Mary, known as Addie, was born 13 April 1877 at Beechworth. The third of 9 children born to James Clemens and Cath Nicholls.

Went to Beechworth Primary School.

Sang locally – a vocalist. ‘Bide me to Love’ at a concert at Wooragee April 1899. Concert in aid of the Wesleyan Sunday School.

Addie was 20 when her father died in 1897.

Death of an Old Colonist. — The decease of many of the pioneers of the golden era have lately been lamentably frequent in our midst, and it is with deep regret that we have once more note the loss of an old identity of this district, Mr. James Clemens, who expired of consumption at his residence at Spring Creek, near Beechworth, on Wednesday morning, [24 August 1897] at the age of 64. The deceased was the third son of Mr. William Clemens, of St. Just, Cornwall, and arrived in this district in the early years of its discovery as a gold field, and has resided here for about 45 years, being engaged in mining the greater part of that period. He was also a director of the Rocky Mountain Sluicing Co., in the affairs of which he took an active interest, and his suggestions as a practical miner conduced greatly to the advantageous working of that property.

He leaves a wife and family, most of whom, however, are grown up, two sons being engaged in the Postal Department, and another at Mr. Barnes’s store in Camp-street. The funeral will take place this afternoon (Thursday) at half past 3 o'clock, and the brethren of the local Oddfellows' lodge, of which he was an esteemed member, will join the cortege as it leaves his late residence under the direction of Mr. D. Wilson, the undertaker.

Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 28 August 1897.

1903 ER Addie is at Billson St., Beechworth with her mother Catherine and brother Thomas Henry.

From the ODH House Committee report 25 July 1906 - … the next probationer on the list had been engaged viz Miss Clemens. [Was 29 when she commenced her training.]

From the ODH House Committee report 12 November 1906 – Nurse Clemens had passed the medical officer’s examination as to physical fitness for training and her indentures were ready for signing.

UNA Journal – October 1906 - OVENS DISTRICT HOSPITAL. … Nurses Clemens, Rockett and Hartigan having completed three months’ probation, have entered on a three years’ course of training. M. WINNING, Matron.

From the ODH House Committee report 19 August 1907 – … the Junior Nurses Examinations in Anatomy and Physiology was held on 12th inst. Nurse Hartigan passed with credit and Nurses Milne, Clemens and Rockett passed.

From 1909 June Una Journal - Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association. FINAL EXAMINATIONS.

The following candidates were successful at the examinations held on the 8th and 9th June:— …  Clemens, Hartigan, Kerr, Rockett (Ovens District Hospital)

From the ODH House Committee report 21 June 1909 – that Nurses Clemens and Kerr at the conclusion of their probation be retained as staff nurses.

From the ODH House Committee report 30 August 1909 – … and the nursing certificates of Nurses Kerr, Clemens & Rockett were ready for signature and sealing.

... Turning to Nurse Clemens, he [James Ingram] said he had equal pleasure in presenting her nurse's certificate, and hoped her career would be a very useful and noble one, ... Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 18 September 1909, page 9.

Date of qualification September 1909.

From the minutes of ODH House Committee report 10 October 1910 – The matron was granted one month’s holiday from the 15th inst., the same arrangements to be made regarding the acting matron as last year. It was decided to pay Nurses Kerr and Clemens £1 each extra for the extra work they do as acting matrons.

From the minutes of ODH House Committee report 14 November 1910 – The resignation of Nurse Clemens was received.

1912 & 1913 ER living with eldest brother, William James Clemens and family, at ‘Willina’, Kooyong Road, Caufield.

Una Journal, February 1915. List of Members - Clemens, Mary A., Private Hospital. Dixon-st., Cressy—Sept., 1909.

1914 & 1915 is at May Day, Dixon Street, Cressy – Nurse. Cressy is a rural town 35 km north of Colac in western Victoria. It is on the Hamilton Highway and the railway line to Ararat. Centre of an agricultural and dairying district.

From the ODH House Committee 29 November 1915 – That Sister Clemens was acting Matron during Miss Winning’s absence on holidays (Salary £2 a week).

January & February 1916, Acting Matron at ODH.

1917 – 1949 living in Billson Street, Beechworth – Nurse

Una Journal, January 1919,  List of Members -  Clemens, Mary A., Billson-st., Beechworth…

There was great grief in Beechworth on Friday morning when the sad news was spread that Mrs. James Clemens, of Billson street, Beechworth, had been informed that her son, Percy, formerly employed on the Statistical branch of the Commonwealth Service, had died of wounds on April 23. He was a splendid young fellow, only 25 years of age and brother of William, Thomas Henry, John, Samuel, Harold, Gordon and Nurse Clemens and of Mrs. Fenton Orton, Murmungee. Mr. William Clemens came from Melbourne to break the news to his mother for whom the greatest sympathy is expressed. For many years Mrs. Clemens has brought comfort and strength to the sick and bereaved. Her help was al-ways forthcoming and in the most valued and quiet way when any neighbour was in trouble. 

Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 4 May 1918.

February 1922 address is Billson Street, Beechworth.

CLEMENS - On the 16th May, 1932, at Beechworth Catherine relict of the late James Clemens, devoted mother of Will (Canberra), Jack (South Africa), Addie and Harry (Beechworth), Sam (Glenhuntly), Harold (Myrtleford), Gordon (Sydney), Amy (Mrs F. Orton, Murmungee) and Percy, (late A.I.F. killed in action) and dear grandma  of Jim (Melbourne) aged 82. A colonist of 76 ears ~ At rest.

The Argus, 17 May 1932.

CLEMENS. - On September 4, at Melbourne, Sir William James Clemens, C.M.G., I. S. O., late Public Service Commissioner, son of the late James and Catherine Clemens, Beechworth, brother of Jack (South Africa), Addie (Beechworth), Harry (Fairfield), Sam (Moorabbin), Hal (Myrtleford), Gordon (Sydney), Amy (Mrs. Orton, Murmungee), Percival (late A.I.F., deceased).

The Argus, 6 September 1941.

Addie died 21 May 1952 at Wangaratta. Aged 75.

OBITUARY

MISS M. A. CLEMENS.

The last member of an old Beechworth family still resident in the town, Miss Mary Adelaide Clemens, passed away at the Wangaratta Base Hospital on Wednesday, ,1st May following a fall which she had had at her home in Billson, Street, Beechworth, six weeks previously.

The late Miss Clemens was the elder daughter of 'the later James and Catherine Clemens, and was born at Beechworth on 18th April, 1877.

She was one of the early trainees at the old Ovens District Hospital under Matron Winning, and after completing her training at times acted as matron of that institution. She was also on the staff of the Royal Melbourne Hospital for a time, and in association with Nurse Kerr she conducted a private hospital at Cressy for some years.

Apart from that period when she was away practising her profession, she spent the whole of her life in Beechworth.

The possessor of an excellent soprano voice, her, services were in great demand at entertainments held throughout the district, and as an ardent member of the Methodist Church she rendered consistent service in; the Sunday school, church choir and all other church activities.

Brothers and sister are Sir William J. (deceased), John (East London, South Africa), Harry 'Fairfield, Vic.), Nicholas Samuel (Highett, Vic.), Harold R. (Myrtleford), Gordon E. (Mosman, N.S.W.) Amy (Mrs. F. Orton, Gapsted), and Percy, (deceased 1st A.I.F.).

As a result of a fall, the late Miss Clemens was treated successfully at the Ovens District Hospital for a broken bone in the leg, and was removed to Wangaratta a few days before her death for an operation to the leg, which was again successful, but other complications caused her death unexpectedly.

After a service at the Methodist Church, Beechworth, burial took place at the Beechworth cemetery on Friday, 23rd May, the services being conducted -by Pastor G.E. Boyd, of the Methodist Church, and the (Rev. T W.F. Reeves, of the Baptist Church. The- funeral director was Mr. W.V. Guthrie.

Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 28 May 1952

Headstone Transcription – Beechworth Cemetery

CLEMENS

In loving remembrance of my dear husband James CLEMENS, born at St Just, Cornwall, England. Died at Beechworth 24th August 1897. Also his beloved wife Catherine CLEMENS died 16th May 1932 and their youngest son Percival CLEMENS died of wounds at Corbie, France 21st April 1918. ‘Faithful until death'. Also their eldest daughter Mary Adelaide died 21st May 1952. Also Harold Richard CLEMENS died 20th July 1957. James CLEMENS buried 26th August 1897, aged 64, occupation: Miner. Catherine CLEMENS buried 17th May 1932 aged 82. Mary Adelaide CLEMENS buried 23rd May 1952 aged 70. Harold Richard CLEMENS buried 22nd July 1957, aged 72, late residence: Wangaratta. (Methodist, Sect. A, No. 489 & 490)

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