GRANDFATHER ALAN DAVIES
Alan Davies. 14/03/1889--12/10/1941.
Born in Kingsley Road Knighton, Radnor to William Price Davies, railway platelayer and Margaret Davies [nee Lewis]
He lived in Briton Ferry at Pottery Place and was a groom when he married Sara Jane Morgan whose only ever job was as a maid at Straddey Castle. She was one of 14 children. Her father Thomas Morgan being Farm Bailiff at Pentre Lago Farm. Family stories say he worked for Lord and Lady Mansell at Straddey Castle. William Price Davies by this time had become a Timber Merchant in the Cardiff area where one of Alan's early jobs was at the Swansea Railway. He previously went about with local Vet in his horse and cart after school.
After the birth of Aunty Peg they emigrated to Australia and were said to be on the water to South Africa at the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914. They were delayed in Cape Town as the captain was frightened the ship might be attacked by German submarines. Fortunately this never happened but may have been why they left the ship in Melbourne due to their late arrival.
Born in Kingsley Road Knighton, Radnor to William Price Davies, railway platelayer and Margaret Davies [nee Lewis]
He lived in Briton Ferry at Pottery Place and was a groom when he married Sara Jane Morgan whose only ever job was as a maid at Straddey Castle. She was one of 14 children. Her father Thomas Morgan being Farm Bailiff at Pentre Lago Farm. Family stories say he worked for Lord and Lady Mansell at Straddey Castle. William Price Davies by this time had become a Timber Merchant in the Cardiff area where one of Alan's early jobs was at the Swansea Railway. He previously went about with local Vet in his horse and cart after school.
After the birth of Aunty Peg they emigrated to Australia and were said to be on the water to South Africa at the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914. They were delayed in Cape Town as the captain was frightened the ship might be attacked by German submarines. Fortunately this never happened but may have been why they left the ship in Melbourne due to their late arrival.
There have been several locations suggested for this picture.
I am certain that it is at the Exhibition Grounds , Bowen Hills.
The RNA office is behind the hedge and the bar is at the rear of what was in my time the double decker stand.
The picture was taken on the day the Queensland Junior Boys Soccer team played a touring team. Grandad bought the 3 new balls used as the Association was unable to pay for them. This was about 1938 at the end of the depression and granddad had a dry-cleaning business on Coronation Drive near Grey Street Bridge. At the time of his death in 1941 the business had closed and he was running a bus service from The Gap to Ashgrove tram terminus and living at Frazer's Road Ashgrove.
Uncle Ernie [dad's younger brother] played in the game. His story is available separately at the site below.
http://ernestlewisdavies.weebly.com
I am certain that it is at the Exhibition Grounds , Bowen Hills.
The RNA office is behind the hedge and the bar is at the rear of what was in my time the double decker stand.
The picture was taken on the day the Queensland Junior Boys Soccer team played a touring team. Grandad bought the 3 new balls used as the Association was unable to pay for them. This was about 1938 at the end of the depression and granddad had a dry-cleaning business on Coronation Drive near Grey Street Bridge. At the time of his death in 1941 the business had closed and he was running a bus service from The Gap to Ashgrove tram terminus and living at Frazer's Road Ashgrove.
Uncle Ernie [dad's younger brother] played in the game. His story is available separately at the site below.
http://ernestlewisdavies.weebly.com
This is thought to be the Capalaba Tannery where Grandad worked dying hides It is thought he also worked in the woolen mills of Ipswich. The family story was that they left the boat in Melbourne and he may have worked in the woolen mills of Albury on the way north. There was a Davies relative living in Melbourne at the time of their landing. Another story line has them reaching Brisbane on the same ship. Dad went to school in Ipswich and assisted the local grocer deliver food to Goodna Mental Home on Saturdays and later played football against the warders before the family moved to Toowong.
.
.
Grandmother Sara Jane Davies [nee Morgan] With the last car a Studebaker purchased by grandfather and after his death it was looked after and driven by our dad with us keeping it under the house in Hendra alongside a full size table-tennis table .. We were only allowed to use it when Grandma and her two daughters could accompany us The water pump bearings went and I held a hurricane lamp to light Dad fitting a new one. Brother Allan went to bed and slept.
Dad, Mum, Grandma, Aunty Dot and Aunty Peg during one of our Sunday visits to Woody Point for crab fishing off the pier and a midday picnic and paddle.. 1946. I do remember live "Blue Reef Crabs" being released from an old sugar bag on to the kitchen table at Nundah before being caught and placed in a saucepan of boiling water to cook for the Sunday night meal.
Grandma Sara Jane Davies with the last car she owned, a Morris she bought from her brother Thomas when he got his first new Wolsley. About 1949. Whoever was living with gran at the time was driving it and storing it under the house at Nundah. as this one would fit tween the stumps under the front veranda. Uncle Ed before he and Aunty Dot bought their house at Wavell Heights.
They were followed by Uncle Vern and Aunty Peg when they arrived from England. We were living at Chelmer Dairy and had the Studebaker until it was sold..
They were followed by Uncle Vern and Aunty Peg when they arrived from England. We were living at Chelmer Dairy and had the Studebaker until it was sold..
An early picture of Dad when he played for Toowong. His playing ended when he was injured in a game in Mackay where a heavy tackle resulted in his hip being dislocated about the time Brother Allan was born while they were living in Rockhampton. There were many framed team photographs on the walls and stored, of the boys teams. They played against other local teams and one was West End and they visited there by crossing the river on the Toowong Ferry. If the boys won as usual they along with the referee and linesmen had to run to the ferry before the irate local crowd assaulted them. Thus they left their kit near the way out after half-time so it was grab it and run at the end of the game.
Flower Street Nundah.
Dad went to the auction and purchased this house for £850.00 on Grandma's behalf after the bus run and house in Ashgrove were sold soon after Grandad died. Post war most of the family lived with Gran for a period at some time. When I visited in 2006 there was no house only units.
Dad went to the auction and purchased this house for £850.00 on Grandma's behalf after the bus run and house in Ashgrove were sold soon after Grandad died. Post war most of the family lived with Gran for a period at some time. When I visited in 2006 there was no house only units.
House gone and units now. 2006
Dad holding me, Mother and Grandmother maybe at Grandfather's funeral. 1941
Dad and mum going to Allan's wedding. About 1968
In the back yard at Acacia Ridge. VW Beetle behind and my bike trailer.
In the back yard at Acacia Ridge. VW Beetle behind and my bike trailer.
Alan, the dog and I might be in the back yard at Nundah.
When other children tried to take our pedal-car, the dog would see them off.
When other children tried to take our pedal-car, the dog would see them off.
I remember the cane chairs and I think this is the back yard at Nundah.
This is Hendra and I exhibit a known trait of having my head on an angle. [seen in a lot of pictures]
With Alan in the back yard at Nundah.
Aunty Dot and dog, Aunty Peg, Dad and Alan with Me in the front yard at Nundah. About 1946.
Aunty Dot's dog.
The three of us with Uncle Ed Hobbs , Aunty Dot's husband
Allan and I rode our trike and pedal car down those front steps on to the concrete path. and so ended up with square wheels. Uncle Jim repaired both for us.
The first house that I can remember , corner of Nudgee Road and Lilley Street [ my pic in 2009] opposite Doomben Racecourse. We lived there until going to Chelmer 1948. From that bay window we could watch the Horse Racing in Doomben Racecourse and further east to see planes on Eaglefarm Aerodrome. During WW2 we saw the Americans build a camp in a couple of days marching up Nudgee Road from Hamilton Docks.
.
.
Hendra State School fancy dress ball 1946-7 in the American Army Officier's club house that was burnt to the ground a couple of weeks later under WW2 lend lease.
John Finglas, a fellow pupil and life long friend has named many of the children.
John Finglas, a fellow pupil and life long friend has named many of the children.
My life story and family history and
stories are published on "Kindle", at
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B28KKYA
My art relating to it is at
http://blackbirdacrylicart.weebly.com/
In memory of Uncle Ernie at
http://ernestlewisdavies.weebly.com
https://woodfordhistoricalsociety.com/
These pages and sites are always liable to update, Please visit again later.