mary Wilsher born 11th August 1886 and was baptised at St. Marys, Kangaroo
Point, Brisbane. She died a spinster 29th August 1971 having lived most of her adult life with
her sister, Gladys and her husband Walter Lewis.
(# ii) Gladys Charmbury Broc Wilsher born on the 25th May 1890 with midwife Jones in
attendance, who lived close by. She died 20th February 1989 at Caloundra Brisbane. Gladys
married 26th April 1923 to Walter Wentworth Lewis at St.Colomb’s, Clayfield Brisbane,
Walter was born 20th February 1893 Herberton, North Queensland to parents John Walter
Lewis and Grace Thompson. Walter died 14th February 1975 in Brisbane. Gladys and Walter
had 2 children :
(## I) George Walter Broc Lewis 30th August 1924 and died 13th September 1988, from an
Embolism and loss of blood, on the operating table , age 64. George married Winifred Hilda
Mary Howes born 30th January 1925 in Brisbane to parents Albert Blackburn Howes and
Belinda Agnes Henrietta Postle. George and Win had 2 children:
(###i) Judith Anne Lewis born 15th September 1954 in Brisbane. She married on the27th
August 1983 at St Clements Church Stafford , Brisbane to Stephen Ashton Jones born 14th
1953 Fredericksburg, Virginia USA to parents James Ashton Jones and June Patricia
Hancock. Judith and Stephen had 2 children. :
(####i) Samuel Ashton Broc Jones 2nd Februry 1986 , Brisbane (####ii) Brett James Lewis
Jones 28th November 1989 Canberra.
(###ii) Brenda Jane Lewis 8th Auguast 1957, Brisbane married 12th May 1979 to Gregory
Gordon Langdon born 17th May 1951, McLarenvale South Australia. Brenda and Greg had 2
children :(####I) Aaron George Langdon born 25 th November 1984, Gladstone.
(####ii) Craig Gordon Langdon born 27 th march 1987 Brisbane.
(##ii) Gladys Grace Charmbury Lewis ( Grace ), born 11th December 1925 in Brisbane,
she married on 31st March 1951 Bevan Richards Thiele born 8th August 1925 from
Melbourne. They had 3 children :
(####I) John Bevan Thiele 15 th February 1952. He Married on the 6th September 1975 to
Anne Robyn Ferguson born 7th September 1951 in Brisbane. They had 4 children :
(#I) Robert John born 26th April 1977 in Brisbane.
(#ii) Andrew Bevan born 6th July 1980
“
.
(#iii) Gavin James born 7st September 1983 also in Brisbane.
(#iv) Timothy Richards born 1st September 1986
“ .
(####2) Margeret Grace Thiele born 30th July 1955 in Brisbane. She was married on 3
January 1981in Brisbane to Denis Charles Riddle, born 18th August 1955 in Fiji.
They had 2 children :
(## I) Catherine Grace Riddle born 21st September 1985.
(##ii) Justine Elizabeth Riddle , born 18th December 1990.
(####3) David Lewis Thiele born 19th February 1961 in Brisbane and he was married on 8th
October 1988 to Sharon Black, born 13th August 1965. David and Sharon had 2 children :
(#I) Elliot James Thiele, born 8th August 1992 in Brisbane .
##ii) Oliver Thiele born 28th September 1995 in Brisbane.
Now back to the direct line of the Wilshers.
GEORGE TINDALL THRALE WILSHER , the only son born to Thomas George and
Mary Broc Wilsher. He was born at Toowong, Queensland on 1st September 1891 and died
on the 23rd May 1985 at Cronulla, NSW, age 93, quietly in his sleep, no major illnesses
during his life and is buried in the lawn Cemetery , Woronora, Sutherland. NSW.
8
Tindall is a family name dating back to William Tindall, who is said to have been Martyred
and put to death for translating the bible into English in about 1536. The Tindalls were a
distant relation, who’s ancestry could be traced back to King George the 1st and to English
folk, this seemed to be of great importance at the time Thrale is a family name ( Sarah Thrale)
George joined the Post Master Generals’ Department as a messenger boy in Mackay, then
later as a postman delivering mail in the country, driving a horse and sulky. Later moving to
Sydney and working in the Mail Branch at the GPO, Sydney. He commenced studying for an
Engineer, but WWII started and all courses were suspended until after the War. During this
time he met Lucy Henrietta Dutton at their local church in Surry Hills, St. Davids.
He lived with Canon Hammond in the rectory at 15 Arthur Street, Surry Hills.
They were married on the 18th September 1915 at St. Davids by Canon R.S.Hammond.
Lucy Henrietta Dutton was born on 12th July 1892 at Barrow Vale near Cobar, NSW ,
supposedly in a tent. Her father was Henry Dutton born 1863 in Adelong NSW, died on 20th
February 1928 at Rockdale NSW, he was a carpenter, worked on building the water reservoirs
at Mortdale and Bankstown. His father was Abel Dutton born 1831 and died in 1903 at
Adelong, he was a miner, one of the first to mine in the Tumut area of NSW. His mother was
Lydia ( Baxter ) Dutton born 1831 and died 1911. They are both buried in the Cemetery at
Adelong He came from Lancashire and she from Huddesfield, England. Married in 1854.
Lucy’s mother was Jane Fenton, born in Wilcannia, NSW. on the 29th July 1973, died on
14th November 1936 and is buried at Woronora cemetery, Sutherland. When Lucy was a
child the family moved to Bega, where she grew up and went to school. When about 18 years
old they moved to Sydney and lived at 46 Adelaide Street, Surry Hills. Lucy only had one
brother W.A (Allan ) Dutton, who was killed in 1915 in France in World War II, after whom
our eldest brother Allan was named.
Jane’s father was Joseph Fenton born 9th February 1852 and died 1911, he was a miner in
Cobar. Her mother was Mary F. ( Henning ) Dutton, born 1845 and died in 1924.
Lucy Henrietta died on the 16th November 1979 aged 87. She did suffer from Angina and
Diabetes for the last few years of her life. She was a wonderful Wife and Mother , well
respected in all she did. She was a Sunday School Teacher at St. Davids, Surry Hills, very
active in church work with the Reverend Mr. Gabbot at St.Johns Rockdale and with the
Reverend Canon Camroux at Cronulla, as was her husband George, who wrote of her, “ Well
done, good and faithful servant, ----- enter into the joy of your Lord .” Mathew 25 : 21 They
both worked for over 50 years for the British and Foreign Bible Society,‘ Pop‘ Wilsher as he
was known played the violin and clarinet and wrote a column in the St.Andrews Church paper
for many years. They lived in 7 different suburbs of Sydney, before owning their first home in
19 Castlewood Avenue Cronulla in 1954. This house was left to their daughter Joy .
Lucy’s brother William Allan Dutton born in 1894 (10221) at Cobar, was killed in action in
WWI in 1916. He married Ellen Morgan prior to going overseas. She later married Frank
Cullen and returned to northern NSW to live. He was in the 20th Battalion, AIF. His grave is
in France at the Brewery Orchard Cemetery , Bois Grenier 83. He received the Simpson
Medal, being carried from the battlefield on Simpson’s donkey. This medal is under lock and
key at Cronulla RSL Club. GTTW & LHW Marriage Reg. 9108/1915. LHW Birth Reg.1085.
Allan George Henry Wilsher born 23 rd May 1916, named George Henry, but christened
Allan after Lucy’s brother. Allan was a tiny baby, 2 pounds at birth, prematurely, probably
due to her trauma, her brother being killed while she was pregnant. Allan was born at 46
Adelaide Street, Surry Hills, Sydney. He died on the 3 rd June 1982 age 66, suffering for two
years with “ Motor Neuron “ Disease, at that time , no known cure.
9
He is buried in the lawn cemetery at Sutherland, close by to Lucy and George Wilsher and his
wife Edith Eileen Wilsher. She was born in Cowra in 1923 (reg. 6734) and died on the 11th
November 1968, suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, ( from a heart attack following an
overdose of cortisone, of which little was known of, prescribed by her local doctor ). She had
been a seamstress for many years. Her father was Lindley Thompson and her mother Florence
Kate Huckle, she had been married before to John Maxwell Dillon, no children. Allan worked
at the Sydney Cotton Mills at Sydenham from when he was 14 until he turned 21 years old, he
was then put off, as he had reached adult age, a practice which went on at that time . He
carried his swag during the depression, going north to work in the Cane fields in northern
NSW, owned by family friends, the Morgans. Ellen Morgan married Lucy’s brother Allan.
After serving a term in the Army, he joined the PMG, firstly as a Postman, then as a Clerk in
the Personnel Department. His interests were mainly music, studying the piano and having his
own small band, which used to play at the local dances. He enjoyed tennis, playing with the
API at sporting carnivals each year in a different country town.
He was very conscientious, enjoyed helping his family and those less fortunate than himself.
They had no children and lived with Lucy and George at Cronulla all their married life.
Frank Charmbury Wilsher was born in Peruse Street Randwick on the 29th July 1917 and
died on the 30th July 1996 after suffering from liver cancer for a short time. He worked
during the depression years 1935 – 1939 with Allan on the sugar cane plantations. Frank
joined the Militia, as did many men looking for a job in those days, then unable to join the
AIF, as war had started, due to health reasons, he studied wireless , had a small business in
Arncliffe for a few years, then studied again and received his Electrician’s Licence.
He married Vivian Dorothy Cullen, born 23rd February 1914 at Mosman, Sydney on the
12th February 1938 at All Saints Church at Leichhardt.( Reg.No.1406.) Dorothy’s father was
Frank Vivien John Cullen who married Amy Madeline Lovett at St.Stephens Church,
Richmond on the 6th January 1911, (Reg. No.1807) He was a NSW Coach and Dorothy’s
father was an Accountant and later a Schoolmaster in North Shore, Sydney. My memory tells
me that when Frank met Dorothy he was in the Army and Dorothy’s family lived at Arncliffe.
They moved to Bega, Southern NSW for twenty years, where they lived through two large
floods, both times they had to move out of their home and carry out major repairs, both times
the flood came up to the picture rails. Frank worked for the Bega Valley County Council as a
Principal Technical Officer, being responsible for the switching gear in the Brown Mountain
Power Station, part of the Snowy River Scheme. He was the Inspector of Works for the
Masonic Lodge on the far South Coast and Chairman of the local Building Society. They
both enjoyed gardening, winning many gardening awards, very involved in the Arts, both
with a flare for painting. Dorothy as at 3 rd October 2004 still going well.
Dorothy has a sister Cherry, born 25th July 1920, joined the WAAF during WW2, met and
married F/O Bill Healy a fighter pilot. They separated after the war and she then married
Lt. Colonel Mervyn Roderick Jeanes. Two children Nicholas Scott and Antonnette Elizabeth.
Dorothy and Frank had one child :
Roslyn Dorothy Wilsher born on the 22nd November 1939, died on the 9th May 2000 in
Sydney after a long illness ( Breast cancer ) Roslyn was born at St.George Hospital, Kogarah
She is buried at ‘Palmdale’ Lawn Cemetery Ourimbah, NSW. near her father, Frank Wilsher.
Roslyn was very well respected and loved by her family and her peers.
10
She married John Thomas Hudson, born 28th February 1933, at St.Andrews Church of
England Cronulla on the 28th July 1962. They moved to Wee Waa in Northern NSW, this
was a cotton growing district and it is thought that the sprays used on the cotton may have led
to her cancers. Roslyn worked at the local School as a clerical assistant, a plaque is erected at
the school in her honour and John worked as a Plant Operator and Mechanic on the cotton
machinery. He later branched out on his own.
After Roslyn died he moved south to the Central Coast to be closer to Roslyn’s mother and
away from the cotton plantations.
Roslyn and John had 3 children :
(i) Tiffany Jane Hudson born 7th February 1963 at Wee Waa, She married Ian Andrew Beer
born 22nd December 1960 at Terrigal on 22nd January 1983. Tiffany studied at Universaty,
NSW in Sydney and became a Food Technologist working for various companies and then
branching out on her on as a Consultant. Ian is also in the same work as a Senior Food
Inspector for the NSW Dept. of Health. His father was a School Principal at many NSW
country Schools. They live at Lakemba and have 2 children :
(a) Meridith Dorothy born 5th September 1992 (b) Sarah Elizabeth born 1st March 1996.
(ii) Lyndall Joanne Hudson born 22nd December 1964. She married Rodney John Brown
born 21st October 1963 at the Naval Chapel at Vaucluse, Sydney on the 31st January 1987.
Lyndall has worked for various large retail manufacturers as Manager in NSW and as State
Manager in Western Australia. Rodney is in the Australian Navy working as a Chief Petty
Officer and has been involved in many of Australian Involvements over the last twenty years.
They are living in Western Australia at present ( 2002 ). They have no children.
Rodney has been involved on Operational duties in the Gulf Wars during his Navy service.
(iii) Dorothy Louise Hudson born 18th November 1968. She married Reginald Joseph
Kennedy born 11th June 1957 on 26th June 1993 in Sydney. Louise has had various jobs and
at present is attending studies in Canberra, Reginald is a Computer Programmer working as a
free lancer for various companies in Canberra. They live in Canberra and have 3 children :
(a) James Adam Charmbury born 27th December 1993 in Sydney and (b) Zachary Aiden
born 6th Januiary 1996 and (c) Hannah Dorothy Roslyn born 21st November 2000.
JOHN DUTTON WILSHER Born 30th October 1918 at Annandale, Sydney. He married
Evelyn Elizabeth Smedley born on 30th April 1920 in 1942 (Reg. No. 18534 ).Eve’s father
was Albert Beverstock Smedley and her mother was Henrietta Honey. Jack and Eve were
divorced in 1949, no children. John or Jack as we called him also carried his swag during the
depression years and worked on large Cattle Stations in the far west of NSW as a Boundary
Rider and Jackaroo. He joined the Army when war broke out but was placed back in a War
Munitions Factory, his trade being a welder. This was the usual action taken during the war.
He later studied and became a Refrigeration Engineer, spending most of his working life
travelling around the state of NSW. His main interests were music, he played the Guitar, he
also spent much of his time playing Outdoor Bowls and on various committees. Mum referred
to Jack as the Black Sheep of our family, very seldom saw him or his family.
Jack died on the 30th September 2002 at the ‘Homewood’ Nursing home in Bexley, age 83.
His second marriage was to Loris Norma Breeze born 2nd March 1925, died on 7th July
1998
They raised 4 children :
(i)
Graham Francis (Breeze) Wilsher from a former marriage, born 16th February
1944, he married Janice Anne Norman born 1st August 1944 on the 13th November
1963.
11
Graham spent many years working with Jack as a refrigeration technician .They had 2
children (a) Jodie Francis Wilsher born 30th December 1969 , she married Paul
Diggleman born 22nd December 1964 on the 26th September 1992 and they had 2 children ,
Bianca May born 22nd 1997 and Courtney Rose born 8th July 2001. (b) Angela Francis
Wilsher born 17th August 1975, she married Anthony David Archdall born 14th March 1978
on the 6th March 1999,no children.
(ii) Jayne Margeret Wilsher born 15th August1954, she married Stephen John Garau, no
records of Stephen, one child , Graham John born 26th April 1983.
Second Marriage to Bob Kirby, no records. Graham was raised by his Aunty Loris.
(iii) Loris Faye Wilsher born 2nd August 1956 , she married Terrance James O’Sullivan
born 11th November 1954 on the 22nd December 1973.
Loris and Terrance had 2 children:
Paul Mathew born 30th June 1975, died age 17 on 13th April 1992.
Belinda Loris born 28th May 1978 who has a partner Ronan Feeney and they have a child
Maiya born 27th July 1999. The marriage to Terrance broke up and Loris had a child to
her partner Manuel Trialonas , Katrina Louise born 15th May 1984, she is known as Katrina
Louise O’Sullivan ??? This relationship did not last and Loris had a short relationship with
Stan Twigley in the 1980’s, but at the moment in 2002 is living with her daughter Katrina and
I think her sister Vicki. ( sort that out !! )
(iiii) Victoria Louise Wilsher born 31st May 1960, she married Stephen Shane Saxby born
5th September 1956 on the 22nd July 1978. They have 2 children:
(a) Daniel Bernard Saxby born 12th August 1980 , died age 17 years, 22nd October 1997, the
same age as his cousin Paul O’Sullivan.
(b) Dean Jonathan Saxby born 10th October 1984.
John Wilsher’s third marriage was to Ruth Josephine (Anelzark) Stanton, born I think in
1923, no records of Ruth or this marriage, Maybe in 1984. I will keep looking. No children.
Separated in 2002 . John buried in the COE section, Woronora lawn cemetery, Sutherland.
FREDERICK BROC WILSHER born 18th May 1920 at Annandale, Sydney, married Joy
Pearl Allan at St. Andrews Church of England Cronulla on 22nd June 1946. Fred carried his
‘ swag’ during the depression, travelling to northern NSW, working on cattle stations as a
boundary rider. My memory of my brothers was about this time, as I was only ten years old .
He returned to Sydney and joined the Militia, Light Horse Brigade, as did many men to get a
job and help support their family. He later transferred to the ‘Robin Force’, whose job it was
to travel around the coastal islands and bring back to Australia, Germans and Italians, who
were interned during World War 11. He was then transferred to the 2nd. / 5th Independent
Commando task force ( AIF ). He was sent to New Guinea and during his term there was
badly injured, being machine – gunned in the legs. He had contracted Malaria, Dengue Fever,
Berry Berry and Hook Worms, so was sent back to Australia were he spent 10 months in
Hospital at Tamworth. It was here that he met his future wife, Joy, she was working in the
Hospital as a Nursing Aid. Joy was very musical, playing the Piano and Guitar, also writing
and singing songs. After the War, Fred studied and worked as a refrigeration mechanic, until
he had to retire due to poor health, he was awarded a TPI disability pension by the
Department of Veteran Affairs. Joy died in May 2000 after a period in a Nursing Home at
Miranda .She is buried in the Cemetery at Shellharbour.
Fred and Joy had two Children:
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1.Ashley Frederick Wilsher born 1st March 1947, he was a self-employed Surveyor,
working on several large constructions in Sydney and NSW, including the Olympic Games
site in the year 2000. He lived with his parents and grew up in 1 Berry Street Cronulla. He
married Kerry Lynne (Layt) born 8th September 1956 on the 14th October 1978 at Cronulla
C of E.
They have 5 children, (a) Renee born 22nd August 1981, triplets, (b/c/d) Shelley, Jessica and
Belinda all born on 21st April 1984 and oops!! (e) Isabelle born 23 rd February 1993. All
girls are very good athletes, especially running.
2.Jannene Joy Wilsher born 24th September 1951, grew up in Cronulla, married Robert
Johnson, born 5th May 1952 on 10th October 1970, at the COE at Cronulla. Robert works
for the NSW Railways in Newcastle. Jannene loves painting and Robert music ( Guitar )
They have 2 children, (a) Melody born 16th November 1976 and (b) Lincoln born 27th
March 1979. Lincoln not married , as at 24th December 2002. Studying Industrial Arts.
Melody has a Partner, Jason Philip Crump, A famous British Speedway Rider, born 6th
August 1975 in Bristol. They live in West Hunsbury, New Hampton, England and have two
Children : Mia Lili born 13th October 1999 and Seth Joseph born 17th April 2003 at North
Hampton. Jason’s parents were Philip John Crump born in Redcliffe Victoria Australia and
Carol Ann born in Forest Hills Victoria .
GLADYS JANE WILSHER ( a female at last ) born January 1921 but unfortunately for
Mum died on 2nd November 1923 with, we believe a kidney complaint, buried at Woronora
Cemetery, Sutherland in a grave with Mum’s mother Jane, C of E Row D 7-8 EEE.
Also buried in this grave are young children of our families, a baby to Fred and Joy, a baby to
Bruce and Nancy, Christine and a baby to Gregory Milne and Elaine, Tianna Lee (1983)
On the Headstones of the graves are Memorials to Henry Dutton, Mum’s father, died 14th
November 1936, buried at Rockdale, age 64, Mum’s brother ,W.A. Dutton killed in 1915,
WW1, in France. Also our brother, George Fenton Wilsher died 15th March 1943.(Age 20)
GEORGE FENTON WILSHER, born on 13th February 1923, at Rockdale, a very good
scholar, Captain of the Kogarah High School and winning many awards for his Athletic
ability, sang in the church choir at St. Johns C of E Rockdale with his brothers, Fred, Harry
and Bruce also his fiance’ Dorothy (Dot) Griffin. A plaque was placed on the end of a Pew in
the church by our family to remember George, who joined the RAAF in WW2, reaching the
rank of Pilot Officer, before being accidentally killed when he needed to make an emergency
landing at night after completing a training flight over Victoria. He is buried at the Springvale
War Cemetery, Grave ITC11 ( Service No. 423964 ). His death was a great blow to us all, it
is said that “ The best go first”, in his case , we all agree, he died on 16th March 1943, age 20.
HARRY DAVID WILSHER born 1st September 1925 at Bestic Street Rockdale. Harry
grew up at 38 Connemarra Street Bexley, went to School at Kogarah Primary and High
School at Sydney Technical and Hurstville Secondary High School. He joined the RAAF in
1943 and due to the death of George obtained a compassionate posting back to Sydney, able
then to spend some weekends at home, with the family. He completed training as a Fitter
Driver Motor Transport and then was sent overseas to the Island of Morotia, near Borneo for
the duration of the War ( 1947). ( Service No. 137372 ). He worked then for the PMG, later
being Telecom, for 37 years as a Technical Officer, then a Customer Plant Manger, retiring in
1985. Harry married Mary Jacqueline Martin, born 22nd May 1929 and christened at St.
Mary’s Cathedral Sydney. She grew up in Kogarah Bay, Sydney, she completed a Secretarial
13
course and worked for ETA Peanut Butter in Marrickville as a private secretary. They moved
into a new home at 18 English Street Cronulla in 1954, where they lived until 1986 and where
their children grew up. When Harry retired, they moved to Mittagong in the Southern
Highlands. They lived on a 5 acre farm until 1999 then moved into a small Villa in Mittagong
close to Town.
Harry continued working in a voluntary capacity, mainly with the RSL movement in the
Southern Highlands as a trained Pensions Case Officer and a Welfare Officer assisting
Ex-Servicemen and Women to submit Claims through the Veteran Affairs Department in
Sydney. During his working life he was awarded Life Memberships for services rendered
with the Australian Postel Institute, President Squash Club and in retirement the Southern
Highlands Veterans Golf Association.
Jacqueline continued her love of painting , joining the Berrima District Art Society, Oils and
Water Colour also followed her Mother’s life long interest in Gardening.
Jacqueline’s Parents were John Bernard Martin born 2nd November 1900 in Sunderland
England, died on 7th February 1983 at Gymea Bay Nursing Home ( age 82 ) and Kathleen
Angela Mansfield, born 24th December 1902 in Newtown Ireland, died on 24th September
1991at ‘Elizabeth Balvers’ Nursing Home in Mittagong ( Age 88 ). Jacqueline’s father left
his home, we believe in Leeds when he was 12 years old and joined a sailing ship as a cabin
boy. His father had died during the Boer War and his Stepfather sent him to work in the coal
mines, so he left. He remained a seaman, serving in the British Merchant Navy during WW1
and continued to travel the world until he left his ship in Melbourne in 1927. He later met and
married Kathleen on 1st February 1929 at St. Benedicts Church Sydney. Jacqueline was
christened at St.Mary’s Cathedral Sydney. John Bernard also served in the Australian Army
as a cook during WW2. Her Grandparents were John Mansfield and Ellen Walshe and we
believe they lived at Bonmahon in South East coast of Ireland. He was a horse trainer and
when Ellen Walshe died , Kathleen being only three years old, the story goes that he went to
live in America and she, Kathleen was raised first by the Nuns and then by a McGrath family
in Bonmahon. Jacqueline and I met up with the descendants of this family at Bonmahon on
our trip to England in 1993.We still keep in touch, although they cannot help us in our search.
When Kathleen was 15 years old she went to London to work, then, suffering from asthma,
on Doctor’s advice, migrated to Australia in 1926, then 23 years old. We have not as yet
found any of her Irish family records the Mansfields or the Walshes. We are also still
searching for the Martins. As at July 2003 we have found her Grandparents on her father’s
side. George William Martin born 1874 married to Mary Ann McIver born 1876 on
20th November 1894 in Durham England .We at last have found (2004) found first cousins of
Jacqueline, living in Wales, descendants of her father’s brother Frederick(see Martin Disc.)
Harry and Jacqualine had five children :
Mark David Wilsher born 30th November 1954 at St .Margaret’s Hospital Sydney. Mark
was a keen surfer, travelling to many parts of the world, chasing the good waves. He studied
Chinese Medicine and became interested in Tia Chee, Yoga and Meditation, which he taught
in Perth and in Albany, W.A. He later opened an Acupuncture Clinic in Albany. He met his
partner Kerry Spencer in Fremantle. Kerry was born on the 4th November 1960 in New
Zealand, she was also interested in the ‘ Alternate” type of Lifestyle and worked in Mark’s
Clinic in Albany , specialising in Reflexology and massage.
14
They had two children, Arie and Izaac, Mark and Kerry broke up their relationship in 1999.
Arie Spencer Wilsher was born on 23 rd August 1991 and Izaac Spencer Wilsher on 20th
March 1994. They grew up in Fremantle and in Albany and share there time between Mark
and Kerry.
Mark later met Rachael Jane (Marwick) Cocliff in Albany. Rachael was born in January
1960 at Pendock, Gloucestshire, England and has four children who share their time between
Rachael her ex-husband and Mark. Rachael and Mark live together in Albany. They had a
daughter, Lily Angelique, born 30th July 2003.
Her children are :
Jessica Anne born 9th June 1983,Kate Patricia born 18th January 1986, Izaac Albert born 4th
August 1987 and William Patrick born 5th May 1990. Both sets of children get on well .
Rachelle’s Parents are Barrington Cocliff and Patricia Ethel Cocliff of Yorkshire, England
Mark and Rachelle are expecting the arrival of a baby girl in August 2003 and Rachael’s
daughter Jessica is also expecting. Rachael will be a Mother and a Grandmother in 2003.
Rachael is a school teacher and speaks five languages.
Jennifer Lyn Wilsher born 8th July 1957 at the “Jacaranda” Private Hospital, Cronulla.
Jenny grew up in Cronulla, enjoyed her sports at School . She met Peter Tyte born 10th
November 1953, they were married at St.Andrews COE at Cronulla on 6th November 1976.
Peter was a plumber by trade, but preferred to work as an Operator at the Oil refinery at
Kurnell. They separated in 1998. Jennifer works now (2002) for United Airlines ticketing
Customers. They had two children :
Mathew Peter Tyte born 6th December 1979 at the Sutherland District Hospital Caringbah
and Lauren Shelly Tyte born 14th October 1981 also at Caringbah. Mathew loves surfing and
is studying to become an Electrician. Lauren loves dancing and is working for Qantas
Domestic receiving and despatching customers.
Jennifer later married Dennis Peter Glyn born 8th December 1950 in Sydney on 18th April
1998. Dennis is from Hertfordshire, England, near where our ancestors were born.
Dennis is self employed in the fabric wholesale business and his main interest is golf and golf.
Dennis’s Mother, still living in England ,Doreen Ethelwyn (Watson ) Glynn, born 3rd January
1922 at Harlesden London NW10 Married on 30th September 1944 to Thomas Glynn,
Lincolnshire Scotland at English Martyrs Neasen London NW10. She lives in Hemel
Hampstead, Hertfordshire, the same area as the Wilsher family comes from !!!.
Sharon Leigh Wilsher born in 1959, died as a baby in Caringbah Hospital and is buried at
Rookwood Cemetry in a special place for children who died as babies.
Shelly Ann Wilsher born 8th January 1962 at Sutherland Hospital. Shelly was raised in
Cronulla, went to School at Woolooware High, worked as a nursing aid before moving to
Fremantle WA, where she met her partner Douglas Robson born 19th April 1962.
Doug works as a plant operator in Warehouses, his interest is mainly cricket.
They have two children. Natalie Margaret born 15th April 1992 and Ashley Shannon born 9th
August 1998. Doug’s Mother is Margaret who lives close by and hails from Scotland.
15
Paul Martin Wilsher born 11th September 1964 at Sutherland Hospital raised in Cronulla
went to School at Woolooware High studied as an Architectural Draftsman, Horticulture and
Landscape Designer. At present is self employed as a Designer / Draftsman. He married
Colette Theresa Cassar born 3 rd December 1964 on the 11th August 1989 in Sydney at the
Lorretto Convent. Colette is a Dress Designer. They have two children.
Georgia Rose born 22nd August 1992 and Ella Louise born 29th September 1995.
At present they live at Como West, where Paul is renovating yet another house. Paul has
branched out on his own in House Design and Landscaping. ( 2003 )