[Index]
Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY (1896 - 1975)
Children Self + Spouses Parents Grandparents Greatgrandparents
Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY (1896 - 1975)

+

Douglas Ian FREW-BROWN (1901 - 1961)
Arthur Ernest ELWORTHY (1866 - 1935) James Baker ELWORTHY (1833 - 1889) George ELWORTHY (1813 - 1878)
Emma BOWCHER (1810 - 1854)
Henrietta Sophia Jane LARGE (1846 - 1915) William James LARGE (1806 - 1881)
Mary Ann (Marianne) Caroline WRIXON (1819 - 1888)
Leah Christian ISAAC (1865 - 1930) John ISAAC (1827 - 1895) John (William) ISAAC
Letitia WEBB
Elizabeth (Lizzie) KING (1821 - 1905) William KING (1785 - )
Jane QUILLIAM (1792 - )
Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY Douglas Ian FREW-BROWN

Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY
Douglas Ian FREW-BROWN
b. 17 May 1896 at Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia
m. 1930 Douglas Ian FREW-BROWN (1901 - 1961) at Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia
d. 21 Nov 1975 at Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia aged 79
Near Relatives of Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY (1896 - 1975)
Relationship Person Born Birth Place Died Death Place Age
Grandfather James Baker ELWORTHY 09 Dec 1833 Exeter, Devon, England 03 Mar 1889 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 55
Grandmother Henrietta Sophia Jane LARGE 21 Dec 1846 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 05 Jul 1915 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia 68
Grandfather John ISAAC abt 1827 Godalming, Surrey, England 21 Nov 1895 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 68
Grandmother Elizabeth (Lizzie) KING 1821 Isle of Man, UK 16 May 1905 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 84

Father in Law John FREW-BROWN
Mother in Law Agnes Finlay DOW

Father Arthur Ernest ELWORTHY 18 Jan 1866 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 19 May 1935 Cooma, Monaro, New South Wales, Australia 69
Mother Leah Christian ISAAC 15 Aug 1865 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 03 Feb 1930 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 64

Self Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY 17 May 1896 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 21 Nov 1975 Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia 79

Husband Douglas Ian FREW-BROWN 1901 Blantyre, Scotland 30 May 1961 Leeton, New South Wales, Australia 60

Brother Frederick Arthur ELWORTHY 31 Jan 1891 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 23 Jan 1967 Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia 75
Sister Eileen Christian ELWORTHY 19 Oct 1892 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 10 Sep 1956 Canberra, ACT, Australia 63
Brother James Baker ELWORTHY 07 Jul 1894 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 01 May 1965 Balmain, New South Wales, Australia 70
Brother John Douglas ELWORTHY 15 Jun 1898 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 01 Mar 1942 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 43

Uncle Male ELWORTHY 1857 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia
Uncle William (Billy) James ELWORTHY 29 Jan 1857 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia 08 Jan 1909 London, Middlesex, England 51
Aunt Emma Maria ELWORTHY 05 Apr 1860 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia 05 Jun 1861 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1
Aunt Elizabeth Helena ELWORTHY 22 Nov 1861 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia 06 Aug 1892 Waverley, New South Wales, Australia 30
Uncle Ernest George ELWORTHY 27 May 1868 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 11 Apr 1931 Mosman, New South Wales, Australia 62
Uncle Harold Lewington ELWORTHY 20 Aug 1872 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 16 May 1928 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia 55
Aunt Marion Adelaide Alice SHROPSHIRE 14 Aug 1893 Hay, New South Wales, Australia 02 Jan 1990 96
Aunt Edith Asenath ELWORTHY 17 Sep 1876 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 18 Mar 1904 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia 27
Uncle Charles Edward ATTWATER 1865 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia 1940 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia 75
Aunt Mary Christian (Molly) ISAAC 14 Feb 1854 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 29 Jul 1940 Eastwood, New South Wales, Australia 86
Uncle Donald McLennan C MURCHISON 1843 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia 17 Apr 1874 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia 31
Uncle Thomas George LINDLEY 1857 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 15 Jul 1891 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 34
Aunt Elizabeth (Lizzie) King ISAAC 18 Nov 1855 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 02 Jun 1922 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 66
Uncle John Douglas ISAAC 01 Oct 1858 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 24 Dec 1901 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 43
Aunt Betsy LUFF 1867 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 1940 Bulli, New South Wales, Australia 73
Aunt Margaret Letetia (Lettie) ISAAC 23 Jan 1861 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Uncle Jonathon (Jonty) Bertmoore SHANNON 1866 Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Aunt Sarah Mona Jane ISAAC 23 Jan 1861 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia 20 Apr 1940 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 79
Uncle William Henry CARR 1859 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 10 Sep 1947 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 88
Uncle William Ramsey H ISAAC 1863 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 06 Apr 1900 Mt Margaret, Western Australia, Australia 37

Cousin Charles Baldwin ELWORTHY 04 Oct 1887 Glebe, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Marion ELWORTHY 22 May 1919 Y
Cousin Edith ELWORTHY 27 Jun 1920 24 Sep 1940 North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 20
Cousin Gladys ELWORTHY 12 Sep 1923 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia Sep 1994 71
Cousin Betty ELWORTHY 26 May 1925 04 Dec 2005 Northbridge, New South Wales, Australia 80
Cousin Merlyn Edith ATTWATER 14 Jun 1901 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia 28 May 1989 87
Cousin Leicester Charles Wrixon ATTWATER 10 Mar 1904 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia 14 Aug 1972 Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia 68
Cousin Donald John MURCHISON 1873 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia 1873 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia 0
Cousin Florence May LINDLEY 1880 Queensland, Australia
Cousin Thomas George LINDLEY 1882 Queensland, Australia 28 Feb 1949 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 67
Cousin John Robert King LINDLEY 1884
Cousin Arthur Elliott LINDLEY 18 Nov 1886 Queensland, Australia 10 Dec 1959 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 73
Cousin Mary Elizabeth LINDLEY 1889
Cousin Leah Christian ISAAC 18 Sep 1887 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 1964 77
Cousin Annie Florence ISAAC 1889 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Mary Jane ISAAC 1892 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin John (Jack) Douglas ISAAC 03 Oct 1893 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Robert Luff ISAAC 1896 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 29 Sep 1915 Gallipoli Peninsula 19
Cousin Jonathon Bertmoore SHANNON 1889 Mackay, Queensland, Australia 1972 83
Cousin Margaret (Madge) Florence SHANNON 04 Nov 1891 Queensland, Australia 17 Feb 1923 31
Cousin Mona SHANNON 1894 Queensland, Australia 22 May 1953 Mackay, Queensland, Australia 59
Cousin Kate (Kitty) SHANNON 1897 Mackay, Queensland, Australia 1989 Woollongong, New South Wales, Australia 92
Cousin William Suttor SHANNON 1901 Queensland, Australia 1968 67
Cousin Alan Douglas SHANNON 1904 Queensland, Australia 1978 74
Cousin William Henry CARR 04 Jan 1886 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 23 Jan 1886 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 0
Cousin Lizzie King CARR 27 Feb 1887 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 05 Oct 1965 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia 78
Cousin Mona Letitia CARR Jul 1889 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1963 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 74
Cousin Mary Ann "Mollie" CARR 1891 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1892 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1
Cousin William Douglas CARR 1893 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 20 Sep 1917 Belgium 24
Cousin John James CARR 1896 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 1987 Taree, New South Wales, Australia 91
Cousin George CARR 1899 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia Sarina, Queensland, Australia
Cousin Bessie Gordon CARR 1902 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 1980 The Entrance, New South Wales, Australia 78
Cousin Ella Jean CARR 1908 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 1982 Gosford, New South Wales, Australia 74
Cousin William Henry CARR 1911 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia

Nephew Frank Arthur Ernest ELWORTHY 30 May 1919 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 20 Dec 2000 West Gosford, New South Wales, Australia 81
Niece Nancye Leah ELWORTHY 19 Apr 1922 Harden, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew William John ELWORTHY 11 Dec 1923 Harden, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Living or Recently Deceased
Nephew Robert Fitch Ross ELWORTHY 13 Feb 1928 Crowther, New South Wales, Australia 07 Oct 1990 Albury, New South Wales, Australia 62
Nephew Macarthur Arthur James (Cookie) ELWORTHY 16 Aug 1933 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia abt 2008 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 75
Nephew William Arthur Fane DE SALIS 09 Jun 1916 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 26 Nov 1999 Canberra, ACT, Australia 83
Nephew Eric James Fane DE SALIS 18 Mar 1918 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 14 Feb 2002 Canberra, ACT, Australia 83
Nephew John David DE SALIS 23 Oct 1923 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Jean ELWORTHY 22 Oct 1925 18 Jun 1992 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 66
Niece Living or Recently Deceased
Niece Leah Doreen ELWORTHY 17 Dec 1930 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 25 Apr 1961 30
Niece Living or Recently Deceased

Sister in Law Viola Janet (VJ) HANSEN 18 Apr 1893 New South Wales, Australia 06 Aug 1987 Wynnum, Queensland, Australia 94
Brother in Law Rodolph Leopold Pierce (Tony) Fane DE SALIS 08 Aug 1886 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 21 Feb 1957 Canberra, ACT, Australia 70
Sister in Law Heather Lillian Jane CRAIG 20 May 1903 Kiama, New South Wales, Australia 02 Jan 1995 Armidale, New South Wales, Australia 91
Events in Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY (1896 - 1975)'s life
Date Age Event Place Notes Src
17 May 1896 Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY was born Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 21934/1896
1930 34 Married Douglas Ian FREW-BROWN (aged 29) Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 6961/1930
03 Feb 1930 33 Death of mother Leah Christian ISAAC (aged 64) Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia 1140/1930
19 May 1935 39 Death of father Arthur Ernest ELWORTHY (aged 69) Cooma, Monaro, New South Wales, Australia 6133/1935
30 May 1961 65 Death of husband Douglas Ian FREW-BROWN (aged 60) Leeton, New South Wales, Australia 15484/1961
21 Nov 1975 79 Doris Henrietta (Dobbie) ELWORTHY died Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia 107534/1956
Personal Notes:
Gundagai midwife Mrs Davis brought Arthur and Leah's second daughter, Doris Henrietta into the world on 17 May 1896 and Leah must really have had her hands full with four children in five and a half years.
The world in 1896 was still at sixes and sevens. Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, died and left a large sum of money to establish five annual prizes for those who during the preceding year had conferred the greatest benefits on mankind in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and PEACE - although the initial awards were not made until 1901.
On the other side of the coin, the Shah of Persia was assassinated; there were massacres of Armenians in Constantinople; Kitchener began his campaign against the Mahdi in the Sudan and France annexed Madagascar. The Klondike gold rush began in Canada, the first modem Olympics were held in Athens, Puccini's opera "La Boheme" was performed in Turin, radioactivity was discovered and 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' author Harriet Beecher Stowe died. Life in Gundagai was much more organised and orderly.
Like her siblings Doris attended Gundagai Primary School, then boarded at Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School at Darlinghurst. Throughout her life she took an enthusiastic interest in everything around her and her bright, cheerful personality and infectious charm won many friends in town and district. She was a very keen sportswoman, especially enjoying tennis and golf.
"Dobbie" as she was known in the family, zealously supported the Red Cross, the local hospital, St John's Church of England and was available to assist any charity needing help. The various sporting organisations to which she belonged also benefited from her unstinting support.
The Gundagai Times reported on most of the town's social functions and with her very widespread interests, Dobbie almost always got a mention. In April 1916, the Misses Elworthy and Hansen provided music at a euchre party until the early hours next morning! At a tree planting ceremony in May she planted a tree in remembrance of George Putland whilst her father gave one guinea to the fund.
In October a letter appeared under the heading "Soldier's Sister Writes"; "It has been said that if all the eligible young men go to fight there will be none left to provide the women who wish to marry with husbands. I believe I am right in saying that if a young man is eligible for the war and does not go, then he is ineligible for marriage, for what woman will marry a shirker when she can marry a man?" Signed A Elworthy, Gundagai in tiny letters it sounds more like Dob than Arthur.
On 27 Apri11917 Dobbie and her friend Miss Ollie Hansen organised a 'Linen Dance' to raise funds for the local hospital then four days later she and two visiting Queensland cousins, Mona and Kitty Shannon, were hostesses at the Hospital's May Carnival Dance.
But Dobbie was not just a good hostess and organiser. She also made a camisole which she raffled to raise funds for a 'Gundagai Cot' at the Renwick Children's Hospital in Sydney.
Dobbie was very proud of her three soldier brothers and throughout the war years spared no effort in raising money for the troops. Gundagai was very supportive of its volunteers and there were many funds to provide comforts. They had a Soldiers' Cigarette Fund, a Sheep Donation Fund, Red Triangle Day to raise money for the YMCA etcetera, etcetera!
Whichever organisation was active, Dobbie's name would be championing its cause, and even when the war was over and the troops back home, Dobbie was still in there raising money. She was nominated for a "Queen of the Day" competition in 1919 in connection with Repatriation Day. Her friends rallied, holding lots of functions in support of her candidature.
Commenting on one event, the Times said the dance for the landowner's candidate was a great success. "People came from Cootamundra and all around. Miss O. Hansen was one of the secretaries and did a good job." A dance was held at Coolac with "motor lorries to take people from Cootamundra and Gundagai, also seven motor cars" and Bongongolong was another popular venue. At Gundagai Show, the Cheer-o-Girls, a Sydney troupe of entertainers, sold sweets to support Dobbie.
After all that activity, it's a shame she didn't win. She came second but raised the magnificent sum of 450 pounds - a wonderful achievement!
The names most connected with Dobbie in her activities were Olive Hansen, younger sister of her sister-in-law Vi and a Miss Stutchbury (her Christian name was never reported in the paper). Dobbie and Miss S were joint Hon. Secretaries of the Tennis Club, with Ollie on committee.
During 1919, pneumonic flu was wreaking havoc world-wide and was prevalent in Sydney where Dr W Elworthy, brother of Dr Robert Elworthy of Adelong died from it in mid-April. No real connection with these Drs Elworthy has been discovered although their father William was also a Devon man who settled at Imbil near Gympie after arriving c.1866 with his brother John. Their sister Mary Ann Hawkins and husband George were early settlers in the Logan district of Queensland where some descendants still reside.
The flu was extremely contagious but in early May brave Dobbie, Miss Stutchbury and two other young women offered their services as voluntary aides to the Gundagai Emergency Hospital. Maybe the flu abated locally as after six weeks of V.A.D-ing, she went to Young to assist with similar work there.
The Times reported on 01 Aug: "As the emergency hospital at Young has been closed down, Miss Doris Elworthy returned home on Tuesday morning. She speaks in glowing terms of the treatment she received at the hands of everybody and is very anxious now to keep on nursing. She and her brother Fred go to Sydney this week to meet their soldier brother Jack who is expected on Wednesday."
There is no indication that Dobbie was able to fulfil her ambition and she appears to have remained at home taking care of her parents and probably brother John until he was married. Without doubt she would have continued her busy charitable and sporting lifestyle.
The Sheridan Street dental practice of RM. Kirkpatrick was offered for sale and purchased on 5 June 1928 by Douglas Ian FREW BROWN, BDS. Son of the Rev John Frew Brown and Agnes Finlay DOW, he was born in Blantyre, Scotland in 1901 and came to Australia as a baby.
Five years her junior, "Brownie" wed Dobbie at St John's, Gundagai on 11 Jun 1930 - just two years and six days after he bought the business. Dobbie's mother Leah died just four months beforehand - but maybe it was this very fact that left 34-year-old Dobbie free to marry.
Prior to the wedding "a very pleasing function was held in St John's Hall when a very representative gathering of over 100 citizens attended and presented Doris Elworthy with a substantial cheque as a token of their esteem and appreciation of her good citizenship. One and all expressed sincere wishes for her future happiness and prosperity."
Many of the towns's prominent citizens paid tribute. Solicitor Mr E.E. Weekes spoke of her 'wonderful record of work assisting in many charitable movements for the benefit of her fellow citizens, both of the town and the State generally'.
The Rev. Davis said she had always been to the fore in church functions and decorating the church for weddings. "Were all those brides present at her own wedding, the church would be well filled."
Mr John Walsh who had known her when she was a toddler, felt unable to express adequately his appreciation of her good citizenship, whilst Mr W.E. Stribley expressed the thanks of the Hospital Board for her untiring efforts.
Mr T.A Woodbridge 'spoke in eulogistic terms' of her good citizenship and said she was worthily carrying on the sterling qualities of her parents. There were many other accolades in similar vein as well as comments on her 'personality that any young lady would do well to emulate.'
The Times reported in August 1931 that Dobbie underwent an operation at the local hospital and another in November.
In 1934 Brownie moved his dental practice to Leeton where both he and Dob were soon devoting their considerable energies to their church, Red Cross, the hospital and other charities. Brownie also shared Dobbie's love of golf and tennis. Before long Dobbie had created a beautiful garden at her new home in Wade Avenue.
In 1942 while Betty Elworthy was waiting to begin her nursing training in Sydney, she spent 12 months with her Frew-Brown aunt and uncle. In those war days the Manpower department made sure everyone worked for the good of the nation (whether they liked it not)!
Dobbie and Betty were directed to work at the cannery. Betty worked among the onions until her uncle and his patients could no longer bear the pungent smell which seeped into the surgery attached to the house. Betty was urged to transfer to a less odoriferous vegetable!
Brownie was a keen member of the Volunteer Defence Corps during the war years and Betty remembers her uncle having a wry sense of humour. He was also a charter member of Leeton Rotary Club and a tireless worker for its varied projects. Brownie was involved with the Masonic Lodge, the Wade Club and in later years became a keen bowler.
Whatever problems he may have had were well concealed; he was well regarded by the townspeople, had lots of friends and seemed to be content with life.
But tragedy struck without warning on 30 May 1961!
Constable Duffy from Yanco was driving along a road near Alexander's brickworks, off the Euroley Bridge road when he discovered Brownie's body a little way off the road near a tree on the edge of the forest reserve with a bullet wound in his head and a .22 calibre rifle nearby. He had not been reported missing and the policeman was not looking for him.
Dobbie, his friends and the whole town were shocked and bewildered at the grim find. It was later stated that Brownie had been worried about his health although he had maintained jovial spirits whilst among his friends.
Following an inquest a large and representative funeral service was held at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Leeton prior to his remains being taken to Sydney for cremation at Northern Suburbs. His grieving friends from the Wade Club formed a guard of honour at the railway station.
Dob left Leeton and bought a waterfront unit at Gosford with glorious views over the waters of Broken Bay. Her good friend Mrs McDonald, former Matron of Leeton Hospital, had a unit in the same block and before long Dobbie was secretary of the Body Corporate! They were among friends; a large contingent of
ex-Leetonites resided on the Central Coast and maintained strong social contacts.
Dobbie built a house at Budgewoi next door to her brother Fred in Diamond Head Drive. Not long after his death she moved to Gunnedah to be near her sister-in-law Heather Elworthy and enjoy the company of her niece Helen Tombs, her husband Peter and their four little boys.
Doris Henrietta died at Gunnedah Hospital on 21 Nov 1975, just six months short of her 80th birthday. She was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium chapel three days later.

No children
Source References:
2. Type: Book, Abbr: Devon to Down Under, Title: Devon to Down Under, Auth: Bettie Elworthy, Publ: Bookbound, Date: 1997
- Reference = 252ff (Name, Notes)

Created on a Macâ„¢ using iFamily for Macâ„¢ on 2 May 2025