The Australian War Memorial’s Commemorative Roll records the name of some 3,141 Australians that died in the service of Allied countries during conflicts in which Australians have fought.
The number is somewhat understated – our research over the last few years has identified seven or eight others clearly noted in Death Notices, but whom AWM appear reluctant to suitably acknowledge.
Conversely, one entry that appears on the Roll, that of Private James Henry Ivory of the 19th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry of the British Army is incorrectly included, apparently based on Commonwealth War Grave Commission records apparently compiled around 1922 which show him born in Islington, London and of 3 York Street, Canning Town, London, E16 when he enlisted, but with him (when the record was compiled) as “husband of Ethel Florence Ivory (nee Stanley), of 15, Milton St., Preston, Melbourne, Australia”.
Ivory was killed in action on 14 October, 1918, just three weeks before the Armistice – from what can be determined, James Ivory never set foot on Australian soil and thus technically is ineligible for inclusion on the Commemorative Roll, but the family background regardless is one of the more fascinating encountered.
Victorian immigration records are not the most reliable source of information, but they show the s.s. Berrima arriving from London in October, 1921 with Mrs E. F. Ivory (49 years), accompanied by the Misses Q. R. (8), F. G. (11) and Master J. F. (16).
Directories confirm the family at at 15 Milton-street (south side), but from the late 1920s on the northern side at number 6.
Ethel was still in Milton-street when died in 1940 at 71 years, shown as born Newcastle-On-Thyne, England and interred in Preston Cemetery :
IVORY — On July 21, at her residence, 6 Milton-street, Preston, Ethel Florence, beloved wife of the late James Henry, and loved mother of Ethel (Mrs. Holt), William, James, Florence (Mrs. Bradshaw) and Queenie (Mrs. J. Moate), aged 71 years.
A British website confirms Ethel and William remained in England after their mother and three younger siblings emigrated, but also reveal the more startling information that before enlisting, James Ivory was a professional tattooist working under the name “Professor Ivory”.
The lead image shown is originally taken from an online auction site and “Ethella” is believed to be of Ethel Florence Ivory. It also suggests Ethel’s father, George William Stanley was co-founder of a theatre at Newcastle-On-Thyne, her birthplace as shown on her death Registration.
A question unanswered is just what prompted Mrs Ivory (who appears some eight years senior to her late husband) to pack up her three children and move to Australia – were there relatives here in Melbourne to support her move? – if so, it seems strange that there was no mention in the Death Notice.
Of the children emigrating to Australia, Florence Gertrude became Mrs Frederick Campbell Bradshaw (Hutton-street, Thornbury) in 1936; Queenie Regina became Mrs John Charles Moate (in Bradford-avenue, Preston) just before her mother’s passing in 1940, and James Frederick married Winifred Vera Isaacs in 1932.
If anyone of a Certain Age remembers a 60-year-old-plus tattooed lady from Milton-street in the late 1930s, please add suitable comments ASAP!!
