25 April in the Webb Wagg Family
Many of our men fought in World War 1 and World War 11. Mercifully, it seems that none of "our boys" were lost but I know that, like me, you undoubtedly have relatives in the other branches of your family that were taken while on service or died after their return from injuries they sustained. Then, there is the ongoing trauma for those that were involved in these or other conflicts.
Today, I'll be remembering all of them and reflecting on the threats we currently face. Lest we forget!
I've always thought about my Webb Wagg relatives on Anzac Day......
First, when I was young it was Uncle Bob's birthday. Well, he was my great uncle but always a big presence in my life. Bob was born Robert Webb-Wagg on 25 April 1907 - the fourth child of Hayden Webb Wagg and Josephine Clancy. Bob married May Lillian Jessie Rodger in 1938. May was literally "the girl across the road". They'd known each other since the Webb Waggs moved to 14 Bray Street Mosman in 1914. Bob and May went to live with Ma Webb not long after Pa died in 1950 and stayed with Ma until she died on 25 April 1974 - yes, it was Bob's 67th birthday.
Bob worked for many years at Taronga Zoo and we enjoyed free entrance and very special treatment when we visited!
Bob and May moved to North Haven near Port Macquarie after Ma died. We had great fun visiting them most years - fishing, swimming, walking "The Wall", bingo, pokies and meals at the clubs! Bob died there on 03 October 1995. aged 88. May returned to Sydney and died on 04 February 2006 at Prince of Wales Hospital, aged 97.
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| May and Bob Webb-Wagg - 1994, North Haven |
A bit of recapping.....
When Hayden Webb Wagg married Josephine Clancy in 1895, two brothers were married to two sisters as Hayden's older brother Charles had married Josephine's older sister Amy Agnes in 1893.
Amy and Josephine's parents were John Clancy (1845 to 1911) and Catherine Mary Teresa Flaven (1846 to 1901). John and Catherine were both born in the young colony of NSW to Irish parents. There were 10 children with 3 dying as infants or young children.
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| Children of John Clancy and Catherine Flaven |
Amy and Josephine's older sister, Eva Theresa (1873 to 1935) married Harry Anderson (1872 to 1923) in 1893. Eva and Harry didn't have any children but they were very close to Amy and Josephine's families. Harry was the fellow on the pier in our photo of the Australia. He built Hayden and Josephine's house in Bray Street.
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| Eva, Jo and Amy Hayden (son of Hayden and Josephine) and Claude (son of Charles and Amy) Circa 1896 at Fairy Bower near Manly |
The three Clancy girls were close. Harry Anderson's death in 1923 and their sister Eva's, in 1935, were big losses to Amy and Josephine and their families.
In 1919, Charles and Amy's son Claude married Hazel Foy and they went on to have four children. A recent post covered Mark Foy meeting Claude's father Charles on his houseboat and talking about the family in Adelaide - Claude, Hazel and their children - Mavis, Claudia, Charles Francis (Frank) and Leonie (Dolly). Tragedy struck when Hazel died on 18 April 1927 - Dolly was 11 months old.
Claude and his young family returned to Sydney and lived with Amy and Charles - their grandchildren called them Ma and Pa, as well, which can be confusing when talking across the families! Charles died in 1935 and then Claude died on 27 February 1945 when Dolly was almost 18. Leaving Amy with her four grandchildren.
With the death of Hayden, Josephine's husband, in 1950, the bond between the two sister became even closer - Ma, Aunty Amy and Aunty Jo!
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| Ma Webbs - Amy and Josephine From Claudia's collection |
Bob and May took Amy and Josephine on sort trips and headed off to the Blue Mountains in April 1961 to celebrate Bob's birthday. Amy passed away overnight and her death is recorded as 26 April 1961 at 9 Echo Point Road, Katoomba. Amy was 84. Her loss was felt across the family and particularly by her grandchildren and their families.
As many would know, Claude and Hazel's son, Francis, was an acclaimed Australian poet. On hearing of his grandmother's death, he wrote this letter to his sister, Claudia.
- Webb, Francis & Meere, Peter, (editor.) & Meere, Leonie, (editor.) & Webb, Francis, 1925-1973. Poems. Selections & Webb, Francis, 1925-1973. Correspondence. Selections (2001). Francis Webb, poet & brother : some of his letters and poetry. Pomona, Qld. P.V. Meere in association with Sage Old Books
Francis died on 22 November 1973. I'll let you know when the 2017 Willoughby Council event is scheduled to recognise Francis and his work. You can read more about Francis here-
Just a few months later, on 25 April 1974, we said goodbye to Josephine, our Ma Webb. Here she is again at the wedding of her granddaughter, Suzanne, having a dance with Bob. Finally, Hayden and Josephine's children at the 1953 marriage of my parents, Beryl and Frank Woodlands.
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| 95 years young! |
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| Bob, Harry, Ethel, Hayden, Jack and Stan |
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| Twisted Twigs On Gnarled Branches Genealogy |
