Born 21 October 1888 at Tarrawingee to Maria Christina Boss and Michael Connors. One of 6 children.

 From the ODH House Committee report 26 April 1910 – The Secretary reported that … Miss Connors being appointed to the vacancy …

 From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April 1925. Admitted as a patient with eczema on 23 June 1910. Discharged to her father, M.J. Connors at Tarrawingee, 20 July 1910.

 From the minutes of ODH board meeting October 11 1911 - The seal of the hospital was affixed to … the indentures of Nurses Chappell and Connors.

 From the ODH House Committee report 13 November 1911 – The Secretary reported … that Nurses Chappell & Connors had finished their 3 months training and signed their indentures.

 From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April 1925. Admitted as a patient with gastritis on 19 April 1912. Discharged to her father, M.J. Connors at Tarrawingee, 29 April 1912.

 Hospital Concert and Dance

… Miss I. Connors received a flattering reception and became a favorite with the audience for the splendid rendition of her various items, the inflection of the voice being a perfect treat to listen to. … Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 15 November 1913.

 June 1914 Una Journal - ROYAL VICTORIAN TRAINED NURSES’ ASSOCIATION EXAMINATIONS. The following are the results of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association examination, May, 1914: —Beechworth (Ovens District Hospital)—Emily Grace Chappell, Irene Imelda Connors.

 From the minutes of ODH board meeting July 14, 1914 - The seal of the hospital was affixed to the nursing certificates of Nurses Connors & Chappell …

 August 1914 Una Journal - Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association. GENERAL REGISTER. Connors, Irene Imelda, “Uxbridge House,” Nicholson-st., Fitzroy—Cert. Ovens District Hospital, May, 1914. Exam., May, 1914. Uxbridge House was a private hospital located opposite the Exhibition Gardens.

 Married James Thomas Connor, 1915.

 WEDDING.-On Thursday afternoon, June 17th, at St. Francis Church, the wedding of Miss Irene Imelda Connors., of the R.V.T.N.A., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Connors, of " Wistaria," Tarrawingee, to Mr. James T. [Thomas] Connor, of " Fair View," Wallan, son of Mrs. and the late Mr. J. R. Connor, of "Remuera," Eldorado, was very quietly celebrated by the Rev. Father McCarthy. The bride, who was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. Arthur French, of South Yarra, was attended by her sister Miss Doris Connors. Mr. Dave Connor, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man. Mrs. and Mrs. Connor's future home will be at "Fair View", Wallan.  Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 3 July 1915.

1915 ER at Wallan. James is a farmer.

BIRTH

CONNOR (Connors) – On December 12th, a Clarendon House, Clarendon Street, East Melbourne to Mr and Mrs J.T. Connor of “Fair View”, Wallan a son (Xavier Lockington[1]). Wangaratta Chronicle, 22 December 1917.

Tyrone Hotel , Camberwell, license transferred from James Miller to James Thomas Connor 30 September 1918 – see The Argus, 1 October 1918.

 11 July 1919 James appears in the Camberwell Police Court re disposing of liquor to a person other that a bona fide traveller etc. See The Reporter, 18 July 1919.

 1919 ER Tyrone Hotel, Camberwell. James – a licensed victualler.

1920 Transfer of license Maori Chief Hotel, Moray Street, South Melbourne from James E. Cummins to James Thomas Connor 27 April, 1920. See The Argus, dated 28 April 1920.

 1921 Buck’s Head Hotel, Drysdale license transferred from Bertram Stringer to James Thomas Connor, 9 May 1921 – See The Herald, 9 May 1921.

 1922 ER Irene and James are at the Buck’s Head Hotel, Drysdale. James is a hotelkeeper.

 February 1923 -Naval Brigade hotel license, 38 Bay Street, Port Melbourne, transferred from Annie Turner to James T Connor of Toorak. See The Argus, 27 February 1923.

 January 1924 the now delicensed Naval Brigade Hotel was put up for auction. See The Argus, 24 January 1924.

 1924 ER Queen’s Head Hotel, Kyneton.

19 December 1924 Irene registered as a nurse – address given Care of Mrs. Mallon, Glencoe Street, Caufield.

1925 – James Newman Connor died Kyneton aged 5.

JAMES NEWMAN CONNOR

Much sympathy has gone out to Mr and Mrs J T Connor, of the Queen’s Head Hotel, Kyneton in the sad death of their little son, James Newman, aged five years and seven months whose right leg was terribly crushed between the platform and the turntable at the Kyneton Railway station. The little fellow attended the Convent High School. The coffin was carried by four small boys – his young companions. The children of the Convent High School sang hymns before and after the burial at which the Rev P R Loughnan officiated. R.I.P. Advocate, 20 August 1925.

According to the inquest papers, the accident occurred about 3.30 p.m. on 9 August 1925 – died at a Wenona private hospital 7.15 a.m. on 12 August 1925. Mrs Irene Connor states that her boy James Newman with his brother Xavier aged 7 years left their home in High Street Kyneton about 3.30 p.m. on the 9/8/25 with intention of going to the Kyneton Gardens. The next she heard of them was about 5 00 p.m. when Mrs. O’Hagan of Mollison Street informed her that James had met with an accident at the Kyneton Railway Station.

 1936 & 37 ER At 6 Burnett Street, West St Kilda – Irene appears to be living separately to James.

 1935 - 1937 James is at the Sydney Hotel, Barman.

 Platform speaking, voice production. New classes forming for men and women, Lisieux School of Speech Culture. Principal Mrs. Irene Connor. T. Dip. L.C.M. 12 Iona avenue Toorak. Tel U2788. The Argus, 9 January 1943. Last advertisement appears January 1946.

1943 – 1949 ER Irene is living at 12 Iona Ave, Toorak.

1942 - 1949 ER James is a barman at the Hotel Pinsent, Wangaratta.

January 1939 on Xavier’s WW2 SR under NOK, father’s name only is given with the address "Remuera," Byawatha Roadside, Wangaratta. No mention of mother. Yet WW2 nominal roll has Irene as his next of kin.

 James died at Wangaratta aged 68 in 1951. Mo: Margaret Amelia Hourigan, born at Byawatha. Fa: John Robert Connor.

 CONNOR – On August 10 (suddenly) James Thomas loved husband of Irene (12 Iona Avenue, Toorak) and loved father of Xavier and Newman (deceased) – Requiescat in pace.

The Argus, 18 August 1951.

 CONNOR – On August 10 (suddenly) at Wangaratta James T. loved second son of John R and Margaret A Connor, brother of John, David (deceased), William (deceased), George, Joseph, Florence, Mary, Alice (Mrs. De Piazza) James Thomas loved husband of Irene (12 Iona Avenue, Toorak) and loved father of Xavier and Newman (deceased), Ada. RIP.

The Argus, 18 August 1951.

1951 – Irene's nurse’s registration restored.

 1954 ER Irene is still at 12 Iona Ave, Toorak.

 1967 – 1972 ER Irene is at ‘The Cottage’ Eldorado.

 1977 Irene is living with her son, Xavier, a jurist and daughter in law, Canberra. Xavier's full name was Francis Xavier Lockington, known as Xavier. 

©Anne Hanson, 2023                                                                                                                                             E-mail:  Anne Hanson