Walter Withers (1854-1914) was born in Handsworth, Warwickshire, England. He migrated to Australia in 1882 and in time was to become one of the country's most famous painters. In 1887/8 he spent a year in London and Paris during which time he married Fanny Flinn. When he returned to Melbourne he was engaged by publishers doing black and white illustrations. In the late 1880's he became associated with artists who formed the renowned "Heidelberg School" and in 1890 moved to "Charterisville" at Eaglemont. He lived in the Heidelberg area until 1903 when he purchased a house on two and a half acres (one hectare) at the corner of Brougham and Bolton Streets, Eltham. He had long been attracted to the Eltham area, but needed access to Melbourne for his painting classes. The extension of the railway in 1901 made the move possible. He remained in Eltham until his death and is buried at nearby St Helena. Many of his important paintings were painted during these later years. There are important collections at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Geelong Art Gallery. His Eltham house remains and his name is honoured by a small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets. Source: Information panel produced for EDHS exhibition in 1990. john withers collection, artist, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photo collection, walter herbert withers, walter withers

Mervyn Britain was a good friend from school of Charles Meynell Withers (aka Bill). Nan was Nancy Withers, Dall was Emily Withers View looking down Brogham Street, ElthamInscribed on backj of photo: "Mervyn, Nan Dall, Bill About 1919 or 1920" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, southernwood, brogham street, nancy josephine pitt withers, charles meynell pitt withers, emily gladys withers, mervyn britain, 1920

According to his son John Withers, Charles Withers was known as "Bill" and Mervyn Britain was a good friend of Charles from school.Inscribed on back of photo: "Mervyn, Bill on edge of picture" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, southernwood, orchard, charles meynell pitt withers, mervyn britain

[John Withers, son of Charles Meynell Withers advised September 13, 2024: • Bill: was the nickname for John’s father, Charles Meynell Pitt Withers • Mervyn: was Charles/Bill’s good mate from school, Mervyn Britain]On back of photo:"Bill and Mervyn" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, charles meynell pitt withers, mervyn britain

According to Charles Withers's son, John Withers, Charles was known as "Bill" and his good friend from school was "Mervyn Britain"Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, southernwood, scouts, mervyn britain, charles meynell pitt withers, brougham street

Charles Withers son John advised that his father's nickname was "Bill"Inscribed on back of photo: "Bill in the orchard at Eltham" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, southernwood, orchard, charles meynell pitt withers

Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, southernwood, orchard, mary pitt withers, nancy josephine pitt withers

Margery Pitt Withers was the daughter of artist Walter Herbert Withers and Fanny (nee Flinn) She was born January 13, 1890 at Handsworth, Warwickshire, England during a visit by her mother Fanny to her parentsMany items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, heidelberg, 1900, postcard, margery pitt withers

Artist Walter Withers and his young family moved from Heidelberg to Eltham in 1903 where he set up his studio in Southernwood at the corner of Brougham and Bolton streets, Eltham.Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, southernwood, walter withers studio, 1903

Mary Pitt Withers was the fourth child and third daughter of artist Walter Herbert Withers and Fanny (nee Flinn), born December 4, 1895 at Heidelberg, Victoria. Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, heidelberg, 1898, mary pitt withers

Nancy (Nan) Josephine Pitt Withers was born 17 May 1897 at Heidelberg. She was the daughter of artist Walter Withers and Fanny (nee Flinn). Walter Withers and his family moved from Heidelberg to Eltham in 1903 where he set up his studio in Southernwood at the corner of Brougham and Bolton streets, Eltham. In the background is believed to Fanny Withers holding the family's dog, a spotted white terrier known as "Rip"Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, southernwood, fanny withers (nee flinn), nancy josephine pitt withers, scan - 620 format 6x9 negative, 1903, rip (dog)

Charles Meynell Pitt Withers (aka Bill) was the son and last child of artist Walter Herbert and Fanny (nee Flinn) Withers. He was born February 5, 1902 at Heidelberg and baptised April 4, 1902 at St John's, Heidelberg. The family moved to Southernwood at the corner of Brougham and Bolton streets, Eltham in 1903. [His son, John Withers advised that his nickname was "Bill"]Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, southernwood, 1905, charles meynell pitt withers

Eldest daughter of Walter and Fanyy Withers, Emily Gladys in the fortified trench constructed by her younger brother Charles Withers (aka Bill) and his good friend from school, Mervyn Britain at the Withers family home, Southernwood, Eltham. The view is looking to the east with Main Road and associated buildings near ridge in distance. [Charles son, John Withers explained that his father and friend liked to play war games.]On back of photo: "Bill & Mervyn's trench 1916 or 1917" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, 1916, southernwood, trenches, charles meynell pitt withers, mervyn britain, emily gladys withers

Charles Withers (aka Bill) with his good friend from school, Mervyn Britain and his eldest sister Emily (aka Dall) with mock trenches and rifles at the Withers family home, Southernwood, Eltham. The view is looking to the east with Main Road and associated buildings near ridge in distance. [Charles son, John Withers explained that his father and friend liked to play war games.]"Mervyn, Bill and Dall 1916" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, 1916, main road, southernwood, trenches, mervyn britain, emily gladys withers, charles meynell pitt withers

Charles Withers (aka Bill) with his good friend from school, Mervyn Britain with mock trenches and rifles at the Withers family home, Southernwood, Eltham. The view is looking to the east with Main Road and associated buildings near ridge in distance. [Charles son, John Withers explained that his father and friend liked to play war games.]On back of photo: "Bill (left) Mervyn (right) in their trench 1916" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, 1916, main road, southernwood, trenches

Charles Meynell Pitt Withers (aka Bill) was the youngest son of artist Walter Withers and Fanny (nee Flinn). He was born at Eltham 5 February 1902. Tyrrell George Granville Evans was born on 17th August 1892 Enlisted (No. 789) 7 July 1915 as a Private and was assigned to the 31st Battalion. Promoted to Sergeant 1 Nov 1915. Disembarked Suez 7 Feb 1916 Admitted to 32nd Stat. Hospital in France 21 July 1916 with a gunshot wound to the left arm. According to daughter-in-law, Janet Evans, on 19 July 1916, in the battle near Pozieres on the Somme, he was hit by a German high explosive shell and was unconscious and badly wounded. His left arm was shattered, and he had a bullet wound on his leg. Embarked at Boulogne on H.S. Cambria for Middlesex War Hospital, England 24 July 1916. Evans returned to Australia and was discharged medically unfit, 7 April 1917. After months in the Caulfield Hospital his arm could not be saved, and it was amputated 18 July 1917. On July 6, 1918, Tyrrell George Granville Evans married Mary Pitt Withers at Eltham, daughter of artist Walter Herbert Withers (deceased) and wife Fanny (nee Flinn). They had three children, Mary Roberta Evans born February 8, 1921, at Balwyn and twins Shirley and Joyce born June 10, 1922. Mary died 17 days later, June 27, 1922, at Balwyn. Tyrrell had to cope with three children under three years old and a missing left arm. He had been lefthanded before his war injuries. He had help from the family, especially his sister. On August 1, 1924, Tyrrell George Granville Evans married Marian Frances Wilcox and they had two children: Barbara Marian, born 27 July 1925 and Tyrrell Granville, born 3 July 1928. The children were all brought up together in Glen Iris. Tyrrell became renowned as a one-armed golfer and tennis player. He was Senior Vice-President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria and was on the committee of the Metropolitan Golf Club. At the time of his retirement, he was General Manager of the Colonial Meat Company. Tyrrell died September 3, 1962 and was succeeded by sixteen grandchildren. Contributed to by Janet Evans (daughter-in-law), 27 May 2024Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, tyrrell george granville evans, 1917, bolton steet, scan - 620 format 6x9 negative, southernwood, charles meynell pitt withers

[John Withers, son of Charles Meynell Withers advised September 13, 2024: • Bill: was the nickname for John’s father, Charles Meynell Pitt Withers • Merv: was Charles/Bill’s good mate from school, Mervyn Britain • Dall: was the nickname for the eldest child, Emily Gladys Withers • Harry Eggington: became a family solicitor. He died from a fall whilst stepping out of a train ]On back of photo: "From left to right Mervyn, Dall, ? Harry Eggington, "Dolly" Bill About 1918" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, brougham steet, dolly (horse), eltham, charles meynell pitt withers, emily gladys withers, harry eggington, mervyn britain

From left to right: Bill (Charles Meynell Pitt Withers), Kit (neighbour), Marge (Margery Pitt Withers), Dall (Emily Gladys Withers), Mods (Mary Pitt Withers) and Nan (Nancy Josephine Withers) Note Bill is proudly holding a copy of "The Boys Own Annual" [Nicknames and identification provided by Charles Witherers's son, John Withers, Sep 2024]On back of photo: "From left to right Bill, Kit, Marge, Dall?, Mods? and Nan About 1917" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, 1917, kit, margery pitt withers, nancy josephine pitt withers, the boys own annual, charles meynell pitt withers, emily gladys withers

Charles Withers (aka Bill) with his good friend from school, Mervyn Britain with mock trenches and rifles at the Withers family home, Southernwood, Eltham. The view is possibly looking to the south and Southernwood family home [Charles son, John Withers explained that his father and friend liked to play war games.]Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, 1916, bill, mervyn, southernwood, trenches, scan - 620 format 6x9 negative, charles meynell pitt withers, mervyn britain

Charles Withers (aka Bill) with his good friend from school, Mervyn Britain with mock trenches and rifles at the Withers family home, Southernwood, Eltham. The view is possibly looking to the north [Charles son, John Withers explained that his father and friend liked to play war games.]Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, 1916, southernwood, trenches, scan - 620 format 6x9 negative, charles meynell pitt withers, mervyn britain

View looking south along Bolton Street towards Southernwood https://goo.gl/maps/cMv5NPi1tJYwg9Z39Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, bolton steet, scan - 620 format 6x9 negative, southernwood, emily gladys withers, nancy josephine pitt withers

Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, bolton steet, scan - 620 format 6x9 negative, southernwood, nancy josephine pitt withers, brougham steet

Fanny Flinn married artist Walter Withers in London, England in 1887/1888. Margery Pitt Withers was their daughter who was born January 13, 1890 at Handsworth, Warwickshire, England during a visit by her mother Fanny to her parents. Walter Withers became associated with the Heidelberg School of Artists. Withers and his family lived in Eltham from 1903. Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, heidelberg, 1900, fanny withers (nee flinn), scan - 3¼ × 4¼ inch quarter-plate glass neg, margery pitt withers