Historical information

This was the home of Sister Ann Elizabeth Dowsley, daughter of Thomas Dowsley and Mary McKay. She was born in St Arnaud in 1887. She enlisted on 22 August 1916. As a AANS Matron in WW1 she served in India. She was awarded a Royal Red Cross award for conspicuous services. She did not marry. She died in December 1960 at Caulfield. There is a photo of her in Punch, Thursday 31 August, 1916, p 21.
REF: Laurie Newton - Ernest Lance Young and Beryl (nee Mair) bought the house from Sister Dowsley for £895 on their marriage in 1939 but sold it when Lance was sent to Darwin during his war service. Beryl purchased 11 York Street in later war years.
This property was also significant for Ernest Lance Young and Beryl Mair. It may have been the childhood home of their children Barbara and Ken, but Laurie was probably born after they moved to York Street.
Lance was born 24 March 1915 in Surrey Hills, the son of Ernest Augustus Young and Ruby Nichell Whitby. He married Beryl Mair in 1939 and died on 5 October 1999 at Mont Albert. Electoral rolls list him as a manufacturer. He is buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M-*-0867) along with his father. He served in WW2 (Service Number - VX104733 enlisting at St Kilda) and after returning took over his father's business.
The Mair family were resident in Barton Street for several generations. Beryl's father Dave Mair was a keen sportsman and founder of the Kangaroo Social Club of cricketers.
This is part of a large collection relating to the Mair, Deakin and Young families.

Physical description

Black & white photo of the street view of a Californian bungalow home set behind a picket fence and hedge. The house appears to be weatherboard and render with a terracotta tile roof and a simple chimney.

Inscriptions & markings

In blue biro on rear: "Our first home", "Sister Dowsleys home at / Elgar Rd B Hill"; "YOUNG"
In lead pencil on rear: " 3 (pound symbol) 895"
Photographic processing stamps "14" and (?) "GRANVILLE PRINT" within a triangle.