Historical information
Mr Charles Ansell Smith of 3 Vincent Street with his family – Roy, Stan and Frank Smith and Dorothy (Mrs Cromwell). Photo is without Kenneth or Harold so possibly taken during WW1; Kenneth enlisted in 1914, Harold in 1915 and killed in 1917.
The boys went to Surrey Hills State School and Dorothy to Milverton Girls School, first at 192 Union Road, it later moved to ‘Nilgard’, 221-223 Union Road.
Helen Malvira Mackenzie (1865-1956) married Charles Ansell Smith (c1861-1934) in 1891.
He was baptised 23 April 1861 in Tintinhull, Somerset - son of William Maxwell & Louisa Claudina Smith (nee Ansell). His father was curate of the church at the time.
Helen Malvira (or Malvena) MacKenzie, known as Nellie, was the second daughter of the John Mackenzie J.P., of Westernport, and Wilcannia, N.S.W., and great granddaughter of the late Admiral Pasco, R.N.
They lived at 'Devon', 3 Vincent Street from at least 1910 but perhaps earlier until 1915.
Charles Ansell and Helen Malvina Smith’s children:
1. Kenneth Ansell – b 1892
d 3 May 1977 at Lancefield
SERN 819
Enlisted AIF on 17/8/1914 giving his occupation as book seller
Assigned to 8th Battalion, G company
Enlisted 17 August 1914
Embarked A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914
Returned to Australia on 23 October 1918
Obituary describes him as eldest child of the late Charles Ansell & Helen M Smith of Surrey Hills and Lancefield.
2. Stanley Charles – b 1893 (Carlton) - lived Surrey Hills
3. Dorothy Louisa – b 1894 - 1988
4. Harold Maxwell Pasco – b 1897 Oakleigh
SERN 3268
Educated Surrey Hills State School
Religion Cof E
Occupation: Clerk
Served with 48th Infantry CMF, Kooyong
Enlisted 23 July 1915 – parents living at Vincent Street at the time
Assigned to 24th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
Embarked HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 26 November 1915
KIA 4 October 1917 at Passchendaele, Ypres
No known grave.
Parents at ‘Cloverdale’, Lancefield
5. Francis W D (Frank) – b 1898 – 1972
Obituary: Frank (FWD) Smith on Feb 14 (suddenly) Francis Wm Douglas Smith, son of Charles Ansell & Helen M (Surrey Hills & Lancefield) and brother of Kenneth (Lancefield), Dorothy (Mrs Cromwell), Harold (KIA) Roy & Stanley.
6. Roy MacKenzie – b 1901 – 1988
m Ruby Olive Laity in 1931
So, the children were all born before the family came to Surrey Hills but Vincent Street was where they grew up.
Charles and Helen are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (CE-NS-1266)
Stan Smith was most helpful to the History group of the S.H. Neighbourhood Centre with his research into S.H. History and in particular for the vast amount of detail he gave on people and happenings. His observations have been very accurate and he has very precise recollections of the old days.
Physical description
A black and white photograph of 3 young men, a lady and an older man. The men are dressed in suits and the lady in a below-the-knee dress. The young men are carrying hats whilst the older one is wearing his.
