William Patrick MADDEN 

Toowoomba's early days were marked by street fighting, pub brawls and prostitution. None of these things were uncommon and, in fact, it was the norm for any new and growing town—the reader will now have a clearer understanding of the times. Life then, was a battle, survival was the keynote and men lived a rough and tough existence. Bill found himself on the wrong side of the law when, on 29th March 1910, he was sentenced by Mr Justice Real to imprisonment for two years. Bill's crime was "stealing with actual violence", in the company of two others, the princely sum of 5 shillings and ninepence from a man who had just arrived from Goombungee. Jail admission records described Bill as Queensland-born, a Roman Catholic aged 25 years, a labourer standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, of proportional build, with a fresh complexion, and brown hair and eyes. He was able to read and write. When committed to St Helena—Brisbane’s island jail, Bill weighed 9 stone 9 pounds. Bodily marks included scarring to the forehead above the right eye, over the left eyebrow, left jaw, right cheek near the nose, back of the left hand, inside left wrist and on the palm of his left hand. Bill did his time and after his release lived a very full life in Toowoomba.

Bill's liking of "mashed" potato as an accompaniment to all meals, earned him the title "Masher" (or that is the explanation I am led to believe) and it is by this nickname he was mostly known. Masher also had a passion for horses and early electoral rolls indicate that he was a horse trainer and storeman, and later a bookmaker. The electoral rolls disclose that he lived at the following Toowoomba addresses: Margaret Street 1915; Little John Street 1916; Hume Street 1916, and Grange Street from 1919. 

Marriage and A Family

He married Bertha May Morley of Yuleba, a town in south-west Queensland on the Warrego Highway, midway between Miles and Roma. Bertha was particularly noted for her meticulousness at home which she maintained in a clean and spotless condition. Bill and Bertha had only one child, Bernard Patrick Madden, who was born in 1922. He enlisted in the army at the outbreak of WWII, his army number being Q147246. Bernard worked as a hairdresser and married Joyce Merle Hanrahan. Together, they had three children—William Patrick Madden, Douglas John Madden, and Colleen Mary Madden.

The eldest son, William Patrick, also known as Bill, worked for the Queensland Railways and is now retired. 

Douglas John, second born, his wife Valerie and four children has passed on in recent years.

Colleen Mary, the only daughter and her husband Graham, a Vietnam War veteran had two children—a daughter, Bernadette Ann and a son, Barry. Colleen died in 1995.

Bernard Patrick Madden, their father, died of a cerebral haemorrhage on 21 May 1967 and like his father, whom he pre-deceased, was buried at the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance Lawn cemetery. Bernard's grave is located at Site 237, Section B, lot 4.

Just as an aside, the inscription on Nora Madden's headstone, includes a reference to Molly and "Willie", being William Patrick "Masher" Madden.