Flora & Robert Wright - ca.1940

Flora & Robert Wright - ca.1940

In the absence of a date, I am guessing this photo of my mother, Flora Wright, was taken some time around 1940, going by the age of my brother Robert with her, who was born in 1937. When going out for a day of shopping back then, women dressed in their finest attire, complete with hat and gloves. At the height of a scorching Sydney summer, it was often too hot to actually wear the gloves, but they were still carried, as dictated by the fashion of the day. And Mum can be seen here carrying a pair of gloves in her left hand. In the same hand she is also carrying what looks to be a cake-box, as well as holding onto her son's hand. Suitcases, such as the one Mum is carrying,  were used to carry groceries at that time. So, even though Mum looks stylish and elegant enough to board the Orient Express for an exciting adventure across Europe, she is, in actuality, simply out for a day of shopping. I can see from the background that the location is The Corso at Manly, on the corner of Darley Road, outside St Matthew's Church. Not far from where the family lived at Narrabeen.

George Glover & Robert Wright - 1937

L-R: Robert Wright, George Glover - 1937

My maternal grandfather, George Henry Glover, with his grandson, my brother, Robert Harry Wright, on the swing in the front-yard of my parent's home at 10 Mactier Street, Narrabeen, in Sydney. The little house has long since been demolished to make way for an apartment building. I recently visited the site and was surprised at how small everything looked. In my memory, I remember our front-yard as being huge. In fact, it's just a standard building block. I guess I was a lot smaller back then and everything appeared big to me.

Robert Harry Wright - 1937

Robert Harry Wright - 1937

I don't know why this delightful picture of my brother, Robert, has been partially destroyed. It's such a beautiful picture. Robert was my parent's second child. He caused them some considerable worry and distress during his teenage/young-adult years and I am guessing that it was then that perhaps this image was damaged. We'll never know, for sure, what really happened to it. Dad once told me that Mum had cried herself to sleep many times over Robert. I only have very fleeting memories of Robert living at home. He was 12 when I was born in 1949 and he left home when I was only very little. He was conscripted into the Army to do his compulsory National Service when he was 18 and I suspect he never returned home after that. Robert was only 45 when he died of a cerebral haemorrhage on 22 May 1982.

Gladys Ann Murrell & Robert Harry Wright - 1937

Gladys Ann Murrell & Robert Harry Wright - 1937

Aunty Glad with my brother, Robert. They are in the front garden of my maternal grandparent's home at 8 Mactier Street, Narrabeen, in Sydney. My parents lived next door at No10.  Mactier Street runs East to West, with the eastern end terminating in the Pacific Ocean (literally) and the western end skirting Narrabeen Lake. No's 8 & 10 were near the eastern, ocean end. Aunty Glad lived not far away, also in Mactier Street, with Uncle Eric, near the western, lake end of the street. Though Uncle Eric was somewhat reclusive, Aunty Glad played a prominent part in the lives of all of us. We saw much of her and loved her dearly.

Dorothy Shiels & Alan Wright - ca.1945

Dorothy Shiels & Alan Wright - ca.1945

My brother, Alan, with my cousin, Dorothy. Dorothy is my Aunty Glad's only child. She is also my Godmother. Dorothy played an important part in the development of my artistic and cultural appreciation, but that wasn't to occur until at least another couple of decades after this photo was taken. With Dorothy and Alan is the family pooch, Bill.

Ray & Flora Wright - 1930s

Ray & Flora Wright - 1930s

I love the way Mum and Dad are leaning close together here. It's a picture of a young couple in love. In the absence of a date, I estimate that it was probably taken some time in the early/mid-1930s, during the early years of their marriage, yet they have already formed the inseparable bond that so characterised their loving relationship together.  

Ray Wright - 1930s

Ray Wright - 1930s

During the Great Depression, Dad found work delivering bread. He had grown-up on a rural property, so knew how to handle a horse and dray. He also found work at nearby Elanora Country Club at Ingleside. Though the Great Depression was raging throughout the land at the time, there were still a lot of wealthy people in Sydney, who would come to the Northern Beaches for the day and play a round of golf at the posh Elanora Country Club. Dad would return to his family with a few shillings at the end of a long day caddying for these rich city-slickers, while they adjourned to the bar at the clubhouse for whisky and cigars.

Kathleen Blanche Wright - 1930s

Kathleen Blanche Wright - 1930s

My father, Ray Wright, was married before he married my mother. His first wife, Mary Brenda Hunt, died in 1927 giving birth to their only child, Kathleen (Kathy). Kathy herself died in a tragic accident in 1936 when she was aged 8. She had taken a bus to visit her maternal grandparents at Collaroy. When she got off the bus, she ran behind it to cross the road and was hit by a car travelling along Pittwater Road. She is buried in the same grave as her mother at Manly Cemetery in Sydney. My father was to go on and have four sons with my mother, Flora. I am the youngest of those four sons.

Flora & John Wright - ca.1934

Flora & John Wright - ca.1934

This lovely picture of Mum (Emily Flora Wright nee Glover) with her first-born son, John, is reminiscent of the picture of  Mum and I taken in 1954, located at the top of this blog. Separated by some 20 years, Mum stands protectively behind her sons in both pictures. This photo was taken in my maternal grandparent's back yard, at 8 Mactier Street, Narrabeen, in Sydney. In the middle distance, with his back to the camera, is my maternal grandfather (George Henry Glover), tending his garden. In the far distance can be seen the escarpment of Collaroy Plateau, rising up from the coastal plain.

Gladys Ann Murrell - 1930s

Gladys Ann Murrell - 1930s

My mother's sister, my most dear and much loved Aunty Glad, Gladys Ann Murrell nee Glover (1906-1991). Aunty Glad looks very vamp here, in the height of fashion of the day. And she always smelt lovely too, my Aunty Glad, her favourite perfume being Yardley's "Bond Street". 

Louise Mary Glover - 1930s

Louisa Mary (May) Glover nee Turner - 1930s 

I'm not exactly sure when this photo of my maternal grandmother was taken. I do so wish someone would have recorded the dates on all these family photos! Alas, nobody seems to have bothered to do so. What I do know, however, is where the photo was taken, because the house's name plaque can be seen behind Nanny. The name of the house was "Cooinda", at 1224 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen, in Sydney. It was the Glover family home when they first moved to Narrabeen from Crows Nest in the 1920s. I can't say why Nanny is carrying a suitcase. My maternal grandparents holidayed at Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands each year, and this photo may be capturing Nanny's departure on holiday. Bundanoon was a popular holiday destination with Sydneysiders at that time. Another clue as to the date may be the presence of the child behind Nanny. It looks to be Dad's daughter, Kathy, (from his first marriage to Gwen Hunt, who died in childbirth) who was 8 when she died in a road accident in 1936.

Ray & Flora Wright - Early-1930s

Ray & Flora Wright - Early-1930s

Mum and Dad during the early years of their marriage in the early 1930s, at 10 Mactier Street, Narrabeen, in Sydney. They were destined to live there for over 30 years, moving to Dee Why in 1967, following the death of Mum's parents. No.10 Mactier Street was a humble little house, it's main feature being that it was next door to the home of my maternal grandparents, at No.8. Another important attraction was that it was very close to nearby South Narrabeen beach (the beach is not far behind where my parents are standing in this photo, near the pine tree in the background). Though humble, Mum always kept the little house immaculately clean, neat and tidy (something I've inherited from her) and Dad kept the lawn to an impeccably maintained green-keeper's standard. In the flower beds, Mum grew carnations, snapdragons, sweet-pea and fuschia. To this day, when I smell the perfume of carnation, I am jettisoned back to Mactier Street. Not long after moving in, Dad planted 4 coral trees, which soon grew very large and provided wonderful shade for family functions, including many happy alfresco Christmas lunches. 

Louisa Mary Glover & Flora Wright - Late-1920s

L-R: Louisa Mary Glover, Flora Wright - Late-1920s

I estimate this lovely photo of my mother was probably taken when aged in her late-teens/early-20s. She is pictured with her mother. They are on the front verandah of the family home, "Cooinda", at 1224 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen, in Sydney. Mum looks very pretty and I have often wondered if Dad may have taken this photo. 

Ray & Kathy Wright - ca.1928

Ray & Kathy Wright - ca.1928

My father, Ray Wright, was married before he married my mother. His first wife was Mary Brenda Hunt, who died in 1927, giving birth to their only child, Kathleen (Kathy), pictured here with Dad. Kathy herself died in a tragic accident in 1936, when she was aged 8. She had taken a bus to visit her maternal grandparents at Collaroy. When she got off the bus, she ran behind it to cross the road and was hit by a car travelling along Pittwater Road. She is buried at Manly Cemetery, in the same grave as her mother. My father was to go on and have four sons with my mother, Flora. I am the youngest of those four sons.

Pittwater - 1920s

My father, Ray Wright, can be seen here in the centre-right of this picture, to the right of the pointing man and behind the standing man in the bow-tie. Dad's hat is jauntily tilted and it looks like everyone was having a jolly day! As Dad was born in 1907, I am guessing this photo was taken in the early-1920s.

Dad told me the photo was taken at The Basin on Pittwater in Sydney, a picnic/recreation area which is only accessible via water, even to this day. I don't know the reason for the gathering, but I'm guessing that because several of the men are wearing Rugby jerseys, it may have been to play football. Some of the men are also wearing paper party hats, traditionally worn at Christmas time in Australia, which may be another clue.

Pittwater - 1920s

My Dad, Ray Wright, is in the second row, 3rd from the right, immediately behind the feet of the reclining man. Dad told me the photo was taken at The Basin on Pittwater in Sydney, a picnic/recreation area which is only accessible via water, even to this day. I don't know the reason for the gathering, but I'm guessing that because several of the men are wearing Rugby jerseys, it may have been to play football. Dad was born in 1907 and I am guessing this photo was taken in the early-1920s.

Raymond Harry Wright - 1920s

My Dad, Raymond Harry (Ray) Wright, in the 1920s.

Ray & Bill Wright, et al - 1920s

Ray & Bill Wright, et al - 1920s

This photo of  Dad, Raymond Harry (Ray) Wright (front) and his brother, William Percival (Bill) Wright, was taken in the 1920s. I am guessing from the bevy of beauties surrounding Dad and Uncle Bill that it may have been taken at the guesthouse of my paternal grandmother, Mary Ann Mullens nee Wright, known within the family as Nanny Mullens. The guesthouse, "Kegworth", was at 207 Ocean Street, Narrabeen, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. It is known that my Wright ancestors originally came to Australia from Leicestershire in England and as there is a village in Leicestershire named Kegworth, it is now presumed the family came from that vicinity. 

I never knew my paternal grandmother, who died before I was born, so I will refer to her here as Mary Ann. Her guest house specialised in providing young city women from Sydney with a holiday by the sea. The house backed directly onto the beach. I never knew my Uncle Bill either. He died tragically young, not so long after this photo was taken. I understand there had been a storm which had blown-down power lines in Florence Avenue, Long Reef. Uncle Bill stepped in a puddle where the power lines had fallen and was electrocuted. 

I am guessing the older woman seen to the right in this picture could be Mary Ann, primarily because the guesthouse catered only to young women and she would have been the only older woman in the house. And I have sometimes wondered if the pretty girl at left, leaning against Dad's shoulder, might be his first wife, Mary Brenda Hunt, who died in childbirth in 1927.

There are many secrets within the family involving Mary Ann, much of which I have only  managed to unearth with the assistance of a genealogist in recent years. Primarily, it can now be revealed that all four of her son's - Raymond, William, Alan and Reginald - were born  illegitimately, even though it is the genealogist's opinion that they were all probably fathered by the same man - John Francis Mullens. Mary Ann and John eventually married in 1938, many years after the birth of their four sons and just two years before John died. There is no record that Mary Ann was ever married before then. They couldn't marry prior to that because John was already married - twice - at the same time - to two different women - and he went to prison for bigamy because of it. John couldn't divorce his first, legitimate wife, because he was Catholic and I am guessing the second, bigamous marriage was annulled.  It is not known if his first, legitimate wife had died by 1938, when he and Mary Ann married. If she was still alive, it would mean his marriage to Mary Ann was also bigamous. 

John Francis Mullens - 1907

     

Raymond Harry Wright - 1920s

My Dad, Raymond Harry (Ray) Wright, in the 1920s.

Raymond Harry Wright - 1920s

Raymond Harry Wright

1920s

My father, Raymond Harry (Ray) Wright, was born at the Royal Hospital for Women in Paddington, Sydney, Australia, on 24 November 1907.  He once told me that he was named after his place of birth, in that the Royal Hospital for Women was at that time widely  referred to simply as "RHW".  Dad  told me that this was primarily because the initials "RHW" were emblazoned in large letters high-up on the side of the hospital building and that when his mother saw them, she decided to name her son with the same initials. Dad was raised on a rural property at Jack's Creek near the town of Willow Tree, on the fertile black-soil Liverpool Plains of the upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Dad’s family relocated to Narrabeen on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in the 1920s.

Flora, Gladys & Colin Glover - ca.1918

L-R: Emily Flora Wright nee Glover, Gladys Ann Murrell nee Glover, and Colin James Glover, ca.1918.

Flora, Gladys & Colin Glover - ca.1918-1988

The photo at right (L-R: Gladys Murrell nee Glover, Colin Glover & Flora Wright nee Glover) was taken in my Uncle Colin's garden at Northmead in Sydney in 1988. I had taken my mother, Flora, and my Aunty Glad, to visit their brother, who was very ill at the time. Uncle Colin died on 1 March 1988, shortly after this photo was taken. My mother and aunt were not long to follow him on 19 November 1991 and 4 December 1991, respectively. The photo at left shows them in ca.1918 (L-R: Flora, Gladys & Colin Glover), just as they were setting out upon their lives. Seventy years separate the two photographs. 

Colin James Glover - ca.1914

Colin James Glover - ca.1914

Mum's brother, Colin James Glover, dressed as a little Australian soldier, complete with slouch hat and swagger stick, at the time of the First World War.

Emily Flora & Colin James Glover - ca.1914

Emily Flora & Colin James Glover - ca.1914

I estimate this adorable photo of my beloved mother, Emily Flora Wright nee Glover, and her big brother, Colin James Glover, was probably taken some time around 1914. Uncle Colin is dressed as a little Australian soldier, complete with slouch hat and swagger stick, making it right for the First World War era, and Mum was born in 1911.

Gladys Ann & Emily Flora Glover - 3 July 1913

L-R: Gladys Ann Murrell nee Glover & Emily Flora Wright nee Glover

3 July 1913

My mother, Emily Flora Wright (known as Flora) nee Glover, was born on 16 July 1911, at Royal North Shore Hospital in St Leonards, Sydney, Australia. The date on the reverse of this photograph is 3 July 1913, meaning it was taken just before Mum's 2nd birthday. 

Mum is on the right here and her sister, Gladys Ann Murrell nee Glover, is on the left. Aunty Glad was born on 26 July 1906, meaning she was soon to celebrate her 7th birthday.

They remained very close throughout their lives and died within weeks of each other in 1991.