Historical information
These are the 4 surviving daughters of Thomas Henry Deakin (1845-1915), born in Monmouthshire, Wales and his wife Janet (Jessie) Longmore (1851-1939), born in Morayshire, Scotland. The couple also had 2 sons: John Henry (1879-1962) and William Andrew (1883-1939). 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 ans 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.
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
LtoR: Alice, Minnie, Lily, Elsie.
This is part of a large donation relating to the Deakin, Mair and Young families. The donor thought this was taken during the 1950s but the Kodak stamp identifies it as later.
Significance
This is part of a large collection of material related to the Deakin, Mair and Young families with multiple connections to Surrey Hills and Mont Albert.
Physical description
A colour photo with a cream edge of 3 well-dressed women sitting on a public bench in what looks to be a park. All are wearing hats and carrying handbags. Two are wearing gloves.
Inscriptions & markings
On rear in blue biro - "Aunties / Elsie Minnie & Alice / Mum's RIGHT TO LEFT In black biro) / Beryl / YOUNG / My Mothers Sisters / (Lily Vipond Deakin / MAIR."
Some of the handwriting is thought to be that of the donor's mother, Beryl Mair.
There may be another hand. It appears that not all the inscriptions were added at the same time.
There is also a photographic processing stamp in red: " THIS IS A / KODACHROME PRINT / Made by / KODAK / FEBRUARY 1964 M"
