Edgar Oswald Walker and Mildred Esther Crawford

3-Edgar Oswald Walker was born on 30 Nov 1880 in Westbury, Tasmania and died on 12 Apr 1931 at age 50.

Edgar married Mildred Esther Crawford, daughter of Francis Crawford and Elizabeth Clark, on 18 Oct 1905 in Latrobe. Mildred was born on 23 Jul 1885 in Port Sorell and died on 17 Jul 1972 at age 86.

They had six children:

Gwendoline Beatrice
Jack
Melba Maud
Horace Samuel
Bern Alwyn and
Peggy (Mirth).

Edgar Oswald Walker, centre row, second from left

The following information was supplied by Melba Maud Humphries (nee Walker), the third child of Edgar Oswald Walker and Mildred Esther (nee Crawford). Melba was living at Lilydale, Victoria, in 1988.

It seems Edgar Walker came to the mainland (Victoria) about 1922-23, followed by Mildred who returned to Tassie to collect their children and bring them across by sea. Mildred with children, Gwen, Jack, Melba, Bill (Horace), Alwyn (Burnie) and Peggy (Mirth) were met in Melbourne, travelled by fruit truck to Silvan , about 31 miles which was a pretty bumpy trip (Melba was very seasick on the boat). Silvan in those days was a great berry farming area.

Mollie and Wardy Cooley owned and ran the Silvan store where Mollie and Victor Walker did the cooking. They baked bread, buns, scones etc. Melba says they were wonderful cooks, the goods were sold to the locals. Melba went to school there, we assume the other children did too. Mildred also worked in the store whilst Edgar was working at the sawmill at Warburton.

Melba remembers riding on the Maggs' bread cart from Silvan to Lilydale (Victoria) via the old zig-zag road which was a very steep unmade winding road. (The Maggs family still live in this area).

Victor and Mildred and Mildred's children moved to Lilydale around 1923-24 where they ran the Lilydale Coffee Palace located on the corner of Anderson Street and the Maroondah Highway. They took in boarders, most of whom were men who worked at Black's Quarry. There Gwen met Arthur (Curley) Medson, whom she later married. Gwen worked in the C.P. Melba went to school at the convent which is now Mount Lilydale College. Not sure what the boys did. Victor's boys were in the Saint Vincent de Paul's orphanage at South Melbourne as far as we know.

The family lived in Ringwood after that, Melba went to school there. It seems Edgar was not around during this period. Victor and Mildred ran a knitting factory in Commercial Road, Prahran where Melba and Bill worked days (Peggy was still a toddler, don't know where Gwen was) then at night they would work at home, making bands for jumpers, cardigans etc., sometimes staying up until midnight. This would have been about 1926.

Melba remembers Aunty Lena (Celina) living with them in Prahan, one evening Melba wen upstairs to call Aunty Lena for tea, when she went into Auntie Lena's room, Melba found aunt lying on the floor in her underwear, she had taken a stroke. After 11 weeks in Alfred Hospital she died, apparently only recognising Melba in this time. We think she is buried at Springvale cemetery.

Mildred, Victor, Peggy and Melba moved to Box Hill where Melba caught a train to Richmond each day, where she worked at Pelaco Shirt Factory. Keith was born at Box Hill in 1928. Not sure where Jack, Bill and Alwyn were at this time. They then moved to Whitfield, northeast of Melbourne to do farming. All the children went along except Gwen who must have been married by this time, and Melba boarded at Box Hill and kept working.

It seems Edgar Walker took up residence with a well-to-do lady by the name of Miss Brown, they lived in Balwyn. Melba says she was a lovely lady. This must have been around 1926.

Victor's children were not with them at Whitfield as far as mum recalls. The family all worked on the farm, even Melba had to leave her job to help out. They milked cows, made butter etc., but mainly did harvesting work, hay-carting, hay-stacking etc. Melba met Arthur (Silky) Humphries here who was stocking sheaves of hay. Arthur was an excellent hay stacker.

Mildred kept house, cleaned, baked and cooked for the men and boys. Peggy and Melba would take morning tea, lunch etc. to the men, on horseback, no saddle was used. Peggy rode a pony to the King River school each day. One day the pony shied, as there was a snake in its path and poor Peggy went over its head and landed in the long grass. No bones broken.

Keith as a toddler would chase the calves around trying to catch their tails. Apparently Mildred was kept very busy keeping an eye on young Keith.

Occasionally Mildred, Victor, Melba and boys would go to Moyhu to the local dance. Victor and Mildred were still in Whitfield when Melba left and married in 1932. She and Arthur lived at Merrigum and Echuca, Lilydale, Collingwood, Lilydale. About 1939, Arthur and Melba commenced buying a home in Lilydale, where they lived until 1970. Mildred Walker also lived in Lilydale at this time until her death in 1972.

Victor Walker worked at the Orient Hotel in Melbourne often coming to Lilydale for weekends where he stayed with Melba and family. Melba took care of him when he took ill. Ruby can remember the ambulance bringing Uncle Vic in on a stretcher.

(Ruby's memories) I can remember Gran when she worked for a Jewish couple making cushion covers and sewing bedspreads etc. around 1947 or maybe before that. She could sew anything, did lovely crocheting, always had homemade cakes, biscuits, jams, pickles etc.

I always remember Uncle Les Walker, he was a big man, very gentle, he lived with an Olive Knox in Balaclava and sometimes visited us in Lilydale. I recall him having had a stroke and Mum (Melba) always placed a serviette on his chest when he ate his meals.

4-Gwendoline Beatrice Walker was born on 11 Nov 1906 in Moriarty and died on 17 Mar 1986 at age 79. Gwendoline married Arthur Richard Medson. Arthur was born on 20 Sep 1898 and died on 15 Mar 1961 at age 62. They had six children: Leo Joseph, Betty Mildred, Douglas Francis, Robert, Charlotte May and Colin Dale.

5-Leo Joseph Medson was born on 15 Dec 1926 and died in May 1983 at age 56. Leo married someone. He had three children: Arthur Edward, Lorraine Mary and Lance Frederick.

6-Arthur Edward Medson was born on 5 Dec 1952. Arthur married Lynette Joy Siddle. Lynette was born on 19 Sep 1954. They had three children: Luke Adam, Lyn Kate Elsie and Kyle Aaron.

7-Luke Adam Medson was born on 8 Oct 1977.

7-Lyn Kate Elsie Medson was born on 25 Jul 1981.

7-Kyle Aaron Medson was born on 17 Sep 1982.

6-Lorraine Mary Medson was born on 30 Mar 1954. Lorraine married Thomas Joseph Donnelly. Thomas was born on 4 Jun 1950. They had three children: Rachel Lorraine, Patrick Leo Joseph and Heidi Louise.

7-Rachel Lorraine Donnelly was born on 11 Feb 1975.

7-Patrick Leo Joseph Donnelly was born on 5 Feb 1981.

7-Heidi Louise Donnelly was born on 17 Jan 1984.

6-Lance Frederick Medson was born on 7 Oct 1957.

5-Betty Mildred Medson was born on 17 Jan 1928 and died in 1991 in Burnie, Tasmania at age 63. Betty married Darcy Frederick Templar, son of Albert Templar and Unknown. Darcy was born on 11 Aug 1925 and died in 1999 in Burnie, Tasmania at age 74. They had three children: Gregory Robert, Judith Dianne and Kerry John.

6-Gregory Robert Templar was born on 3 Dec 1954. Gregory married Vivian Pittman. Vivian was born on 9 Jul 1955. They had two children: Caroline Jane and Kate Mary.

7-Caroline Jane Templar was born on 10 Nov 1978.

7-Kate Mary Templar was born on 6 Apr 1984.

6-Judith Dianne Templar was born on 14 May 1956. Judith married Christopher Nelson. Christopher was born on 3 Dec 1954.

6-Kerry John Templar was born on 7 Apr 1958. Kerry married Sue King. Sue was born on 24 May 1960. They had one daughter: Melanie.

7-Melanie Templar was born on 29 May 1977.

5-Douglas Francis Medson was born on 23 Sep 1930. Douglas married Audrey Sebire. Audrey was born on 10 Oct 1933. They had three children: Ross, Noel and Cheryle.

6-Ross Medson was born on 2 Jun 1957.

6-Noel Medson was born on 14 Apr 1959.

6-Cheryle Medson was born on 22 Dec 1964.

5-Robert Medson was born on 30 Nov 1938. Robert married Margaret Chesters. Margaret was born on 28 Apr 1945. They had three children: Brett, Tracy and Sharon.

6-Brett Medson was born on 4 Feb 1967.

6-Tracy Medson was born on 18 Jan 1969.

6-Sharon Medson was born on 28 Feb 1972.

5-Charlotte May Medson was born on 6 Dec 1940. Charlotte married James Christopher Barling. James was born on 30 Sep 1936. They had four children: Garry James, Dale Robert, John Arthur and Christopher Leslie.

6-Garry James Barling was born on 25 Oct 1962.

6-Dale Robert Barling was born on 22 Jul 1964.

6-John Arthur Barling was born on 8 Sep 1967.

6-Christopher Leslie Barling.

5-Colin Dale Medson was born on 17 Nov 1942. Colin married Lyn Council. They had three children: Robyn Gaye, Allan Dean and Geffrey Edward.

6-Robyn Gaye Medson was born on 30 Apr 1964.

6-Allan Dean Medson was born on 14 Feb 1965.

6-Geffrey Edward Medson was born on 16 Nov 1968.

4-Jack Walker was born on 13 Nov 1910 in Moriarty and died on 5 Sep 1975 at age 64. Jack married Edna Cruickshank. Edna died in 1973. They had five children: Laurence, Donald Ian, Helen Valmay, Jillian Anne and William Frederick.

5-Laurence Walker was born on 9 Jun 1938. Laurence married Joan Wilkinson. They had one son: Douglas John.

6-Douglas John Walker was born about 14 Aug 1965.

5-Donald Ian Walker was born on 13 Jul 1946. Donald married Joy Irene. Joy was born on 5 May 1946. They had one son: Guy Ian.

6-Guy Ian Walker was born on 29 Aug 1971.

5-Helen Valmay Walker was born on 26 May 1948. Helen married Geffry Martin Grose. Geffry was born on 27 Jun 1937. They had two children: Peter Martin and Robert Martin.

6-Peter Martin Grose was born on 7 May 1971.

6-Robert Martin Grose was born on 28 Feb 1974.

5-Jillian Anne Walker was born on 1 Oct 1953. Jillian married Kenneth Longley. Kenneth was born on 2 Sep 1952.

5-William Frederick Walker was born on 1 Oct 1958. William married Lyn Pryor. Lyn was born on 29 Jan 1952. They had three children: Chad William, Olivia May and Regan Louise.

6-Chad William Walker was born on 7 Mar 1977.

6-Olivia May Walker was born on 26 Jan 1979.

6-Regan Louise Walker was born on 13 May 1982.

4-Melba Maud Walker was born on 9 Apr 1912 in Moriarty. Melba married Arthur Henry Humphries. Arthur was born on 11 Dec 1909 and died on 20 Jun 1975 at age 65. They had seven children: Arthur Edgar, Eric, Ruby Lila, Terrance, Claudia Emily, Olive Marlene and Allen Robin.

5-Arthur Edgar Humphries was born on 9 Apr 1932. Arthur married Rosemary Warrell. Rosemary was born on 12 Dec 1938. They had four children: Peter, Susan, David and Diane.

6-Peter Humphries was born on 8 Mar 1958. Peter married Barbara.

6-Susan Humphries was born on 12 Jun 1960. Susan married someone. She had one son: Scott.

7- Scott was born about 1982.

6-David Humphries.

6-Diane Humphries.

5-Eric Humphries was born on 14 Jan 1934. Eric married Norma Sylvester. Norma was born on 18 May 1937. They had four children: Karen Lee, Eric Ross, Julie Marie and Donna Lisa.

6-Karen Lee Humphries was born on 9 Dec 1956. Karen married Russell John Lacey. Russell was born on 21 Dec 1952. They had three children: Russell John, Nathan Adam and Ella Louise.

7-Russell John Lacey was born on 29 Jan 1974.

7-Nathan Adam Lacey was born on 26 Feb 1977.

7-Ella Louise Lacey was born on 6 Apr 1981.

6-Eric Ross Humphries was born on 19 Dec 1957. Eric married Janice Boyd. Janice was born on 14 Oct 1960.

6-Julie Marie Humphries was born on 11 May 1964. Julie married Peter John Shepard. Peter was born on 12 Apr 1964. They had one son: Christopher John.

7-Christopher John Shepard was born on 29 Apr 1982.

6-Donna Lisa Humphries was born on 5 Nov 1966. Donna married someone. He had one son: Ricky Leigh.

7-Ricky Leigh Humphries was born on 5 Jun 1983. Eric married Jackie Batey. They had two children: Leigh and Darlene.

6-Leigh Humphries was born on 10 Nov 1974.

6-Darlene Humphries was born on 6 Oct 1979.

5-Ruby Lila Humphries was born on 17 Feb 1937. Ruby married Horst Andreas Kwijas. Horst was born on 19 Sep 1936. They had one son: Andreas John.

6-Andreas John Kwijas was born on 15 Jun 1956. Andreas married Lesley Phillipa Thompson. Lesley was born on 12 Jul 1951. They had two children: Renee Leigh and Ryan Andreas Phillip.

7-Renee Leigh Kwijas was born on 13 Jun 1981.

7-Ryan Andreas Phillip Kwijas was born on 3 Apr 1984.

5-Terrance Humphries was born on 13 Jan 1941. Terrance married Lorna McLeash. They had one son: Vicki Jean.

6-Vicki Jean Humphries was born on 22 Mar 1963.

Terrance next married Anne Reid. Anne was born on 5 Jul 1949. They had three children: Mark Terrance, Kim Michelle and Michael Scott.

6-Mark Terrance Humphries was born on 9 Dec 1970.

6-Kim Michelle Humphries was born on 3 Nov 1971.

6-Michael Scott Humphries was born on 13 Dec 1973.

5-Claudia Emily Humphries was born on 12 Feb 1942. Claudia married James Allan McLachlan. James was born on 31 Oct 1937. They had four children: Jane Margaret, James Allen, Paula Melba and Jodie Anne.

6-Jane Margaret McLachlan was born on 2 Sep 1958. Jane married Michael Vella. Michael was born on 19 Apr 1958. They had two children: Nicole Jane and Renee Dianne.

7-Nicole Jane Vella was born on 10 Oct 1980.

7-Renee Dianne Vella was born on 28 Jun 1983.

6-James Allen McLachlan was born on 23 Sep 1960. James married someone. He had four children: Aaron James, Kane Allen, Hollie Rose and Amy.

7-Aaron James McLachlan was born on 9 Mar 1983.

7-Kane Allen McLachlan was born on 12 Jun 1986 and died in Jul 1986.

7-Hollie Rose McLachlan was born on 27 May 1987.

7-Amy McLachlan was born in Mar 1989.

6-Paula Melba McLachlan was born on 7 Aug 1962.

6-Joide Anne McLachlan was born on 8 Jan 1972.

Claudia next married Ronald Frank Harper. Ronald was born on 17 Feb 1935.

5-Olive Marlene Humphries was born on 30 Sep 1943. Olive married Barteld Ian Swart. Barteld was born on 4 Jul 1940. They had four children: Mark Jan, Garry Allen, Linda Kerry and Deborah Marlene.

6-Mark Jan Swart was born on 18 Jan 1961. Mark married Delores Phillipa. Delores was born on 29 Dec 1961. They had three children: Katrina Maree, Joshua Bart and Simon.

7-Katrina Maree Swart was born on 28 Oct 1980.

7-Joshua Bart Swart was born on 5 Dec 1983.

7-Simon Swart was born on 16 Apr 1985.

6-Garry Allen Swart was born on 17 Feb 1964. Garry married Linda Star. Linda was born on 23 Nov 1963. They had two children: Christopher John and Aaron Neville.

7-Christopher John Swart was born on 7 May 1984.

7-Aaron Neville Swart was christened on 6 Feb 1987.

6-Linda Kerry Swart was born on 17 Feb 1964. Linda married Gregory Allen Upton. Gregory was born on 27 Apr 1960. They had one daughter: Jennifer Marlene.

7-Jennifer Marlene Upton was born on 21 Jun 1984.

6-Deborah Marlene Swart was born on 12 Jun 1966. Deborah married Stephen Grant Morgan. Stephen was born on 19 Jul 1962. They had two children: Olivia and Justin Grant.

7-Olivia Morgan was born on 19 May 1987.

7-Justin Grant Morgan was born on 8 Sep 1988.

5-Allen Robin Humphries was born on 13 Apr 1947. Allen married Diana Simpson. Diana was born on 2 Apr 1949. They had four children: Danny Stephen, Tania Michelle, Allen Jnr and Drew John.

6-Danny Stephen Humphries was born on 16 Jun 1966. Danny married Christine Martha Pitt. Christine was born on 3 May 1963.

6-Tania Michelle Humphries was born on 2 Sep 1969.

6-Allen Jnr Humphries was born on 19 Apr 1971.

6-Drew John Humphries was born on 30 Dec 1979.

4-Horace Samuel Walker was born on 12 Nov 1914 in Spreyton and died on 27 Jun 1986 at age 71. Horace married Eileen Theresa Fitzgerald. Eileen was born on 16 Jul 1920 and died on 7 Aug 1986 at age 66. They had four children: Catharine, Margaret Eileen, Raymond John and Martin Frances.

5-Catharine Walker was born about 1948 and was christened about 1949.

5-Margaret Eileen Walker was born on 15 Aug 1950. Margaret married John Charles Thompson. John was born on 10 Aug 1958.

5-Raymond John Walker was born on 28 Nov 1951. Raymond married Pauline Bedford. Pauline was born on 18 Oct 1949. They had three children: Paul Raymond, David and Bianca.

6-Paul Raymond Walker was born on 7 May 1977.

6-David Walker was born on 28 Dec 1982.

6-Bianca Walker was born on 29 Oct 1984.

5-Martin Frances Walker was born on 21 May 1957. Martin married Suzannne Rose Cornish. Suzannne was born on 21 Nov 1958. They had two children: Jessica Lee and Emily Kate.

6-Jessica Lee Walker was born on 12 Jun 1978.

6-Emily Kate Walker was born on 12 Jun 1978.

4-Bern Alwyn Walker was born on 25 Feb 1919 in East Devonport, Tasmania. Bern married Frances Annie Bishop. Frances was born on 13 Nov 1920. They had four children: Judith Ann, Beverley May, Peter Burne and Wayne Murray.

5-Judith Ann Walker was born on 30 Oct 1942. Judith married George Willian Hannah. George was born on 22 Feb 1937. They had one son: Stephen George.

6-Stephen George Hannah was born on 10 Jun 1966. Stephen married Kerry Lee Holt. Kerry was born on 8 Oct 1967. They had two children: Roslyn and Troy John Holt.

7-Roslyn Hannah was born on 20 Jul 1985.

7-Troy John Holt Hannah was born on 26 Nov 1987.

Judith next married Robert Louis Cliffe. Robert was born on 27 Dec 1938.

5-Beverley May Walker was born on 10 Mar 1944 and died in Feb 2000 in Burnie, Tasmania at age 55. Beverley married John Alfred Larder. John was born on 22 Jun 1936. They had three children: Tracey Ann, Leanne May and John Andrew.

6-Tracey Ann Larder was born on 23 Sep 1963. Tracey married Eran Mitchell Swetnam. Eran was born on 3 May 1958. They had three children: Lee Mitchell, Jason Mitchell and Nicole Ann.

7-Lee Mitchell Swetnam was born on 10 Mar 1980.

7-Jason Mitchell Swetnam was born on 10 Feb 1984.

7-Nicole Ann Swetnam was born on 5 May 1986.

6-Leanne May Larder was born on 31 May 1965. Leanne married Gerald Allan Scholhorst. Gerald was born on 3 Jul 1961.

6-John Andrew Larder was born on 26 Jan 1968.

5-Peter Burne Walker was born on 4 Feb 1946. Peter married Frances Kaye Reed. Frances was born on 2 Apr 1945. They had three children: Peter Robert, Margaret Gail and Murray James.

6-Peter Robert Walker was born on 10 Oct 1965.

6-Margaret Gail Walker was born on 31 Jan 1967.

6-Murray James Walker was born on 17 Mar 1973.

5-Wayne Murray Walker was born on 6 Dec 1947. Wayne married Lynn Diane Gibson. Lynn was born on 5 Feb 1954. They had two children: Paul Anthony and Melinda Leigh.

6-Paul Anthony Walker was born on 11 Jan 1978.

6-Melinda Leigh Walker was born on 2 Jul 1980.

Bern next married Valma Dickson. Valma was born on 13 Oct 1920. They had two children: Rosemary and John Alwyn.

5-Rosemary Walker was born in 1951. Rosemary married Tom Kennedy. Tom was born about 1950. They had three children: Tania, Tracey and Donovan.

6-Tania Kennedy was born in Aug 1968.

6-Tracey Kennedy was born in 1969.

6-Donovan Kennedy was born in 1974.

Rosemary next married Tom Murch. Tom was born about 1950.

5-John Alwyn Dickson was born in 1953. John married Colleen Arnott. Colleen was born about 1954. They had one son: Jeffrey John.

6-Jeffrey John Dickson was born on 29 Jun 1974.

4-Peggy (Mirth) Walker was born on 8 May 1921 and died on 6 Sep 1978 at age 57. Peggy married Raymond Templar, son of Albert Templar. Raymond was born on 1 Nov 1920. They had two children: Barry Raymond and Neil.

5-Barry Raymond Templar was born on 22 Apr 1943. Barry married Sandre Lee Rudeforth. Sandre was born on 5 Aug 1947. They had two children: Kirsty-Lee and Jay Barry.

6-Kirsty-Lee Templar was born on 14 Nov 1973.

6-Jay Barry Templar was born on 1 Jun 1976.

5-Neil Templar was born on 18 Sep 1946. Neil married Sandra Butler. Sandra was born on 27 Nov 1949. They had four children: Neil Jnr, Mark, Danny and Sarah.

6-Neil Jnr Templar was born on 10 Nov 1968.

6-Mark Templar was born on 22 Oct 1971.

6-Danny Templar was born on 11 Jan 1975.

6-Sarah Templar was born on 28 Mar 1979.