Thursday, September 2, 2021

THOMAS

William Bardwell Thomas, 1851-1924
Amelia Tattersall, 1857-1937

William Bardwell Thomas (a clerk/agent) was born in Wiltshire, England. He came to Australia in about 1884 and married Amelia Blaning nee Tattersall in Gulgong in 1884. Amelia Tattersall's first marriage was to George Blanning in 1877.

William died in 1924. The cause of death was listed as "drowning asphyxia caused by himself". Amelia died thirteen years later in 1937.

Their children included:

  • Ellen Elizabeth (born 1886)
  • Eliza S (born 1888)
  • Gertrude E (born 1890)
  • Millie (born 1892)
  • Amy Elsie (born 1894) - born at Hospital Hill Gulgong, died 7 March 1894, aged 3, months from "internal convulsions"
  • Alice M (born 1895)
  • William B (born 1897)
  • Dorothy Mary (born 1899)
  • Tilly E (born 1902)
WILLIAM BARDEWLL THOMAS in the NEWS

1903 - Flower Show. Some Beautiful Flowers.
The flower show which was held in the Town Hall yesterday, and which was really a continuation of the Industrial Exhibition, was a pronounced success from every point of view, and those who remember the Horticultural Shows in by gone years, freely admitted that no finer collection of flowers was over seen in Mudgee. It is a season of seasons for roses, and certainly the display yesterday did infinite credit to the skill of Mudgee growers, who amply proved themselves to be true lovers of the Queen of Flowers. Mr. E. Deane was the principal prize winner, and took the championship with a splendid specimen of The Bride. Miss M. Duesbury came next for honors, and Mr. H. S. Thomas was also a highly successful exhibitor. The miscellaneous flowers brought to the front a great display of splendid blooms, although the time was not quite favorable for some varieties. The floral devices, pot plants in bloom, and foliage plants all contributed to a charming display, which was highly appreciated by those who witnessed it. Mr. Dawson showed considerable ability in judging the plants and cut flowers, and Mrs. Price gave every satisfaction as judge in the section devoted to floral devices.
In the evening tableaux vivants, interspersed with musical items, were rendered, a very pleasing feature being the playing of the Gulgong orchestra, consisting of Mr. C. A. Russell (cornet), Mr. A. Russell (clarionet), Mr. L. C. Naughton (euphonium), Mr. T. Wood, sen., (violin), Mr. H. Byfield (Triangle), Mrs. C. A. Russell (piano). The pieces rendered by the orchestra were the very latest popular compositions, and were widely appreciated and applauded. The Rev. T. Parker thanked the orchestra for their spontaneous and greatly appreciated assistance, for such visits did much to encourage a friendly feeling between the people of the two towns. Mr. W. B. Thomas briefly responded, and said that it had given the orchestra great pleasure to visit Mudgee, and they would always be glad to repeat their visit, and if notice were given would prepare a special programme.
Miss F. H. Kellett and Mr. T. J. Lovejoy, the honorary secretaries, are to be warmly congratulated upon the success of the exhibition, which was held to keep faith with the public and the flower growers, whose blooms were not ready when the exhibition was held.


1907 - [EMPLOYMENT]
Mr. W. B. Thomas, who occupied the position of bookkeeper for years at the Times Bakery, Gulgong, and who also filled a similar position with Messrs Russell Bros., and afterwards was engaged in a similar capacity by Mr. A. E. Brigden, has accepted a position as book-keeper with a flourishing firm at Tumberumba. His many Gulgong friends will wish him well in his new position.

1907 - Gulgong Valuators.
Mr. W.. B. Thomas, in conjunction with the council clerk, has been appointed by the Gulgong Municipal Council to value all the rateable property within the Borough. Each of these gentlemen will receive remuneration to the extent of £15 10s. 
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 14 Nov 1907 Page 17

1908 - [WEDDING]
On Wednesday of last week the wedding of Ellen, eldest daughter of Mr. W. B. Thomas of Gulgong, and Harold, eldest son of Mr. J. Kear of Mudgee, was solemnised by Rev. Archdeacon Geer. Miss Ethel Thomas, sister of the bride was bridesmaid and Mr. George Flanney acted as best man. A reception attended 'by about 40 guests was held at the. residence of the bride's parents, and the toast of the bride and bridegroom was proposed by Rev Archdeacon Geer. The future home of the happy couple will be Portland.

1908 - Hymen's Altar.
On Wednesday, 12th instant, at St. Luke's Church, Archdeacon Geer joined in the holy bonds of matrimony, Ellen Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr. William B Thomas, of Gulgong, and Harold E. Kear, eldest son of Mr. J. Kear, of Mudgee. The bride was prettily attired in a dress of cream cashmere, the bodice trimmed with all-over lace, silk insertion, and lace braces, and spray of orange blossoms, and elbow sleeves ; skirt with a number of tucks and bands of silk insertion and chiffon sash; and wore the orthodox wreath and veil, also a gold bangle and shower bouquet, gifts of the bridegroom. The bride was given away by her father.
The bridesmaid, Miss Ethel Thomas (sister of the bride) wore a pink silk muslin, trimmed with lace and insertion, and elbow sleeves, Dorothy shape white hat trimmed with heliotrope hyderangea and pink roses, and floral sash; and also wore a gold brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr G. Blanning, step-brother of the bride, acted as best man.
At 1 p.m. about forty couples sat down to a sumptuous wedding breakfast, which was partaken of at the residence of the bride's parents. The table in the large dining room, which had been prettily decorated for the occasion, literally groaned with all the delicacies of the season, the centre piece being a beautiful three-decker wedding cake, made by Mr James Spears, of the Times' Bakery.
Archdeacon Geer, in a eulogistic speech, proposed the toast of the bride and bridegroom. The Mayor, Alderman A. E. Brigden, spoke in terms of praise of the bride and bridegroom, and of the bridegroom's father, whom he had known for a number of years as a straightforward, honorable man, and said if the bridegroom followed in the footsteps of his father, he would not go wrong ; be wished the happy couple health, wealth, and prosperity, and let their watch word be, 'bear and forbear.' The bridegroom feelingly responded. The toast was drunk with musical honors. Mr. George Blanning proposed the toast of the bridesmaid, Mr. Percy Minns responding. The Mayor proposed the toasts of the parents of the bride and bridegroom, which was responded to by Mr. W. B. Thomas, the father of the bride.
The bride's travelling dress was blue silk voile, white hat trimmed with green Velvet and pink roses. The happy couple left for Portland, their future home. The wedding presents were numerous and costly.
   
1912 - Death of an Old Gulgong Identity.
The death of Mrs. Mary Ann Tattersall, which took place at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. W. B. Thomas Gulgong, on Friday night, after a short illness, breaks another link from the circle of one of the oldest connections of rural life at Gulgong. The old lady, whose husband pre-deceased her some four months ago, had reached the ripe old age of 88 years and some five months. She was a native of Bridport, Dorsetshire, England, where she was married on December 8th, 1848. Shortly afterwards she accompanied her husband to Australia.
For a great part of her 63 years' residence in this country the old lady had lived in this district, and in the very early days aided her husband in shepherding for the late Mr. Mr. Rouse, of Biraganbil. William (Liverpool). Charles, John, Richard, George, and Mrs. W. B. Thomas (of Gulgong) are left to mourn their loss.
The deceased lady retained her faculties almost to the last. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Saturday, the body being interred in the C.E. portion of the general cemetery, Mr. F. Campbell, in the absence of Rev. Archdeacon Geer, officiating.

1916 - CORPORAL S. BLANNING.
Corporal Stanley Blanning son of Mrs W. B. Thomas, Gulgong, has been wounded in France.
 
1918 - [ILLNESS]
Mr. W. B. Thomas, Gulgong manager for Messrs. R. Jones and Co. has been ill for some time, and is still unable to resume work.

1918 - Returned from the Front.
Sergeant Clarence Moon, son of Mr. E. D. Moon, a popular townsman, has returned home to Gulgong from the war. On active service for over two years, he saw extensive service in France.
Another local boy to return was Corporal Stan Blanning, after an absence of over three years. On the night of his arrival a social evening in his honor was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Thomas.

Source: Mudgee Guardian 6th Oct 1921

Wedding of John Randall Meeks and Dorothy Mary Thomas, 1921
Source: Michael Wood

1921 - [WEDDING]
A very pretty and extremely popular wedding was celebrated at St. Mark's Church, Gulgong, on Saturday afternoon, when John Randall, youngest son of Mrs. Meeks, late of Mudgee, was married to Dorothy Mary Thomas, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Thomas, of Gulgong. Quite a large concourse of friends attended at the church. The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her father, was charmingly gowned in ivory crepe de chene and georgette, and wore the customary veil, kindly loaned by Mrs. Ray Butler, of Gulgong. She carried a bouquet of white arum lilies, sweet peas, double may, and asparagus fern. The bouquet was made by Mrs. G. Blanning, of Gulgong. Miss Tilly Thomas, sister of the bride, was bridesmaid, and wore salmon pink georgette. She also wore a black picture hat, touched with hand-made flowers and streamers of black patent ribbon. Her bouquet was of pink roses, pink sweet peas and asparagus fern. Mr. William Thomas, brother of the bride, was best man. The bridegroom's gift to the bride was a handsome expanding wristlet watch, and the bride's gift to the bridegroom a set of sleeve links. The bridegroom's gift to the bridesmaid was a pretty gold necklace, set with rubies and pearls.
The father of the bride gave the bridegroom a handsome silver watch, and a silver-mounted New Zealand greenstone pendant. The bride's mother was handsomely gowned in black crepe de chene, trimmed with floral silk. The wedding breakfast was held at the residence of the bride's parents and the rooms were exquisitely decorated by friends of the bride. The catering was carried out by Mrs. G. H. Blanning and about 40 guests sat down to the delicacies provided by her. The breakfast was presided over by Mr. A. E. Brigden on whose proposition the toast of the bride and bridegroom was drunk.
Mr. and Mrs. Meers left by the evening train for Sydney, their future home, and carried away with them the good wishes of a host of Gulgong friends. The bride's travelling dress was of fugi silk with hat to match. The presents were costly and numerous.

1923 - FOR. SALE
1 SULKY, Nearly New. For price and particulars apply, W. B. THOMAS, Gulgong.

1924 - Gulgong Tragedy. BODY FOUND IN DAM.
William Thomas, aged 73 years, and old and highly respected resident of Gulgong, was found dead in about three feet of water in a dam known as Finnegan's Dam, about 1½ miles from Gulgong, yesterday morning. Deceased had lived in Gulgong for many years, and was engaged as book-keeper by Messrs. Jones and Co. for a number of years. During the past few years he has carried on a small commission agency business in Gulgong, and as far as is known he was not in any difficulties. His health has not been the best for some time. Mr. H. Beatty, in company with his brother, who is in Gulgong on holidays, went for a walk on Sunday morning and discovered the body. He left no note. He had told his family on Saturday morning that he was going to Windeyer to do some business, and naturally they did not worry when he did not return home on Saturday night. It was only by accident that the body was discovered by his brother-in-law. The funeral took place this afternoon, and the inquest will he held on Monday next. 

 
William (Bill) Thomas and Jane Thomas nee Easey

William Bardwell Thomas Jnr married Jane Easey, aged 28, at Spring Ridge, Binnaway. William died, aged 31, in 1929. The cause of death was "acute appendicitis, general peritonitis". William is buried in the Church of England section of the Gulgong cemetery. Jane was pregnant at the time of his death.

William Bardwell Thomas, 1897-1929

1929 - WILLIAM BARDWELL THOMAS.
A very sad death occurred at Gulgong, on Friday last, when William Bardwell Thomas, aged 31, passed away. Deceased was a native of the district, being the son of the late W. B. Thomas and Mrs. Thomas, of Gulgong. He resided at Gulgong all his life and was universally esteemed, and his death came as a great shock to the people of Gulgong and district. A sorrowing widow is left to mourn her loss. The funeral was held on Saturday, the Rev. L V. Caldwell officiating at the graveside.
1935 - GULGONG PERSONAL
Ex-Petty Officer A. McIver of the H.M.A.S. Penguin, and Mrs.McIver and family are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Beattie. Mrs. McIver is a sister of Mrs. Beattie and a daughter of Mrs. Thomas of Gulgong, and the late Mr. W. B.Thomas.
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