Historical information

Thomas Henry Deakin (1845-1915), born in Monmouthshire, Wales and his wife Janet (Jessie) Longmore (1851-1939), born in Morayshire, Scotland had 2 sons: John Henry (1879-1962) and William Andrew (1883-1939) and 4 surviving daughters. A fifth daughter Daisy Jessie was born in 1880 and died the same year at the age of 7 months.
Elsie Longmore Deakin (1881-1969) was a nurse and remained single; Minnie Winifred (1886-1966) married Charles Williamson in 1923; Lily Vipond (1890-1943) married David Mair in 1910 and Jessie Alice, known as Alice, married Hector Williamson in 1921. Hector and Charles were brothers.
LtoR: William Andrew (seated), Elsie Longmore (standing), Janet (Jessie) Mair nee Longmore (seated), Jessie Alice (standing beside her mother), John Henry (standing), Thomas Henry (seated), Minnie Winifred (standing), Lily Vipond (seated).

Elsie Longmore Deakin enlisted AANS aged 35 years in 10 May 1915; embarked on the Mooltan on 22 August 1916.
Address : 114 Station Street, Fairfield, Next of kin : mother, Mrs Janet Deakin (nee Longmore), 114 Station Street, Fairfield, father, Thomas Henry Deakin
Elsie Deakin enlisted at 35 years of age on 10 May, 1915 and served locally before volunteering for overseas duty on 9 August, 1916. Her three years of training were completed at the Melbourne General Hospital. She embarked with the rank of Sister for India and was appointed to the Victoria Hospital, Bombay. In January, 1917, when she was transferred to England and a Military Hospital at Bagthorpe later to the 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, and in January of the following years to 25 (British) GH in France but returned a few weeks later to England and the 1 AAH after suffering a seriously strained left ankle. She returned to France post-war and served another four months before being returned to Australia in May, 1919. Her appointment was terminated as medically unfit on 9 June, 1919. Born South Melbourne, she died in Elsternwick on 14 October, 1969, aged 87. (REF: http://www.ozsportshistory.com/wardeaths/women_a_e.html) There is a photo of her in uniform on this site and also on http://ww1nurses.gravesecrets.net/de.html
This is part of a large donation relating to the Deakin, Mair and Young families.

Significance

The connection with Surrey Hills area is through Lily Vipond Deakin who married David Miller Mair and came to live in Mont Albert.

Physical description

A sepia copy photo of a family in a formal pose taken against a studio backdrop. The group comprises a mother and father with 2 boys and 4 girls. The 3 older girls are carrying -

Inscriptions & markings

REAR: In blue biro - "Top HENRY ...............GRANDFATHER.....ALF / ANDREW .......Thomas Henry (crossed out) ..........MOTHER - JANET / DEAKIN"
Middle: "ELSie minnie Lily"
Below: "ALICE FRONT"
Bottom: "LONGMORE"x