Ernest Easby (1866 - 1936)

Born 1866 in North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Ann (Maher) Easby — married 27 Apr 1904 (to 28 Jun 1913) in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Husband of Theodosia Christiana Brandt (Hill) Frost — married 1918 (to 27 Jun 1936) in Victoria, Australia

Died 1936 at about age 70 in Royal Park, Victoria, Australia

Biography

John Easby was born in the Colony of Victoria (1851-1900)

John Easby is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Ernest Easby was born about 1866, his birth registered that year in Hotham (now North Melbourne), Victoria, as the son of Harry William Easby and Harriet Scourfield. ^[1]

Military Service (1899-1902). Served in South Africa as John Henry Easby. On enlistment, he said he was born Ohio, Unites States of America. ^[2]

Sunday Times (Sydney) Sunday 29 October 1899 - Page 8

THE MEN WHO LEFT YESTERDAY.

NEW SOUTH WAUES CONTINGENT.

THE ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.

The following is :the complete list of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, who comprise the half unit of the Army Medical Corps, which embarked yesterday on the Kent: —

Driver J. H. EASBY, A Battery.

Marriage. On 27th April 1904, as John Henry Easby, he married Sarah Ann Maher in Melbourne, Victoria. ^[3]

The Age (Melbourne) Saturday 4 June 1904 - Page 5

MARRIAGES

EASBY—MAHER - On the 27th April, at St. Patrick's Cathedral by the Rev. Father Martin, J. H. Easby, late of Military Forces, to S. A., only daughter of John and Margaret Maher, of Tallarook, and sister of B.J. and J.D. Maher. ^[4]

Widowed. Sarah died in 1913, aged 50. ^[5]

The Age (Melbourne) Saturday 5 July 1913 - Page 5

DEATHS

EASBY.—On the 28th June, Mrs. S. A. Easby, late of Maribyrnong, beloved sister of Bernard and John Maher. Interred in New Melbourne Cemetery. R.I.P. ^[6]

Military Service (1915-1916). On 8th November 1915, as John Henry Easby, he signed up for the Australian Imperial Army at Maribyrnong, Victoria. Because he was claiming his earlier military service, he said he was born Cleveland, U.S.A. He gave his sister as his next-of-kin: Harriet Jude, Brunswick Rd., Brunswick. He said he was 45 years and 4 months old, and worked as a Groom. Previous military service was in the U.S.A. and South Africa (1899,1902). He also stated he was a Naturalized British Subject.

He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a fair complexion, gray eyes and brown hair. John's distinctive marks were two vaccination scars on his left arm, a mole in the centre of his back, and a scar in the centre of his forehead. After passing his medical, he was assigned to the 1st Remount Unit.

His file doesn't say how he got there, but on 24th June 1916, he was sent back from Suez, Egypt, to Australia, on board the Hospital Ship "Port Sydney" with sciatica — for discharge. He had been hospitalized at Heliopolis on 2nd May 1916.

Trooper John Henry Easby was discharged to the 3rd M.D. on 22nd August 1916. It seems he was repatriated, for his next-of-kin was amended, in red ink, to Mrs. C. T. Easby (Widow), 96 Park street, South Melbourne, Victoria. Dated 30/11/36. ^[7]

Marriage. In 1918, as John Henry Easby, he married Theodosia Christiana Brandt Hill, in Victoria. ^[8]

They had two daughters but, sadly, the younger one, Mavis Elizabeth, accidentally drank liniment from an unmarked bottle when she was 20 months old. At the time, the older girl, Lillian Rosa (Lily), was nine years old.

The Argus (Melbourne) Saturday 4 February 1928 - Page 17

DEATHS

EASBY.—On the 3rd February (suddenly), Mavis Elizabeth, the dearly loved youngest daughter of John and Christiana (Chrissie) Easby, of 96 Park street, South Melbourne and loving sister of Lillian, aged 1 year and 8 months.

God's flower, plucked so young. ^[9]

Death. Recorded as Ernest Easby, his death was registered at Royal Park, Victoria, giving North Melbourne as his birthplace and naming his parents as John Easby and Harriet Scarfield. ^[10]

The Age (Melbourne) Monday 29 June 1936 - Page 1

DEATHS

EASBY.— On the 27th June, at Victorian Hospital, John Henry, the beloved husband of Christina Easby, and loving father of Lily and Mavis (deceased), of 96 Park-street, South Melbourne; late of G.P.O. South African veteran and A.I.F. At rest.

FUNERAL NOTICES

EASBY. —The Friends of the late JOHN HENRY EASBY, late A.I.F., and South African Veteran, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Fawkner Cemetery. The funeral is appointed to leave his residence, 96 Park-street, South Melbourne, TO-MORROW (Tuesday), 30th June, at 2 p.m.

W. G. RAVEN, Funeral Director, Head office phone J2225. ^[11]

The Age (Melbourne) Saturday 11 July 1936 - Page 14

BEREAVEMENT NOTICES

MRS. J. H. EASBY and DAUGHTER desire to THANK all kind friends for their kindness and sympathy In their recent sad bereavement, especially doctor, sister, nurses and orderlies at Victoria Hospital; also the Victoria Palace housekeeper and staff for their kind and willing attention; also G.P.O. staff.

96 Park-street, South Melbourne. ^[12]

Burial. Recorded as Ernest Easby, aged 70, his remains were interred in his daughter Mavis's grave at Fawkner Cemetery on 30th June 1936. In 1951, his widow joined them there. She had remarried as was buried as Christina Frost.^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Index Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. (Online index accessed 4 Mar 2023): 1866 Birth Registration, Ernest EASBY (Harriett SCOURFIELD & Harry William) birth registered at Hotham 16370/1866
2. ↑ Military Service "National Archives of Australia" NAA: B4717, EASBY/JOHN HENRY; PMF (Permanent Military Forces) and Army Militia Personnel dossiers, 1901-1973 [Contents dates: circa 1884 - circa 2001] : Easby, John Henry, born Ohio, United States of America, 2817 [index entry only]
3. ↑ Marriage Index, Victoria (Australia) Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. (Online index accessed 4 Mar 2023): 1904 Marriage Registration for Jno Hy EASBY & Sarah Ann MAHER, 3123/1904
4. ↑ Marriage Notice 1904 'Family Notices', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 4 June, p. 5. , viewed 04 Mar 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201666147
5. ↑ Death, Sarah Death Index, Victoria (Australia) Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. (Online index accessed 4 Mar 2023): 1913 Death Registration for Sarah Ann EASBY (Sarah UNKNOWN & Jno MAHER) Melb East 6431/1913, age 50
6. ↑ Death notice, Sarah 1913 'Family Notices', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 5 July, p. 5. , viewed 04 Mar 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197489448
7. ↑ Military File NAA B2455, EASBY J H [digital, 27 pages] Easby John Henry SERN 211 : POB Cleveland USA : POE Maribynong VIC : NOK W Easby Mrs C T
8. ↑ Marriage Index, Victoria (Australia) Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. (Online index accessed 4 Mar 2023): 1918 Marriage Registration for Theodosia Ctiana Brandt HILL & Jno Henry EASBY, 1150/1918
9. ↑ Death Notice, Mavis 1928 'Family Notices', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 4 February, p. 17. , viewed 04 Mar 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3908621
10. ↑ Death Index, Victoria (Australia) Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. (Online index accessed 4 Mar 2023): 1936 Death Registration for Ernest EASBY (Harriet SCARFIELD & John EASBY) born Melbourne North, died Royal park, 5405/1936, age 68 [sic]
11. ↑ Death & Funeral Notices 1936 'Family Notices', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 29 June, p. 1. , viewed 04 Mar 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204838934
12. ↑ Bereavement Notice 1936 'Family Notices', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 11 July, p. 14. , viewed 04 Mar 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204912826
13. ↑ Burial The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, Deceased Search (accessed 24 Jan 2023)
    Fawkner Memorial Park
    (Church Of England M, Grave 2297)
    Mavis Elizabeth EASBY (bur. 4/2/1928) age 1
    Ernest [sic] EASBY (bur. 30/6/1936) age 70
    Christina T FROST (bur. 1/5/1951) age 65