Six Lewis sons

The Six Sons of Mr & Mrs Charles Lewis, South Street, Toowoomba.

December 1916

Studio portraits of six Lewis brothers.
Australian War Memorial Photo Collection P05163.002

The Six Soldier sons of Mr and Mrs Charles Lewis of South Street, Toowoomba.

They are all fighting for their country on the other side of the world. - Stephens photo.

[Source: The Queenslander, Sat 30 Dec 1916, p. 28 viewable via  NLA's Trove at http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23612352 ]

G.A. Lewis [1616] - George Albion Lewis, joined 17 Nov 1915, aged 22 yrs 3 mths.

T.A. Lewis [1772] - Thomas Arthur Lewis, (Tom) joined 10 Feb 1915, aged 21 yrs 6 mths.

R.F. Lewis [1773] - Richard Franklin Lewis, (Frank) joined 9 Nov 1915, aged 26 yrs 5 mths.

W.J. Lewis [1984] - William John Lewis, (Bill) joined 6 Nov 1915, aged 37 yrs.

F.J. Lewis [2357] - Frederick James Lewis, (Fred) joined 12 Oct 1915, aged 31 yrs 6 mths.
E.G. Lewis [2951] - Ernest George Lewis, (Ern) joined 21 Apr 1916, aged 29 yrs 7 mths.

Bill was the first to leave on 10 Nov 1915, then George, Tom and Frank went together on 30 Nov 1915.  Fred left on 31 Mar 1916 and Ern on 12 Sep 1916.  Ern had waited to join up until after the birth of his second son, Ernest George Alfred Lewis in March 1916.

Ern was my great-grandfather and the photo of him in his soldier uniform was displayed on the wall of my mother's childhood home and is a cherished photo within the family.  While many other Australian families had six or more of their sons "go off" to the First World War, my great great grandparents, Charles and Keturah Lewis, were proud of their family's contribution to serving their country and in particular, their six soldier sons service.

All the Lewis brothers were accomplished horsemen, having learned their craft growing up on the Darling Downs in the Freestone Creek area. Ern served with the 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment and George, Richard and Thomas with the 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment.

1984 Pte William John Lewis, enlisted 6 November 1915 and embarked from Sydney, NSW aboard RMS Orontes on 10 November 1915, RTA 18 October 1916 aboard HMAT Vestalia; 

1616 Pte George Albion Lewis, enlisted 23 August 1915 and embarked from Sydney, NSW, aboard HMAT Suffolk on 30 November 1915, RTA 4 June 1919 aboard SS Mahia; 

1772 Pte Thomas Arthur Lewis, enlisted 11 September 1915 and embarked from Sydney, NSW, aboard HMAT Suffolk on 30 November 1915, RTA 23 August 1918 aboard SS Zealandia; 

1773 Pte Richard Franklin Lewis (stamped R T Lewis on the photograph), enlisted 26 August 1915 and embarked from Sydney, NSW, aboard HMAT Suffolk on 30 November 1915, RTA 9 December 1918 aboard HMAT Leicestershire;

2357 Pte Frederick James Lewis, enlisted 12 October 1915 and embarked from Sydney, NSW, aboard HMAT Star of Victoria on 31 March 1916, RTA 24 July 1919 aboard HMT Dongala; 

2951 Private (Pte) Ernest George Lewis, enlisted 12 July 1916 and embarked from Sydney, NSW, aboard HMAT Kabinga on 12 September 1916, returned to Australia (RTA) 3 July 1919 aboard HMT Malta.

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Overview of dates – 1915 – 1919

1915 Feb – Tom (1772) (21) joined up on Wed. 10 Feb at Liverpool, NSW.

1915 Oct – Fred (2357) (31) joined up on 12 Oct at Toowoomba.

1915 Nov – William (Bill) (1984) (37) joined up on 6 Nov at Toowoomba.   Richard (Dick) (1773) (26) joined up on 9 Nov at Enoggera.  George (1616) (22) joined up 17 Nov at Enoggera.  William embarked on 20 Nov on the HMAT RMS Orontes from Sydney.  Tom, Dick and George embarked on 30 Nov on the HMAT A23 Suffolk from Sydney.

1916 Mar – Fred embarked on 31 Mar on the HMAT A16 Star of Victoria from Sydney.

1916 Apr – Ern (2951) (29) joined up on 21 April at Toowoomba.

1916 Sep – Ern embarked on 12 Sep on the A58 Kabinga from Sydney.

1916 Oct – Bill returned to Australia on 18 Oct aboard Vestalia from Suez.

1916 Dec – Photos of all six Lewis sons are published in the 30 Dec 1916 issue of The Queenslander on page 28.

1918 Dec – Dick returned to Australia on 9 Dec aboard TS Leicestershire from England.

1919 Jun – George returned to Australia on 4 Jun aboard Mahia from England.

1919 Jul – Ern returned to Australia on 3 Jul aboard HT Malta from Kantara.  Tom returned to Australia on 3 Jul aboard HT Zealandia from England, with wife Dorothy.  Fred returned to Australia on 24 Jul aboard HT Dongola from Suez.

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Information summaries

Nov 1915-Jul 1919: Thomas Arthur Lewis (1894-1969)

30 Nov 1915 embarked per HMATS Suffolk; 3 Jul 1919 embarked HT Zealandia. 

Awarded British War Medal 8713, Victory Medal 8633.
5' 7 1/2", 139 lbs, 33 1/2" chest, dark complexion, brown eyes, dark hair, Methodist.

Wife Dorothy.  Children: Arthur, Sylvia, Betty.  Grandchildren: Kevin, Gary, Amanda.

Mar 1916-Jul 1919: Frederick James Lewis (1884-1975)

31 Mar 1916 embarked Star of Victoria; 24 Jul 1919 embarked HT Dongola

Awarded British War Medal 13882, Victory Medal 13672
6', 154 lbs, 40" chest, medium complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair, Methodist.

Wife Sophia. Children: Leonard, Vera, Stanley. Grandchildren: Terence, Ian, Darryl, Brenda, Lenore, Graham, Vivian.

Nov 1915-Oct 1916: William James Lewis (1878-1957)

20 Nov 1915 embarked HMAT PMS Orontes; 18 Oct 1916 embarked Vestalia

Awarded 1914/15 STAR 8165, British War Medal 9163, Victory Medal 9083
6'2", 154 lbs, 38" chest, dark complexion, brown eyes, dark hair, Methodist.

Wife Louisa.  Children: Elsie, Kitty, William, Norman, Douglas, Leslie.  Grandchildren: Eunice, Melvis, John, Audrey, Kathleen, Dulcie, Arthur, William, Merle, Valerie, Roderick, Peter, Susan, Jeffrey, Gregory, William, Richard, John, Andrew, Wendy, Maxwell.

Nov 1915-Dec 1918: Richard Franklin Lewis (1889-1972)

30 Nov 1915 embarked Suffolk; 9 Dec 1918 embarked TS Leicestershire

Awarded British War Medal 8712, Victory Medal 8632
6', 154 lbs, 35" chest, fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, C of E.

Wife Ada.  Children: Ruby, Thomas, Richard, Keith, Edna.  Grandchildren: Alan, Allan, Adrya, Wayne, Lloyd, Narelle, Bevan, Neil.

Nov 1915-Jul 1919: George Albion Lewis (1893-1965)

30 Nov 1915 embarked Suffolk; 21 Jul 1919 embarked Mahia

Awarded British War Medal 8711, Victory Medal 8631
5' 10 3/4", 38" chest, dark complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair, Methodist.

Wife Mary.  Children: Marjorie, Laura.  Grandchildren: George.

Sep 1916-Jul 1919: Ernest George Lewis (1886-1964)

12 Sep 1916 embarked Kabinga; 3 Jul 1919 embarked Malta

Awarded British War Medal 21586
5'9", 160 lbs, 39.5" chest, medium complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair, C of E.

Wife Matilda.  Children: Eric, Gwendoline, Ernest, Colin.  Grandchildren: Ronald, Eula, Margaret, Delphene, John, Lorraine, Dennis, Bernice, Bruce, Gail, Heather, Robyn, Russell, Pamela, Sharalyn, Ann.

--------------------
Mar 1916-Jul 1918: Alfred Borgert (1892-1959) - brother-in-law of Ernest George Lewis.
31 Mar 1916 embarked A16 Star of Victoria
Awarded British War Medal 18948
Sister Matilda (Tilly). 

REFERENCES:

Australian War Memorial

5th Australian Light Horse Regiment  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51039

2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51036

Swan Creek Cemetery

Swan Creek Cemetery Memorial Inscriptions

As noted in my article on Charles and Keturah Lewis  I have not been able to find a headstone for Charles Lewis or Keturah Lewis at Swan Creek Cemetery.

There is a wonderful resource hosted by David Horton and Kerry Raymond containing Memorial Inscriptions from Swan Creek cemetery.

Below are details [obituaries, notices and BMD refs] on some of the individuals who were buried at the Swan Creek Cemetery and their monumental inscription has been photographed [.jpg refs].  

ALLEN Henry, died 26 Dec 1897 aged 70 years 9 months; Anne ALLEN, wife, born 31 Oct 1821 died 15 Oct 1899 aged 78 years; Mary, wife of Thomas DAVIS, died 26 Jan 1894 aged 41 years; Thomas Llewellyn, died 14 Nov 1893 aged 5 months; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2471.JPG) (full)

ALLEN Henry Obituary in Warwick Examiner and Times, Wed 5 Jan 1898, p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82130098 

**Obituary [Mr John Armstrong, of Erin Vale, Swan Creek, aged 76] in Warwick Argus Tue 19 Aug 1890 p. 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76984655

BLOOMFIELD William, died 10 Oct 1907 aged 70 years; Emma E. BLOOMFIELD, died 26 July 1903 aged 67 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2520.JPG) (full)

Death notice [Mrs Bloomfield, wife of Mr Bloomfield of Mount Sturt] in Warwick Examiner and Times Wed 29 Jul 1903 p. 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82281421 

Qdrn: 1903/C1205 Emma Elizabeth Bloomfield F: George Mackey M: - Busby

Obituary [Mr W.J. Bloomfield] in Warwick Examiner and Times Sat 12 Oct 1907 p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82291977

Qdrn: 1907/C3913 William John Bloomfield F: Robert Bloomfield M: Mary Foster

CUTMORE Sydney Parnell, died 7 Aug 1930 aged 56 years; Emily CUTMORE, died 26 June 1948 aged 77 years; Jessie May Irene CUTMORE, died 24 June 1913 aged 2 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2529.JPG) (full)

In Memoriam [Jessie May Irene Cutmore] in Warwick Examiner and Times Sat 25 Jul 1914 p. 1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82163633 

Qdrn: 1913/C4897 Jessie May Irene Cutmore F: Sydney Parnell Cutmore M: Emily Free

Obituary [Mrs Emily Cutmore] in Warwick Daily News Wed 14 Jul 1948 p. 5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191094112

Qdrn: 1948/C4074 Emily Cutmore F: George Free M: Mary Skippage

CUTMORE Olive Elizabeth, died 14 March 1935 aged 33 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2545.JPG) (full) 

Qdrn: 1935/B27034 Olive Elizabeth Cutmore F: Richard Henry Patterson M: Julia Maria Christensen

Qmrn: 1926/C1960 Olive Elizabeth Patterson   Gordon John Cutmore [Qdrn: 1969/C3381 Gordon John Cutmore F: Sydney Parnell Cutmore M: Emily Free]

DARLEY Charles Fitzroy, youngest son of John & Mary DARLEY, died 26? April 1885 aged 2 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2462.JPG) (full) 

Qdrn: 1885/C1443 Charles Fitzroy Darley F: John Darley M: Mary Armstrong

EASTWELL Charlotte, wife of John EASTWELL, died 8 Feb 1879 aged 63 years; John EASTWELL, died 10 Feb 1889 aged 73 years; Joseph EASTWELL, husband of Caroline, died 28 July 1893 aged 45 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire 100_2433.JPG) (full)

EASTWELL Harriet Mahala, died 4 March 1891 aged 29 years; Rupert John, son, died 8 June 1891 aged 3 years 9 months; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2440.JPG) (full)

EASTWELL Henry, son of T. & M.A. EASTWELL, died Warwick 1 May 1898 aged 26 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2480.JPG) (full) 

EASTWELL Edward, died 30 Aug 1923 aged 80 years; Mary Ann EASTWELL, died 15 May 1932 aged 81 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2540.JPG) (full) 

EASTWELL Clarence, brother, died 1 Feb 1944 aged 48 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2556.JPG) (full) 

FREE Elizabeth, wife of Addison FREE, died 22 Jan 1898 aged 57 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2500.JPG) (full) 

Obituary of Mrs Free, wife of Mr Addison Free . . . [Warwick Examiner and Times Wed 26 Jan 1898, p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82130655

FREE George Josiah, husband, died 20 July 1909 aged 36 years; Emily Ada FREE, wife mother grandmother, died 26 Nov 1953 aged 76 years;  erected by son Vernon; Donald Downie FREE, son of Myrtle & Vernon FREE, brother of Ken, grandson of Emily & George FREE, died 18 Aug 1956 aged 26 years, buried at Warwick cemetery; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2509.JPG) (full)

FREE Charles, husband of Erving FREE, born 27 May 1860 died 12 May 1911; Erving FREE-MITCHELL, mother, grandmother of Paul, died 21 Jan 1960 aged 88 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2513.JPG) (full)

FREE Bruce Hamilton Josiah, son of C. & E. FREE, died 15 April 1903 aged 2 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2516.JPG) (full) 

FREE Jesse, husband, died 23 Feb 1903 aged 25 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2517.JPG) (full) 

**Obituary [Mr Addison Free, jun] in Warwick Argus Tue 30 May 1899 p. 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76631015

GILLESPIE Leonard, died 28 August 1883 aged 62 years; Harriette May, died 27 Aug 1936 aged 67 years; Sarah GILLESPIE, died 19 Feb 1896 aged 72 years; Catherine GILLESPIE, died 13 July 1900 aged 45 years; Richard GILLESPIE, died 23 November 1917 aged 51? years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2392.JPG) (full)

Mrs. Gillespie, relict of the late Mr. L. Gillespie, of Eden Bank Farm . . . [source: Warwick Argus, Tue 3 Mar 1896 p. 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76620267

GILLESPIE William, died 29 Oct 1915 aged 66 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2406.JPG) (full) 

Mary Jane GILLESPIE, died 15 Feb 1935 aged 77 years 7 months; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2408.JPG) (full) 

GILLESPIE Francis, 7 Jan 1861 - 22 Apr 1935; Jane GILLESPIE, wife of Francis GILLESPIE, died 1 July 1926 aged 63 years; Walter ?? GILLESPIE, died 2 Sept 1920 aged 19 years; William Henry GILLESPIE, died 29 Dec 1891 aged 10 months; sons of Francis & Jane GILLESPIE; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2410.JPG) (full)

Funeral notice [son of Mr Frank Gillespie] in Warwick Daily News Tue 7 Sep 1920 p. 6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175769558

GILLESPIE John, died in infancy 16 Dec 1876; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2413.JPG) (full)

GILLESPIE Sarah, wife of James GILLESPIE, died 13 July 1907 aged 51 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2416.JPG) (full)

GILLESPIE Richard Walter, father grandfather, died 3 May 1962 aged 78 years; Eleanor Isabel GILLESPIE, wife mother grandmother, died 7 Feb 1948 aged 52 years; Barbara May GILLESPIE, died 12 May 1942 aged 8 months; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2547.JPG) (full)

GILLESPIE Richard, husband father, died 23 Nov 1963 aged 69 years; Alice, wife, 1909 - 2000, laid to rest Eden Gardens; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2554.JPG) (full) 

GILLESPIE Robert Angus, son brother, died 21 April 1951 aged 16 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2555.JPG) (full) 

GILLESPIE Armstrong, died 11 July 1948 aged 85 years; Mary, wife of Armstrong GILLESPIE, died 18 Nov 1936 aged 68 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2559.JPG) (full)

HALL Harriet Armstrong, wife of Thomas HALL, died 27 Aug 1898 aged 72 years; Thomas HALL, 1823 - 1904; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2503.JPG) (full)

Obituary [Mrs Thomas Hall, of Mt Sturt] in Warwick Argus Tue 29 Aug 1893 p. 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76643811

KINSEY Thomas, died 8 May 1898 aged 77 years; Ann KINSEY, died 18 Dec 1898 aged 77 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2419.JPG) (full)

Obituary [Mr Thomas Kinsey] in Warwick Argus Tue 10 May 1898 p. 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76624670

LANGFIELD George Thomas, died 22 Nov 1941 aged 50 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2546.JPG) (full)

LAW Mary, wife of Charles LAW, died Warwick 30 Nov 1898 aged 29 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2447.JPG) (full)

LAWLESS John, died 29-9-1928 aged 40 years; Maria Jane LAWLESS, died 26-11-1966 aged 74 years; Armstrong John LAWLESS, died 9-3-1921 aged 12 days; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2538.JPG) (full)

LEWIS Maude, daughter of Louis & Jane LEWIS, died 10 Feb 1885 aged 4 years 7 months; Jane, wife, died 24 Dec 1885 aged 29 years; Ada Florence, daughter, died Clermont 18 Oct 1887 aged 5 years 4 months; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2465.JPG) (full)

MAUCH Michael, died 18 Sept 1884 aged 64 years; Barbara Weishadle, wife, died 25 Dec 1889 aged 65 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2454.JPG) (full)

PATTERSON Elizabeth, 1856 - 1940; David PATTERSON, 1856 - 1923; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2519.JPG) (full)

PERSON Svend, born 9 Oct 1824 died Freestone 7 Nov 1898; Kjersti PERSON, born Sweden 24 Nov 1836 died Freestone 1930; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2484.JPG) (full)

PETERSEN Laust, born 17 Feb 1817 died 1 March 1893; Iver Pedersen WILLADSEN, died 9 May 1883 aged 35 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2450.JPG) (full)

REA Andrew John Nicol, born 13 June 1892, accidentally killed 28 March 1928 aged 35 years 9 months, wife Elizabeth, daughters Heather, Marjory, Joan & Dawn; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2544.JPG) (full)

Obituary [Mr. A.J.N. Rea] in Warwick Daily News Mon 2 Apr 1928 p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175635565

REEVE Emma Henrietta, died Emu Vale 15 January 1886 in 79th year; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2457.JPG) (full) 

A Sad Fatality [Miss Reeve] in Warwick Argus Tue 25 Jan 1887 p. 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76653010

Qdrn: 1886/C1217 Emma Henrietta Reeve F: Richard Kent Reeve M: Letitia Pitty

THOMAS William, second son of John & Jane Ann THOMAS of Warwick, died at Laura River Palmer Road 20 June 1878 aged 14 years 4 months; Frederick, infant son, aged 2 days; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2424.JPG) (full)

WOOD Richard, died 14 June 1887 aged 35 years; Amy Lillian WOOD, daughter died 4 Nov 1889 aged 2 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2492.JPG) (full)

WOOD Richard, husband of Elizabeth WOOD, born Devonshire 15 Jan 1828 died 25 Sept 1910; Elizabeth WOOD, wife, died 8 April 1928 aged 100 years; Swan Creek Anglican cemetery, Warwick Shire (100_2526.JPG) (full) [3 PHOTOS]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Swan Creek Memorial Inscriptions [Warwick Shire, Queensland] 

http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Photos/Swan_Creek/

Richard and Elizabeth Wood

Richard and Elizabeth Wood

Richard Wood (23) and Elizabeth Webber Slute (22) were married on 21 September 1851 in the registration district of Totnes, Devon [vol 9, page 622].

Richard (25) and Elizabeth (24) with their baby son Richard (b. 1852) emigrated to Australia in 1852 aboard the ship Parsee, leaving London 30 September 1852 and arriving Moreton Bay on 17 January 1853.  The voyage from Plymouth to Moreton Bay had taken 102 days and the Parsee had 493 immigrants aboard [Maitland Mercury 2 Feb 1852 p. 2].

The young family made their way to the Glengallan run [John Deuchar] on the Darling Downs where Richard was employed as a bullock driver, one of the first bullock drivers for the area.

At Glengallan, Richard and Elizabeth's daughters Mary Ann Wood was born 13 March 1854 and Elizabeth Wood was born 6 March 1856. By 1860 the family were living at Swan Creek [later known as Jack Smith's Gully] where Keturah (Kitty) Wood was born 28 May 1860.

Richard and Elizabeth's family continued to grow with the arrival of Martha Wood on 1 June 1864 following by Susan Wood on 2 January 1867. Sadly two-year-old Martha died 23 March 1867. Their youngest daughter Emily Wood was born 23 December 1868.

Richard and Elizabeth's eldest daughter, Mary Ann married Thomas Eastwell on 2 March 1871.  Their second daughter, Elizabeth married David Patterson on 28 March 1876 at Freestone Creek.

Richard and Elizabeth's eldest child and only son, Richard married Maria Jane Gillespie on 24 May 1877 at Swan Creek. 

Kitty Wood married Charles Lewis at the Wesleyan Parsonage, Warwick on 17 December 1877. Susan Wood married Jacob Jacobsen on 15 November 1882 and their youngest daughter Emily Wood married William James McClure on 11 March 1885.

1887 was a sad year for the family.  On 14 June Richard Wood jnr died, aged just 35.  He was survived by his widow Maria and nine children as Richard and Maria's youngest child, Amy Lillian Wood was born 15 September 1887, three months after Richard's death. Sadly two-year-old Amy died 4 November 1889.  Richard and Amy were laid to rest at Swan Creek cemetery.

Swan Creek Cemetery 2005

Richard Wood snr, aged 82 died 25 September 1910 and was buried at the Swan Creek Cemetery.

Elizabeth Wood died 9 April 1926 and her gravestone recorded she died on her 100th birthday.

"In remembrance of Richard, beloved husband of Elizabeth Wood,
born in Devonshire 15 Jan 1828, died 25 Sep 1910.
Also his beloved wife Elizabeth Wood, died 8 Apr 1928, aged 100 years."
Swan Creek Cemetery

Richard Wood is mentioned in an article entitled Swan Creek. Historic Background. Dawn of Close Settlement published in the Warwick Daily News 1 Sep 1945 p. 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article190950653

Richard Wood and Elizabeth Wood nee Webber Slute were survived by 50 of their 56 grandchildren:

Henry Eastwell (1871-1898)

William Eastwell (1873-1913)
Richard John Eastwell (1876-1964)
Richard Henry Patterson (1877-1954)
William John Lewis (1878-1957)
Elizabeth Sarah Armstrong nee Wood (1878-1967) 
Martha Peachey nee Eastwell (1878-1947)
William (Alec) Alexander Patterson (1879-1962)
Mabel Eva Kate Rose nee Wood (1879-1962)
Grace Cecilia Clay nee Lewis (1880-1962)
William George Wood (1880-1958)
Arthur George Eastwell (1880-1919)
Archibald Emanuel Patterson (1881-1953)
Alice Maud Mary Wood (1881-1960)
Charles Henry Lewis (1882-1975)
Harriet Emily Reid nee Wood (6 Jul 1883-1964)
Alice Maud Lena Phillips nee Jacobsen (31 Jul 1883-1955)
Margaret Ruth Stafford nee Patterson (1 Aug 1883-1961)
Frederick James Lewis (1884-1975)
Thomas Edward Eastwell (1885-1917)
Jacob John Jacobsen (1885-1949)
Ethel Milly Reid nee Wood (1885-1955) a twin
Ilma Grace Reid nee Wood (1885-1966) a twin
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Simon nee McClure (1885-1970)
Andrew Thomas Patterson (1886-1967)
Maria Winnifred McIlroy nee Wood (1886-1972)
Ernest George Lewis (1886-1964) -------- [my great grandfather]
Annie McClure (1887-1955)
Albert Eastwell (1887-1955)
Eva Elizabeth Rickert nee Patterson (1888-1970)
Richard Franklin Lewis (1889-1972)
Florence Susan McCauley nee Patterson (1890-1951)
Arthur Richard Jacobsen (1890-1915)
Francis McClure (1891-1919)
Mary Elizabeth Jones nee Eastwell (1891-1964)
James John Granger Patterson (1892-1968)
George Albion Lewis (1893-1965)
Joseph Ernest Eastwell (1893-1969)
Thomas Arthur Lewis (10 Jul 1894-1969)
Martin Rupert Jacobsen (10 Jul 1894-1959)
David Oliver Patterson (1894-1964)
Mabel Gleeson nee McClure (1895-1989)
Gladys Ione Hutchings nee Lewis (1896-1960)
Olive Irene Dabelstein nee Patterson (1897-1976)
Susan Gladys Lamb nee Jacobsen (1897-1970)
Charles Edward Eastwell (1899-1969)
Albert Roy Patterson (1900-1984)
Claire Annie Markey nee Eastwell (b. 1902) ..... died 7 Jun 1995
Herbert Reginald Lewis (1902-1938)
Richard Reginald McClure (1904-1971)

Abraham and Catherine Lewis - From Willen to Freestone Creek

FROM WILLEN TO FREESTONE CREEK

The year was 1870 and in the small village of Willen in Buckinghamshire, England, a family was preparing for a journey that would change their lives.

*** *** ***

The Lewis family had lived in Willen since at least 1790. The men of the family were agricultural labourers and the women probably made lace, a home industry for which the region was noted.

On Chistmas Day 1837, Abraham Lewis aged 21 and Catherine Tooth aged 20 married at Willen. Could they have envisaged that the latter part of their married life would find them thousands of miles away from the village of their birth?

Over the next thirty years the couple raised their family of two boys and five girls: William (1840), Elizabeth (1843), Emma (1845), Clara (1848), Lavinia (1849), Tryphena (1852) and Charles (1854). Two other sons died in infancy.

So we come to Autumn 1870. Abraham and Catherine were in their mid 50’s. Together with three of their children Emma, Tryphena and Charles now aged 25, 18 and 16 respectively, they said goodbye to Willen, made their way to London and boarded the SS Light Brigade which sailed for Australia on 2 October 1870. Fourteen weeks later they arrived in Brisbane as free settlers and the family made their way to Freestone Creek which was 14 km northeast of Warwick in Queensland.

In 1871 the rural community of Freestone Creek may have numbered around 20 families. The Lewis family brought with them knowledge of farming wheat, barley, oats, beans and saffron as well as rearing dairy cattle, pigs and ducks. Though the soils of the Freestone Creek - Swan Creek area were not the chalk and flint soils of Buckinghamshire, the gently rolling hills of the countryside would have seemed familiar and the family set about farming their land and raising livestock.

In 1873 Emma Lewis married George Clegg; in 1875 Tryphena Lewis married John Dean and in 1877 Charles Lewis married Keturah Wood. Abraham and Catherine spent the rest of their lives at Freestone Creek. Catherine Lewis (nee Tooth) passed away in June 1899 aged 83 and Abraham Lewis in March 1900 aged 84 and they were both buried at Swan Creek Cemetery. They were survived by five of their children. Back in Buckinghamshire were Elisabeth, Clara and Lavinia and in Queensland and New South Wales, Emma, Tryphena and Charles and at least 17 grandchildren in Australia.

In January 1996 I visited Swan Creek Cemetery but could not find any headstones to mark Abraham and Catherine’s grave, though there were a number of unmarked graves. Charles was my great, great grandfather.

Donna Holmes, Singapore. June 1996.

[The above article was published in Origins : magazine of the Buckinghamshire Family History Society. Vol. 20(2) June 1996. page 100. ]

Children of Abraham and Catherine (9)
James Lewis (1838-1840) in England
William Lewis (b. 1840) in England
Elizabeth Garratt nee Lewis (b. 1843) in England
Emma Wilton nee Lewis formerly Clegg (1845-1934)
Clara Harvey nee Lewis (b. 1848) in England
Lavinia Fenner nee Lewis (1849-1939) in England
Tryphena Dean nee Lewis (1852-1932)
Charles Lewis (1854-1937) ... [my great, great grandfather]
Henry Valentine Lewis (1857-1857)

Grandchildren of Abraham and Catherine (42)
Susan Harris nee Lewis (b. 1865)
Emma Kate Osborne nee Garratt (1866-1942) in England
John Harvey (b. 1869) in England
Edith Ellen Laver nee Fenner (1870-1954)
Frederick Harvey (b. 1870) in England
William James Fenner (1872-1953)
Charlotte Harvey (b. 1872) in England
John William Augustus Lewis (1873-1950)
William Charles Clegg (1874-1933)
Thomas Harvey (b. 1874) in England
Gertrude Griffin nee Fenner (b. 1874), emigrated to California.
Isabel Kate Leddra nee Dean (1875-1950)
Sarah (Kate) Catherine Osborne nee Clegg (1876-1960)
Catherine Amelia Steel nee Fenner (1876-1909) in England
Clara Elizabeth Sachers nee Clegg formerly Dougall (1877-1953)
Lydia Lavinia Howe nee Fenner (1878-1944) in England
William John Lewis (1878-1957)
Maude M. Dean (1878-1880)
George Andrew Dean (1879-1880)
George Harvey (b. 1879) in England
Joseph Fenner (1880-1967)
Grace Cecilia Clay nee Lewis (1880-1962)
William Henry Dean (b. 1881)
Gertrude Alice Dean (1882-1882)
Charles Frederick Fenner (1882-1949)
Charles Henry Lewis (1882-1975)
Frank Harvey (b. 1883) in England
Frederick James Lewis (1884-1975)
Herbert Harvey (b. 1885) in England
Arthur Sidney Fenner (1885-1902) in England
Leslie V. Dean (1885-1885)
Ernest George Lewis (1886-1964) ... [my great grandfather]
George Frederick Wilton (1887-1966)
Lionel Arthur Dean (1888-1972)
Richard Franklin Lewis (1889-1972)
Lizzie Wilton nee Garratt (1891-1974)
Alfred Norman Dean (1891-1961)
Elsie Elizabeth Lewis (1891-1895)
George Albion Lewis (1893-1965)
Thomas Arthur Lewis (1894-1969)
Gladys Ione Hutchings nee Lewis (1896-1960)
Herbert Reginald Lewis (1902-1938)