The Webb Wagg Family in Australia

In April 1862, after nine years of marriage, Sarah Jane was Bill and Sarah Wagg's only surviving child.  Their other three children, William George, Mary Ann and Adelaide, had died as infants.  On 23 June 1862, their second son Charles was born at Table Bay on the North Shore of Sydney - probably at the same location as Mary Ann and Adelaide.  We now know the area as Wollstonecraft Bay.   Charles was baptised on 21 September 1862 at St Thomas Church of England, North Sydney.   We've read about Charles in previous posts- The Webb's, the Foy's and the Sydney Flying Squadron Charles Webb-Wagg - 23 June 1862 to 08 May 1939 Charles worked for Sydney Ferries all his working life ending his career around the age of 70 as a master of the vehicular ferry service between Dawes Port and Blue's Point.  The service was discontinued when the Harbour Bridge opened in 1932. On 30 January 1893, Charles married Amy Agnes Clancy at St David's Church of Engl...

On this day in 1939, Charles Webb-Wagg died at his residence at 15 Johnson Street, Chatswood. Known as Charles  or Charlie, he is second on the left in this photo. Charles was born on 23 June 1862 at Table Bay, North Shore, St Leonards. On 30 January 1893, he married Amy Agnes Clancy at St Davids Church of England, Surry Hills.  There have been many references to Charles over the recent weeks - with the   two Clancy sisters marrying the two Webb Wagg brothers, Mary Foy going over on Charlie's houseboat (and discussing Chris Webb and Claude and Hazel Webb over in Adelaide) and his being an informant on many of the death registrations of both Webb Waggs and Tricketts. My mum always talked about "Uncle Charlie" with affections even though she was only eleven when he died.  The Sydney Morning Herald of 17 May 1939 records:- "Mr Charles Webb-Wagg, who died at his residence, Chatswood, at the age of 78, had lived in North Sydney nearly all his ...

So much of the Webb Wagg story is set around the waters of Sydney Harbour and Middle Harbour.  The Sydney Flying Squadron at Kirribilli is a central part of that story.  Here's a few extracts from their website to set the scene- "The 1890’s sailing environment was the pinnacle of conservatism. Then along came this upstart called Mark Foy. He had made his fortune in retailing and had one of the biggest department stores in Sydney. He wanted to upend tradition and do things like have colours on sails so spectators could easily identify boats. Mary Foy The first race that Sydney Flying Squadron took part in was on 24 October 1891. Mark Foy’s 20 footer “Kannanook” and champion sailor, Chris Webb’s “Mantura” took part in the race. Mark Foy was a successful businessman known for the department store “Mark Foys” Mark Foy's Kannanook in the foreground Chris Webb's Manuta "The Squadron men had little money, few free days, enthusiasm and skill. They were ...