Neilson Family Australia

William Neilson marries Janet Penman Renwick - 1893

William Neilson married Janet Penman Renwick (9 August 1866, Whifflet, Scotland - 21 January 1939, Richmond, Victoria, Australia) on 1 December 1893 in Cornsilloch, Dalserf, Scotland. (Click link for information about their family in Scotland)

William and Janet Neilson's children, listed below, were all born in Scotland.

See below for further details of the children's lives.

William Neilson and family migrated to Australia in early 1913, arriving in Melbourne in May 1913. William Neilson took up the occupation of 'coal merchant'. They lived at 12 Moodie Place, St Kilda.

William Neilson joins the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) and is killed at Gallipoli

Perhaps because of his military background, William signed up with the Australian Imperial Forces, was sent to Gallipoli, Turkey. He was killed by Turkish shell fire at Gaba Tepe on 19 May or 12 June 1915 (both dates are noted in the records), aged 50.

On 27 May 1916, his eldest daughter Janet (named as 'Jennie'), at 12 Moodie Place, St Kilda, wrote to the Paymaster of Victoria Barracks in Melbourne asking when her father's kit of belongings would be returned to them. She also noted that 'at the present time, my mother is receiving a Col Sergt's pension' and asked 'if my father's promotion has come through, and if she is now entitled to a Regtl. Serg. Major's pension'. The parcel was received in September 1917 and Janet acknowledged receipt, also asking if it would be possible to receive details of the death of William.

Early 1920s - Life of the Neilsons

According to family letters, the Neilsons moved from Moodie Place to 23 Addison Street, St Kilda in March 1921. In December 1923 they moved to 'Strathclyde', Addison Street, St Kilda.

According to Jan Baldwin's memoirs ('Around the World in Eighty Years', by Jan Baldwin (self-published, 2002)), '... the three youngest Neilson children finished their schooling at Scotch College, Methodist Ladies College, and Wesley College respectively'. Isabella Neilson attended the University of Melbourne and completed an Arts degree. She also reveived blues for hockey and diving.

1921 - 1924 - Electoral records

The electoral records from 1921 to 1924 show members of the family recorded in the Balaclava roll as follows:

1922 - William Neilson joins the Royal Australian Navy

William Neilson joined the Royal Australian Navy on 6 February 1922, according to his Record of Service (Petty Offiers and Men) card (2 pages). He gave his next of kin as Janet Renwick Neilson of 23 Addison Street, St Kilda. His religion was stated to be Presbyterian. Another address given was 'Oatland', Marine Parade, Elwood, VIC. William was with the RAN for 12 years, as follows. His character throughout was rated as very good, his ability rated as 'satisfactory':

Although his service card indicates a period of service of 12 years, the details of service beyond 1927 is not recorded or shown.

1924 - Grace Neilson marries John Zander

John Keith Zander, a wool classer by profession, was the son of John Bernard Zander (son of John Carl Zander and Cecelia Kerr) and Rebecca Fran Beasley. John Bernard Zander ran a well-known animal skins business in King Street Melbourne. In October 1917, John Keith Zander married Harriett ('Harry') Elizabeth Whiteaway, reportedly a 'former theatrical chorus girl'. After marrying they lived at various rented rooms in Carlton and Prahran, and then lived at 9 Marine Parade, St. Kilda where they lived together until the end of May 1921.

An advertisement for Zanders Melbourne in 1928.

According to the public news articles regarding their divorce (such as The Herald of 27 June 1922), John Zander's wife, Harriett Zander, began an affair from mid 1921 with the twice-married Guido Carlo Luigi Baracchi, the son of a former Victorian Government astronomer and a well known 'eccentric young student', 'occasional journalist' and 'somewhat dangerous extremist' (who was sent to jail for his views). He was also a founding member of the Communist Party of Australia in 1920. In May 1921 (according to the news reports), Harriet Zander went on a holiday trip to relatives in Chiltern and said she would be gone for two weeks. A week later, John Zander received a letter saying that she was well and it was a quiet place. Shortly afterwards he received another letter in which she said she was not returning home and that she wanted to go her own way. Harriett and Baracchi went to Sydney in June 1921 and then New Zealand.

According to The Age of 28 June 1922, Baracci's wife, Kathleen Inez Baracchi, became suspicious of her husband's 'long explanation regarding his trip to New Zealand', finally admitting he had become entangled with another woman. She had her husband 'shadowed' by detectives and on 10 February 1922 she went to a flat in Elizabeth Road, Sydney 'where we had reason to believe my husband and Mrs Zander were living together'. When the detectives knocked at the door they were met by Mrs Zander who invited them in. Baracchi was standing at the foot of the bed in his shirt and trousers; in reply to the question as to whether he admitted living with Mrs Zander, he replied 'I do admit it, but I want you to speak respectfully to me'. When asked by the detectives to confirm she was in fact Mrs 'Harry' Zander', Harriett replied 'That is my name, unfortunately'. Decree nisis were granted to both John Zander and Kathleen Baracchi in back-to-back divorce proceedings in Melbourne on 27 June 1922. The full details were reported in a number of Victorian newspapers on 28 June 1922. Baracchi and Harriett moved to London where they married on 29 March 1923 in London.

As a postscript to the story, Guido Baracchi was invited to speak at the Communist Party of Australia (CPA)'s 50th anniversary celebration in Sydney in 1971. The Tribune (Sydney) of 10 February 1971 carried his speech in full and included a photograph. In his speech he noted that 'exactly 50 years ago yesterday I arrived in Sydney from Melbourne with my fellow delegate C W Baker'.

Baracchi and his wife returned to Australia in 1924 but 'before long he was classed as an intellectual with money, and differed fundamentally ... on questions of tactics'. They returned to Europe but the death of his father (and substantial inheritance) caused them to return to Melbourne 'where, no doubt, the best people, as well as the comrades, are ready to forget the past, and remember the cheque book.' (Source: Smith's Weekly, 2 October 1926). Nevertheless, he continued to be involved in the CPA and his Castlecrag house in Sydney was searched by the police in June 1940 (Daily News, Sydney, 12 June 1940). Guido Baracchi died in Sydney on 13 December 1975 while handing out 'how to vote' cards for the Labor Party. The Tribune of 21 January 1976 ran an article about him and his life.

Grace Copeland Neilson may have met or known John Zander in St Kilda where they both lived. Grace married John Zander in 1924 (Vic BDM Ref 1924/11550). They had no children.

John Bernard Zander died in 1929 (Vic BDM Ref 7777).

John Keith Zander died aged 42 at a private hospital in Brighton, Melbourne, on 26 May 1936 (Vic BDM Ref 4432, The Herald 28 May 1936). he was cremated at Springvale cemetery. The probate notice carried in The Argus on 30 May 1936 noted that John Keith Zander, a company director, lived at 113 Dendy Street, Middle Brighton. His widow, Grace Copland Zander (also named in the notice) was the sole 'legatee'. The Zander business closed in 1938.

Janet Douglas Neilson marries - but her husband is killed in aircraft accident

Janet Douglas Neilson married Herbert Warland on 18 April 1925.

Herbert Warland was killed in a RAAF plane crash in Wangarratta, Victoria, in 1928. Click link above for further information.

1925 - 1928 - Electoral records

The electoral records from 1925 to 1928 show members of the family recorded as follows:

1929 - Isabella Neilson marries Leo Broadbridge

In her memoirs, Jan Baldwin wrote that her mother Isabella Neilson spent about three years as a governess and part-time teacher before her older sister Janet introduced her to Leo Broadbridge at a party in Melbourne for merchant naval officers.

Isabella Neilson (known as 'Auntie Honey' to the family in Australia) married Leo Broadbridge, the son of George and Catherine Broadbridge of London, in London on 6 June 1929 (as reported in The Argus of 15 June 1929). Leo's siblings were Alan Broadbridge, (Leo), Hilda Broadbridge, Gilbert Broadbridge and Jack Broadbridge. Leo had trained with the British merchant navy.

It seems likely that Leo travelled by ship to England. The Australasian (Melbourne) of 17 October 1931 noted that 'Mrs Leo Broadbridge, of Melbourne, has arrived in London'.

Leo and Isabella Broadbridge had one daughter, Janet Margaret Broadbridge, born in London in 1932. Family photographs show Leo holding Isabella's nephew Ian Warland (born 1925) in around 1927/28, suggesting that may have been before or around the time that Leo and Isabella married. Another photograph shows Isabella and her mother Janet walking in a city street, possibly Melbourne or Sydney.

1931 - 1936 - Electoral records

The electoral records from 1931 to 1936 show members of the family recorded as follows:

John Keith Zander died in 1936.

1935 - Leo and Isabella Broadbridge return to Australia

Leo and Isabella Broadbridge, with young Janet (later 'Jan'), returned to Australia on the Doric Star to live in 1935. Jan recalled meeting 'an assortment of aunties and uncles', as well as 'two boy cousins' (Ian and Graham Warland) at Caulfield.

In 1936, the Broadbridges left for Townsville where Leo took up a job with Vacuum Oil Company, an oil exploration firm.

From 1935 to 1937 - William Neilson in the Merchant Navy

William Neilson joined the Merchant Navy after passing a test as a boat hand on 15 October 1935. His 'No. Certif. Res. Comm' or 'R.V.2' number was 2/C 73750 BT i/c 0368. His Merchant Navy record until enlisting for WW2 in early 1942 is listed below. His conduct and ability, under the 'Character' column is recorded as 'Very Good' throughout.

William's Merchant Navy service history continues below from 1938.

1937 - Electoral records

The electoral records for 1937 show members of the family recorded as follows:

1937 - Doug Neilson marries Sheila Williams

Abraham (Douglas/Doug) Neilson, an insurance agent, married Sheila Maria Williams in 1937 (Vic BDM Ref 2175). They had a daughter, Sandra who later married.

1938 - the Broadbridge family in Townsville

Leo and Isabella Broadbridge and family were recorded several times in the Townsville newpapers in 1938. For example, the Townsville Daily Bulletin of 22 March 1938 noted that the family visited Arcadia Guest House. On 2 August, Janet was reported as having participated in a children's show.

1939 - Janet Penman Neilson dies

Janet Penman Neilson died on 21 January 1939 in Richmond, Victoria, Australia (Vic BDM Ref 597).

From 1938 to 1940 - William Neilson in the Merchant Navy

William Neilson's Merchant Navy Service continues.

1940 - Melbourne Sands and McDougall directory

The 1940 Sands and McDougall directory for Melbourne shows some of the family members:

1940 - Broadbridges move to Sydney

In 1940, the Broadbridge family moved to Sydney where Leo joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as an engineer officer.

1941 to 1944 - Electoral records

The electoral records for 1941 to 1944 show members of the family recorded as follows:

The electoral records show a William Neilson in the following locations: Brisbane (QLD), Dalley (NSW), Macquarie (NSW), Darling Downs (QLD), Moreton (QLD), Franklin (TAS).

From 1941 to 1941 - William Neilson in the Merchant Navy

William Neilson's Merchant Navy Service continues.

From 1939 - the Neilson boys enlist for WW2

Perhaps influenced by their father's military background, all three of the Neilson brothers joined the Australian Army during World War 2:

1939 - Douglas Abraham Renwick Neilson (VX6911)

The service file for Abraham (Douglas/Doug) Renwick Neilson (1906 - 25 October 1980), service number VX6911, states he was with the 2nd/1st Machine Gun Battalion in the Middle East and later the 2/2 Pioneers Bn in New Guinea (details see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2/1st_Machine_Gun_Battalion_(Australia)) Family history records him being with the 9th MG Battalion which may not be correct.

According to his service file (available at www.naa.gov.au), Douglas Neilson enlisted on 24 November 1939 and was transferred to the 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion. He travelled with that Battalion to the UK which went to the Middle East (mostly Egypt and Palestine) arriving there 30 December 1940. He was hospitalised for a fractured metatarsal in March/April. The 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion in the meantime left for Greece. Doug was transferred to various other Battalions in the area. Doug re-joined his Battalion when the 2/1 survivors returned to Egypt/Palestine but a couple of months later was re-transferred out to the Ordnance Workshops. He left the Middle East for Australia in January 1942 and was again hospitalised.

Doug was posted to various Workshop Companies during 1942. In mid 1943, he joined the re-created 2/2 Pioneer Battalion, arriving in Port Moresby in July 1943. The 2/2 returned to Australia in February 1944 and it appears he was sick with dermatitis. He went to Morotai in March 1945 for service in Balikpapan, returning to Australia in August 1945. He returned to Victoria by September 1945. He was discharged on 8 January 1946.

1942 - William Neilson (VX72202)

William Neilson (born 27 May 1899 - ?) had previously served in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) - see above. He may have then been in the merchant navy when he enlisted for WW2 on 14 January 1942. The following are some key points from his 7-page service file, which raises more questions as it has very little detail and he was discharged for being in a 'reserved occupation' (presumably the merchant navy?).

He enlisted on 14 January 1942 (aged 42) and was assigned the service number VX72202. This was 5 weeks after Pearl Harbour and the invasion of Malaya, suggesting he was prompted to sign up by those events. He gave his occupation as 'Marine Engineer' and stated that he was single. His address was 16 Lockhart Street, Caulfield, and his next of kin was given as Jeanette [sic] Warland, his sister.

He joined the AIF Details Depot on 23 January 1942 and was transferred from there to the AAOC on 7 February 1942. On 14 March 1942 he was posted to the 109 General Transport Company and 'entrained for 1st Military District'. On 15 May 1942 he was appointed at 1MD DRO to a role that looks like 'Sr Gr I Fitter M T' (motor transport).

On 18 June 1942, in 1MD, he was marched out to 116 AGH Charters Towers (AGH - Australian General Hospital). On 28 May 1942, he was tranferred to the 116 AGH Charters Towers after an injury to his thigh. On 24 August 1942 he was back with 109 MT Company 'To Qld ('C of C'?) area (? ?) for Reboard (no idea what this means).

On 19 August 1942 he was at General D Depot Caulfield, marched in from 114 Con Depot, Pentland N2. On 19 August 1942 he was transferred to the AASC. He was on home leave for a couple of days in October 1942.

On 19 November 1942 he was transferred out to GDD for release (Res Occ - Reserved Occupation). On 19 November 1942 he was marched in to GDD from AASC and discharged. The reason for his discharge was 'Reserved Occupation'. He had been in the military for 305 days 'including service abroad of 224 days', which seems odd given the details above. There is no reference after that to his location or activities but his Merchant Navy record continued.

1942 - John Renwick Neilson (VX74387)

John Renwick Neilson (born 6 March 1902) - 10 February 1981), service number VX74387, was a Lance Corporal with the 67th Battalion (later to become 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, RAR) (it is not yet clear if he served in other parts of the military prior to this, further details will be added when his Service File is obtained).

Family history recalls that John Neilson enlisted and served with the 2/22 Battalion, including in Malaya. John was a boxer and won many fights in the army. After the war he served as a peacekeeper in Japan - see below.

1942 - Leo Broadbridge's ship attacked

Leo Broadbridge, a chief engineer, was on board a ship docked at Woolloomooloo on 31 May 1942 when Japanese midget submarines attacked the harbour. He was on the HMAS Westralia from 1943 to 1946.

1943 - William Neilson in Queensland

William (Bill) Neilson wrote to his sister Janet from Brisbane on 30 June 1943. In the letter he asked Janet to forward a letter from the Army to him. He thanked her for looking after his affairs in Melbourne. At the end of his letter he said he would be 'seeing Isa [Isabel, his sister], and I hope Leo next week, I believe Grace has been down with the 'flu'.

William wrote another letter to Janet on 17 September 1943. He asked Janet to write to 'Marge' to let her know that he would 'fix her up as soon as I can'. He added 'I don't get much time to do anything'. He noted that his brothers John and Doug had left when he was in Melbourne last, 'I missed them by a fortnight but got in touch with a cobber of them'.

November 1944 - Ian Warland enlists in the Navy

Janet Neilson's eldest son Ian Warland enlisted for the Royal Australian Navy on 7 November 1944 and was sent to Flinders Naval Depot from mid November that year. He wrote regularly to his mother and mentioned various members of the family, references to which are included below.

1944/45 - Melbourne Sands and McDougall directory

The 1944/45 Sands and McDougall directory for Melbourne shows some of the family members:

From 1942 to 1945 - William Neilson in the Merchant Navy

William Neilson's Merchant Navy Service continues.

See below for further details of his Merchant Navy service from October 1945.

William's service file contains one document dated 30 June 1945, addressed to him at 16 Lockhart Street, Caulfield, requesting that he sign 'the enclosed duplicate of this letter of the attached A A Form A131 purporting to contain Will which you completed whilst a member of the 2nd AIF'.

From 1945 to 1946 (post war) - William Neilson in the Merchant Navy

William Neilson's Merchant Navy Service continues.

1945 to 1946 - Ian Warland's letters

Ian Warland's letters to his mother from 1945 to 1946 regularly refer to his uncles and aunts.

He referred to his uncle Doug being demobbed in January 1945. In one letter in early 1946, he noted that Doug had applied for a job in New Guinea but didn't remain there very long.

After the surrender of Japan in August 1945, John Neilson joined the 67th Infantry Battalion that was made up of volunteers from the 3rd, 6th and 11th Divisions with wide, collective experience of service in the Middle East, Greece, New Guinea and the Pacific). John was in Mototai, New Guinea at the time. The 67th would form part of the Australian component of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan from February 1946 until at least mid 1947. More details at http://www.3rar.com.au/3rarhistory.html.

Ian Warland was based in Sydney from early October 1945. While he was there he regularly saw his Aunty Honey (Isabel) and her husband Leo, as well as their daughter Jan. He also saw his Aunty Grace who seems to have emphasized the need for Ian to find a good job after the war.

In a letter from Sydney dated 3 October 1945, Ian noted that 'Uncle Will has given up his room at the hotel in Kings Cross, Sydney'. In a letter dated 11 October 1945, he wrote 'The position is very low for Uncle Will so far. Money was the trouble.' Ian was collecting cigarettes to give to his uncle (and expected to be compensated for doing this) .

In a letter dated 17 October 1945, Ian wrote that his uncle Will was expected to arrive in Sydney that week, along with his Auntie Honey's husband Leo Broadbridge. In a letter dated 23 October 1945, he wrote 'I went to see A.H. (Auntie Honey) and Uncle Leo last night. Uncle Leo looks well. He was in civvies. They were going to Mittagong next weekend for a week. Auntie Honey gave me 10/- for birthday. I left early and went to see Uncle Will on the ship. He jumped off the ship at Brisbane and bruised his feet and has to leave the ship and go into hospital (Famenoth Private Hospital in Allison Road, Kensington, Sydney). He likes the ship, the work is easy, and that has to happen. He tried to hang on but made his feet worse. I am going to see him on Friday. He has fixed me up with the cigarettes, so that's OK.' He added that Uncle Will expected to be in hospital for up to a fortnight.

In a letter dated 26 October 1945, Ian indicated that he knew his Uncle John would be going to Japan and indicated he looked forward to seeing him there 'if we go' (to Japan).

By 27 October 1945, Uncle Will was said to be 'getting on OK'. On 30 October he wrote that 'The doctor told him he could get up, but when he did, the pain came on again so he went back to bed.'

Ian arrived in Japan on board the HMAS Hobart on 17 November 1945. In his letter of that date, he said 'There are a few AIF here already so I will hop along just in case Uncle John is here already.' They had not arrived.

On 19 December 1945, Ian wrote from Yokohama Japan and said 'How is Uncle Will getting on? He was talking about giving up the sea altogether when I was at the hospital. I don't think he will for a time though. He has been at it for too long I think.' Ian continued to collect cigarettes for Will.

Ian asked about his Uncle John's arrival on 22 December 1945, noted that 'There seems to be a hitch in their departure for Japan.' John still had not arrived by 29 January 1946. Ian said in a letter of that date that 'There seems to be a bit of a muddle with the Occupation Forces.' He was still waiting to hear news by 11 February 1946: '1000 AIF are expected on Friday, and I am hoping Uncle John is amongst them.' On 16 February he wrote 'Well the A.I.F. has started to arrive but Uncle John is not here yet. I went onto the ship that bought up the first 1,200, and some chaps from his company told me he was coming up in about 10 days on the Glenyule.'

By 24 February he had more or less given up on seeing him, but in a letter written the same date wrote the following:

I wrote to you this afternoon, and I told you that I had not seen Uncle John. I finished the letter, and went to sleep on the hammocks. Next thing I know somebody was yelling for me, and there was Uncle John. Our last afternoon here and he turns up. Well, so, we got our heads together, and had a good yarn about things in general. He is looking very well, and not as thin as he was after the NG [New Guinea] show. He came in three or four days ago in the Glen Yule, and has been around near Hiroshima. They are living in barracks, with charcoal heating. He complained of the cold though, so I gave him that khaki sweater you sent up. He gave me a fountain pen, and a lot of Jap and Dutch money. Unfortunately he couldn't give me any other stuff as it was too late to go ashore again. We had roast beef and potatoes, peaches and cream for supper, so I was able to give him a decent meal. I showed him the things I have bought, but he will probably have three or four times as much stuff when he comes home. He just got yours and Graham's letters of the 8th Feb, so he asked me to tell you he had received it. There wasn't much time to talk about anything else, as he had to go ashore on the 7.10 boat, in the pouring rain incidentally. He didn't seem to be too sad about spending 12 months here.

In a letter dated 30 May 1946, Ian said 'I have seen Uncle Will. I was down to meet the ship when it came in and had dinner with him. I had some cigs for him, but it is hard to get them off except in dribs and drabs. I will do as many as I can, each time I go ashore. I am going to see him again this afternoon.'.

On 1 June 1946, he wrote the following: 'I went out to see Auntie Honey yesterday. They certainly have a nice flat (in Mosman), and it was terrifically big after being used to the [Kings] 'Cross flat. Of course things are still a bit primitive, but it will be a very nice place when it is finished. Their lounge gets all the afternoon sun. When they get Janet's bed, A.H. says I can stay there. I went there with Uncle Will last night who by the way has a room up at the Cross, where he stays when he is ashore. ... I gave Uncle Will his ration [of cigarettes], so I got a few shillings back on that.

It is not clear why but William's Merchant Navy record has gap from June 1946 to May 1950. Perhaps he was living in Sydney. See below for the continuation.

1947 - The Broadbridges move to Adelaide

The Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 14 March 1946 recorded that Leo William Broadbridge, DSC, was promoted to the rank of Acting Temporary Engineer Lieutenant-Commander, dated 30 September 1945. His appointment was terminated on 20 May 1946.

The Broadbridges moved to Adelaide in 1947 where Leo re-joined the Vacuum Oil Company.

The News (Adelaide) of 7 May 1947 carried a photograph of Leo, Isabella and their daughter Janet at a ceremony in Adelaide at which Leo formally received his Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).

The Broadbridges returned to Melbourne in 1950.

1947 to 1954 - Electoral records

The electoral records from 1947 to 1954 show members of the family recorded as follows:

Janet Warland (nee Neilson) was recorded at 16 Lockhard Street, Caulfield in the Sands and McDougall records of 1950 and 1955.

From 1950 to 1952 - William Neilson in the Merchant Navy

William Neilson's Merchant Navy Service continues and ends.

This is (so far) the last known location for William Neilson.

There are three William Neilsons in the 1950 Sands and McDougall Director of Victoria, none of which is believed to be William Neilson born 1899.

Men named William Neilson are recorded in the 1954 electoral records at: Lowe (NSW), Darling Downs (QLD), Oxley (QLD), Franklin (TAS), Oxley (NSW). Bowman (QLD), Swan (WA), Henty (VIC).

1954 to 1965 - The Broadbridge family

Janet Broadbridge received her diploma of occupational therapy from Nicholas Hall, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, according to The Age (Melbourne), on 28 April 1954.

Jan Broadbridge departed for England on 26 January 1956, where she worked and from where she travelled extensively throughout Europe.

Leo Broadbridge, the 'dearly loved husband of Isabella (Isa) and loved father of Janet Margaret', and a former engineer, died at his home, 18 Alston Grove, East St Kilda, on 27 September 1956. The Argus (Melbourne) of 1 October 1956 reported the funeral of the late Lieutenant-Commander (E) Leo William Broadbridge, DSC, RANR on that day. He was interred at the Springvale Crematorium. (Also see Victoria Probate Ref VPRS 7591/P3 unit 143, item 508/001)

The Argus (Melbourne) of 25 October 1956 reported that probate of the will dated 12 April 1956 of Leo William Broadbridge, late of 18 Alston Grove, East St Kilda, engineer, deceased, would be granted to his wife Isabella Renwick Broadbridge, of the same address.

1958 - Electoral records

The electoral records for 1958 only appear to show Grace Zander in Victoria. This may be because it was a by-election in her electorate.

A Willian Neilson is recorded in 1958 at: Darlings Downs (QLD), Bowman (QLD), Oxley (QLD), Swan (WA), Lowe (NSW).

1960 - Jan Broadbridge visits Australia

Jan Broadbridge returned to Australia in 1960, as an employee on board the Orontes bringing English migrants to Australia. During this time she met her mother and other family members, as noted in her memoirs. She married Geoff Baldwin in 1961 in England. They worked and lived (and had children) in a range of countries including Syria, Iraq, Indonesia, Brazil and Sri Lanka. Her mother Isabella visited them in both Syria and Iraq.

1963 to 1968 - Electoral records

The electoral records from 1963 to 1968 show members of the family recorded in Victoria as follows:

The only William Neilson in the 1967 electoral rolls (perhaps this was only for Victoria) is in Lalor (VIC). The 1968 rolls show men with that name in Oxley (QLD), Burke (VIC), Moreton (QLD), Parkes (NSW), La Trobe (VIC), Swan (WA), Darling Downs (QLD).

1972 - Doug Neilson address

William Neilson deaths in NSW

The following men named William Neilson, with parents not listed or the same as William Neilson, died in NSW from 1961 to 1967

Given that his younger siblings died from 1974, it seems likely that William also died by around that time.

There is no death record in the online QLD BDM records for a William Neilson with parents William and Janet from 1899 to 1989. There is also no death record in the online WA BDM records from 1942 to 1972. There is no obvious death record in the NZ BDM records from 1942 to 1970.

1970 - Jan Broadbridge visits Australia

Jan Broadbridge again travelled to Australia in March 1970 where she stayed with her cousin Ian Warland and family in Queenscliff, Victoria, and visited her mother at the rest home where she was staying.

1972 to 1980 - Electoral records

The electoral records from 1972 to 1980 show members of the family recorded as follows:

Doug Neilson's address in 1972 was recorded in his military service file as 104 Mitford Street, Elwood.

1974 to 1985 - Death of Neilson siblings Janet, Isabella, Doug, Isabella, Grace and John

Janet Douglas Warland (nee Neilson) died on 13 July 1974 in Melbourne.

Jan Baldwin (nee Broadbridge) visited her mother Isabella in Australia in May 1975. Isabella Renwick Broadbridge died on 15 June 1975 in Elsternwick (or Geelong?). (Vic Probate Ref VPRS 7591/P4 unit 539, item 793/172)

Doug Neilson died on 25 October 1980 at Elwood, Victoria).

John Renwick Neilson and his sister Grace Zander lived at 45 Bealiba Rd South, Caulfield. John Renwick Neilson died on 10 February 1981.

Grace Copland Zander (nee Neilson) died in a nursing home in Melbourne on 1 October 1985.

2010 - Death of Sheila Marie Neilson

Victorian Probate records show only one person with the name Sheila Marie Neilson. It is not clear, given the date, if this person is the same as Doug's wife, Sheila Marie Neilson, who 'sales assistant', died in 2010. (Ref VPRS 17379/P5 unit 11, item S PRB 2012 00305). However, the Herald Sun (Melbourne) of 5 June 2010 recorded the death of Sheila Marie Neilson ('She She') at the age of 96 at Spurway Nursing Home, Murrumbeena, Melbourne, so perhaps it is the same person.

Page added 24 May 2015, last updated 11 May 2020. Copyright © 2021 Andrew Warland. (andrewwarland(at)gmail.com)