Harriet Ellen (Burston) Rosenthal (1871 - 1952)

Born 24 Apr 1871 in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia)

Ancestors

Wife of Charles Rosenthal KCB CMG — married 11 Sep 1897 in Brighton, Victoria (Australia)

Died 19 Jun 1952 at age 81 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Harriet Ellen "Nellie" Burston was born on 24th April 1871 in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia). She was the daughter of English emigrants Henry Burston and Ellen Maria Corben. ^[1]

Nellie married Charles Rosenthal, architect and militia soldier, in the Congregational Church (now Trinity Uniting Church), Brighton, Victoria, on 11th September 1897. ^[2] She returned to Perth, Western Australia with Charles, where he was working as a draughtsman. They also lived in Coolgardie whilst in the west. Towards the end of 1898 they returned to Victoria, but then moved to Sydney, New South Wales about twelve months later when Charles was appointed to a management position there; living initially in Lewisham and then Mosman.

Charles served in The Great War at both Gallipoli and the Western Front, attaining the rank of Major General, and being wounded on four occasions. From 1919, when Charles was created Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Nellie became entitled as Lady Rosenthal. As such, Nellie became a first-class hostess as Charles continued in the Militia and was elected Alderman on Sydney Municipal Council (1921-24), Member for Bathurst in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (1922-25), President of the Federal Council of the Australian Institutes of Architects (1925-28), President of the Institute of Architects of New South Wales (1926-30), President of the Australian Museum (1926-30) and Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council (1936-37).

From 1937 and throughout the Second World War, whilst Charles was Administrator, and until 1948, the couple lived on Norfolk Island.

Nellie passed away, aged 81 years, on 19th June 1952 in Sydney. ^[3] She was survived by Charles, their three sons Charles (1899-1975), Alvord (1901-75) and Christian (1907-90), three daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria Birth Index #10643/1871
2. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #5160/1897
3. ↑ New South Wales Death Index #8178/1952