JOHN WALDEN. 1795- 1875 

John Walden was born at Chelmsford, Essex, England in 1794. On the 8th March 1819; he was tried at the Essex Assizes for the crime of burglary, found guilty and sentenced to death. An extract of the relevant Assizes record appears hereunder: 

" ASSI. 35/259/1. Clerks of Assize. South-Eastern Circuit. Essex. Lent Session*. 1819. (Felony roll) John Walden. Attained of burglary in the dwelling house of James White and stealing his goods Value £19.8. Let them severally be hanged by the Neck until they be dead. Reprieved. Transported for life. (Indictment) The Jurors for our Lord the King upon their oath present that John Walden late of the Parish of Good Easter in the County of Essex labourer, and Denham Tween, late of the same, labourer, on the twentieth day of December in the Fifth Ninth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom 0 Great Britian and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith* about the hour of two in the night of the same day' with force and arms at the Parish aforesaid, in the County aforesaid, the dwelling house of James White there situate, feloniously and burglariously did break and enter with intent, \ the goods and chattels in the same dwelling house, then and there being feloniously and burglariously to steal, take and carry away, and three cheeses of the value of two pounds one shilling and sixpence* one Cannister of the value of one shilling, Four pounds weight of tea of the value of one pound and fourteen shillings, forty eight pounds weight of butter of the value of two pounds and sixteen shillings, Five loaves of bread• of the value of five shillings and sixpence, Twelve pounds weight of sugar of the value of sixteen shillings, Twenty eight pounds weight of soap of the value of one pound ten shillings and fourpencel Two Stone Bottles'of the value of three shillings, Four gallons of Elder Wine of the value of twelve shillings, Ninety seven yards of calico of the value of five pounds and ten shillings, Eighteen yards of Hempen cloth of the value of one pound and one shilling, One tub of the value of five shillings* Four pounds weight of Pork of the value of four shillings and eight pence, Two pairs of stockings of the valueof One pound and ten shillings, Three clothesof the value of ten shillings, One Earthen Pot of the value of two shillings, One wooden till of the value of one shilling, and the sum of Twenty Five shillings in Copper Monies, numbered of the goods, Chattels and monies of the said James White in the same dwelling house then and there being found, then and there feloniously and burglariously did steal, take, and carry away against the peace of our said Lord the King his crown and dignity. Puts himself (i.e. pleads not guilty) Jury say guilty. No goods. To be hanged by the neck until he be dead. Isaac White, Susannah White. Thomas Halls. John Martin. Robert Rolfe. William Harrington. Samuel Porter Matthews. Seven sworn in Court. A True Bill. 

The Chelmsford Chronicle of March 26th 1819, reported as follows: 

" ESSEX ASSIZE. John Walden and Denham Tween were convicted of breaking into the dwelling house of James White of Good Easter, Shopkeeper, and stealing divers articles of shopgoods and money to the value of 420, and upwards. Walden being suspected., his house was searched, when a variety of articles belonging to the prosecutor were found in a hutch - John Martin who lives in the adjoining tenement to Tween, stated that on the night after the robbery, some person knocked at his door and asked where Tween lived* when Tween, on hearing the inquiry, came down and let the person in. Witness suspected all was not wm3r3c right, and thought a good deal about it, having heard of White's robbery - Robert Rolfe proved that he went with Walden's wife to inform Tween that her husband had been taken into custody. Tween then persuaded witness to assist him in carrying several articles into a wood called 'Nevills Spring' where they left them; there waisome Elder winehhe knew, because he tasted it. On their return, Walden's wife wasiftittgg waiting; witness received one shilling in half pence - A Constable also searched Tween's house but found nothing thatMag the prosecutor could swear to; the prisoner confessed to him that he was concerned in the robbery with Walden; the articles were in the Spring, and a dark lantern was hid in a land ditch; he also owned a gunblet (sic) which was found near White's premises - Mr. Thos. Archer said that the prisoner Tween confessed the robbery, but afterwards refused to sign the paper. He then spoke of having divided the spoils with his accomplice-Mr Matthews proved that he apprehended Tween after he had escaped from Harrington, the Constable; that Tween dedlared that if he got off by transportation, he would never do,the like again; and he frequently expressed a wish that he *meld die . Tween lived with his father three years to Michaelmas 1817 and he never heard of any mischief of him before . DEATH - REPRIEVED. 

At the close of the business of the Assize Walden, Tween (and others.G.W.) were brought to the Bar. Their names being called over, the learned Judge, Sir John Hayley, thus addressed them :-

" The time has now arrived when each of you are to receive the sentence of the law for crimes of which you have respectively been found guilty. Your cases have been skabm submitted to an impartial Jury, and no doubt exists of your guilt; this is the consequence and the natural cause of crime. It rarely happens that man goes on long in his offences without detection, of which those who have attended here, must have observed many melancholy proofs. One is surprised that man can go on, time after time, day after day, in acts of wickedness; the only remedy for the prevention of which, is, punishment. In many instances you have been detected in the act, and receiving therefore, no pecuniary benefit; thus committing high crimes against God and your neighbours, forgetful of your duty to him who can see, not only all your acts, but likewise all your thoughts, in ways too wonderful for those who turn their backs on Him. You are now, if mercy does not interfere, about to appear before your Maker, to give an account of your past lives; and are you ready to appear to that summons? There are great differences in many of your cases; four for one description of offence, burglaries and breaking into small houses. This is an aggravated offence, being against the poor man,,taking the hard earnings of his labour - a loss which he cannot afford. - Endeavour therefore all of you, to obtain pardon from Him from whom all mercy comes. You did not cons-ider the pain and misery which your conduct was bringing upon your wives and relatives. Men like you, who do not feel for others, ought to feel for themselves" 

His Lordship then passed the sentence of death upon all of them in the usual words.

The English Code at the time was very severe. It was reported in Parliament in 1819 that the number of offences carrying the death penalty, was in excess of 200, and included:

Pickpocketing, burglary (and even the smallest theft) , Cutting down trees in an avenue, maiming cattle, stealing horses or sheep, stealing linen, returning from Transportation. 

However, although the sentence of death was often pronounced, in many instances it was not carried out and such was the case with John. As an alternative ho was transported to Australia for life aboard H.M.Storeship "Coromandel II".

It is likely that following his sentencing, John was obliged to endure several months in the creaking darkness of the Hulks before leaving his floating dungeon to board the "Coromandel" which sailed from Spithead on 1st November 1819 under the command of Captain James Downie R.N. with Archibald Hume, Surgeon Superintendent. 

The Coromandel' arrived in Sydney on 4th April 1820 after calling at Derwent Tasmania and offloading half of its complement of 300 male prisoners. We are left to wonder what were John's experiences on this long voyage. Perhaps he was more fortunate than those in some other vessels. The writer in an article in the "Sydney Morning HerIld" of 16th February 1981, says: 

"If a voyage to Australia was hazardous for free migrants, it was worse for convicts. They lived not only with malnutrition and di$ease in stinking overcrowded quarters but with the fear that in a shipwreck, they would be left to drown if they threatened the safety of crew or guards". 

At the tdme of John's arrival in Australia, Sydney had been a convict settlement for 32 years and much progress had been made. There were wide streets, whitewashed houses, well stocked shops and sandstone buildings- some designed by Convict-Architect Francis Greenway. (Marjorie Barnard, in "MacqUarie's World", tells us: 

"There wore in 1820, 1081F buildings in Sydney - 31 of these Government owned. Of the total, 68 were built of stone and 259 of brick, the rest were wooden with a few survivals of clay and mud,reinforced with boughs of wattle. The roofs were of shingles, colonial tiles, or slabs of wood three feet wide. Nearly every building, even if it were a store, was also a dwelling, most were of a•single storey, built four square with small windows of tiny panes of glass, detached kitchens and lean - to's or skillion8 for the convict servants whom householders feared to take into their houses" )

It seems that John woyld have been marched from the ship to the three story barracks in Hyde Park. He would have been issued with an outfit of yellow coarse cotton daubed with printed black arrows. Within a few days there would have been an inspection by Governor Macquarie. John's only possessions would probably have been the bedding brought from the ship and perhaps a small sum of money which may have been deposited in a special savings account. 

On the 10th April 1820 the Secretary's Office Sydney wrote to Hannibal McArthur (at Parramatta) who presided as Magistrate of the District, listing the names of 57 convicts landed from the "Coromandel", of whom 2 were ordered by the Governor as stock men for Rooty Hill, 3 assigned to McArthur, and 3 to other persons at Parramatta. Nine were assigned to Liverpool and the remaining 40 were to proceed to Windsor for distribution. The 57 mon travelled by boat to Parramatta. John's name was not included on the list, so of the original 300 prisoners who sailed from England on the Coromandel, he had by now, parted company with 217. Nothing is known of John's life over thennext 3 years but perhaps he could consider himself fortunate in not having been assigned to Hannibal McArthur. McArthur & Chaplain Marsden were both known as "flogging" Magistrates. On the 6th October 1823, the Officiating Minister at Parramatta submitted a list of persons, praying His Excellency the Governor's permission to have Banns publishe'd in the Church in order to permit their marriage. John's name was included. 

The response read: 

"I have the honour to transmit you the Governor's approbation of the Banns being published between the parties specified." 

On the 15th December 1823, at St John's Church of England, Parramatta he married Elizabeth Mellon. John was then aged 28 and his bride a mere 15 years old. 

From "Transported :  In place of Death" - Christopher Sweeney 

The Census of New South Wales taken in November 1828 records the family unit as: WALDON John aged 30 
                    Elizabeth 20 
                    Mary 4 
                    Elizabeth 1 
and shows John's landholding as 25 acres cleared & cultivated. Total stock consisted of 1 horse. The same Census informs us that Timothy Hey,aged 27 (Free by Servitude) who arrived on the "Almorah" in 1820, to serve 7 years, was employed by John Waldon of Wilberforce as a labourer. Others employed by John as labourers were: 

Joseph Charrington aged 73 (free by servitude) - transported on the "Glatton" in 1803 with a 7 year sentence, and James Scott aged 20, Government (or assigned) servant -arrived on the "Royal Charlotte" in 1824, having been sentenced to 14 years.

Unusual though it may seem, that John was a landholder whilst still a convict, historians tell us that in 1832, regulations had to be introduced in New South Wales to prohibit prisoners from legally owning land - an indication that some prisoners already did. However another possible explanation is that John's John wife being free, and born in the colony, the land was held by his vitae' right rather than his own. Walden's name is not found in the 1825 Muster, but the following is shown:

Elizabeth Walden - born Colony - Wife of John Walden, WilberforceWalden (infant)  - Child of John Walden, Wilberforce              

TICKET OF LEAVE
Over the years of Transportation, d1824, having been sentenced to 14 years. Unusual though it may seem, that John was a landholder whilst still a convict, historians tell us that in 1832, regulations had toifferent sydtemd developed to have the effect of reducing the actual sentence of a prisoner, One such system was the Ticket of Leave. By 1835, men sent out for 7 years would normally be granted a Ticket of Leave after 4 years - those with 14 year sentences, after 6 years, and those with life, after 8 years. These Tickets were conditional on good behaviour and could be withdrawn at any time.

A convict holding a Ticket of Leave was exempt from public labour and was permitted to work for himself within a certain named district. On 26th December 1828 John was granted a Ticket of Leave (No. 28/676) which evidences that he was allowed to remain in the District of Hawkesbury.

For identification purposes the Ticket of Leave contained the prisoner's description. John is described as being: 

Five feet eight & one quarter inches in height. Ruddy complexion. Brown hair. Dark blue eyes. 

PARDONS

The Governor had the power, in the interests of the development of the Colony, to remit all or part of a prisoner's original sentence This at least gave the prisoners some hope for the future and acted as an incentive for them to behave. An absolute pardon gave the prisoner the right to return to England but a Conditional Pardon, although giving the prisoner freedom, meant that he was obliged to remain in Australia and was not allowed to return to England until the expiry of the full term of the sentence As we are told in the novel "Great Expectations", by Charles Dickens, the convict Abel Magwitch foolishly returned to England whilst holding a Conditional Pardon and so forfeited his life. John was granted a Conditional Pardon on 25/11/1835. (No. 572) 

This Conditional Pardon was signed by Major General Sir Richard Bourke, Captain General and Governor in Chief, and read in part: 

"By virtue of the power and authority vested in me and taking into consideration the good conduct of John Walden  do hereby remit conditionally the remainder of the term unexpired of the original sentence. Provided always and on condition that the said John Walden continue to reside within the limits of this Government during the space of his original sentence., otherwise the said John Walden shall be subject to all the pains and penalties of re-appearing in Great Britain and Ireland for and during the term of his original sentence or Order of Transportation, or as if this remission had never been granted " 

The exact location of John's landholding is not clear. John's occupation and address shown on various baptism certificates of his children were: 

1827, 1832, 1835 - 'Farmer, Wilberforce'1842, 1844 - 'Farmer, Freeman's Reach'1849 - 'Farmer, Richmond ' 1855 - 'Labourer, Richmond' 

Children born to John and Elizabeth were Baptism Certificate

Mary Ann 4. 10. 1824Elizabeth 4. 12. 1827John 15. 2. 1830Joseph 27. 4. 1832Eliza 23. 9. 1834Adam 15. 9. 1835Reuben 21. 12. 1838Thomas Edward 16. 7. 1840Ann 25. 7. 1842William 20. 8. 1844Alicia 26. 11. 1846Jane 26. 7. 1849Eva 6. 1. 1852Mercy 6. 1. 1852James 4. 9. l855

One presumes that this large family lived comparatively well in terms of food - with a preponderance of mutton and damper made from flower and wheat.

John Walden died on 21st October 1875 at age 86. Place of death is given as "George Street Bathurst" and the cause of death "senility" It is interesting to, note that the medical practioner attending, was Dr. R. Machattie, and the story of this doctor's days in Bathurst would make fascinating reading I'm sure. For instance , history tells us that in August 1863, three men who had been arrested for aiding and abetting bushrangers, were despatched by mail coach en route to Bathurst and when the coach was about four miles on the Bathurst side of Carcoar an attempt was made to rescue them. During the fighting Constable Sutton was shot in the arm by John O'Meally ( a member of Ben Hall's gang).  Weakened from loss of blood, Sutton was left to stay overnight at the Inn at Kings Plains and next day Dr Machattie came from Bathurst to Kings Plains by mail coach to attend to him. 

EVA WALDEN
(born 1852 -the 13th child of John and Elizabeth married JAMES NOLAN. Subsequently EVA's daughter -ALICIA, married GEORGE STOLTENBERG. ( Jason Stoltenberg -Australian tennis representative, is a great, great, grandson of Eva Walden (Nolan). 

In the eighteenth century in Britain,a great many people moved to 

Larger towns and cities hoping to find work in factories and industries, but as there was not enough work for all those unable to find employment were forced into a life of robbery and poaching. As more and more of these criminals were caught, the authorities were soon at a loss to know what to do with them,so from the year 1717 they began sending the convicts to america to be sold to plantation owners as workers.this practice ceased in 1776,and old hulks of unseaworthy ships moored in the river tmames,were then used as prison ships.in 1786 however, the government, fearing the spread of diseases from these unhygienic,rotting hulks, decided to send the convicts to botany bay.  (Telegraph Mirror - 1995)

And so,some 33 years on, John Walden found himself one of the convicts aboard a vessel bound for Australia. ) 

A Search of English Parish Registers (Good Easter) reveals that John had married Susan Fuller, aged 19, on 3rd October 1817. (Neither of the parties could sign their names. In fact most ordinary poor people at that time were unable to read or write) The record that the marriage was by licence might indicate that they were higher up the social scale, as such a thing as a licence cost money and was not often applied for by the poor. Another reason however might be a need for a quick marriage and unsurprisingly the Good Easter Parish baptism registers record the baptism of their daughter, Susan, a little over four months later. Another daughter Eliza was baptised on May 2 1819 - shortly after the time of John's trial. 

Perhaps these two little girls were the reason Susan did not accompany John to Australia. La 18211 Susan, by then probably virtually destitute, had another daughter "Ann", The Vicar (lovely name "G.Leapingwell) did not know what to put for marital status, so left it blank. As the first useful Census -June 1841• shows no ,trace of Susan or the children in Good Easter, she may have left that part of Essex since she would never be able to re-marry where her history was known, Ironically she would be worse off than a deserted wife who was allowed to "assume" the death of a partner after seven years without contact. So poor Susan vanishes. 

Reverting to John; Good Easter Registers before 1812 are very badly kept. The period 1783 to turn of the century is very uncertain generally for entries for the poor, as this time was one of several when a tax had been put on baptisms, marriages and burials The poor couldn't avoilburial, and the bride's family usually made it difficult to avoid marriage so they economised a great deal on baptisms. After all threepence would buy half a loaf of bread. Luckily the Vicar of the day at Good Easter stuck 'to the letter of the law and baptised the very poor (paupers ) free. John's baptism record shoes parents as Joseph Walden & Ann (Copsey).  Their marriage (Joseph's second) took place in December 1791 at Pleshey. He had previously married on October 5 1775, Mary Jones at Mashbury

We can harbour no illusions of "silver spoon" ancestors. They all seem to have been poor and underpriviledged. John's grandfather, Thomas was buried on 28th August 1785 as a pauper - of the Parish of Pleshey. Regrettably also they seers to have had little regard for the law. For example various Assize and Quarter Session references to Waldens at Pleshey, show: 

"Chelmsford Sessions 23rd January 1598 John Walden of Pleshey, labourer to appear -- -- and to answer concerning the placing of the said John Walden - within the said Parish"

19th April 1599 General Sessions of the Peace heidat ' Chelmsford on Thursday after close of Easter befoi& Sir Thomas Myldmaye and Sir John Petrel Knights ■ ,   John Walden to remain in Pleshey, for the township cannot prove that he was not settled at the time of making the justices* warrants.
(Note. so around 1598 he came to Pleshey from somewhere else.)

6th March 1600. Gaol delivery held at Chelmsford on Thursday in the fourth week of Lent. John Walden discharged by the Court. 

Assize File August 1603. 
John Walden of Pleshey, blacksmith on 10th May there said "that we neither had prince nor laws." Pleads not guilty. Found guilty. Remanded in prison. 

Quarter Sessions 6th December 1605 John Walden of Pleshey committed by Sir Edward Boteler, ordered by the Court to be bound before Thomas Wiseman to appear at the next sessions, and meanwhile is at large. 

Quarter Sessions 16th December 1605 Warrant directed to the Keeper of the Gaol at Colchester from , Sir Edward Boteler and. Thomas Wyseman to receive John Walden of \ Pleshey and keep him safely that he may be brought before the next General Sessions upon the complaint of Elizabeth Battle ) of Pleshey who made complaint to Mr Wyseman that the said Walden meeting with Margerie Battle her daughter, in the fields, did throw her down and would have had his pleasure on her if she had not greatly strived with him, on hearing which complaint Mr Wyseman ai?; granted his warrant to the constables of Pleshey to apprehend the said Walden, whereupon the constables did apprehend him, notwithstanding the same Walden did most wilfully disobey the same warraneep.nd refuse to come before the Justice and also did grieviously beat the said Elizabeth. Subscribed to be discharged and put in bail before Mr Wyseman before tomorrow sevenight to appear at the next sessions (In May 1606 is noted "to appear at next Se2sions- meanwhile at large " but doesn't appear tea have done so.) 

Chelmsford General Quarter Sessions Tuesday 11th January 1708/9 8 October 1708 Timothy Wiltshire of Great Waltham, Carpenter to indict George Walden of Pleshey, Labourer for stealing one silver spoon from him, and Mary, wife of Timothy Wiltshire and Barbara Finstan single woman to give evidence concerning the theft. 

George Walden labourer, Thomas Marrian husbandman. and Thomas Hare carpenter all of Pleshey; Walden to answer for stealing one silver spoon of Timothy Wilshire. Appeared. Pleds not Guilty. Found guilty to value elevenpence. To be whipped.\ However he did. escape the death penalty because itVwas said the spoon was worth elevenpence. Had it been one shill;ng it would have been a hanging offence. 

Quarter Sessions held Chelmsford 28th April 1685. I\ Thomas Walden of Pleshey presented for "Living:out of Service", (refusing to get a job.) 

Walden/Waldon name in immediate area for very many years, medieval source.

1325. Grant for his homage of service and for 26s of silver Richard Walden of Writtle to Robert Saverin, 3 roods of land with appurtenances in Writtle lying in the field called Muchfield in length between the land of Robert Saverin and that of Henry Waldere (sic) and abutting at one end on the royal road from Writtle to Ongar and at the other end on land formerly of the said Henry. Annual rent five pence. 

WILLIAM WALDEN. 1844 - 1927. 

William, the 10th child of John & Elizabeth, was born on 20th August 1844 and as a young lad., attended the Macquarie Schoolhouse at Wilberforce. Governor Macquarie's Journal states that on Friday 21st May 1813, he (Macquarie) travelled to Wilberforce to mark out the "scite" for the new intended schoolhouse. The building was completed by 28th April 1814 and was apparently of a temporary nature,for in 1819-20 a new schoolhouse, which also served as a Church, was built. In "The History of the Macquarie Schoolhouse 1820 and St John's Church. 1859" Marjorie Wymark writes: 

"It is a building that should be preserved. and. treasured since . it is the only one remaining of the four ordered by the Governor A simple two storied building with skillionl it is of adobe construction, that is of clay bricks dried in the sun, with stone quoins at the front corners and originally a shingle roof. To protect the bricks, which were of a soft nature, the building would be whitewashed with lime to which fat was added. The last ingredient rendered the bricks impervious to water" The structure had to serve a triple purpose. The lower floor was the Schoolmaster's residence whilst the large upstairs room constituted. the schoolroom on week days and church services were held in it on Sundays. John Wenban was in charge of the school from 1842-1859 end William Walden would have attended the school for part of this period. Teachers were paid a meagre salary but were permitted to supplement their income by collecting fees from parents. A receipt issued on 30th June 1866 noted. that the payment represented fees for two boys at 8d each per week (eight pence) Macquarie School closed on 2nd October 1880 upon the opening of the Public School. The historic building still stands (1985) and is now used as the Sunday school and for Parish Social gatherings.' 

In a letter dated 19th October 1970 written to my brother Mick by Daphne Vingoe (Daughter of Beatrice and granddaughter of William) she wrote of grandfather "He was always very proud to tell me he attended Governor Macquarie's School." I have no record of my grandfather's scholastic ability or of the Manner in which he applied himself but he may have been eager to swap schoolwork for farmwork as he ran away from home three times. On one such occasion, under an assumed name he found himself a job helping out in a shearing shed, but as he had not covered his tracks very well, the Authorities were soon on his trail.  A Policeman, on entering the shed, called loudly "WILLIAM WALDEN ! " Young William, caught unawares, immediately responded, and the game was up.

In later years William was a driver for Cobb & Co and drove on sections between Orange & Bourke until the railway thpened. Thereafter he drove from Dubbo to Coonamble (Cobb & Co. secured this contract in 1884) and later still from Coonamble to Warren. He opened an account with the Bank of New South Wales Warren on 13th. June 1890. The Manager and Accountant had the honour of being the first two customers and William Walden was account No. 3. Although the Bank records described him as "Coach Proprietor" this may not have been strictly correct. 

My Aunt., Dot, (Beatrice) wrote 9.6.1969: 

" I always remember reading one story in a local paper how Dad drove the coach across the bridge at Dubbo with the Macquarie in flood - bridge swaying side to side " 

During the 1940s, Mick often urged Dad (but without much success) to write his memoirs. Of the few brief items recorded in a dis-used paper back book-keeping journal, in Dad's bold, well formed handwriting style, this was one: 

"I can to-day very clearly recall incidents from my age of four years; e.g. when the Macquarie River was in flood and my Dad was due from Warren with the Coach. My Mother was very anxious as water on Dubbo side of bridge was deep. She took my sister and me down to await arrival of coach. A number of folk had also gathered and when Coach arrived on Bourke side of bridge, men signalled Dad not to cross as water was too deep, but he was too close to turn around, and pushed on. When almost out of danger men around us started a big "Hurrah" and as the horses were very spirited (like all Cobb & Co. horses) they took fright from the people shouting. Dad was having great difficulty in keeping them moving. A "Mr Walden", an officer of Cobb & Co. silenced the noise and moved us away, and Dad came through, and I can still hear the cheer. Het as most Coach drivers was very popular and how proud on him was I. I'm sure I resolved to be a Coach driver, and my Mother that I would not". 

On 19th December 1872 he had married Annie Couch at Orange. They raised a family of nine. 

Ada Bertha born - 26.1.1875 at OrangeFrederick William - 27.1.1877 at Dubbo Henry Harold - 4. 9.1879 at DubboHubert James - 8.12.1881 at DubboSydney Edwin - 10.11.1883 at DubboWilfred Reuben - 23.11.1885 at DubboMelville Clifford - 4.12.1887 at DubboBeatrice Edith Adelaide - 24, 3.1893 at Bullagreen Frank Alan - 21.12.1896 at Gilgandra

Ada was a competent pianist and Grandfather was very fond of dancing. The two of them attended most dances in the area. Having heard of a dance being arranged, Gran dfather rushed home one evening, told Ada to get dressed, and hurried into his bedroom -without light, to change clothes. He attempted to sit on the bed but landed on his tail on the floor in undignified fashion, for unbeknown to him, Grandma had that day re-arranged the furniture. Gran said there was a great indignant outburst and it cured her of moving furniture without giving ample notice. 

In a change of occupation, William became licensee of the Bullagreen Hotel in 1892. Jack Moses, the poet, in an article in the Warren Herald 9.6.1933 remembered earlier days in the west thus: 

"the old coach drivers, the wandering.villages that are now gradually fading out where I used to pull up in Cobb & Co's coaches with the jolly commercial travellers and showmen in those far off days when we would tell our yarns and sing our jolly songs at the old hotels like I did at Bullagreen when a great mob of show people were passengers in the mail coach from Bourbah   on and on we went laughing and singing. Nothing was a trouble. When we landed at three O'clock in the morning at the Bullagreen Hotel, three cheers were given and then we knew that our good host and hostess would treat us hospitably. They were jolly good people as most of the dear old bonny faces were in those days." 

It seems at least possible that William & Annie Walden may have been host & hostess on the occasion of Jack Moses' visit. 

They moved from Bullagreen to the Telegraph Hotel in Gilgandra in 1894. The hotel venture was not a success financially, and as Aunt Dot. wrote (26.11.197) : 

"Dad always had plenty of friends. Mum would say 'some the wrong kind'. Too many friends made him go broke in the Telegraph Hotel in Gilgandra. I used to look at the old ledgers and some of the names 'in the red' were Gilgandra's quite important people in later years. We used to hear about one fellow who always would say 'Put it on the book, Bill. If I don't pay God will' Nell He never did."

It was at the old Telegraph Hotel that Melv. was bitten on the ankle by a snake. Opened the stable door to see his pony and jammed the snake. Mum used to tell us about another old chap who never paid. He would go to sleep leaning against the wall on the verandah when put out of the bar. He would slide down the wall and fin'd himself sitting on the floor and would threaten 'Someone will pay for this' ". 

Grandfather himself was fond of a drink on a hot day and It must be remembered that summers in the west can be long and fiery. 



In the early 1920s he retired to live in Dubbo. Aunt Dot, wrote "Mum and Dad were very happy to have their last days in Dubbo. Found lots of their old friends of Cobb & Co days still there." 

I can remember some enjoyable visits as a youngster to the Brisbane Street Dubbo home with my father. It was a large old weatherboard home on a big corner block. There werefig trees in the garden and a large grape trellis at the back of the house under which we all would sit on hot summer evenings. Other recollections are of a Coolgardie safe which provided welcome cold drinks - the trauma of a large but harmless spider dropping from the grape vine onto my arm - and of a troubled mind on another occasion after I had killed a bee, brushed from a bunch of grapes. My father asked "why did you do that ? It wasn't doing any harm." Feeling contrite I picked up the bee only to be told that no effort now could bring it back to life. Young though I was I began to realise the significance of the term "eternity".

I remember my grandmother as a happy, busy woman, who always made a fuss Of us and cooked wonderful "brownie" biscuits for us. 

Daphne, the granddaughter, who lived with her parents also at a Brisbane Street Dubbo, address spent a lot of time with her grandparents. She wrote "Grandfather was a dear old fellow with a head of thick snow white halt. I would sit on his knee at night by the kitchen fire, make his hair sopping wet and put it in curling rags, and later in the night, take them out and curl it. This happened Most nights of the week for many years. He knew Kate Kelly well as she holidayed in Orange and because of his thick black beard, she called him "Black Ned". 

Following his retirement Grandfather used to meet a few of his pld cronies every Saturday afternoon at a small hotel opposite the Park at Dubbo. One Saturday afternoon, my father, visiting Dubbo-called in at the Hotel and shouted" for those at the Bar. He was then startled to see Grandfather punch a young man on the jaw knocking him to the ground. Dad rushed over, grabbed Grandfather's arm and asked "Whyever did you do that?". Grandfather replied indignantly "Because he enquired 'Who's that bastard who just shouted' ". 

William Walden died on 21.5.1927 

His obituary in the Gilgandra paper, reads:

" OBITUARY, WILLIAM WALDEN. At the age of 82 years the death occurred at his residence in Brisbane Street Dubbo on Saturday evening last of William Walden one of the pioneers of the west, the deceased having at one time been connected with Cobb & Cons Coaches. He came to this district 54 years ago, having been born at Wilberforce, Hawkesbury River and drove coaches between Orange & Bourke until the railway opened . On the opening of the railway from Dubbo to Bourke Mr Walden drove from Dubbo to Coonamble and then from Coonamble to Warren. Later he entered the Bullagreen Hotel and afterwards was mine host at the old Telegraph Hotel at Gilgandra. About four years ago he went to live a retired life at Dubbo and was full of strange tales of the early coaching days and was frequently visited by old westerners . Mr Walden leaves a widow, six sons and one daughter. The sons are Frederick and Melville, Nabiak, Sidney, Herbert & Frank (Sydney) and William (Gilgandra) The daughter is Mrs Percy Rose of Dubbo.  A daughter and a son have predeceased him , the daughter being the late Mrs R.M.Diggs and the son, Harry. The body was brought to Gilgandra by motor hearse on Sunday and the funeral took place in the Methodist portion of the cemetery after a service had been held in the. Church by the Rev. Bensley who also officiated at the graveside. The coffin was borne from the church to the hearse by two sons and two sons-in-law and from the hearse to the graveside by four grandsons. There was a large concourse of relatives and friends at the graveside. "

The Sydney Morning Herald of 28th May 1927 had this to say: 

"PIONEER'S_ DEATH. • Dubbo. Friday. Mr William Walden whose death occurred at Dubbo recently at the age of 82 years was one of the last links with the old coaching days. For many years Mr Walden drove for Cobb & Co. on the Orange to Bourke line and when the railway line was built to Bourke he drove from Dubbo to Coonamble. Mr Walden was widely known in the west and during his last years in Dubbo was frequently visited by the older generation of graziers . Mr Walden first came to Dubbo 54 years ago." 

In 1936, the obituary of Annie Walden, included this: 

"Her late husband'suliameis preserved in the old song composed about the Castlereagh flood of 1874" 

Despite a lot of research I have been able to find only the following verse , which briefly mentions the mail to Coonamble. 

THE CASTLEREAGH IN '74In eighteen hundred and seventy fourThe Castlereagh began to roar And over the Banks the water did pour While rushing right on to the Barwon 

Rushing on in a madly haste Plains and bush now lay waste Men once rich now providence takes Their property down to the Barwon 

Down to Mendooran it quickly flies In Poland's Hotel it was up to your eyesMen Women and children looked to the skies Saying 'We'll all be swept off to the Barwon

Then to Barren and Warrie it fled And over the plains at Ulundri spread Old Dick and his wife with three dogs on the shed Expecting to go to the Barwon 

The mail to Coonamble took word on aheadAnd old Jack Tracey to Peggy he said If this is a fact, may's well be dead And carried right off to the Barwon  

One of Jerry's mad Shepherds by the name of Gill For want of another, was feeling ill He swore "of good brandy he'd love a fill If the devil took him to the Barwon 

But thoughtless of having the river to cross The girths they broke and he fell off his horse Clean head over tip in the water of course And right on his way to the Barwon. 

He held the contract in various years and it was terminated on 5th February 1913, following the extension of the railway to Taree. Frederick Walden also contracted to carry the mails between Taree and Port Macquarie in 1910. In 1914 Walden's contract for the Taree -Port Macquarie (6 times weekly by coach 5 horses) was curtailed from 13rth April to run from Kendall Railway Station to Port Macquarie and arrangements were made for the termination of the contract from the date of the opening of the railway between Kendall and Wauchope. The contract was discontinued on 10th April 1915" 

On the wall en the home of my brother Fred hangs a large photo of F.W.Walden's mail coach about to depart from Victoria Street Taree on the final run to Port Macquarie. (Photo since donated to State Library - Macquarie St. Sydney)

He had married Laura Evelyn Williams at Taree on 19th October 1909 and lived in St. John's Avenue, but during the final year of the mail contract, moved with wife and young son, Jack to Port Macquarie taking up residence in a house that had been built by convict labour. In later years he often told of his experiences in driving the coaches on the Glonr .ter run - from an instance of the coach sliding on a slippery track as the horses pushed through a storm - to the extreme another time - of bushfire necessitating a detour cut through the bush. The Gloucester - Krambach section of the road was defined but barely or poorly formed and entirely unfenced, with a huge drop from the road edge to the valley below.

During one trip, the brakes collapsed as the fully loaded coach was on a steeply descending track which turned dangerously at the bottom before proceeding up the next rise. Afraid that the coach would run onto the rear horses and that the trace chains might slacken and become unhooked, he whipped the horses into a gallop to keep the traces tight, then gained control as the horses began to climb the rise again. 

A Reporter for a Sydney paper featured this incident, labelling him a "Jehu of the Ribbons" On another occasion he was driving a coach (empty of passengers) and the team included a young horse in the leading pair. This horse began a display of temperament and as ! result one of the rear wheels of the coach soon hovered over the drop to the valley. With coach being held by the brake a worried driver spent some time unable to release pressure on the brake and quietly talking to the team until J.J.Gallagher (a well known Krambach identity, later licensee of the Krambach Hotel, after having conducted a store and the Post Office), came along on his way to work. Gallagher held the lead horses and the team pulled the coach back on to the road and safety. Gallagher described this incident to my brother Jack, some years later. 

The punt at Tinonee was hand operated by cranking a handle. Sometimes on storey nights, crossing the river became a test of endurance as the wind consistently forced the punt back. 

Two other drivers previously employed by Nowland in the West, had also come across to the Coast, John Mitchell and Bill Rochester, both of whom afterwards drove for F W Walden when he obtained mail contracts. His brother, Sid, drove for him too whilst another brother Melv worked in the office which was located in Baker's Boarding House near the Post Office in Taree.  Melv and Sid both enlisted in the army from Taree.

This information contained in a letter written to Mick Walden b4 a granddaughter of Annie Walden - Daphne Vingoe, who also wrote: 

"The Couches in Kempsey have a photo of the old family home in Helston in Cornwall. I am told it is about 150 miles north of Penzance. Norm Couch is a great one for tracing back his family's history. He is Will Couch's grandson and has a farm on the Macleay River" 

and in a subsequent letter Daphne Vingoe wrote: 

" I don't know if Mum told you, but Gran. (Annie Walden) kept a private hospital in Gilgandra and besides bringing over 500 babies into the world, she won many prizes for .her lovely garden. She often told me how young men would come to her in the early hours of the morning to go to their sick wives on the-outskirts of the town and she would take the lantern and gc down along the river track and watch the blacks dancing their eorroborees on the opposite side of the river around their fires. She was only a short person, plump, generous and very interesting, but no one ever answered her back." 

Aunt Dot. ,(Beatrice) had this to say, in writing to us: 

"Frank said (Frank was Dot's brother) he was not the only good shot in the family. Mum could throw a broom from the back door to the back gate and not miss. She would order Frank away from the door with his dogs (greyhounds) and I guess he would be a bit slow moving. Frank said the broom always got his legs just as he reached the gate." (This occurred at the Dubbo home.) 

In a' letter dated 26.11.2970, Aunt. Dot related: 

" I also remember the Policeman calling to take Mum to Breelong to lay out the murdered Mawby family. I was about 7 at the time" (She was born March 24th 1893)

(See Feature Article in Sunday Telegraph April 20th-1980. "Jimmy's Night of Vengeance", which sets the time of the massacre as July 1900) - my comment G.H.W. Later we left Gilgandra to live in Dubbo and one day a man called to see Mum. His name was Mawby - a farmer near Dubbo (Geurie I think).

Mum used to tell us about a little boy about 10 years of age. He hid under his bed when the blacks attacked and he told the Police Jackie Underwood looked under the bed and saw him. One of the Governors was at the door and when he enquired 'Any more in here ?', Jackie replied 'No'. Many thought that he (Jackie) should not have hanged. The man who called to see Mum was that boy. For years after, Mr Mawby used to bring us fruit and vegetables from his farm - so the young fellow didn't forget the "Nurse 

*(This was 13 year old George (Jacky) Mawby, a nephew of Mr & Mrs Mawby)- (Old Dubbo Gaol -by Bill. Hornadge) 

In another letter dated 26.11.1970, Aunt. Dot wrote: 

"Yes your Gran was the Gilgandra Nurse. Gilgandra's first Dr. was old Dr. Burton - a real old soak - when he was sent for, too drunk to be any help, Mum used to say"

One day, Frank & I were playing with an old cow bell with a piece of rope on it. Frank had one end and I the other- both pulling. I let go and the bell hit Frank (on the forehead) Blood shot out like a fountain. Mum picked Frank up and ran to the old Dr. He lived next door at that ,time. And that reminds me of another story. The Dr. moved to a house on the other side of the river. Mum sent Melv. (brother) to Dr. for some medicine. He took me (little sister) along. Melv. got the medicine and as we were leaving, Dr. said to me "Just a minute Dottie, your head is on back to front - I'll turn it round the right way " I took off and Melv. said I was home before he caught up with me. Don't know what age I was,but I do remember it and I do remember I was always a bit scared of the old Dr. " 

Annie Walden died at Dubbo on 3rd January 1936 and those Obituaries appeared in local papers: 

DUBBO LIBERAL —January 4th 1916  " MRS ANNIE WALDEN. I'll be here to welcome you boy, and a merry Christmas to you all if you miss the trip' Months before 'Back to Dubbo Week', Mrs Annie Walden of 'Araluen' Brisbane Street Dubbo gave this Cheerio sweetened with a smile, to her 14 stone son, who was motoring home after a holiday with her and was pledging the next re-union for the early December carnival. Mother kept her word (they always do)-.'Though on the eve of her 85th birthday, she vasbright and cheerful over carnival week, and even for the Christmas cheer. Then the heat told its tale'and the fine old lady collapsed. The family'was summoned and all save a soldier son in Randwick Hospital were at her bedside when she breathed her last. Mrs Annie Walden was born at Helston) Cornwall, England in 1851. She married William Walden who predeceased her • about eight years. Walden was one of Cobb & Co's pioneer "whips" who drove the old mail coaches from Bathurst to Bourke. That was long, long ago and Mrs Walden boasted a residence of Dubbo of over sixty years. She was the mother of a fine family, F.W.Walden of Nabiac, J. of Bexley, S.E. the sick soldier son, W.R. of "Oakvale" Gilgandra, M.C.of Randwick; Mrs P.C.Rose of Dubbo, and F.A. of Dubbo. Two of the family had died in earlier.years, Mrs R.K.Diggs and H.H.Walden. The body encased in a beautifda casket;was motored to Gilgandra and laid beside the grave of deceased's life mate. The Methodist Minister at that Centre, read the burial service, and J.R.Tighe had charge of the funeral. To the bereaved family, sincere sympathy is extended in the passing of a splendid mother - a real woman of the west. " 

Another paper 3rd January, 1936

OBITUARY  Mrs A Walden. The death occurred this morning of Mrs Annie Walden of "Araluen", Brisbane Street Dubbo, relict of the late William Walden who predeceased her by some eight years. The deceased lady who was born at Hesston, Cornwall, •ngland on September 29th 1851, arrived in the State, or then Colony, with her relatives when a girl. She was a sister of the late Aid. Wm. Couch J.P. of Molong and of Mr Frank Couch, the well known Canoblas farmer. She came to Dubbo 60 years ago, her husband then driving Cobb & Co's mail coaches, which ran from Bathurst to Bourke. He later went to Gilgandra where the deceased lady and family resided for many veers Her late husband's name is preserved in the ola on domeosed about the Castlereagh fleold of 1874. Many years ago, Mrs Walden and her husband returned to Dubbo where they lived for some time prior to his demise. 

FREDERICK WILLIAM WALDEN 1877 - 1952

The second child, but first son of William and Annie was born on 27th January 1877 at Dubbo N.S.W. where he spent his early childhood. For one year of his education (in either Dubbo or Warren) he attended. a school conducted by two elderly spinsters. 

On leaving school his first job was offsiding for a drover. Some of the first money he earned was spent on a cigar, which he smoked, and which made him very ill, hence his abstinebce from tobacco for the rest of his life. 

In 1892 - at the age of 15, he was living at Bullagreen R.S.W. where his parents conducted a wayside hotel and at times hehbdd to ride to Gilgandra for supplies of liquor. He told of an early remembrance of his mother chastising him with the back of a hairbrush for riding a goat while dressed in his best clothes and of being knocked off the goat's back as it ran under a fence. He left home to work as a booking clerk in Cobb & Co's office in Dubbo and later joined A Mr Rowland who had mail contracts in the Dubbo area. 

The inscription on the photo of the last coach driven by F.W.Walden Dubbo to Coonamble - is in his own handwriting. 

Last mail coach from Dubbo to Coonamble, driver F Walden - Circa 1910

About 1902 he left the west with seven coaches and some 12 horses for Raymond Terrace, to manage a mail coach business for Mr W.M.P.Keogh owner of Warrana Station in the Coonamble district. His brother Melv., was one of those to accompany him on this drive.

On the trip, a thief was discovered one night stealing chaff from their feed supplies.  A fight followed between Dad and the thief while Melv assisted by keeping a Hurricane Lamp beaming in the thief's eyes.  Result - a win for the Waldens.

This drive to the coast took place during a very poor season.  Natural feed was very scarce with the roadside almost bare. Although the horses were suffering acutely, property owners, understandably, were not prepared to let the travelling stock graze on their land.  In an act of desperation, to keep the stock going, the men put the horses through the fences after dark and brought them out before dawn.  Had these measures not been taken, the animals would not have reached the coast.  Of course, sufficient chaff to feed them all, could not have been carried (or paid for). 

Keogh held the mail contract from Raymond Terrace to Gloucester in 1900 but sometime during that year the contract was taken over by H J McCulloch who held it during 1901 and 1902.  From 1902 to 1905 the run was held by  E P Nowland who employed Fred Walden as a driver.

On this coach route, kangaroos were in great numbers near Booral between Hexham and Stroud and a favourite "tall story" was to tell newly arrived Engligh passengers that property owners sent trained kangaroos to collect the mail.  When approaching a section frequented by roos, the victims would be told that "Bill Jackson's trained roo would be just around the next bend'.  Then on sighting the first roo the driver would barely have time to call loudly "no mail today Jacky" before the animal bounded off into the bush much to the enjoyment of the new arrivals.

Mr Brown, the "Coal Baron" was often a passenger from Hexham to his property near Raymond Terrace.

Subsequently Dad was awarded mail contracts on his own account.  Postal Department Archives inform us:

From 1st April 1906 Frederick W Walden of Taree held a mail contract for a six times weekly service by coach (2, 3, 4 or 5 horses as required) between Gloucester and Taree - a distance of 48 miles.

"G.H.Morton, both gallant and game 
Quickly to his rescue came 
Pulled him out and saved his name 
From the dead swept into the Barwon.

Now who is this doming up here do I see 
It's W.M.Connell Esquire, J.P. 
He is going to take on an M.C.D. 
And go practising down to the Barwon 

Now my rhyme I must draw to a close 
When the next flood comes, Lord only knows
But if it conies as this one goes
Coonamble must go to the Barwon."

(Taken from the "Back to Gilgandra Week" Book 15th - 23rd May 1976 Author not known.) 

Port Macquarie Post Office and Walden's Taree-Port Macquarie mail coach - 1910 

F W Walden's mail coach in front of the Gallaghers Commercial Hotel Krambach, some time between 1906 & 1913 (See original photo - The dog examining coach is standing on three legs!) Coach driver is Sid Walden

Last mail coach from Taree to Port Macquarie owned by F Walden - 1914

Walden, F beside Dubbo-Gilgandra mail coach - 1903

ADA BERTHA. born 1875 

Married Bob Diggs. He drove a goods waggon (Bullocks) I've heard him say he was driving a waggon at, the age of twelve. His run was between Dubbo & Gilgandra. Ada and Bob used to play for the dances in Gilgandra - piano and concertina (no paid dance bands in those days). Fred Diggs one day decided to try a tune on the concertina. Took itout in the yard and started a noise of some kind, whilst the old dog stood staring at it. Fred thought it would be fun to rush at the dog making plenty of noise. The dog just took the middle out of the concertina. Fred folded it back neatly and put it back in its case. Bob did not play much in those days and it was mpnths later before he saw his (damaged) concertina. I dont think he ever knew what happened to it." 

(From correspondence from Aunt. Dot.) 

Page 4o of "Settlers on the Marthaguy" shows a photo of a horse drawn waggon, with the caption: "Billy Diggs team with a load of hay at Berida during the 1918 drought. The Diggs family farmed on Berida,for many years. The waggon was named 'Civility' and the shafthorses were 'Jolly' and-!Punch'. Billy Diggs - a son of Ada and Bob lost his life in World War 1.. 

HENRY HAROLD WALDEN born 1879 

Harry was a carpenter but also drove and owned lorries in Gilgandra driving goods from railway station to shops etc. "Dr Peet engaged. Harry to drive him to a farm to visit a sick boy.. Harry sat outside in the sulky While the Dr. was inside.  It was pouring rain and this was to beHarry's last job..He became ill and developed pneumonia" (Letter from Aunt. Dot. 26.11.1970) 

HERBERT JAMES WALDEN. born 1881 

Bert & Sid had a Carrying business. Bert later worked as a Traveller for Hoffnungs. Mr J. Collison an old identity.of'Grilgandrat.speaking of the Railway Branch line Dubbo to Coonamble 1901-2 says that gangs of about 10 men with horses were engaged to plough the land on each side of the pegged track and then scoop the earth up. . Payment was 15 shillings per day for man and horse. One of the people Mr Collison can recall, who worked while he was employed, was Bert Walden. 

SYDNEY EDWIN WALDEN. born 1883 

Drove coaches for Dad on one of his mail contracts. Enlisted from Taree - World War. 1. 

WILFRED REUBEN WALDEN born 1885 

Married Linda Linke Daughter. Hilda Son. Charles 

Wilf. was a farmer at "Oakvale" , Gilgandra. We sometimes enjoyed School holidays at "Oakvale" in the large old home with big verandah and adjacent tennis court. Before the luxury of refrigeration in the country my uncle had industriously dug out and constructed a good sized underground cellar near the house, and this served its purpose well as a type of cool room. He always had a handsome team of draught horses and for many years consistently won prizes at District shows. 

MELVILLE CLIFFORD WALDEN. born 1887

Accompanied Dad when he left the West on his Mail Coach venture on the North Coast. Enlisted in the Army -World War 1. Later conducted confectionery store - hairdressing business in premises opposite the hotel in Nabiac. Daughters - Nancy & Heather. 

BEATRICE EDITH ADELAIDE WALDEN. born 1893

(Always known to the family as "Dot" ) She tells that when only a toddler and living at the Telegraph Hotel Gilgandra, she was once found head first in a tub of water, whilst her mother was talking to friends across the road. It was' feared she had drowned but a man named Collison, revived' her. He often recalled the incident to her on meeting her inthe street during her schooldays. • She married Percy Rose, a flour miller. He was a keen sporrtman, particularly interested in sailing, cricket & football. In the area of rugby league he was Manager of the Far West team in 1927 - the winners of Country Week. He was manager also in 1929. A well known Rugby League referee in Dubbo. Aunt. Dot was a very able tennis player and she became deeply involved in Dubbo Tennis Club activities. Upon her departure from Dubbo to reside in Bendigo, the Dubbo paper reported: (March 1938) " TENNIS CLUB LOSES TIRELESS WORKER. Mrs Rose Eulogised. 

Sincere regrets were expressed by Dubbo Tennis Club Official at losing such a staunh ally as Mrs Percy Rose, when she was entertained at Supper, following the annual meeting at the Central Cafe, on Wednesday night,. The President (Mr. W.H.Christie) said that she had been guide, philosopher, and friend to the Dubbo Tennis Club. Many times when there had been difficulties to contend with, she had made some suggestion which had guided them to the best solution to the trouble. Her philosophy would back anyone and help him to overcome his troubles, and she had been a friend to everyone. On behalf of the Club, and personally, he thanked Mrs Rose for what she had done and asked her to convey thanks to her husband, who had done his bit to assist her to assist them. With their best wishes he presented her with a cheque and asked her to purchase some tangible memento of her life in Dubbo, for her new home. An apology was received from Mr. G.J.Perry, the President of the Dubbo District Tennis Association, who sent his warmest wishesto the guest. Mr W.Munden the Club's Patron, said that eloquent as one might frame one's wishes, it was impossible to adequately thank Mrs Rose for what she had done for the Club. As Sedretary and Committeeman, Mr Brady voiced his appreciation of Mrs Rose's co-operation. Only one in an executive position knew what she had been prepared to do for the Club, he said. Mr B.M.Arthur added his meed of praise ' a generous, pleasant, and hard working lady, wholehearted in any activity she has taken up' he said, in acknowledging her services for the Association. Mr W.H.Langler expressed his appreciation of her co-operation while he was Club Secretary and Chairman of the Social Committee. Mr Griffin's tribute was "kindly and courteous and always did her best in every sphere. 'She is famous as a brewer of tea ' he added 'and we hope the Roses will bloom again in Dubbo some day' Mr A Fitzgerald added his good wishes to Mrs Rose and her husband as did Mr L.S.Gould who spoke of her 'marvellous diplorracyl. The members endored all the foregoing remarks with 'For she's a jolly good fellow'. Mr Luke McGuinn responded on behalf of Mrs Rose. He deemed it a great honour to do so. He thanked the speakers for their kindly remarks and the club for its good wishes and gift. Though Dubbo was a long way from Bendigo, Mrs Rose hoped to have the pleasure of entertaining her Dubbo friends in her new home where they could always be assured of a warm welcome. 'Auld Lang Syne' brought the evening to a close. Mrs Rose expects to leave Dubbo early next week." Another small news item in the local paper, read% " The Dubbo Tennis Social Club's dance on Tuesday night was the last at which Mrs P.Rose will officiate' in her capacity as chairman of the Social Club, and ladies' secretary. The night was ideal for dancing as a cool breeze sprang up and everything was up to standard, with the Gaiety Dance Band. " 

Aunt. Dot had three children: Daphne, Ivan & Helve. Mr & Mrs P.C.Rose celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at Revesby Heights Ex Service Memorial Club on Wednesday 23rd August 1972. 

FRANK ALAN WALDEN. born 1896

Son - Ross Daughter 7. Dorothy. Up to the time of his marriage, Frank lived at home with 
hismother in the home at 234 Brisbane Street, Dubbo. Be was employed in the Engineers Section of the Postal Dept. 

Aunt. Dot wrote of him: "My brother Frana's greatest interests were guns ( he really was a crack shot - pea-rifle and shotgun) - and dogs. Once sold Wilf's pea rifle to buy a dog, but he would only swear blind he did not if I reminded him of it." The dogs referred to were greyhounds, two of the doge I remember, he had named 'Tilly' and 'Squizzy' ( after Squizzy Taylor, the notorious Melbourne gangster of the 1930s) No doubt they were registered under more stylish names for the purposes of racing. Another of his dogs was known as 'Snowy Baker'. • 6 • • 9   • • • • He drove a single seater T. model Ford Car (1927 make), which. he always referred to as "Mary".