Embedded Files
Thurlow | Lucey | Berthelsen | Hanran | Madden | McPherson | Storrie | Dewe
Molly Madden
Molly Madden
1891 - 1973
Born the eighth child of William Patrick Madden and (Ann) Nora (née Ford), Mary Elizabeth was always familiarly known as Molly. She was born at Cobar in New South Wales—something which she had in common with Rebecca and James, her older siblings. Molly, together with her parents and older brothers and sisters, arrived as a baby in Cunnamulla around 1892 or 1893. At age 10 years, Molly left school and went to work in Toowoomba as her mother and some other members of the family were already living there. James, an older brother, remained at Cunnamulla. According to the Electoral Roll of 1914, Molly was registered in the District of Balonne in the Division of Cunnamulla so it can be confidently assumed that she lived for a time in both towns.
Records show that Molly was residing at 118 Gipps Street, Fortitude Valley in 1919. Shortly afterwards, Molly and her husband, Francis George Beesley, set up home in Milne Street, Spring Hill near the Brisbane Grammar School where they remained living until about the mid-1930s. By that time, Molly and her husband had three children—Raymond Joseph, William Francis and Sybil Mary.
Molly's mother, Nora, also lived with the family and remained with them until her death in 1938. Molly and her husband separated and eventually sought a divorce after which she found work as a domestic with the former People's Palace, a private hotel run by the Salvation Army on the corner of Ann and Edward Streets, Brisbane. Molly later owned a high set house at 52A Grey Street, South Brisbane which she had altered and converted to a boarding house. Letting rooms to single men while working as a domestic with the People's Palace and later with the very well remembered Marr's Boarding House in Tank Street, Brisbane is how she supported herself and family.
Molly has been described as a stubborn and very dominant person, yet very generous and an excellent cook. Woe betide anyone who got on her "wrong side"! It has been said that she could make life very unpleasant for anyone who didn't "play the game" on her terms and conditions.
Very Much A Woman Before Her Time
During the second World War, Francis George and his daughter, Sybil, worked at the Morrows’ biscuit factory on Coronation Drive, Milton. This was later taken over by Arnott-Morrows and even later still traded as the now famous Arnotts Biscuit Factory which was relocated to Virginia in 1989. Ray was talented at the piano while Bill was gifted with playing the violin. After selling the Grey Street residential, Molly left Brisbane around 1950 and moved to Sydney where she lived for a while, working as a cook at the Sirocco Restaurant. She was a tasteful dresser and evidence of this can be seen in this photograph.
On her return to Brisbane, she managed another boarding house in Merivale Street, South Brisbane. A later abode was 56 James Street, Fortitude Valley and in 1964, Molly is on record as living at 273 Milton Road, Milton. Just before her death, she was living at 36 Prospect Street, Bowen Hills with her daughter, Sybil and her husband, Jack who had not long returned from working in Longreach.
Molly died in 1973 and was buried on 26 November in the same plot as her mother at the Dutton Park cemetery. Her monumental inscription reads:
Family
Family
Raymond Joseph, Molly's first born child of three, was born in North Fitzroy, Melbourne in 1914. When interviewed many years ago Ray recalled quite vividly living in Spring Hill during his early formative years. He described Spring Hill as a tough area of Brisbane where, being a member of a gang was the thing to do. Gang warfare raged between the Paddington group and the Red Hill mob, just for the sake of something to do! Ray attended several local schools—St James' Christian Brothers in Boundary Street, Fortitude Valley; Leichhardt Street State School and the former Brisbane Central School. The latter stood on the corner of Edward and Adelaide Streets, City which in more recent years housed the former Queensland Government Tourist Bureau. This sandstone building was originally built as a State Government Office block which adjoins Anzac Square. It is now owned privately. Roy later attended the Central Technical College in George Street to learn trade subjects.
Ray married Pearl Mullins and after living in Sydney for many years, returned to Brisbane where they lived at Sherwood. For about eight years, just prior to their retirement, Ray, or "Roy" as he was known to his wife, managed the former Oxley Drive-In Movie Theatre. Both Ray and Pearl worked to give their children a sound education as a basis for a good start in life which is reflected in their choice of careers. Ray and Pearl moved to Toowoomba in 1990, settling at Rangeville. Both are now deceased. Ray and Pearl were parents to five children.
William Francis Beesley, the second child of Molly Beesley and more familiarly known as Bill was born on 2 April 1916 at the former Lady Bowen Private hospital, Wickham Terrace. Bill married Veronica Colleen Fredericks (known as Col) in Brisbane on 23 October 1943. At this point, Bill worked as a Foreman for Barnes Engineering at Newstead. In February 1944, he commenced as a Fitter and Turner at Commonwealth Industrial Gases Pty Ltd. Two children were born to Bill and Col while living in Brisbane and three more children were born in Townsville.
In October 1949 the family moved to Townsville where Bill worked as Production Manager for the northern division of CIG Pty Ltd in an old igloo at Stuart and later at Garbutt. Shortly after arrival in Townsville, Bill and Col bought a home at 70 Howlett Street, Currajong where they remained until their passing. Before his death Bill was suffering from Parkinson's disease and in 1991 transferred to a Townsville nursing home where he was then confined to a wheel chair.
Sybil Mary, Molly and George’s only daughter was also born at the Lady Bowen Private hospital. She and her mother did not get along as well as some mothers and daughters, and as mentioned elsewhere she and her father worked for some time at the Morrows’ Biscuit Factory on Coronation Drive, Milton.
Sybil married John "Jack" Christopher Roy on 30 May 1942. Jack was a soldier during the second World War. He died in 1967 and was cremated at Albany Creek. After losing her husband Sybil lived in a Housing Commission unit at 126 Belgrave Street, Morningside. Sybil suffered a stroke in early 1991 which slowed her down considerably leaving her with an unfortunate speech difficulty.
Sybil and Jack had eight children—five boys and three girls.
(Left) Ray and Pearl (Mullins) Beesley
Bill Beesley (right)
"Molly's" resting place together with her mother (below)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse