Historical information

In the Jottings Midwinter 1928: " We have had a splendidement addition in the Apprentices' Room (Level 1) - a beautiful polistes oak writing table with a glass top. It is large enough for two people to write letters at the same time, and is the lift of the Misses Breaks, in memory of their mother."


Alice Jobson was born in 1856 Alice, born at St. John’s Westminster, England.
On the 23rd. May, 1876 she married James Lennox Breaks at Holy Trinity Church of England at Williamstown, Victoria.
James Breaks was born c.1848 in Portsmouth, England. At age 22, he sailed on the maidden voyage of the HMVS Cerberus from England to Australia via the Suez Canal. He was one of the 3 junior engineers.
James and Alice Breaks had two daughters – Louise Amy born at Williamstown in 1877 and Alice Maud born at Williamstown in 1879.
James remained associated with the Cerberus until his death. On the 6th. February, 1919, James Lenox Breaks, “Engineer Commander R.A.N.”, died at 34 The Strand, Williamstown from Chronic nephritis and Cardiac failure. James, aged 70 years at the time of his death, was buried in the Williamstown Cemetery.
In 1920, Alice donated the model of the Cerberus made by James, to the Melbourne Museum.

Alice Breaks passed away on the 31st of May 1927 in her 71st year.

Significance

The Breaks were a locals of Williamstown. James Breaks was Engineedr-Commander on the HMS Cerberus and Mrs Breaks and their daughters (Maud and Louise) were all volunteering at the Williamstown Mission.

Physical description

Wooden table with two drawers and plaque on the top.

Inscriptions & markings

On the plaque: In memory of / Alice Breaks / Mother to many a sailor lad / Far from his native home / Whose praise is in the seven seas