[Index]

William (Billy) James ELWORTHY (1857 - 1909)

Stock Inspector

Children	Self + Spouses	Parents	Grandparents	Greatgrandparents
	William (Billy) James ELWORTHY (1857 - 1909)	James Baker ELWORTHY (1833 - 1889)	George ELWORTHY (1813 - 1878)	James ELWORTHY (1770 - 1837)
				Grace Thirza LEIGH (1771 - 1836)
			Emma BOWCHER (1810 - 1854)	John BOWCHER (1762 - 1828)
				Elizabeth TOWNSEND (1772 - 1858)
		Elizabeth Helvetia WATSON ( - 1862)	Jonathan Miller WATSON (1792 - 1844)
			Maria HOVELL (1801 - 1883)	Philip HOVELL (1763 - )
				Elizabeth GREY (1761 - )

b. 29 Jan 1857 at Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia

d. 08 Jan 1909 at London, Middlesex, England aged 51

Near Relatives of William (Billy) James ELWORTHY (1857 - 1909)
Relationship	Person	Born	Birth Place	Died	Death Place	Age
Grandfather	George ELWORTHY	23 Apr 1813	Exeter, Devon, England	24 Feb 1878	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	64
Grandmother	Emma BOWCHER	18 Aug 1810	St Petrock, Exeter, Devon, England	08 Jul 1854	St Thomas, Exeter, Devon, England	43
Grandfather	Jonathan Miller WATSON	1792		29 Jan 1844		52
Grandmother	Maria HOVELL	abt 1801		26 Nov 1883	Tumut, New South Wales, Australia	82
Father	James Baker ELWORTHY	09 Dec 1833	Exeter, Devon, England	03 Mar 1889	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	55
Mother	Elizabeth Helvetia WATSON			24 Mar 1862	Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Self	William (Billy) James ELWORTHY	29 Jan 1857	Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia	08 Jan 1909	London, Middlesex, England	51
Brother	Male ELWORTHY	1857	Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia
Sister	Emma Maria ELWORTHY	05 Apr 1860	Adelong, New South Wales, Australia	05 Jun 1861	Tumut, New South Wales, Australia	1
Sister	Elizabeth Helena ELWORTHY	22 Nov 1861	Adelong, New South Wales, Australia	06 Aug 1892	Waverley, New South Wales, Australia	30
Half Brother	Arthur Ernest ELWORTHY	18 Jan 1866	Tumut, New South Wales, Australia	19 May 1935	Cooma, Monaro, New South Wales, Australia	69
Half Brother	Ernest George ELWORTHY	27 May 1868	Tumut, New South Wales, Australia	11 Apr 1931	Mosman, New South Wales, Australia	62
Half Brother	Harold Lewington ELWORTHY	20 Aug 1872	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	16 May 1928	Grafton, New South Wales, Australia	55
Half Sister	Edith Asenath ELWORTHY	17 Sep 1876	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	18 Mar 1904	Grafton, New South Wales, Australia	27
Aunt	Elizabeth Harriet ELWORTHY	04 Nov 1835	Exeter, Devon, England	abt 16 Sep 1855	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	19
Uncle	male DONALDSON
Uncle	George Gregory Townsend ELWORTHY	16 Aug 1837	Exeter, Devon, England	26 Dec 1905	Mt Perry, Queensland, Australia	68
Aunt	Marion (Mary Ann) SUGDEN	18 Jun 1837	Southwark Christchurch, London, Surrey, England	24 Jan 1907	Mt Perry, Queensland, Australia	69
Aunt	Eliza Grace ELWORTHY	26 Jun 1839	Exeter, Devon, England	15 Oct 1922	Paddington, New South Wales, Australia	83
Uncle	John Edmund HOLLOWAY	abt 1832	Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire, England	07 Jul 1906	Paddington, New South Wales, Australia	74
Aunt	Emma Louisa ELWORTHY	14 Apr 1841	Exeter, Devon, England	1920	Waverley, New South Wales, Australia	79
Uncle	Philip DONALDSON	07 Oct 1837	Wakefield, Yorkshire, England
Aunt	Isabella Bowcher ELWORTHY	20 Oct 1842	Exeter, Devon, England	16 Jul 1921	Auckland, New Zealand	78
Uncle	Henry St.John MADDEN	30 Jun 1840	Rollands Plains, New South Wales, Australia	12 May 1922	Balfe's Creek, Queensland, Australia	81
Uncle	Charles Henry ELWORTHY	bef 06 Jun 1844	Exeter, Devon, England	20 Sep 1859	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	15
Aunt	Alice Mary ELWORTHY	1845	Exeter, Devon, England	14 Jan 1854	New South Wales, Australia	9
Uncle	William Frederick WATSON	1835		1855		20
Cousin	Adelaide Elizabeth (Ada) ELWORTHY	03 May 1868	Calliope, Queensland, Australia	08 Aug 1933	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia	65
Cousin	Ellen Augusta (Nellie) ELWORTHY	abt Oct 1869	Calliope, Queensland, Australia	06 Apr 1950	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia	80
Cousin	George Gregory Townsend ELWORTHY	abt Oct 1869	Calliope, Queensland, Australia	04 Oct 1929	Mt Perry, Queensland, Australia	60
Cousin	Alice May Mary Maud ELWORTHY	23 Aug 1872	Gladstone, Queensland, Australia	09 Nov 1957	Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia	85
Cousin	Charles Henry (Charlie) ELWORTHY	18 Nov 1874	Mt Perry, Queensland, Australia	30 Aug 1953	Mackay, Queensland, Australia	78
Cousin	Olivia Marion ELWORTHY	16 Dec 1879	Mt Perry, Queensland, Australia	15 Aug 1958	Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia	78
Cousin	Henry St.John (Harry) Boucher ELWORTHY	26 May 1882	Mt Perry, Queensland, Australia	09 Oct 1969	Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia	87
Cousin	Florence Louisa (Dolly) SIMMONDS	1861	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	01 Feb 1944	Mt Perry, Queensland, Australia	83
Cousin	Alfred William SIMMONDS	11 Jan 1864	Queensland, Australia	05 Mar 1897	Queensland, Australia	33
Cousin	Edmond Searle HOLLOWAY	20 Jan 1860	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	11 Apr 1860	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	0
Cousin	Martha Emma (Patty) HOLLOWAY	1861	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	1924	Lambton, New South Wales, Australia	63
Cousin	Charles Edmund HOLLOWAY	1864	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	29 Sep 1935	Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia	71
Cousin	Alexander William HOLLOWAY	1866	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	1930	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	64
Cousin	Helen HOLLOWAY	1868	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	1868		0
Cousin	John Robert HOLLOWAY	1868	Cungewoi, New South Wales, Australia	11 Dec 1917	West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	49
Cousin	Edith L HOLLOWAY	1869	Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin	George Elworthy HOLLOWAY	1870	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	15 Mar 1872	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	2
Cousin	James Sextus HOLLOWAY	01 Jul 1871	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	24 Nov 1911	Ipswich, Queensland, Australia	40
Cousin	Grace HOLLOWAY	Apr 1873	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	06 May 1873	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	0
Cousin	Asenath Elworthy HOLLOWAY	1875	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	1950	Auburn, New South Wales, Australia	75
Cousin	Harold Septimus Pierce HOLLOWAY	1877	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	1885		8
Cousin	Nina Florence HOLLOWAY	1879	Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	1915	Newtown, New South Wales, Australia	36
Cousin	Elsie Maud HOLLOWAY	1881	West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia	1907	Newtown, New South Wales, Australia	26
Cousin	James George DONALDSON	15 Nov 1862	Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia	1932	North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	70
Cousin	Emma R DONALDSON	1864	Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia	1917	Paddington, New South Wales, Australia	53
Cousin	Robert Charles DONALDSON	1867	Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia	1955	Boorowa, New South Wales, Australia	88
Cousin	Amelia Jeanetta (Et) DONALDSON	1869	Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia	1954	Burwood, New South Wales, Australia	85
Cousin	Alice Mary DONALDSON	1870	Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia	1923	Manly, New South Wales, Australia	53
Cousin	Philip A DONALDSON	1872	Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia	1877	Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia	5
Cousin	Ellen Annie DONALDSON	1875	Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia	1875	Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia	0
Cousin	William Knowles DONALDSON	1876	Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia	1877	Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia	1
Cousin	Leslie Sinclair DONALDSON	1879	Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia	1947	Newtown, New South Wales, Australia	68
Cousin	Isabella Honora MADDEN	16 Jul 1860	Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia	05 Dec 1860	Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	0
Cousin	Henry St John MADDEN	12 Jun 1862	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	14 Apr 1863	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	0
Cousin	Adelaide Louisa MADDEN	28 Apr 1864	West Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia	1864	West Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia	0
Cousin	Alice Evelyn MADDEN	28 Dec 1866	Cape River, Queensland, Australia	05 Mar 1926	Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	59
Cousin	Julian John Edward MADDEN	16 Jun 1869	Cape River, Queensland, Australia	25 Aug 1954	Ayr, Queensland, Australia	85
Cousin	Florence Amelia MADDEN	23 Mar 1873	Millchester, Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	24 Oct 1929	Chilligoe, Queensland, Australia	56
Cousin	Lillian May MADDEN	27 Sep 1875	Millchester, Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	28 Apr 1889	Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	13
Cousin	Henry George MADDEN	09 Feb 1878	Millchester, Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	03 Sep 1942	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia	64
Cousin	James MADDEN	11 Sep 1880	Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	16 Sep 1880	Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	0
Cousin	Ernest Charles MADDEN	29 Nov 1881	Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	07 May 1928	Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	46
Cousin	Ida Eleana MADDEN	05 Dec 1883	Millchester, Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	14 Mar 1938	Townsville, Queensland, Australia	54
Cousin	Eva (Ivy) Rosina MADDEN	10 Apr 1887	Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia	10 Nov 1927	Auckland, New Zealand	40
Nephew	Charles Baldwin ELWORTHY	04 Oct 1887	Glebe, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew	Frederick Arthur ELWORTHY	31 Jan 1891	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	23 Jan 1967	Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia	75
Niece	Eileen Christian ELWORTHY	19 Oct 1892	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	10 Sep 1956	Canberra, ACT, Australia	63
Nephew	James Baker ELWORTHY	07 Jul 1894	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	01 May 1965	Balmain, New South Wales, Australia	70
Niece	Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY	17 May 1896	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	21 Nov 1975	Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia	79
Nephew	John Douglas ELWORTHY	15 Jun 1898	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	01 Mar 1942	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	43
Niece	Marion ELWORTHY	22 May 1919		Y
Niece	Edith ELWORTHY	27 Jun 1920		24 Sep 1940	North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	20
Niece	Gladys ELWORTHY	12 Sep 1923	Grafton, New South Wales, Australia	Sep 1994		71
Niece	Betty ELWORTHY	26 May 1925		04 Dec 2005	Northbridge, New South Wales, Australia	80
Niece	Merlyn Edith ATTWATER	14 Jun 1901	Grafton, New South Wales, Australia	28 May 1989		87
Nephew	Leicester Charles Wrixon ATTWATER	10 Mar 1904	Grafton, New South Wales, Australia	14 Aug 1972	Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia	68
Sister in Law	Leah Christian ISAAC	15 Aug 1865	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	03 Feb 1930	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	64
Sister in Law	Marion Adelaide Alice SHROPSHIRE	14 Aug 1893	Hay, New South Wales, Australia	02 Jan 1990		96
Brother in Law	Charles Edward ATTWATER	1865	Grafton, New South Wales, Australia	1940	Grafton, New South Wales, Australia	75

Events in William (Billy) James ELWORTHY (1857 - 1909)'s life
Date	Age	Event	Place	Notes	Src
29 Jan 1857		William (Billy) James ELWORTHY was born	Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia	V18471416 155/1857
24 Mar 1862	5	Death of mother Elizabeth Helvetia WATSON	Adelong, New South Wales, Australia	Note 1
03 Mar 1889	32	Death of father James Baker ELWORTHY (aged 55)	Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia	9866/1889	2
08 Jan 1909	51	William (Billy) James ELWORTHY died	London, Middlesex, England

Note 1: 6082/1862, Earliest headstone on Adelong cmetery

Personal Notes:

There is little to tell about Elizabeth and Emma - James and Elizabeth's daughters, but there is a wealth of detail about their brother William or Billy as he was affectionately known in the Narandera area where he spent much of his life. Billy attended Gundagai School and was obviously a very bright boy. The Australian Joint Stock Bank premises in Gundagai were next to the Times office and this may have influenced Billy's career choice. Aged 17, on 16 Nov 1874 he joined the bank and was firstly appointed to its Wagga Wagga branch. At 18 he became the AJS Bank's first clerk at Narandera and after a four year stint, graduated to accountant. When the Narandera Stock Board was formed in June 1879, he left the bank to become the board's first Stock Inspector, a position he held for the next 28 years. Early in 1885 the first rabbits made their appearance in the district. As Billy had also been appointed Rabbit Inspector in 1879, he assumed the awesome responsibility of trying to eradicate them. History knows what an impossible task that was! In March 1899 Billy applied for six months leave to visit Europe. The request was granted on full pay of 120 pounds per annum! Many of his friends gathered at the Royal Hotel where he lived to wish him bon voyage. No details were spared in the local paper which even reported on one guest munching an apple as he proposed a toast and another patting Billy's hair - "or where it used to be." They drank champagne, sang songs, decided that Narandera ought to be the Federal capital, facetiously gave Billy good advice, and generally had an uproarious time. Billy said he was 'kinder glad' he was not going for good as he'd known Narandera since it had only 12 houses and had experienced both joy and sorrow in the town. He left Sydney on the R.MS Oceanic, sailing to Brindisi in Italy before travelling to England via Rome, Venice, Vienna, Berlin and Hamburg. After a stay in London he intended visiting Gustav Eiffel's wondrous 320 metre iron tower and other marvels of the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. Billy also planned to see all the historic sights and scenic spots in Great Britain and Ireland before crossing to New York and journeying through the continent of "Amurruker", thence to Japan and finally home through the East Indies. What an adventurous fellow - and what a time he must have had! In 1903 the Pastures Protection Act was proclaimed and a new Board fixed Billy's annual salary at 400 pounds. It was then discovered most of the office furniture belonged to Billy personally - magnanimously the Board bought it for ten pounds! The following year he wrote to the Board explaining that for 16 years he'd been paying rent for a private postal box and key from his own pocket and asked for a refund. I wonder if he ever got it. The Board was very appreciative of his work over such a long period. When he resigned he was presented with an engraved solid gold cigarette case, a goldmounted cigarette holder and a silver cigarette case. No thoughts of lung cancer then! As an eligible bachelor, Billy was extremely popular and although he never married, seems to have had a very full social life, being actively involved in almost every organisation in the town. Whether it was on committees or with donations, Billy was often the 'first' something. It was said "if any movement was languishing for want of a guiding hand, the cry would go up - Get Billy." In Narandera's early days there was no church - services were held twice yearly by Archdeacon Pownall, Rector of Wagga, in a room at the Hit and Miss Inn. According to the church's centenary booklet, the room could hold 20 people and had many uses, including a court where an aborigine was tried for murder of his lubra; a coronial enquiry into the death of the Pohlmann brothers at Murdering Sandhills - and by the Australian Joint Stock Bank when it opened for business in Narandera! In 1877 when a decision was made to raise funds to erect an Anglican Church, it's no wonder Billy was first contributor. He was Secretary and Treasurer of the Parochial Council for 17 years until he went on his marvellous tour. He was a church-warden who probably sang in the choir as he had a good voice and was an active member of the Music and Dramatic Society. In 1882 Billy became first Treasurer of the Pastoral and Agricultural Society, a position he kept until he left the town in 1907. The Committee felt 'a deep sense of loss at being deprived of the services he had so freely and generously given since the Society's inception.' The Mechanics' Institute was another of his pet interests but as a change, Billy was President. The institute had no connection with engines or motors but was place where the basics or mechanics of a particular subject could be learned. The organisations were particularly active in promoting education in country areas, as were the Schools of Art. Billy was made a Life Member of the Institute and appears to have been a particularly civic-minded man who undoubtedly deserved the accolade. He was a member of the Hospital Committee, only resigning when he was about to leave Narandera, but remained an active supporter for the rest of his life. To quote the President - "The Hospital had no better friend ... Mr Elworthy was one of the few who were not actuated by any spirit of partisanship but went right ahead..in pursuit of what he felt was for the best interests of the hospital and its patients." He added apart from routine donations Billy had quietly, unostentatiously and thoughtfully provided gifts to patients. Even with his letter of resignation Billy sent a cheque for ten guineas - no mean sum in those times. The idea of forming a Men's Club was floated by two local graziers on 01 Dec 1903, with an invitation to members of the Riverina Picnic Race Club to join. Eventually the exclusive Murrumbidgee Club was formed with 67 inaugural members. The Club's first President was Sir Samuel McCaughey and guess who was its first Secretary? That's right - our Billy! When Billy left Narrandera in 1907, Sir Samuel presented him with a solid silver salver in an oak case on behalf of all members "in appreciation of his untiring energy and unfailing efforts to further the interests and welfare of the club." A commemorative booklet published about 1951 acknowledges the zeal and ability with which he carried out his duties. 'Having received a competence, Billy decided that a prolonged holiday in Europe and London would be just the thing. This meant resignation from the many organisations he had been involved with since 1875. It must have been a great wrench to tum away from such a full life and from the town where he was so very highly regarded. There were many farewell functions and such was the high esteem in which he was held that almost the entire town turned out for a public valedictory, the largest-ever participation at any public function! Brothers Arthur from Gundagai and Ernest from Grafton were there (and sang at some receptions) but Harold who was in the AJS Bank at Forbes couldn't make it. Billy commented that there was a great affection between him and his brothers so it was a great joy to him that they were present to hear the accolades from the people and to witness the honour the town had bestowed upon him. There seemed to be great affection between all the family members. At no stage did he allude to Arthur or Ernest as step- or half-brothers and referred to Henrietta and Edith as his 'mother and sister'. Billy was depicted as 'the most popular gentleman in the whole community due to his large hearted magnanimity, his imperturbable happy nature and his broad public spirit'. As one gentleman commented "A BILLY is one of the most acceptable and useful accessories to happiness in the bush." In responding Billy said he could not help being soft-hearted and had always acted as his feelings prompted. For this he felt indebted to an admirable father who taught him that whatever he could do for the general good would give the most lasting satisfaction and carry its own reward. On behalf of the town's citizens, the Mayor then gave Billy 100 guineas to buy a souvenir. A handsome gift indeed more than three months' pay! Not to be outdone, the ladies of town and district had a separate function to show the admiration they felt for him. This took the form of a 'complimentary conversazione, supper and dance' as well as musical renditions. A gold pencil case was given to show their sincere appreciation of his sterling qualities and gentlemanly character. Billy's extreme popularity was obvious - the next week the same Ladies' Committee also gave him a pair of solid silver rose bowls and a set of gold studs. Laden with loot, Billy left Narrandera in October 1907 and in March 1908 set sail from Sydney but like his previous foray overseas, this was no run of the mill trip for our Billy. He had a great sense of adventure - sailing firstly to Japan then on to Vladivostok and across the vast Asian continent on the 5800 mile Trans-Siberian railway which only opened in 1905 and finally to St Petersburg and Moscow in Russia. Billy finally arrived in London in July 1908. He envisaged spending about two years travelling about England and Europe. Although he doesn't mention calling on relatives, he visited his father's birthplace in Devon and no doubt delved into his English heritage as well. He had a wonderful time in England, writing long graphic letters to Arthur about his adventures and these were often printed in the Gundagai Times. One published on 08 Jan 1909 is worth copying in full, as it shows Billy's lively interest in everything around him and his genuine compassion for his fellow man. "1 have seen Devon from the north, south, east and west and I shall go down next summer and see a few more places. Lynmouth is a most charming place and is called the English Switzerland. The glens and gorges and lovely streams are like a little fairyland; even the train trips are interesting. "1 had no idea that the interior of England could be so lovely ... I am surprised the rain is so light in England. It never seems to rain more than a day at a time but the fog is very prevalent and you cannot get out of it anywhere in England The fog keeps the weather more mild than when it is clear. "1 had a fine view of the Lord Mayor's Show. It was something quite beyond my comprehension; I had no idea of any such grandeur. The procession was so long, it took 50 minutes to pass a given spot and the soldiers on foot were at quick march all the time. Every regiment was represented by about thirty men, with bands. "The historical pageant was lovely. The State coaches of the late and the new Lord Mayor were the grandest I have ever seen, and the wealth represented must have been enormous. "In the middle of it all carne a decorated lorry with a man dressed as Caxton and the identical first printing press ever used in England. It was a queer looking old thing, but quite genuine and it did please me very much. "When I got horne I said I could never expect to see anything better again, and I did not think I could. "Well, the very next week I happened to go into the city where I was amazed to see the main street for 5 miles gorgeously decorated with thousands of flags, real flowers, festoons, designs, etc - in honour of the Royal progress of the King and Queen of Sweden on their State visit. "Next day I went in and saw another gorgeous procession of quite a different kind. Nine State landaus, beside motors, contained the biggest people in the land from the Prince and Princess of Wales downwards. The escorts of Life Guards were something beautiful. All the carriages had postillions and six horses. The King's State landau was of gilt and fitted with richest crimson brocade. I don't know what the decorations must have cost but it would be something enormous. No doubt London is a most wonderful place. The riches are tremendous and the poverty is appalling. Everything is on the biggest scale. "Spent a delightful day of interest when I was shown over Guy's Hospital, an institution where there are 800 patients. I went through ward after ward. The children's ward was the most interesting. They were as happy as can be and the sick ones were so quiet; just content to be there. The accident ward was very sad; people brought in every hour. A doctor showed me over the X-ray chamber - a most interesting section of the hospital where sufferers were being treated for cancer, skin disease, lupus, etc. In some cases the rays were so powerful they had to be thrown on the patient's sore parts through blocks of ice. "Coffins were corning in from the factory six at a time. Patients were dying, others in a comatose state after operations but oh what a boon to the sick poor of London! The dental ward was very interesting - 100 people treated at the same time "The theatres are beautiful. Everywhere they are crowded and unless you pay 1/- extra to reserve a seat, you must stand on the pavement in a queue a quarter mile long for a solid hour - sometimes I stand and when I get inside I am ready to drop. "I am very sorry for the unemployed and the poor, who are everywhere. The Prime Minister is spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on relief works but it is only a drop in the ocean. Men are walking the streets, singing improvised melancholy tunes about their suffering. Every now and then they come in squads, calling themselves the 'hunger marchers'. "The women's rights have now divided themselves into two classes suffragists and suffragettes, the one lot being more extreme than the other. About 20 are still in gaol, including two Australians, because they refuse to be bound over to keep the peace. So there is no alternative but the lock-up. "The other day two got into Parliament House and chained themselves to the grille then planted the keys in their bosoms. They then began to sing out "Votes for Women" and so disturbed the House that police were sent to put them out. The 'grille' is an elaborate brass screen going right across the legislative chamber to separate visitors from the members of Parliament. "The women would not give up the keys so files had to be brought into use, a big section filed out and the girls taken away with the great thing hanging on to them. The got a great cheering for the ruse but are now doing three months for the lark. No women are allowed into Parliament House unless accompanied by and are personal friends of the Speaker's wife." At Manly on 06 Feb 1908, not long before sailing from Sydney, Billy made a will leaving one thousand pounds to his mother Henrietta, the same amount to his brothers Ernest and Harold (both bachelors) and a further thousand to Arthur with the proviso that half was to be used for the education of his children. His aunts Emma Donaldson, Eliza Holloway and Isabella Madden were each left 250 pounds to be paid at a pound per week each for life. Billy appointed his brother Ernest sole executor of his will, making him fully responsible for gaining a good return by investing the aunts' legacies and for distributing his personal effects. Billy held a mortgage for 2000 pounds from Gerard and Co. (Ernest's Grafton company) - as well as a promissory note for a thousand pounds. On a five pound deposit, Harold had contracted to buy a block of land in Narrandera from Billy. With all these assets and his wonderful tour under way, life must have seemed pretty good. In December 1908, one of Billy's London friends (probably Mrs Belle Mitchell who husband had been a doctor in Narrandera and who kept open house for friends and acquaintances from that town), wrote to mutual friends that Billy was ill. Gout, heart trouble and 'nervousness' were the problems cited - but no indication was given that anything was seriously wrong. From his last letter he appeared to be enjoying life to the full. Maybe he knew he was ill but didn't disclose it. In any case, on 08 January 1909 - the very day the letter above was published in Gundagai on the other side of the world, aged only 51 - and loved so much by so many, Billy died. In announcing his death the Narrandera Argus declared: "The departure ofMr Elworthy from Narrandera in October 1907 was one of the greatest losses the town and district ever sustained. "He was universally beloved throughout the whole countryside. His qualities of mind and heart were equalled only by his magnanimity, his happy nature and his broad public spirit." By one of those strange twists of fate, Billy's funeral service at Kelsall Green Cemetery was conducted by the Rev A.C. Moseley who later became rector at Gundagai!

Source References:

2. Type: Book, Abbr: Devon to Down Under, Title: Devon to Down Under, Auth: Bettie Elworthy, Publ: Bookbound, Date: 1997

- Reference = 101, 170-175 (Name, Notes)

---

Created on a Mac™ using iFamily for Mac™ on 2 May 2025