BAXTER & LEYS

 

PATRICK DUNCAN BAXTER. -

JANE BARNES..

Patrick Duncan Baxter was our only Scottish Ancestor and he arrived in the Colony of Victoria on November 18th, 1853, as a crew member of the "Ann Dashwood" a sailing ship of 872 tons. In 1861 he married Jane Barnes, daughter of Edward Barnes and Mary Brooker.

Patrick Duncan Baxter was born March 3rd,1827, at Aberdeen, Scotland the eldest son of Andrew Baxter, master mariner and Elizabeth Leys who were married February 17th,1825 at the Parish of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen.

Andrew Baxter and Elizabeth Leys are buried at St Nicholas Churchyard, Aberdeen City, Scotland.
 
Their gravestone reads as follows-
Andrew Baxter, Shipmaster, who died 21-12-1882 and of his wife Elizabeth Leys 21-12-1850 aged 46.
Also of their family Andrew, Elizabeth & John
also of
Robert Leys Baxter, Shipmaster, who died at Havana 24-06-1878, aged 38 and his wife Anne Stuart who died 24th May,1872 aged 28
also of
Their sons Robert and Gordon, 
also of
Susanna Pool Baxter who died 28th September, 1896 aged 60.
Jane Baxter, widow of the late Wm. Buyers, Merchant, who died 16th may 1919 aged 91.
The said William Buyers died at Melbourne 29th March, 1855. 

Note -: The Aberdeen Journal reported on the 20th July 1878, that Robert Leys Baxter, aged 39, Shipmaster, died of Yellow Fever at Havana, Cuba on the 24th June, 1878..
Havana was notorious at the time for Yellow Fever a mosquito born disease.
His wife Anne Stuart Baxter died in 1872, aged 28 and their eldest son Robert, was reported in the Aberdeen Journal of having died age 8 years on 7th May, 1873 at 128 Union Street, Aberdeen.

Patrick Duncan Baxter's mother, Elizabeth Leys was the daughter of William Leys and Jean Milne. The name Leys is a clan name of the Scots Clan "Farquarson". The names Leys and Farquarson appear as second names to two of Patrick Duncan Baxter's children.


Patrick arrived in Australia on November 18th, 1853, as a crew member of the "Ann Dashwood" an 872 ton sailing ship, which sailed from Liverpool, England for Port Phillip in the Colony of Victoria on June 16th, 1853, under the command of Captain W. Brumwell. There were 381 passengers in steerage, four cabin passengers and a general cargo of rock salt and tobacco. After arriving at Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, she took on a further 11 passengers before departing for Port Phillip.

The ship’s passenger list shows that Patrick held the position of " Ships Surgeon" (this does not necessarily mean that the person holding the position was a doctor). His signature appears on the passenger list as having conducted regular musters of the passengers during the voyage.


The History Section of the Education Department of Victoria states in "Vision and Realisation" -:

486 Penshurst :

State School 486 opened as a National School at Penshurst on December 20th,1858. Patrick D. Baxter a qualified ship's master, was the Head Teacher. The attendance at the opening was 34 students. The building, erected by the parents on block 35, South side of Bell Street, Penhurst is in the Parish of Boram Boram and Yalimba, County of Villiers. Later a Bluestone school of 2 rooms was built on the corner of French Street, fronting Watton Street. In 1962 this old building was made available to Penshurst Youth Club for conversion to club rooms. A building of modern design was erected on land secured on Kolan Estate, fronting Ritchie and Martin Streets and opened by the Minister of Education, the Hon. J.S.Bloomfield, on September 13th, 1963 after having been occupied earlier that year.

The records state that he remained at the school until October 28th, 1860.


The history of the Post Office in Victoria in "Victoria - The Barred Numerals" shows that the Post Master in March 1858 to December 1860, for the Penshurst Post Office, which opened on September 1st, 1857, was Patrick Duncan Baxter. He was again Post Master from February 1st, 1861 to the end of 1864 after which records are not available.

On March 1st, 1859 he is shown as the Postmaster at Penshurst - Post Office No. 141 with an annual salary of 20 Pounds. The Victorian Parliamentary Papers 1860/1861 state that during the year of 1860 at Penshurst, 2566 letters and 1047 newspapers were handled.

During 1863 he was also Deputy Registrar for Births, Deaths and Marriages for the Mount Rouse area which included Penshurst.


Patrick Duncan Baxter married Jane Barnes, daughter of Edward Barnes and Mary Brooker, at the Presbyterian Church, Hamilton on February 14th, 1861. His occupation was shown as Postmaster.

Their marriage certificate states-:

"This marriage was celebrated with the written consent of Mrs. Mary Brooker or Barnes, mother of the bride who is a minor."

Patrick at the time of his marriage was 34 years of age however the marriage certificate states 32 years, whilst Jane was 17 years of age and a minor.

Jane was shown to have been born, on 27th October,1843 in South Australia.

Her death certificate some years later in 1889 stated she was born at Gawler in South Australia.

The baptismal record has been located for her sister Mary showing that she was born at Gawler on March 25th, 1842.

It would therefore appear that her parents Edward Barnes and Mary Brooker must have arrived with their family about 1860.

Patrick and Jane had ten children and it is interesting to note the traditional Scottish means of naming some of the children.

The general custom was as follows -:

The eldest son after the Paternal Grandfather - Andrew.

The second son after the Maternal Grandfather.

The third son after the father - Duncan.

The eldest daughter after the Maternal Grandmother - Elizabeth.

The second daughter after the Paternal Grandmother - Mary.

The third daughter after the mother.


The children of Patrick Duncan and Jane Baxter were as follows (Detail supplied by Ray Baxter)-:

1. Elizabeth Jane Baxter was born 3rd April,1862 in Penshurst, married Eugene John O'Halloran in 1882 and had eight children. 
It is believed that as she married a Roman Catholic she was banned from her family home. Her father was a very staunch Presbyterian, which was a common occurrence in those times.
When her mother died in 1889 Elizabeth was the only child left out of her will.
Elizabeth died in November, 1899 aged 37, and left a very young family.
After her death Eugene moved from the district leaving the children with various members of the O'Halloran family to care for them. 
In 1918 Eugene married Mary Francis Lamerton.
He died on 3rd December 1931, aged 77, at the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Sunbury, Victoria. 
Photo of Eugene John O'Halloran.

Photo of Elizabeth Jane Baxter.

Two of the children were killed in during World War 1. 

James Edward O'Halloran, age 31, killed in action by "being blown to pieces" during the attack on Mouquet Farm, (Pozieres) France on August 5th, 1916.
James was a Corporal in the 22nd Battalion, 6th Brigade, and enlisted in the army on 22nd July 1915.
He is remembered on memorial panel 97 at 26 Villers - Bretonneux- France. 
Photo of James Edward O'Halloran.

In his Application to join the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915, he stated he was a Farrier (Blacksmith), aged 30, Single, and born near Ararat, Victoria and that his next of kin was his sister Mrs. J. Griffith of Crowlands, Victoria. 

Eugene John O'Halloran, landed at Gallipoli, April 25th, 1915.
Eugene held the rank of Gunner in the 2nd Battery, 1st Brigade, Australian Field Artillery, and enlisted at Crowlands, Victoria on 1st September,1914.
He was taken ill whilst at Gallipoli Peninsula and was treated at No1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Gallipoli.
He was invalided to Malta on the Hospital Ship, Ascania on 25th August, 1915 suffering from dysentery 
He died 10th October, 1915 aged 24, in a hospital in Malta of dysentery and cerebellum tumor .
He was laid to rest and has a memorial at Europe 4 Addolorate Cemetery, Malta.
Photo of Eugene John O'Halloran.

Click here for Virtual War Memorial.
His next of kin was stated as his Brother, D W O'Halloran of Stockinbingal, New South Wales.

The children born to Eugene and Elizabeth O'Halloran were -:

Michael Pat.
b1883
d
m Eliz. Whalen
James Edward
b1884
d04-08-1916
Mary
b1886
d26-01-1961
m1913 Will. Howlett
Catherine
b07-03-1889
d03-09-1953
m1910 John Griffin
Eugene John
b1891
d10-10-1915
Ellen Irene
b1893
d18-09-1902
Margaret
b1895
d
Daniel Duncan
b1897
d23-06-1912
Children              
    Catherine

 
Francis Joseph
b1910
m E Wilson
       
    Eleanor
m D Groves
 
Irene Theresa
b1912
m C Ferguson
       
    Patrick
m G Green
Daniel James
b1918
       
    James
 
Michael John
m C Rogers
       
    Ellen          
    John
m E McArty
         
    Robert
m J Little
         
    Gerald          

Photo of Michael Patrick O'Halloran. 

Photo of Mary O'Halloran nee Howlett.

Photo of Margaret (Peggy) O'Halloran.

Photo Of O'Halloran Family.

2. Mary Baxter born August 19th, 1863 at the age of 26 married George William Brooks, a chainman for a surveyor  in 1890 and had seven children. She died October 20th,1939 in her home at 65 Henna Street, Warrnambool where the family had resided for more than 30 years. George Brooks died about three years earlier.

The children born to George and Mary Brookes were -:

Emma Jane
b09-07-1891
d17-11-1967
Not Married
Robert Louis
b25-06-1893
d01-02-1968
m
Emily Strain 
Andrew Duncan
b12-03-1895
d
m
Ivy ?
Alice Mary
b23-03-1897
d08-01-1978
Not Married
Frederick Ernest
b22-02-1899
d14-04-1904

Charlotte Irene
b05-07-1901
d
m
Alf  Cochrane
Verda Mary
b13-12-1912
d28-04-1978
m27-08-1931 
Frank Lane
Children            
  George Robert
b25-11-1915
        Gerald Francis
b
  Norman James
b22-08-1917
        Geoffrey Joseph
b
  Colin Thomas
b06-04-1919
        Margaret Mary
b
  Allan Strain
b16-11-1920
        Raymond John
b25-09-1941
  Ronald Thomas
b26-10-1924
        Neville Francis
b02-10-1943

 3. Andrew Edward Baxter born April 4th, 1866. After a short stay at school he began work on a sheep and cattle station where he soon became a very accomplished horseman and administrator. At the early age of 18 he was elevated to the position of Station Manager and for the next 20 years he continued to work in this position. In 1904 he moved to Western Australia where he disembarked at Albany. The success of his two younger brothers in West Australia, Duncan (Don) and Charles, probably influenced him as with the discovery of gold in the eastern goldfields. He journeyed to Lawlers (which was a gold mining settlement near Meekathara). At Lawlers he started a bakery business and later expanded it into a general store. 
In 1906 he married Susan Lucy Sullivan, and three children were later born.
During 1912 he left Lawlers and managed various hotels for State Hotels and later retired to Nedlands.
He died in January 1938, aged 72. His wife Susan died in December 1951, aged 68 years.

The children born to Andrew & Susan Baxter were -:

Clare Irene
b06-01-1907
d24-10-1996
m02-08-1958
George Preacher
Francis Andrew
b02-08-1908
d

Virginia Mary
b05-10-1909
d09-09-1998
m30-12-1944
George Wild

 Photo of Andrew Baxter

4
. Robert Leys Baxter  born July 15th, 1868 married Sarah Jane Sheppard in 1894 and had two children. After finishing his schooling he became a Commission Agent, Auctioneer and a Cattle Dealer and established a business in the Penshurst District. 
In 1914 his younger brother Charles Farquarson was elected to the Legislative Council of Western Australia. At the time Charles owned a farm "Whitehaven" located 29 km. south east of Cunderdin and he needed someone reliable to manage the property whilst he was in Perth to carry out his Parliamentary duties. Later in 1914 Robert, Sarah and six of their children travelled to W.A. by ship and then to Cunderdin by train.
For the next four years he managed the farm with the help of his three older boys who had left school. 
He formed a company now known as Baxter's Agency and became the agent for International Harvester Company, as well as the McCormack- Deering  Francise, Texas Oil Co and Goldsbrough Mort.
In 1918 he purchase a small farm he named "Burn Brae" about 1.5 km west of Cunderdin. He was to later extend his farm by purchasing adjoining properties.
He was elected to the Meckering Roads Board in 1920 and served as Chairman from 1924 to 1932. He was served as Shire President for many years. 
When WW2 was declared in 1939, part of the Baxter property was resumed by the Commonwealth Government and used to build an airbase for pilot training (No 9 EFTS Elementary Flying Training School). Although the airstrip is still operational, the rest of the property has been turned into a first class Agricultural College.
Robert Leys Baxter lived on "Burn Brae" until his death in 1947 and Sarah also lived there until her death in 1948.
His daughter Trixi Baxter married Horace Jasper. 
Trixi was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queens New Years Honors in 1980 which was presented by Prince Charles in Perth. 

The children born to Robert and Susan Baxter were -: 

Robert Alexander
b27-12-1894
d11-10-1972
m26-03-1924
Blanch Turnock
Claude Aubrey
b15-05-1896
d08-08-1895
m
Henrietta Armstrong
Gladys Jane
bOct.1896
d18-01-1897



Kenneth William
b21-02-1899
d14-07-1981
m31-08-1937
Francis Chatfield
Beatrice Millicent
b24-03-1902
d18-01-2001
m25-08-1925
Horace Jasper
Constance Hope
b13-06-1903
d23-05-1973
m10-10-1933
Arthur Jasper

Jack Reid
b29-12-1904
d
m20-05-1937
Beatrice Hearl

5. Duncan Baxter  born in May, 1870. He moved to Boulder in Western Australia in 1901 to help his younger brother run his Cycle Agency. The electoral roll shows that he was a Manager residing at "Fairfield Farm" Three Springs, WA.
In 1922 he married Isabelle (Molly) Mary Waldeck and they had at least one child, Mary.
He was known as Don Baxter on the goldfields. 
During 1925 he and Molly purchased a 1681 acre property called "Gabatep"at  Woodanilling, WA.
Don died on 27th February, 1941 at 25 Herbert Street, Victoria Park, WA where he was residing with his family.
Molly later married a Paddy Morey.
When she died in August, 1973 she was buried with her first husband Don.
Bereavement notices at the time said (Gran. of Wendy and John Scott) (Gran. of Robert and Barry Scotsdale), (Merie and Ron Dunlop), (Charles Hales). 

6.  John Baxter  born April 13th, 1873 and died the same year, is buried at Penshurst.

7. Charles Farquarson Baxter born May 27th, 1874 married Jessie Millsom on 31st December, 1896.  As a young man he was a successful cyclist and won a number of road races in Victoria. 
Sometime around 1893 he and a mate left Penshurst and travelled by ship to Albany, Western Australia. On arrival in Albany, he obtained work as a ganger on the Great Southern Railway Line, which at that time ran between Beverley and Albany.
While working on the railway line he won a contract to carry out repairs to the Overland Telegraph Line, between Esperance and Eucla. This was the only form of communication, other than shipping, between Perth and the cities of the eastern states.
After several years in WA he returned to Victoria and started work in Melbourne as a butcher for (Bill) William Charles Angliss. He eventually became a manager of one of Angliss's shops.
Although he left the business some years later, he and Bill Angliss remained firm friends for the rest of their lives, at one stage they were partners in a large cattle station in WA.
Whilst working in Melbourne he met and married in December,1896, Jessie Minnie Millsom.
In 1899 he learned through his racing contacts, that a cycle agency was for sale in Boulder, WA. In 1901 he left for Victoria for Boulder, WA to take over the business which was subsequently named "Baxter's Cycle Agency" . At the time the huge gold mining boom in the Kalgoolie and Boulder areas was Just beginning and there was a strong demand for bicycles, which were the main means of transport for the miners. Business was so good that he asked his older brother Duncan (Don) to assist him in running the business.
He later sold the business and in 1904 he purchased a 2023ha, homestead property, called "Whitehaven" located 28km south of Cunderdine and about 16km from Quairading. At the time he purchased the property only 16 hectares had been cleared and for the next 11 years cleared and improved the property and turned it into a viable farm.
In May 1914 he stood for the Legislative Council, as a Country Party representative, and was elected as the member for East Province. He held this seat for 36 years unopposed, holding  several ministerial portfolios and at was Leader of the Legislative Council.   He was the first Country Party member to be elected to any Australian Parliament.
He also held a third interest in Mt Edith cattle station, about 3,000,000 acres on the Robe River in the West Pilbara for several years with Bill (William) Angliss and Alfred Neave.   

The children born to Charles and Jessie Baxter were -:  

Dorothy Maud Baxter
b26-09-1901
d30-08-1989
m24-09-1924
Paul McGinness
d26-02-1952

Charles Farquarson Baxter
b20-11-1903
d26-07-1974
m10-05-1932
Lavina Smith


Robert Barnes Baxter
b02-08-1907
d10-10-1982
m08-11-1934
Bertha Findlay


Norman Eric Baxter
b21-06-1909
d
m10-11-1934
Dulcie Armour
m01-12-1967
Joan Hughes
 
George Whitehaven Baxter
b26-08-1910
d30-12-1984
m
Kathleen Griffith


Paul "Ginty" McGinness who married Dorothy Baxter was born in Framlingham, Victoria, and was a World War 1 flying ace being credited with seven kills in the Middle East.  He was awarded a DCM for bravery at Gallipoli. He later won the DFC in Palestine.  After the war in 1920 he with his observer, Wilmot Hudson Fysh, founded Qantas Airways. Two years later he left Qantas to become a farmer in Western Australia. It is said that the boys wanted to call the company Kangaroo Transport but Dorothy came up with the name Qantas.

 
8. Irene Annie Baxter born in 1882 at Penshurst married Henry George Smith on the 17th August, 1910.
In 1902 , at the age of 19 she left Penshurst and traveled to Western Australia, where she joined her older brothers Duncan (Don) and Charles Farquarson at Boulder where Charles owned a bicycle sales and repair business. 
After a short stay in Boulder she moved to the gold mining town of Lawlers (near Meekathara,  WA) to join another of her brothers, Andrew Edward, who had opened a bakery in the town. He later extended the business to include a general store.
After spending some time in Lawlers she moved to Perth to live and worked at Economic Stores and became a departmental manager. She was often used as a model
On 17th August 1910 she married Henry (Hal) George Smith at Ballarat, Victoria.
He was a member of the Western Australia Police but had been born in Ballarat. 
He rose to the rank of Inspector 1st Class, stationed at Fremantle.
Some time after he was married he decided to hyphenate his name to Spedding-Smith. Spedding was his mothers surname.
Rene as she was known died at Fremantle in April, 1934 and Hal died at Fremantle in 1938.

The children born to Rene and Hal Spedding-Smith were -: 

Burton Spedding-Smith
b
d05-12-1970
Henry Glasgow Spedding-Smith
d19-06-1981

Photo Of Annie Baxter.

 9. Beatrice Millicent Baxter born October 2nd, 1883 and died 1898, at Buangor, Vic.

10. Angelina Mary Baxter, was born on April 6th, 1881 to Patrick Duncan Baxter and Jane Barnes and the birth was registered on June 20th,1881. The informant was the mother Jane with the notation - "After Declaration made as by law required". The name of Angelina Mary does not appear on either of her parents death certificates.


Patrick Baxter's wife, Jane, nee Barnes, died on June 25th, 1889 aged 45 and is buried at Boram Boram Cemetery, Penshurst in Victoria.

Her will dated May 8th, 1889 stated -:

Andrew and Mary were the executors.

Witnesses were Frank Dodds, Brother in Law.

Richard Barnes, Brother.

The Real Estate, cattle and furniture was stated as being presented to Jane Barnes by her sons about March, 1881.

Note -: the eldest son would have been about 16 years of age in 1881.

The property, Allotment 1 of Section 2, Penshurst, Parish of Boram Boram, County of Villiers, of 2 Roods in area, old weatherboard and pine construction, 7 roomed house, stable and out building was valued at 150 Pounds.

All children, except John who was deceased and Elizabeth who was not named, to all share in the estate but not until the youngest reached the age of 21 years.

It was noted that Patrick Duncan was insolvent at the time of his wife’s death.

Patrick died on April 30th, 1897 aged 70 years and is also buried at Boram Boram Cemetery, Penshurst.


 

William Leys married Jean Milne

Elizabeth Leys
b26-02-1797 at St Nicolas Parish
Married 17-02-1825 at St Nicholas Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland
d21-12-1850
Buried St Nicholas Churchyard, Aberdeen City, Scotland.

Andrew Baxter
b1800
d21-12-1852
Buried St. Nicholas Churchyard, Aberdeen City, Scotland.

Children of Andrew  Baxter and Elizabeth Leys -:
Patrick Duncan Baxter
b03-03-1827
d1897
m Jane Barnes
14-02-1861
Jean Baxter
b19-01-1829

 
Andrew Baxter
b25-09-1830

 
Elizabeth Duncan Baxter
b12-10-1833

 
Susan Pool Baxter
b25-11-1835
d28-09-1896

 
Joan Baxter
b10-05-1839

 
John Leys Baxter
b29-04-1843

 
Children of Patrick Duncan Baxter and Jane Barnes -:
Elizabeth Jane
b03-04-1862
d07-11-1899
m09-01-1882
Eugene O' Halloran

 
Mary
b19-08-1863
d29-10-1939
m19-08-1890
George W. Brookes

 
Andrew Edward
b04-04-1866
d02-01-1938
m10-01-1906
Susan Sullivan
 

Robert Leys
b15-07-1868
d17-10-1947
m28-02-1894
Sarah Sheppard


 

Duncan
b May,1869
d27-02-1941
m1922
Isabella Waldeck


 
John Leys
b13-04-1873
d03-06-1873


 

 

Charles Farquarson
b27-05-1874
d02-03-1950
m31-12-1896
Jessie Millsom

 


Irene Annie
b1882
d04-04-1935
m17-08-1910
H. Spedding Smith.
 


 

Beatrice Annie
b02-10-1883
d1898



 

Angelina Mary
b16-04-1881

 

 

 

Children -:
Michael Pat.
b1882
d
m
Eliz Whalen
 Emma Jane
b09-07-1891
d17-11-1967

Did not marry
Clare Irene
b06-01-1907
d24-10-1996
m02-08-1958
Geo. Preacher
Robert Alex.
b27-12-1894
d11-10-1972
m
Blanch Turnock
Mary



 
  Dorothy Maud
b26-09-1901
d30-08-1989
m24-09-1924
Paul McGiness
 
Burton
b
d05-12-1970

 
   
James Edward
b1884
d04-08-1916

 
Robert Louis
b25-06-1893
d01-02-1968
m
Emily Strain
 
Francis Andrew
b02-081908


 
Claude Aubrey
b15-05-1896
d
m
H Armstrong
 
    Charles Farq
b20-11-1903
d26-07-1974
m10-05-1932
Lavina Smith
 
Henry Glascow
b
d19-06-1981

 
   
Mary
b1886
d24-01-1953
m1913
W. Howlett
 
Andrew Duncan
b12-05-1895



 
Virginia Mary
b05-10-1909
d09-09-1998
m31-12-1944
Gerald Wild
 
Gladys Jane
b Oct 1896
d18-01-1897


 
    Robert Barnes
b02-08-1907
d10-10-1982
m08-11-1934
Bertha Findley

 

     
Catherine
b07-03-1889
d03-09-1954
m18-11-1909
J. Griffin
 
Alice Mary
b23-03-1897
d08-01-1979

Did not marry
 
  Kenneth Will.
b21-02-1899
d14-07-1941


 
    Norman Eric
b21-06-1909
d
m10-11-1934
Dulcie Armour
m01-06-1967
Joan Hughes
     
Eugene John
b1891
d10-10-1915
Frederick Ernest
b22-02-1899
d14-04-0904
  Beatrice Millicent
b24-03-1902
d
m25-08-1925
Horace Jasper
    George Whitehaven
b26-10-1910
d30-12-1984
m
Kath Griffith
     
Irene Ellen
b1893
d18-09-1902
Charlotte Irene
b05-07-1901
d
m
Alf Cochrane
  Constance Hope
b13-06-1903
d23-05-1973
m10-10-1933
Arthur Jasper
           
Margaret
b1895

 
Verda Mary
b13-12-1912
d28.04-1978
m27-08-1931
Thomas Frank Lane
 
  Jack Reid
b29-12-1904
d
m20-05-1937
Beatrice Heart
 
           
Daniel Duncan
b1897
d23-06-1912
                 

 


 

 

The following cutting appeared in The Western Mail a West Australian newspaper after the death of Irene Spedding- Smith, who died on April 3rd, 1935 at  Fremantle, Western Australia.

FUNERAL.

The late Mrs. I. A. Spedding-Smith.

The late Mrs.Irene Annie Spedding-Smith, wife of Inspector H. G. S. Spedding-Smith, District Inspector of Police at Fremantle, died after a brief illness on Thursday last. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, when the remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the Karrakatta Cemetry. The Rector of St. John's Church , Fremantle (the Rev. Canon E.M.Collick) officiated at the graveside in the presence of a large and representative gathering. Canon Collick, in the course of a brief address, referred in feeling terms to the sterling character and exemplary life of the deceased. She was a good wife and mother, good fried and anxious to do all she could for others, he said.

The late Mrs. Spedding-Smith was born at Penshurst, Victoria and came to this state 31 years ago. She first resided at Boulder, and later at Lawlers with her brother Mr. C. F. Baxter M.L.C. a former Chief Secretary. She then came to Perth, and was a departmental head at the Economic Stores Ltd. for a few years. She then returned to the Eastern States for a months holiday, and during that time she married and returned to Western Australia. She resided with her husband at Ravensthorp, Southern Cross, Broome, Kalgoorlie and Fremantle. She was very charitably disposed, and took an active part in church work for all charitable objects, irrespective of denomination. During the war period she worked very strenuously for the Red Cross Society.

Her bright and lovable disposition won the affection of all with whom she came in contact. She was particularly devoted to her home and family, and leaves a husband and two sons to mourn loss.

The chief mourners were Inspector H.G.S. Spedding-Smith (widower), Messrs Burton and Glasgow Spedding-Smith (sons) Messrs C.F. Baxter, M.L.C,  R.L. Baxter, J.P., and D. Baxter (brothers); Mesdames D. and A.E. Baxter (sisters-in-law); Messrs J. Barnes (uncle) and K.W. Frank and Bert Baxter (nephews); Miss Jean Baxter (niece); Mr. and Mrs. A. Vizard and Miss I. Vizard (cousins).

The pall bearers were were the Honorary Minister (Mr. W.H. Kitson), Mr. N. Nulsen M.L.A., Chief Inspector G.V. Purdue, C.I.B. (Central Police), Sergeant J.W. Nisbet and the district clerk Mr. J. O'Brien (Fremantle Police), Plainclothes Constable W. Culmsee (W.A. Police Union), the Acting Mayor of Fremantle (Cr. J. Stevens), and Cr. F. Hollis (Fremantle City Council), Messrs. W.A. Garland, J.P., W. Oates, Bert Bateman and W. O. Danielson.

The coffin was born to the graveside by members of the Fremantle Police Force namely, Detective A. Parker, and Constables H. Mounter, T. Jenkinson and R.W. Gray. Among those present were Mr. J.M Macfarlane, M.L.C., Inspectors C. Treadgold, M. Tuohy, J.S. Simpson and H.E. Notley; Messrs. H.J. Craig, R.M. and M.A. Sanders, Clerk of Courts (Fremantle Police Court); Sergeants J. Lowry, Mc Intyre, Cassidy,

W.T. Caldow, A.H. Trotman, J.H. Mcdonald, J. Nicholson,

E. Pow, P. Petterington and W.H. Archibald; Detective Sergeants H. Manning, Cameron, S. Read and J. Doyle; Constables J. Kelman, A. Mitchell, Riggs, H.T. Davies,

E. Thompson, J.A. Caldow, S.H. Vivian and W. Gregson; Misses Fogarty and Crawford (Women Police); Mr. G. Gaunt (W.A. Police Union); Dr. R.J. Hallion, Crs. J.W. Lynch and Mr. Walter Kelley (Fremantle sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers League); Messrs. John Blinco (H.M. Customs) , T. Bucknell, A. Lindberg, E. Betts and J.H. Townsend (Fremante Licensed Victuallers Association); R.Sayers, F. Miragliotta, H.G. Baker,

R.B. Carter, A. Laraia, O. Olsen, W.H. Mcneill, C. A. Munro, G. S. Jasper, J. Young, D. Buckley, W. Morris, G. Bateman,

W. Merrollo, F. Unmack, H. Mc Effer, D. Fitzgerald,

F. McKenzie, Joe Vick, H. Stone, H. Weist, W. O'Brien,

A. Noseda, W.C. Smith, W. Kitto, Geo. Preacher, S. Jennings, H. Bake, A. Natoli, M.E. Solomon, Geo. and G.J. Booth,

R.M. Smoker, G. Beatty, D. Beatty, D. Murphy, K.D. Heenan,

D. Rae, T.E. Prosser and H.K. Taylor; Mr. and Mrs. W. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. J. McCully; Mesdames L. West, Bake, J.S. Simpson, Johnston, J.E. Rumney, H. Scott, H. Weist and Marion Bell.

Numerous floral tributes were placed on the grave and expressions of sympathy have been extended to the bereaved relatives on all sides.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Arthur E. Davies and Co.


This cutting appeared in a West Australian newspaper.

"The following is an extract from the "Kalgoorlie Miner". Mrs. Spedding-Smith, wife of Inspector Spedding-Smith, returned by Tuesday's coastal express from a family reunion of the Baxter's at Mr. R.L. Baxter's Burnbrae farm, Cunderdin. Some of the the members of the family had seen each other for 30 years. A dinner was held in honor of the occasion. Mrs. George Brookes, of Henna Street, Warrnambool, journeyed to the West for the occasion. The Hon. C.F. Baxter motored to Cunderdin to be present at the dinner. The Baxter family come from Penshurst, Victoria. Those present were -: The Hon. C.F. Baxter, M.L.C., Messrs. R.L Baxter, Chairman of the Meckering Roads Board; Duncan Baxter of Gabe Tepe, Woodanelling, well known on the goldfields as Don Baxter; and A.E. Baxter of Bruce Rock, and Mesdames Spedding- Smith, of Kalgoorlie, and Brookes of Warrnambool, Victoria."


The following appeared in the Melbourne Sun News Pictorial.

"Mr. C.F. Baxter, leader of the W.A. Legislative Council, has a quaint idea of Melbourne. In an outburst on Tuesday he said that during a visit here he was "made heartsick by the thought how much W.A. has done to build up and maintain that pretentious and bumble minded over grown village."


If you can add or correct any of this information.

Please email Ray Lane

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