Eric Joyce

Eric was Ian’s uncle.  Eric didn’t have any children, so I’m not breaking my rule about putting up posts of people who have children still alive.  That being said, I have considered whether I should post this or not, seeing that Eric still has a brother living.  However, I suspect that if this brother reads this, he would appreciate it being posted.  Likewise the ten nieces and nephews of Eric Joyce have heard the story and know much about a man that none of them met but was important in her parents' lives.

Eric Joyce was born on 16 April 1913, the second son of Elsie May (nee Spicer) and Albert Charles Joyce.  A further four children were born to the couple and the family was very happy – living in Melbourne surrounded by a large extended family.  Eric was very bright, he attended Carey Grammer School, plus he played the piano in Church.  He was well liked.

In 1932 Albert Charles was promoted to Assistant Secretary, Treasury – which entailed moving to Canberra.  The three eldest boys – Eric and brothers William and Cecil – had finished school and were working.  They remained in Melbourne, as did their younger sister who was finishing school.

When War was declared, all four of Elsie and Albert’s sons enlisted in the RAAF - Eric as a Warrant Officer.  Eric had been going out with Jane Woodhouse Paton for some time and the war spurred on their marriage plans.  They announced their engagement on Saturday 26 September and married on 13 November 1942 in Melbourne.  Jane was born in Scotland and had a strong accent and as a result most people pronounced her name “Jean”.  The whole family loved Jane. 

Eric was a part of the RAF 467 Squadron at Waddington and was the Flight Sergeant in a Lancaster Crew.   Life was difficult but had his bright moments.  Travelling to his base in southern England, Eric stayed in New York and was able to visit different parts of England.  His postcards are upbeat – and talk of sightseeing.  His many photos show young men in uniform enjoying the new experiences and undaunted by the task they faced.

According to Bomber Command diaries, November 1943 to January 1944 was part of the Battle of Berlin.  There were 14 large scale raids on the city.  They were difficult raids because they were at the limit of the Lancasters.  Also the winter of 1943-44 was particularly cold – one pilot and navigator were hospitalised for frostbit and exposure after the nose of the plane was hit during one of the raids. Eric’s crew had two particular incidents in December 1943.  On the night of 3 December the target was Leipzig.  Two motors of the Lancaster Eric was in cut out on takeoff making the aircraft spin around at the end of the runway.  The rear gunner, Flight Sergeant Cecil Frizzell from Brisbane was thrown out of his turret and badly injured.  It took some time to find him in the dark and unfortunately he died in Rauceby hospital on 5 December 1943 – he was 20 years old.  There was a group of men standing at the end of the runway watching and one of them was unfortunate enough to be hit by the aircraft and killed. The Australian War Memorial has pictures taken from the funeral service for the two men.  Then on the night of 29 December, their aircraft was hit by German anti-aircraft guns whilst on their flight to Berlin.  They proceeded to Berlin, dropped their bombs and literally swept out the burning materials before “diving away from the target” in order to put out the fire.  Someone in the family has kept two of the newspaper articles reporting these two incidents.  Sixty-five years on, the language seems violent and the positive spin is quite discomforting. 

At 2359 on 5 January 1944, Eric’s crew took off from Waddington, Lincolnshire on a mission to Stettin.  They were flying a Lancaster Mark III, serial number ED994.  The crew of seven consisted of five RAAF personal and two RAF.  They were (and my titles aren’t consistent here):

• Pilot Flying Officer Colin Irwin (Curly) Reynolds;
• Flight Sergeant Kenneth Nigel Bishop Davies (from Albany, WA);
• Flight Engineer Lt William King, RAF (from Glasgow);
• Navigator, Eric Joyce (from Melbourne);
• Wireless Operator, Eric’s friend Henry Morton (Hal) Vellenoweth (also from Melbourne and a long term friend of Eric’s);
• Mid Upper Gunner Flight Sgt Robert (Bob) H Keating (he had turned 20 on 3 January); and
• Rear Gunner Sgt JW Neeve, RAF – who had replaced Cecil Frizzell one month earlier (he was also 20 years old). 

They were all tired as the night before they had been on a particularly long flight over Germany and had only reached the airport at 7am on the morning of 5 January.  Most of the crew would had requested that they not fly that night but Reynolds had agreed before consulting them and, according to King, they felt it wise not to object.

They had approached the target – Stettin – by way of Sweden.  They had just got over the target, and dropped their bombs when an anti-aircraft shell exploded alongside the plane, and a fragment struck the pilot (Reynolds) in the head killing him instantly.  King who was Engineer of the aircraft sitting alongside the pilot immediately pulled Reynolds out of his seat and began to operate the controls.  Shortly after, they were attacked by a fighter plane, at which time Eric, Hal and Keating were killed and one of the engines were set on fire.  (Later King told Albert Joyce that he was sure they were killed outright and could have felt nothing.)  The plane kept going, but a short time later Neeve, the rear gunner, reported that there was another fighter coming above.  In accordance with the usual procedure in such cases, King put the nose of the machine down and dived to get away in the darkness, but there was apparently another fighter coming at them from below, following a well-known tactic when working in pairs.  At the time King didn’t understand why there was a terrific crash, but it appeared that he crashed into a Junkers 88 and brought it down with him.  In that crash King had several ribs, his wrist and his leg broken.  Recovering somewhat from the shock he still tried to fly the machine but found that he was rapidly losing height.  The rear-gunner signaled that he was baling out and King decided to do the same.  Crawling along the aircraft King came upon Ken Davies unconscious and pushed him out of the plane and at the same time pulling his rip-cord.  Then he followed.  He tried to get away and apparently walked a few metres, notwithstanding his injuries, but was almost immediately surrounded by three German officers armed with revolvers.  He wisely offered no resistance.  He was later informed that he was the only survivor. 

With regard to Neeve - it appeared that his parachute had simply not opened. 

Ken Davies had died as the result of his injuries.  His father sent a letter to Albert Joyce expressing his hope that Ken had died before hitting the ground as he found it difficult to think that his son may have been conscious as he lay dying alone on cold, foreign land.  He was very angry about the death of his 23 year old son and the lack of information given by the RAF.  The Reynolds and Keating families were also unhappy about the lack of information, and it seems that all families of the five Australians killed in ED994 exchanged letters with each other containing whatever information they happened to obtain.

Official records noted that on the night of 5/6 January, the plane, along with one other, did not return to base – MIA: 5, POW: 1.

The family was informed that Eric was “missing” on 9 January 1944.  On 10 February a letter was written reporting that Eric was now “missing, but believed to have lost his life” and that the “change of classification has been made by the Air Ministry, London, in consequence of a report received from the International Red Cross Committee, Geneva, which states that, according to German information, your son, two other Australians, one Royal Air Force, and two unknown members of the crew lost their lives.  It is also advised that one Royal Air Force member has been captured, and is a prisoner of war.”  Within two weeks the authorities confirmed that Eric had died.  Eric’s father Albert wrote to his sons saying: “For myself, the task of breaking the news to mother yesterday afternoon was the hardest trial I have ever been called upon to face.  May God spare me from ever having to do the same again.”  He finished the letter saying: “Our hearts are all very heavy … However, we still have three wonderful boys and two lovely girls and are all a united family, together with happy memories of one who is gone before.”  

Eric was the only child at that stage married.  His wife, Jane, remarried after the war and had one son.  Members of the family remained in contact with Jane until her death in 1998.  The family also put a memorial to Eric in the Canberra Baptist Church - on the family pew - third row from the back on the right.

The family was fortunate to obtain detailed information about the events surrounding the incident from the one surviving crew member, Sargeant William King, who spent time in a German concentration camp.  During this time he wrote to Jane briefly outlining the bare facts of the crash and saying how sorry he was.  Albert met with him on Wednesday, 29 August 1945 in London, and talked to him about the crash.  Jean lovingly put together a beautiful, detailed scrapbook of Eric’s time in the RAAF, which she gave to Reg before her death.  Various members of the family have also visited Eric's war grave in Poland.  And the first born nephew of Eric Joyce was named in his honour.

Eric was just one of 39,000 Australians killed during World War II.

“I am not forgotten if someone mentions my name” (inscription from gravestone of a casualty of War as told to me by Kathleen Spurling, a War Historian)

Update: In July 2016 Ian, Andrew (great-nephew), my father and I visited Poznan, Poland to see Eric's Grave in the Commonwealth War Grave attached to the Cemetery - along with the other members of the crew (you can see Reynold's grave in this photo). The day was dreary, and the roadtrip took a little longer than we'd anticipated, but it was absolutely worth the time spent to get there and we were all very moved.

Sarah Osborne - Watson

I really like the fact that my great-great grandmother wrote down information about her family.  It makes me think that I'm like her - she would have used a family history program, had it been available! I've already written a post about her - Clara Watson/Furnsby - but this post is about her mother!

Sarah Osborne was born on 12 August 1829 in Lowestoft. Her parents were Martha Gibbs and Thomas Osborne.

Martha and Thomas married on 25 April 1822 in Oulton, Norfolk.  They soon moved to Lowestoft and appear to have stayed there for the rest of their lives.  According to Parish records, they had six children baptised of which Sarah was their second eldest child. 

Sarah worked as a dressmaker.  Sarah had received a basic education as she could sign her own name at her wedding.  Her father, Thomas, died on 28 June 1853, age 54.

On 25 October 1859, Sarah Osborne married Alfred Watson at the Parish Church in Lowestoft witnessed by Sarah’s sister, Mary Ann and her husband George Clark.   Alfred was not a Suffolk native.  He was born in Brixton, Surrey on 19 March 1828, coming to Lowestoft in the 1850s.  He was a carpenter. He was also able to sign his name at his marriage to Sarah

Sarah had seven children: all the details of their births and deaths are known up to the early 1900s because Sarah’s daughter Clara Elizabeth wrote the information down, presumably so she wouldn’t forget!  Her children were:

·      Mary Ann – born 12 August 1860;

·      Clara Elizabeth – born 13 September 1861;

·      Emma Sarah – born on 18 March 1863, died on 13 April 1867;

·      Alfred Thomas - the only son and he also died young –born on 13 September 1864 and died on 13 January 1866;

·      Hannah – born 1 October 1866;

·      Ellen – born 13 July 1868; and

·      Frances – born 30 May 1871.

The names of children in families at this time would often follow a particular pattern.  Sarah and Alfred did not follow such a pattern.  Their first daughter was named after one of Sarah's sister - which was also Alfred's mother's name.  The second daughter's middle name was another of Sarah's sister's names.

With the exception of Emma, all Sarah’s children were baptised in St Peter's Lowestoft.  St Peter's was built in 1833.  Unfortunately in 1974 this large, stately, 140 year old church was demolished as the congregation had decreased to such a size as was unsustainable.  A block of units designed for elderly people were built on the site. It is not known why Emma was baptised at the Free Church, Lowestoft.

In the 1861 Census, Sarah, Albert and infant daughter Mary Ann were living in Raglan Street (the exact number in the street was not recorded).  Sarah's younger sister, Elizabeth, was living with the family at this time.  In 1871, Sarah, Albert and their four daughters were living at 57 Raglan Street. 

Sarah’s mother, Martha, died on 23 November 1878, aged 79.  Both Sarah’s parents are buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret’s, Lowestoft. Their names have not been recorded in a recent register, probably indicating that the headstone was part of the graveyard that was demolished when the Church was extended.

In 1881, the family was still living at 57 Raglan Street – with their five daughters.

By 1891, just Ellen was living with Sarah and Alfred, and they had moved to 13 Raglan Street: 

·      Mary Ann had married and lived in Lowestoft with her husband and three daughters;

·      Clara Elizabeth had married, emigrated to Australia with her husband and, in 1891, was about to have her third child;

·      Hannah had also married and was living in Lowestoft – she did not have any children; and

·      Frances – it is not known why she wasn’t with her family at the 1891 Census.  She died late in 1891 - on 21 December - age 20.

Sarah lived her whole life in Lowestoft.  She died on 22 February 1897 aged 68.  Her daughter Mary Ann died later that year, leaving three young daughters.  Alfred Watson died five years later on 11 June 1902 aged 74.  Both are buried in Lowestoft Cemetery.

Sarah Osborne - Watson

Relationship to SNR = Great, great, great, great grandmother

Ellen Porter (Ellen Haines)

I have a slightly obsessive personality.  Scary really – more for my family than myself!  Anyway, I was doing some research a few days ago and was re-reading an article on the death of Rev Frederick Hibberd in 1908 and realised that there was a statement about the relationship of Rev Dr Thomas Porter to the Dixson family “Dr. Porter delivered an eloquent panegyric. His wife was a sister of Dr. S. Dixson and Mr. Hugh Dixson.”  How could I have missed this before!!!  So (seeing I am easily distracted) I immediately began to research Dr Thomas Porter and his family to verify the connection.  However, Dr Porter’s wife was not a Dixson.  I simply read the article incorrectly.  The writer was making a statement about Dr Porter and then immediately went back to discussing Frederick Hibberd – whose wife was a sister of Dr. S. Dixson and Mr Hugh Dixson. 

But as I’ve now researched the family of Ellen and Thomas Porter, I thought I’d share it!  Now you may have noticed that this entry is actually titled Ellen Porter.  That’s because I will always have a slight gender bias in these matters, practicing positive discrimination really, and so I’ve decided to write this entry about Ellen rather than her husband!   Oh, I should also point out, that Dr Porter was obviously a close friend of the Dixson and Hibberd families – it was the Baptist connection.  At Dr Porter’s funeral it was specifically noted that “The Dixson Trust was represented by…”

Ellen Haines was christened in Alderbury, Wiltshire on 31 January 1841.  She was the youngest child of Elizabeth (nee Dredge) and Job Haines, who at 38 and 40 respectively already had a number of children.  Elizabeth was Job’s second wife and there were also children from his first marriage.  The 1851 Census shows Ellen living with her parents and two older brothers in Downton, Salisbury.  Soon after, they must have decided to leave England.  On 30 December 1854, Job, Elizabeth, and three of their children (Charles, 16; Elizabeth 14; and Ellen 13) arrived in Melbourne on the Tudor. 

Two years later, Ellen’s older – but rather young – sister, married John Herbert in the Rehobeth Baptist Chapel, on Regent Street in Collingwood, Melbourne. 

On 30 October 1859, 18 year old Ellen married 21 year old Thomas Porter, also at the Rehobeth Baptist Chapel.  Thomas was the elder of two sons of Thomas and Eliza Porter – Irish immigrants who had come to Australia in 1840.

Ellen appears to have had a wonderful life with Thomas.  They went to California, where Thomas studied to be a doctor.  On their return, Thomas decided he’d rather be a Minister and his first parish was in the then rural area of Doncaster, Melbourne.  They went to Adelaide, where he was the Minister of Hindmarsh Church of Christ.  Then they went to the USA for another eight years.  In around 1881 they moved back to Victoria and Thomas became a Minister in the Baptist Church – at the George Street, Fitzroy Baptist Church, followed by Ballarat Baptist. In 1894 they moved to Sydney where Thomas became Minister of the Petersham Baptist.  Thomas would have had many dealings with Frederick Hibberd, Frederick Harry and Hugh Dixson as they were all heavily involved in the Baptist Union of NSW.  Thomas was the President of the Union in 1902 - the year after Frederick Harry had been.  

Thomas retired from full time ministry in 1907, but would make himself available for interim ministries – essentially in Sydney but also in Goulburn, NSW and Ballarat, Victoria.  They had four daughters and three sons (who reached adulthood) plus a number of grandchildren.  There is evidence of relatively frequent visits to the USA – in 1897 Ellen went without George (two of their sons were living there!).  

On 19 December 1927, Thomas died rather unexpectedly (which is a nice thing when you are 89).  Their two sons in the USA were unable to return for the funeral, but the youngest son obviously visited after his father death, because he then died at his mother’s house on 21 January 1928.  It must have been a relatively difficult time for Ellen.  On 31 August 1928 – not even a year after her husband – Ellen died at their home at 5 Coronation Avenue, Petersham.    

Relationship to SNR = friend of Great-great-great grandparents

Clara Margaret Woolley

Although Clara died in 1972 when I had not yet turned 5, I have very strong memories of my dear, beloved Auntie Buzzie (a great-aunt of mine!).  These memories are intertwined with those of her two sisters, and maybe that is why my memories are so strong – three old ladies can do that!  Auntie Buzzie was different to her two sisters.  She was quieter, softer and somehow more loveable.  I, apparently, could do no wrong in her eyes.  If we happened to be at the shops, she would want to buy me something.  I, apparently, always chose Band-Aids (oh, what a collection I would have had if this occurred now in the days of designer Band-Aids).  I do remember being disappointed when she bought an “assorted shapes” pack of Band-Aids, because they weren’t the ones that I liked…  However, I digress, because this is a story about Clara.

Clara Margaret Woolley was the first child of Clara Elizabeth Furnsby and Robert John Woolley.  She was born on 10 December 1906 in Balmain, Sydney.  Robert owned the butchers shop on the corner of Victoria Road and Darling Street, Rozelle.  Soon after her birth the family moved to 5 Day Street, Balmain.  Clara was soon joined by Elizabeth, Robert and Lorna.  Then on 18 January 1918 Clara’s youngest sibling, Thomas Osborne, was born.  He died on 30 December 1919 and this appears to be the catalyst for the bitter breakdown in the marriage of Clara Elizabeth and Robert.  The next few years were rather tumultuous for the family.  Eventually Clara and her sisters moved with their mother to a house in Rose Bay.  Robert, or Bobby, as he was known, went to boarding school – paid for by his father – and so they only saw him during school holidays. 

Clara worked as a stenographer but her passion was singing.  She had earned a scholarship to the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney to study dramatic soprano.  While she was good, she wasn’t astounding, and so she couldn’t earn a living through her singing.  Instead she sung in Church (she was a committed Methodist), at recitals and any other opportunity she could find.  A few years ago I discovered that she liked to sing 'A Perfect Day'.  So I purchased the music and always think of Aunty Buzzie when I sing it!

She had a number of boyfriends, but her mother had particularly high standards for any potential husbands and so her relationships didn’t go very far.  Her two younger sisters met and eventually married but Clara stayed with her mother.   She became an aunt for the first time when she was 34 and, loving children as she did, she also loved being an aunt.  Any photo of her with young children shows a very happy person - and a generally happy child as well.   When she was 42 she married James McDonald and they lived with her mother.  He was a Scottish man who had come to Australia after the war.  There is actually footage of him disembarking from the ship, and it is often played when there happens to be a story about the large numbers of people coming to Australia after World War II.  I think the marriage was relatively happy.  James was a relatively heavy drinker, but he wasn't abusive.  Clara's mother was not happy about the marriage.  She was replaced as number one in her daughter's life!  She was so unhappy that she changed her will - redirecting her assets from her children, to her grandchildren, with the proviso that her house was available for Clara until she died.  

Clara's mother died in late 1966.  While she loved her mother, I often wonder if she was slightly relieved that she could 'live her own life' now.  Hard to know, because she was such a generous person, she may not have thought about it like that!  Her husband James died in November 1969.  She wasn't really alone, because she had two sisters she was very close to.   Indeed, one of her sisters' husbands had died in February 1967 and so the two women lived together for some time.  

Clara, as stated above, died in 1972.  She had just lost weight, was feeling great and had lots of things she wanted to do.  I remember driving to her house in Vaucluse while my mother had to go through the house.  I didn't like it very much because I knew we had lost a great person (that being said, my grandmother and my other great aunt were wonderful people to have in my life - and both of them lived until they were over 100!  Which also means it wasn't really fair that she died at 65!).  

People like Clara deserve to be remembered!

Clara holding her great-neice, with her two sisters

Relationship to SNR = Great-great Aunt