Charles Dunn and Bertha Rixon

Charles Henry Dunn

Charles Henry Dunn was born in 1890 at Rosemeath, near Bombala, NSW (7311/1890). He was the son of a carrier, John Dunn, and Catherine Elliott.

At the age of 24 years and 8 months, Charles enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on October 19, 1916, in Goulburn, NSW. According to his enlistment papers, he was just 5 feet 3.5 inches tall, weighed 122lbs, and had a chest measurement of 31-34 inches. The papers also mention that he had a dark complexion, grey eyes, brown hair, and a scar on the right side of his jaw.

Service in World War 1

After enlistment at Goulburn, he was transferred to the 55th Battalion and then to the 12/30th Battalion at Liverpool, Sydney. He left Sydney on November 25, 1916 on the the “Beltana”, a troop vessell which took him to Plymouth England. After arrival in England, he was with the 8th Battalion, and was given some basic training. After a short period of time in hospital, on May 3, 1917 he left Folkstone, Kent for service in France. As a member of the Fifth Division he was marched out for service in Etaples on the coast of France a few days later.

On October 12, 1917, he was shot in the left leg and spent much of the next few months in the field hospital in Buchez, France. He then returned to his battalion and on December 12, 1917 was transferred to the 15th Australian Field Artillery.

His record for 1918 contains little detail, except that between January 29, 1919 and February 28, 1919, Charles was seriously ill in hospital with influenza.

He left Le Havre, France on May 12, 1919 and arrived at Weymouth, England the following day. He disembarked on May 7, 1919 and on the voyage back to Australia, became sick with Celulitis, a diffuse suppurative bacterial inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue.

He arrived back in Australia at the Port of Melbourne on August 20, 1919. The Bombala Times of Friday September 5, 1919 reported simply…

Two weeks later, major celebrations were held in Bombala recognising the efforts of local servicemen. On Friday, September 26, 1919, The Bombala Times reported reported…

Charles Dunn’s war record shows he was eligible for three medals, the Star Medal and the British War Medal (No. 65786) and the Victory Medal (63400).

The re-integration of World War I veterans back into society can’t have been easy. According to “A Brief History of RSL in Bombala”

When local diggers…arrived home they soon found that they had come home to no bed of roses, the economic situation wasn’t good, and the returning heroes found what jobs were available were already filled, and the Government re-establishment promises were mostly promises, so the bulk of them were unemployed. A fund called the Provisional Trustees Returned Soldiers Fund had been formed to help returned soldiers get re-established. The fund wasn’t enough, so it was soon decided that each riding of the Shire and the Bombala Municipality would provide work and each man would have to work for what he got out of the fund. However The 50-pound grant given to soldiers who had resided in Australia for 14-years prior to the outbreak of the War ceased on October 31, 1921 In 1921.

At the age of twenty-eight, and working as a labourer in Bombala, Charles married Bertha Ellen Rixon, an eighteen-year-old woman born at Pambula, currently in domestic duties at Bombala. Their marriage on January 19, 1921 (1921/002992) at St Matthias’ Church of England, Bombala took place with the permission of her mother, Ellen Rixon. They were married by D.D. Curthous in the presence of Ellen Rixon and J.P. Dunn.

Bertha Ellen Rixon

Born on July 16, 1902 (21692/1902) in Pambula, the identity of the father of the child, who was named Ellen Laing Rixon, was not recorded on the birth certificate as her parents, William Rixon and Ellen Laing, were first cousins. At the time of Ellen Laing Rixon’s birth, her mother was 27 years old, which may have been considered quite old to remain unmarried during that era. According to the birth certificate, Ellen Laing was working as a domestic servant at the time of the birth, and Mrs. Miller was present as a witness during the birth. It is unclear who Mrs. Miller was and what her relationship was to Ellen Laing.

At this stage, I know almost nothing about the early years of granny’s life, except that her father, William Rixon married and started another family when she was very young. I presume that she grew up with her mother (and possibly her grandparents) in the Pambula/Towamba district, and that by her late teens, she was probably living in the Bombala District. This requires further research.

Children in the 1920s

The first child of Charles and Bertha, Bertha Ann, was born on February 7, 1922. Charles worked as a linesman for the PMG after their marriage and was employed in various locations in NSW, including Orange, although the exact locations of his work are yet to be confirmed based on electoral roll data. However, it is known that they left Bombala by 1925.

In the mid-1930s, with a young family in tow, they moved to Lismore on the NSW North Coast. They initially resided at 37 High Street, Lismore Heights, which is no longer standing. Interestingly, a death notice for Jean Stuart Macgregor Dunn was found in 1949, which suggests that they might have been living with a relative during that period.

The family then lived at 8 Baillie Street, which is now an empty paddock, and in Ballina Street before finally settling at 13 Union Street, probably around 1941.

“The Northern Star” of April 13, 1936 reports

MOTOR CYCLIST HURT
Collision With Motor Car

Kevin R. Maher, a young man, was injured ‘when a motor cycle- he was riding and a motor car collided
at the corner opposite the Lismore Cathedral on Friday. Maher suffered considerably from the loss of
blood. The motor car, which was driven by Charles Henry Dunn, of High street and contained Mrs. Dunn and three children, was being driven into Lismore from Byron Bay. Maher, who lives in Coleman’s-street, was travelling towards the Ballina Cutting.

THROWN OFF CYCLE
The car was rounding the corner when the collision occurred. Maher was hurled several feet away, and
when picked up was suffering from extensive, lacerations on the arm. One cut extended the full length of his forearm. He was treated by the Lismore District Ambulance, and taken to a doctor’s surgery where the wound was stitched. The passengers in the motor car escaped injury. The off side head lamp on the car was broken, and the steering was rendered ineffective. One mudguard was dented. The headlamp bracket, and the exhaust pipe on the motor cycle were smashed.

The Northern Star of June 19, 1940 reported

Pleading guilty at the Lismore Police Court to having been drunk in Molesworth-street on Saturday night, Henry Snook (72) was fined 5s, with the alternative of three hours’ hard labour. Patrick James Daley (52), who was charged with being drunk in Molesworth-street on Saturday after noon, and Charles Henry Dunn (50), charged with drunkenness in Union street, South Lismore, on the same day, failed to appear, and forfeited their recognisances of 10s each.

When I saw this confirmed report, I couldn’t help but wonder if an earlier report in the Sydney Evening News of July 27, 1908 was also linked. In terms of timing, it sounds right.

AT THE CENTRAL POLICE COURT.

Mr. Donaldson, S.M., was busy for over an hour this morning at the Centra! Court dealing with persons who had allowed excitement to get the better of th-»ir d’ecr«don during the strike scenes. The evidence was mostly of the same type. The offenders had been boo-hooing, hooting, pushing the police, or using ‘language.’ Mr. Donaldson said if the men came along as;ain for such charges he would deal wita them very severely.

Frederick Clements, 60, a compositor, was charged with drunkenness ajd disorderly con duct in George-street, on Sat irday.. The ar resting constable said that Clements was abusing the conductor of a tram, And caused a crowd to collect. He was fin?l 20s, or 14 days’ imprisonment. Joseph Thomas, 31, wireworker, charged with being drunk and disorderly in Regentstreet, city, on Saturday night, was calling the police, who were arresting some riotous persons, mongrels, scabs, and blacklegs. A crowd of five, or six hundred persons gathered round the entrance to the police station. He was fined 20s, or 14 days* gaol. Each of the followingwas fined 20s, or 14 days. for riotous behaviour in George-street: Charles Henry Dunn, 17, drover ; Henry Mercer, 20. blacksmith; Daniel O’Connell, 3S, laborer; George Purcell, 28, laborer; Albert Dunn, 19, laborer; Robert Dunn, 18, mechanist; George \Vilson, 22, laborer; William Johnson, 22, laborer; John Quill, 17, paper boy; Frank Cann, 20, showman; James Symington, 18, laborer.

According to the Commonwealth Gazette, Thursday 29/7/1937, he retired as a Senior Linesman on June 9, 1937

Death of Charles Dunn 1944

Charles Dunn died at Lismore Base Hospital on Saturday, July 24, 1943 due to heart and lung disease. A funeral announcement appeared in “The Northern Star” on Monday, July 26, 1943.

DUNN – The FUNERAL of Mr Charles Henry Dunn, of 13 Union Street, south Lismore, will move from Our Lady Help of Christians Roman Catholic Church, South Lismore, TO-DAY (MONDAY) following a service commencing at 4pm for the Roman Catholic portion of the Lismore cemetery. WILL. RILEY & SON, Funeral DirectorsR.S.S.A.I.L.A. LISMORE SUB-BRANCH – The members of the above sub-branch, all all returned soldiers, are requested to the attend the FUNERAL of their late comrade, Charles Henry Dunn, to move from the Roman Catholic Church, South Lismore, TO-DAY after a service commencing at 4pm for the Lismore cemetery. H.C. NOTT, Secretary.

Anecdotal family history suggests that Bertha worked as a cook for a number of years at Lismore’s “Mecca Cafe,” although it is uncertain whether this was before or after Charles’ death. Nevertheless, I remember from my own childhood that on the rare occasions when granny cooked a meal, it was quite good. Her jam tarts, in particular, were memorable. Bertha continued to reside at 13 Union Street South Lismore until around 1959, and her children Arthur (and his wife Frances), Joan, Edna, and Leslie John also resided in the home for varying periods. In approximately 1959, she and Leslie John relocated to 21 Kyogle Street, Lismore, where her daughter Bertha and son-in-law resided. A vague childhood memory of mine was that granny experienced some form of “breakdown.”

During the 1950s and 1960s, Charles and Bertha’s children got married and started their own families, most of them remaining in the Lismore district, including at Casino and Alphadale Crossroads. However, one of their daughters, Edna, moved to Brisbane. Family photographs from the 1960s captured a trip to Sydney, which may have been related to the move of Bertha’s granddaughter and son to Hong Kong. Anecdotal family history also mentions a visit by Bertha to her sister Ruby, who was also known as Molly.

Death of Bertha Ellen Rixon

Bertha Rixon died January 16 and was buried at the Lawn Cemetery, Goonellabah on January 19, 1987. The funeral notice appeared in “The Northern Star”.

Children of Charles and Bertha

Bertha Ann Dunn

* Bertha Ann Dunn was born at Bombala on February 7, 1922. She married Albert Bernard O’Brien in Lismore. They met, married and raised a family of four daughters and one son. For more information, click on the link.

Charles Arthur Dunn

* Charles Arthur Dunn (known as Arthur) was born at Bombala on June 7, 1923.

The Northern Star of Friday March 6, 1936 record’s Arthur’s first problem with vehicles. Others followed later in life.

Bicycle Out of Control – After narrowly missing a hidden fencing post, Arthur Dunn (12), of High-street, struck the ground heavily with his head when a bicycle he was riding down a hill in Spring street, East Lismore, yesterday after noon got out of control. The lad, who was delivering milk for Mr. P. Ritchie, was treated by the ambulance officers for concussion and later admitted to the Base Hospital for observation. The boy was riding towards the intersection of Spring-street and Second Avenue when the cable attached to the brake on his bicycle snapped. The cycle gathered speed and the boy lost his seat when the machine struck a gutter in Second Avenue.

Thanks to Judy Richards for locating his war service record which indicates a birth at Bomala of June 7, 1922 (conflicting information with his sister’s birth record for February 7, 1922, so I am assuming a mistake and the year was actually 1923), a date of enlistment of July 25, 1942 at South Lismore, a rank of Private, service in New Guinea and a discharge date of November 16, 1944. NX110023 (N166292)

The Northern Star of Tuesday 26 January 1943, page 4 reports

Mr. and Mrs. C. Dunn, of 13 Union-street, South Lismore, have received a telegram from their son, Arthur, stating – that he has arrived in Australia from New Guinea, and is well.

He married Francis Ina Smith at Lismore in 1946 (4400/1946) and they had several children together.

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 – 1954), Wednesday 6 February 1946, page 2 DUNN-SMITH.- The marriage of Frances Ina, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Smith, of Lismore, to Charles Arthur, son of Mrs. Dunn and the late Mr. Dunn, of South Lismore, was solemnised in the Holy Family church, North Lismore. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of white brocaded satin featuring a fitted bodice and long tight sleeves, with a softly gathered skirt. Her veil and coronet of orange blossoms was lent by her sister. She earned a bouquet of frangipani, baby roses and maiden hair fern. The bridesmaid was Miss Marge Workman. She wore a pale blue frock trimmed with pink ribbon bows, with a waist length veil of blue net falling from a coronet of frangipani and pink asters. Her bouquet was of pink roses and asters. The bride groom was attended by Mr. Tim O’Leary. The reception was held at the bride’s home, where the guests were received by the bride’s mother, who wore a frock of black georgette with a shoulder spray of pink and cream carnations. The groom’s mother wore a frock of black satin tiacked crepe with a tiger lily for a shoulder spray. The bride’s travelling frock was a blue flowered linen with white accessories. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn will reside at Millaa Millaa, Nth. Queensland.

On December 3, 1952, “The Northern Star” reported…

BAIL FORFEITED – Three Grafton and South Grafton men forfeited bail of £5 each when they did not appear before Mr. K. Anderson. S.M., in Lismore Court of Petty Sessions on charges of offensive behaviour. They were: Oram Clarence Quinn. 21. labourer, of South Grafton: William James Gillett and Allan George Olive,both of Grafton. Charles Arthur Dunn. 29, labourer, of Union Street, South Lismore. John Speeding, 22, labourer, of Johnston Street, North Lismore, George Albert Nellem. 39, labourer, Tweed Heads, and Walter Johnson, 38, painter, Union Street, South Lismore, forfeited their recognisances for failing to appear on drunkenness charges. Clyde William Brown, of Grafton, appeared and pleaded guilty to a drunkenness charge. He was fined £1/10/-..

“The Northern Star” of May 27, 1953 reports

Indecent Behaviour! Charles Arthur Dunn, 30, coal trimmer, was fined £5, in default imprisonment for 10 days when he admitted to Mr.K. Anderson, S.M., in Lismore Court of petty Sessions that he behaved in an indecent manner in Keen Street, on May 23. Sergt. C.P. Condon prosecuted.

The Northern Star of July 13, 1953 records

BALLINA, Saturday. – At Ballina Court of Petty Sessions, Charles Arthur Dunn, Union Street, Lismore, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a motor lorry, in River Street, Ballina, on July 3,1953, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. In giving Dunn the benefit of Section 556A of the Crimes Act, Mr. K. Anderson, SM., found the charge proved and, without proceeding to conviction, gave Dunn the opportunity to enter into a bond of £40 and one surety of £40 to be of good behaviour for a period of twelve months. Sergt. G. E. Tarrant, who prosecuted, stated he had seen Dunn driving a motor vehicle. Dunn stopped the truck and backed into the kerb opposite the Australian Hotel. Sergt. Tarrant said he noticed Dunn’s eyes were slightly blood shot. he was unsteady on his feet and his breath smelt of in toxicating liquor. He was not greatly affected by the liquor! Dunn admitted that he had three drinks at Lismore and some more at Ballina about 7.30 p.m. Mr. R. Balzer appeared for Dunn.

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 – 1954), Tuesday 16 March 1954, page 5  Truck Driver, Owner Fined Charles Arthur Dunn, a 30- year-old labourer, of Union Street, South Lismore, was fined £15 in Lismore Court of Petty Sessions yesterday for driving a utility whilst under the influence of drink. Donald E. Connor, a 28-year- old labourer, owner of the utility but a non-driver, was fined £5 for aiding and abetting Dunn. Dunn was fined a further £2 for having a faulty headlight. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges. Sergt. H. L. Holm said that  at 11.35 p.m. on March 14, he saw the utility being driven erratically along Magellan Street. He stopped it and saw that Dunn was slouching against -the door. He asked him to get out and noticed that he was unsteady. He smelled strongly of liquor and his speech was incoherent. Connor, who was in the back of the truck, said he owned the utility and admitted that he had allowed Dunn to drive. “We had a few drinks, but I didn’t think he was as bad as that,” said Connor. Sergt. Holm said that Connor was only slightly affected by drink. After Mr. R. Balzer (for Dunn) had said that Dunn had lost his house and possessions in the flood, Mr. J. R. Scarlett, S.M., allowed him three months, to pay the £15 and one month to pay the £2 fine. Mr. Balzer said that although Connor owned the truck, he could not drive and was always dependent on someone else driving for him. Notably, the accomplice was his brother in law, Don Connor, married to his sister, Joan, and the reference to having lost everything in the flood.

On May 27, 1954, The Northern Star reported

DRIVING CHARGE DISMISSED – A charge alleging negligent driving in Molesworth Street on October 30, 1953, against Charles Arthur Dunn of Union Street, South Lismore, was dismissed under section 556A of the Crimes Act in Lismore Court of Petty Sessions. Dunn denied the charge through Mr. R. Balzer (J.C. Mcintosh and Balzer). It was alleged that Dunn was travelling behind a caravan drawn by a motor car in Moles worth Street and had collided with it. Dunn claimed the caravan, driven by Kenneth Richard McDougal, of Caravan Park, had stopped suddenly and McDougal not given a hand signal

For many years, Arthur worked on the tick gates at places including Tabulam.

He died at Casino on August 15, 1987. The funeral notice appeared in The Northern Star. Francis died in 2013.

DUNN – CHARLES ARTHUR “Arthur” – 15th August 1987, peacefully at Casino Memorial Hospital, late of 14 High Street Casino, formerly of Mallanganee, dearly loved husband of Frances, loved father and father-in-law of Dianne and John Betts, June and Paul Murphy, Charlie, Julie and Des Whitton, Peter and Deborah, loved Poppy of their children, loved son of Henry and Bertha Dunn (both dec’d), loved brother and brother-in-law of Enice (dec’d), Betty and John O’Brien (both dec’d), John, Edna and Ossie Ianna, Joan and Don Connors. Aged 64 years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral to leave St Mary’s Catholic Church Casino, TOMORROW (TUESDAY) after prayers commencing at 2pm for the Casino Lawn Cemetery. BERIC AND DIANNE LEES AFDA NSW Ph Casino 623154,

CASINO SUB-BRANCH RSL OF A – Members of the above sub-branch are invited to attend the funeral of their late comrade, CHARLES ARTHUR DUNN, as per above family notice. G Brand, Secretary.

DUNN, FRANCES INA
13th January, 2013. Passed away peacefully at St Michael’s Nursing Home, Casino. Beloved Wife of Arthur (dec). Much loved Mother and Mother-in-law of Dianne & John (dec) Betts, June & Paul Murphy, Charlie (dec), Julie & Des Whitton and Peter & Deborah. Cherished Nanna and Great-grandnanna to her Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren. Frances will be sadly missed by her extended family members and friends.
Aged 88 years.
Relatives and Friends are invited to attend Frances’ Funeral Service to be held at
St Mary’s Catholic Church, Canterbury Street, Casino on Thursday, 17th January, 2013 commencing at 2.00p.m. Following the Service the Cortege will travel to the Casino Lawn Cemetery.

Eunice Lorna Dunn

Eunice Lorna Dunn (known as Noonie) was born in 1927. She married Leonard Arthur Adams at Casino in 1946 (18545/1946). She died at Lismore on September 27, 1978 (106555/1978). Len later remarried and then died on March 10, 1999, aged 76.

ADAMS – The death occured on Wednesday September 27 of Mrs EUNICE LORNA ADAMS, RMB 902A, Nimbin Road, formerly of Alphadale, beloved wife of Leonard Arthur Adams, loved mother of LOrna. Following a private family service, interment took place at the City of Lismore Lawn Cemetery, Goonellabah. HILL AND VIRTUE FUNERALS Lismore Phone 217033

A week later, the following return thanks messages appeared in “The Northern Star”.

We wish to THANK everyone for the kidnness they have shown us in the recent sad loss of our daughter, sister and sister-in-law of the late Eunice Adams, Mrs Bertha Dunn and the late Charles Dunn, Betty and John O’Brien of Lismore, Arthur and Francis Dunn of Casino, Joan and Don Connor of LIsmore, Edna and Ossie Ianna of Brisbane, John of LIsmore

Mrs Bertha Dunn and Betty O’Brien wish to express their sncere THANKS to St Vincent’s Hospital and Rev Sheppard, also Doris and Ray Grace for their kindness in our sad loss. Mrs Bertha Dunn.

Joan Kathleen Dunn

Joanie was born in about 1928. She married Donald Ewin Connor in 1954 (25507/1954). Don was born March 4, 1926 at Dorrigo, NSW. He was a Leading Aircraftman, number 151793, 84 Operational Base Unit, Royal Australian Air Force Military Service 6 Apr 1944-27 Feb 1946 WW2.Don died on July 12, 2007.

The Northern Star of March 21 1951 recorded

Miss Joan Dunn, of 13 Union St., South Lismore, has announced her engagement to Donald Connor, of 26 Bounty Street Lismore. Joan is the second daughter of Mrs. C. H. Dunn, and Don is the youngest son of Mrs. M. Connor. Joan is wearing a one stone diamond ring with a yellow gold setting.

Edna Teresa Dunn

Edna was born in about 1930. She married Oswald Mannix John Ianna at Lismore in 1951 (21785/1951). Thanks to information on Monaro Pioneers He served in the military as a Private, number NX141290 (N436276), 2/14 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION, Australian Army from November 27, 1942 to June 28, 1946 in WW2. . Ossie died March 2012 at the Greenslopes Hospital, Brisbane and was buried at the Northern Rivers Memorial Park, South Gundurimba via Lismore.

Lesley John Dunn

* Lesley John Dunn (known as John) was born in 1935.

The Northern Star of September 24, 1954 records

Four persons were each fined £1, with 7/- costs, in default imprisonment for three days, when they admitted charges of having ridden a bicycle without a headlight. They are : John L. Dunn, of
Union Street, Lismore, Barry J. Hutley, of Crown Street, Robert L. Kelly, of Ballina Street, and Vincent R. McDonald, of Cathcart Street. Sergeant C. P. Condon prosecuted.

He died at Lismore on January 25, 2006.

DUNN, JOHN LESLIE (CAPTAIN) – of South Lismore, passed away suddenly. Loving son of Charles and Bertha Dunn (both dec), loving brother and brother-in-law of Betty and John (both dec), Arthur (dec), Frances, Eunice and Len (both dec), Edna and Ossie and Joan and Don and their loving families. Aged 70 years. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Prayers for John to be held on FRIDAY January 27th, 2006 at OUr Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, South Lismore commencing at 9.00am followed by burial at the Lismore Lawn Cemetery, Goonellabah. PARKVIEW FUNERAL HOME – Lismore. “Family-owned and 100% Australian” NFDA 1800 809 336 FDA NSW