William Charles CRUST and Audrey Ethel BROOKS
William Charles CRUST (known as Charles), (1893-1961), son of Samuel CRUST and Emily Annie BOWMAN, was born on 9 January 1893 in Redland Bay, Queensland.
Audrey Ethel BROOKS (known as Ethel), (1896-1955), daughter of Catherine Mary CONWAY, was born on 16 February 1896 in Adavale, Queensland. No father was named on her birth certificate and four months after she was born her mother married John Thomas BROOKS. Ethel always used the name Brooks and thought John Thomas Brooks was her father, but DNA testing has proven that he was NOT her father. I am hoping that one day DNA will reveal who her biological father was. |
These and other photos of Charlie and Ethel's family can be viewed and saved at a higher resolution on their PHOTOS PAGE |
Charles and Ethel were married on 5 May 1915 at the General Registry Office, Brisbane. He was a carpenter living in Cleveland, Queensland and she was living in Tank Street, Brisbane. The witnesses were Charles father, Samuel and step-mother Ann.
School records indicate that Charlie was educated at Junction Park State School, Bulimba State School and Norman Park State School. He was a butcher by trade, a shearer, bush carpenter and hawker.
Audrey Ethel was baptised at St Mary's Church, Charleville, Queensland on 9 March 1898, two months after her mother's death. At the time she was living with her father in Augathella, Queensland. Ethel's father, John Thomas Brooks remarried in 1899 and Ethel was raised by her step-mother. Although Ethel was enrolled at Bowenville State School she rarely attended and apart from signing her name, was unable to read or write.
In 1919 Charlie and Ethel were living in Longreach but soon after were living in Charleville where they would remain until their marriage breakup in the mid 1930's. They lived in a two storey timber home at the corner of Wills and Parry Streets where they operated a boarding house, known as 'Crusts Boarding House'. My grandmother also had a mixed business shop at the boarding house. On Sunday, 1 May 1932 they hosted a function at their residence for the Charleville Basketball Association when the Toowoomba club came to town to play the Charleville girls. It was reported in The Charleville Times that 'On Sunday a social evening was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. C. Crust. The attendance at this social was exceptionally good and everyone had a most enjoyable time'. The boarding house was also used as a training gym for boxing.
Audrey Ethel was baptised at St Mary's Church, Charleville, Queensland on 9 March 1898, two months after her mother's death. At the time she was living with her father in Augathella, Queensland. Ethel's father, John Thomas Brooks remarried in 1899 and Ethel was raised by her step-mother. Although Ethel was enrolled at Bowenville State School she rarely attended and apart from signing her name, was unable to read or write.
In 1919 Charlie and Ethel were living in Longreach but soon after were living in Charleville where they would remain until their marriage breakup in the mid 1930's. They lived in a two storey timber home at the corner of Wills and Parry Streets where they operated a boarding house, known as 'Crusts Boarding House'. My grandmother also had a mixed business shop at the boarding house. On Sunday, 1 May 1932 they hosted a function at their residence for the Charleville Basketball Association when the Toowoomba club came to town to play the Charleville girls. It was reported in The Charleville Times that 'On Sunday a social evening was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. C. Crust. The attendance at this social was exceptionally good and everyone had a most enjoyable time'. The boarding house was also used as a training gym for boxing.
Double tragedy struck the family when 16 year old Audrey died in 1934 from rheumatic fever and two years later 19 year old Thelma died from pneumonia. Ethel was devastated by the deaths of her two daughters. She blamed the harsh life in outback Charleville and devised a plan to escape both Charleville and her marriage. In the early hours of the morning of Sunday 20 December 1936, a fire took hold in 'Crust's Boarding House' at the corner of Wills and Parry Streets, and the building and contents were destroyed. Luckily everyone escaped the blaze. The Charleville Times reported "Boarding House Razed" on Thursday, 24 December 1936, page 6.
At the Inquest into the Fire, testimony was given by the residents of the boarding house, the fireman in charge of the fire-station, the next door neighbour and the sergeant of police. No-one put any blame on my grandmother. The inquest made a finding that the fire was accidental. The Charleville Times reported "Fire Inquiry, Boarding House Razed, Contents Totally Destroyed" on Friday, 22 January 1937, page 8.
But the fact was that my grandmother actually planned and executed the fire to collect the insurance money of £190 for the furniture. It was part of her plan to start a new life. Husband Charlie was away 'hawking his goods' in inland Queensland and eldest son, Timmy was away working. In the days preceding the fire, Ethel took her youngest son, Robert, who was 13 at time, to stay with her sister, Edith, in Southport. She planned on sending for him when she was settled. After collecting the insurance money, Ethel along with middle son, Harold, caught the train to Sydney. She changed her name from Crust to Robertson and opened a small mixed business in Balmain. By the time she sent word for Robert, his father had discovered his whereabouts and had collected him and taken him to an outback station called 'Tatong' in Winton, Qld, where Robert was set to work as a station hand. It was two years before his father returned to get him.
Children of William Charles CRUST and Audrey Ethel BROOKS:
1. Pearl Thelma CRUST (1916-1936) (known as Thelma)
Thelma was born on 20 June 1916 in Charleville. She attended the Trinity College of Music and in 1931 The Charleville Times published the results of her practical examination at St. Mary's Convent. As a junior she scored 70. On 20 April 1936 she died, in Chinchilla of pneumonia, after wading through flood waters to help victims of a flood. She was only 19. Her body was brought back to Charleville and she was buried on 22 April 1936 in the Charleville Cemetery, Qld (1821 Presbyterian Section). Thelma's Death Notice was published in the Personal column of The Charleville Times, Friday 24 April 1936, page 7, followed the next year by an In Memoriam. At the time of her death Thelma was engaged to marry Ellis Sturgess. He was heart broken and a few years later committed suicide.
2. Audrey Patricia CRUST (1918-1934).
Audrey was born on 17 March 1918 in Charleville, Queensland. She died, aged 16, of rheumatic heart disease on 24 June 1934 in Charleville.
She was buried on 26 June 1934 in the Charleville Cemetery, Charleville. (1721 Church of England Section).
Audrey's Obituary was published in The Charleville Times, Friday, 31 August 1934, page 7.
Audrey was born on 17 March 1918 in Charleville, Queensland. She died, aged 16, of rheumatic heart disease on 24 June 1934 in Charleville.
She was buried on 26 June 1934 in the Charleville Cemetery, Charleville. (1721 Church of England Section).
Audrey's Obituary was published in The Charleville Times, Friday, 31 August 1934, page 7.
3. Charles Albert CRUST (1919-1983). (known as Timmy)
Charles was born on 14 October 1919 in Charleville. He married Edna Barbara BEITZ on 18 January 1939. Timmy served as a private in the army in WW2. See his Service Record. They had four children. Timmy and Edna separated on 17 March 1961 and divorced in July 1967. Timmy's second partner was Yvonne Duncan GIESMAN. They had three boys. Timmy died suddenly, aged 63, on 23 May 1983 in Agnes Waters via Miriam Vale, Queensland. He was cremated on 27 May 1983 in Bundaberg. See his Death Notice
Charles was born on 14 October 1919 in Charleville. He married Edna Barbara BEITZ on 18 January 1939. Timmy served as a private in the army in WW2. See his Service Record. They had four children. Timmy and Edna separated on 17 March 1961 and divorced in July 1967. Timmy's second partner was Yvonne Duncan GIESMAN. They had three boys. Timmy died suddenly, aged 63, on 23 May 1983 in Agnes Waters via Miriam Vale, Queensland. He was cremated on 27 May 1983 in Bundaberg. See his Death Notice
4. Harold Leslie CRUST (1921-1966)
Harold was born on 4 July 1921. He served as a private in the army in WW2. See his Service Record. He was a carpenter. He married Kathleen Stella WHITE in 1945 in Rozelle, NSW. Kathleen served in the RAAF in WW2. They had six children. Harold died suddenly, aged 45, on 25 September 1966 in Baulkham Hills, NSW. Kathleen died, aged 90, on 13 September, 2013.
Harold was born on 4 July 1921. He served as a private in the army in WW2. See his Service Record. He was a carpenter. He married Kathleen Stella WHITE in 1945 in Rozelle, NSW. Kathleen served in the RAAF in WW2. They had six children. Harold died suddenly, aged 45, on 25 September 1966 in Baulkham Hills, NSW. Kathleen died, aged 90, on 13 September, 2013.
On 3 February 1942, Charlie petitioned for divorce, claiming desertion of three years and upwards of his wife, Ethel. At the time he was living at 130 Regent Street, Redfern, NSW.
William Charles CRUST and Audrey Ethel BROOKS were divorced on 17 February 1944 in NSW.
William Charles CRUST and Audrey Ethel BROOKS were divorced on 17 February 1944 in NSW.
William Charles CRUST and Elsie Louisa KELLY (his second wife)
Charles married Elsie Louisa KELLY on 11 January 1946 in the Methodist Church, Albert Street, Brisbane. At the time he was living at 36 Dowling Street, Darlinghurst, NSW and was working as a Butcher and Elsie was a waitress. Elsie Louisa KELLY was born about 1902 in Cessnock, NSW. She died in 1971 in Newtown, NSW.
William Charles CRUST died, aged 68, of multiple pulmonary infarction and congestive cardiac failure on 6 December 1961 at the District Hospital, Marrickville, NSW. At the time he was living at 2 Belgrove Street, Petersham, NSW. He was cremated at the Rookwood Crematorium, NSW on 7 December 1961.
William Charles CRUST died, aged 68, of multiple pulmonary infarction and congestive cardiac failure on 6 December 1961 at the District Hospital, Marrickville, NSW. At the time he was living at 2 Belgrove Street, Petersham, NSW. He was cremated at the Rookwood Crematorium, NSW on 7 December 1961.
Audrey Ethel CRUST nee BROOKS and John George RUSSELL (her second husband)
Audrey Ethel CRUST married John George RUSSELL (known as George) on 15 June 1950 in the Registrar General's Office, Sydney, NSW. My father, Robert George Crust was one of the witnesses.
By all accounts my grandmother enjoyed her food and my mother recounts a story of visiting her one Saturday afternoon. Rob (as my mother called her), had just finished cooking a piece of corned beef for dinner. Over the course of the afternoon, Rob managed to polish off almost the entire piece of meat. Poor George missed out on the corned beef for his dinner that night.
In 1942 when my grandmother was 46, she started feeling unwell and was putting on weight. Thinking she was going through menopause she visited the doctor. She was shocked to learn she was six months pregnant. Three months later she gave birth to her beautiful daughter, Georgina Phyllis. There was a 19 year age difference between Phyllis and my father, Bob.
In the 1940's Ethel resided at 23 Adolphus Street, Balmain, NSW where she was a shopkeeper running a mixed business. In 1950 she had a shop at 34 Queen Street, Glebe, NSW.
Audrey Ethel died, aged 59, of cancer of the cervix and uterus, secondary cancer and severe secondary anaemia on 16 October 1955 at 60 Greenacre Road, Bankstown. She was buried in the Catholic Section, Rookwood Cemetery, NSW. I was only two when my grandmother passed away so have very little memory of her. By all accounts she was an extremely generous and lovable person and also quite a character!!
By all accounts my grandmother enjoyed her food and my mother recounts a story of visiting her one Saturday afternoon. Rob (as my mother called her), had just finished cooking a piece of corned beef for dinner. Over the course of the afternoon, Rob managed to polish off almost the entire piece of meat. Poor George missed out on the corned beef for his dinner that night.
In 1942 when my grandmother was 46, she started feeling unwell and was putting on weight. Thinking she was going through menopause she visited the doctor. She was shocked to learn she was six months pregnant. Three months later she gave birth to her beautiful daughter, Georgina Phyllis. There was a 19 year age difference between Phyllis and my father, Bob.
In the 1940's Ethel resided at 23 Adolphus Street, Balmain, NSW where she was a shopkeeper running a mixed business. In 1950 she had a shop at 34 Queen Street, Glebe, NSW.
Audrey Ethel died, aged 59, of cancer of the cervix and uterus, secondary cancer and severe secondary anaemia on 16 October 1955 at 60 Greenacre Road, Bankstown. She was buried in the Catholic Section, Rookwood Cemetery, NSW. I was only two when my grandmother passed away so have very little memory of her. By all accounts she was an extremely generous and lovable person and also quite a character!!
Children of Audrey Ethel BROOKS and John George RUSSELL:
1. Georgina Phyllis RUSSELL (1942)
Georgina was born in 1942. She married Clive Austin JACKSON (1940-2019) on 1 February 1963 at St. Andrews, Church of England, Cronulla, NSW. They have two children.
Georgina was born in 1942. She married Clive Austin JACKSON (1940-2019) on 1 February 1963 at St. Andrews, Church of England, Cronulla, NSW. They have two children.
Sources
1. "Birth Certificate : William Charles Crust". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
2. "Birth Certificate : Audrey Ethel Conway". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
3. "Marriage Certificate : William Charles Crust & Audrey Ethel Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
4. "Junction Park State School Admission Register 1893-1940". findmypast.com.au.
5. "Bulimba State School: Centenary Celebrations 1866-1966". findmypast.com.au.
6. "Norman Park State School 1900, Queensland, Australia" (Ref: P10). findmypast.com.au.
7. "Interview with Robert George Crust"
8. "Baptism : Audrey Ethel Brooks". Register of St Mary's Church, Charleville.
9. "Bowenville State School Centenary: No Backward Step 1898-1998". findmypast.com.au.
10. "Electoral Roll 1919". ancestry.com.
11. "Birth Certificate : Robert George Crust". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
12. "Interview with Margaret Ann Catherine Crust nee Glennan"
13. Supreme Court of NSW Matrimonial Causes Jurisdiction, "Divorce Crust v Crust". NSW State Archives.
14. "Marriage Certificate : Audrey Ethel Crust & John George Russell". NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages
15. "Death Certificate : Audrey Ethel Russell". NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages.
16. "Marriage Certificate : William Charles Crust & Elsie Louisa Kelly nee Jones". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
17. Index of NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages. bdm.gov.au
18. "Death Certificate : William Charles Crust". NSW Births Deaths & Marriages".
19. "Letters from Rae Crust re the family".
20. "Marriage Certificate : Georgina Phyllis Russell & Clive Austin Jackson". NSW Births Deaths & Marriages. (Withheld for privacy reasons)
Updated 9 August 2020
1. "Birth Certificate : William Charles Crust". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
2. "Birth Certificate : Audrey Ethel Conway". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
3. "Marriage Certificate : William Charles Crust & Audrey Ethel Brooks". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
4. "Junction Park State School Admission Register 1893-1940". findmypast.com.au.
5. "Bulimba State School: Centenary Celebrations 1866-1966". findmypast.com.au.
6. "Norman Park State School 1900, Queensland, Australia" (Ref: P10). findmypast.com.au.
7. "Interview with Robert George Crust"
8. "Baptism : Audrey Ethel Brooks". Register of St Mary's Church, Charleville.
9. "Bowenville State School Centenary: No Backward Step 1898-1998". findmypast.com.au.
10. "Electoral Roll 1919". ancestry.com.
11. "Birth Certificate : Robert George Crust". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
12. "Interview with Margaret Ann Catherine Crust nee Glennan"
13. Supreme Court of NSW Matrimonial Causes Jurisdiction, "Divorce Crust v Crust". NSW State Archives.
14. "Marriage Certificate : Audrey Ethel Crust & John George Russell". NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages
15. "Death Certificate : Audrey Ethel Russell". NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages.
16. "Marriage Certificate : William Charles Crust & Elsie Louisa Kelly nee Jones". Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages.
17. Index of NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages. bdm.gov.au
18. "Death Certificate : William Charles Crust". NSW Births Deaths & Marriages".
19. "Letters from Rae Crust re the family".
20. "Marriage Certificate : Georgina Phyllis Russell & Clive Austin Jackson". NSW Births Deaths & Marriages. (Withheld for privacy reasons)
Updated 9 August 2020