Frederick Watkins (abt. 1885 - 1959)

Born about 1885 in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Christina Florence (Gillespie) Watkins — married about 1909 in Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 6 Oct 1959 at about age 74 in Caulfield North, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Michael Cormack [send private message]

Frederick Watkins was born in the Colony of Victoria (1851-1900)

Biography

Frederick Watkins was born in 1883 at East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.^[1] Frederick was the son of George Watkins and Mary Cormack.

In 1902, he enlisted in the Army, in Christchurch, New Zealand, for service in South Africa. He gave his address as 26 Andrew Street, Christchurch, and his next-of-kin as W. Watkins, a friend of his father, living at the same address. He was discharged from service in July the same year, but was sent to join a police force, apparently in Johannesburg.

Family

Frederick Watkins married Christina Florence Gillespie in 1909 at Victoria, Australia.^[2]

He eventually joined his father's butchery business in Melbourne. In 1918, he was prosecuted for attempting to bribe the chief steward of a ship to accept a consignment of inferior meat. However, he was found not guilty.

He passed away around 1959 at Caulfield North, Victoria, aged 77.

^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9][10]}

Research Notes

• Coincidently(?), the William Watkins who he was staying with in 1902, who was apparently born in London, migrated to Melbourne in 1859, the same year as Frederick's father.
• Who is Miss Ellen Watkins, Sydenham, who was receiving his military pay? She was also a witness for Tryphena Watkins's marriage.

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria BDM - Reg. No. #9139/1883, Births
2. ↑ Victoria BDM - reg. No. #502/1909, Marriages
3. ↑ Unsourced family tree handed down to Michael Cormack, for date of birth and parents.
4. ↑ Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria search for birth reg. no. 9139/1883, birth registered in 1883 of Frederick Watkins at Emer [Emerald Hill, or South Melbourne], mother Mary Mortimer Cormack, father Wifred George [sic].
5. ↑ Auckland Museums Virtual Cenotaph C127165 aucklandmuseum.com, Frederick Watkins, born 1883.
6. ↑ Archives New Zealand Military Personnel Files R20524117 archives.govt.nz, Frederick Watkins, SA5714, Army; [Image 4], Attestation for service in South Africa, at Addington, Christchurch, dated 6 February 1902; address 26 Andrew Street, Waltham, Christchurch, butcher, employer Jas Knight, High Street, age 19 years, 8 months, next of kin ([fathers friend?]) W. Watkins, 26 Andrew Street, Sydenham, Christchurch. [Image 5] letter regarding payment of a war gratuity for Private F. Watkins, paid to his father G. A. Watkins (butcher) 312 Moray Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. [Image 14] Allotment favour Miss Ellen Watkins, Sydenham 4/. p day 1/7/02 to 12/8/02. 8 pounds 16 -., less overpayment. He was discharged in S. Africa 4/7/02 and payment wasn't stopped immediately. [Image 21] letter about war gratuity, dated 24 July 1902, notes that he had elected to remain in South Africa [after discharge] [Image 22] letter from Frederick Watkins, Johannesburg, dated 30 July 1902, stating that he and 8 others were sent from the regiment to join the J. F. Police.
7. ↑ The Herald (Melbourne), 10 October 1918, Page 1, Butcher is Charged via Trove, Frederick Watkins, butcher, of South Melbourne, was charged at the City Court with attempting to bribe Busick Charles Haylock, chief steward of a ship, in October 1917, to accept a consignment of inferior meat.
8. ↑ The Age (Melbourne), 10 December 1918, Page 7, Bribery Prosecution Fails trove.nla.gov.au, Frederick Watkins, butcher, of F. Watkins Proprietary Ltd., Moray Street, South Melbourne was acquitted by a jury of attempting to bribe Busick Charles Haylock, an agent of the government on the steamer Araluen at Williamstown on 18 October 1917.
9. ↑ Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria search for death reg. no. 14530/1959, death of Frederick Watkins, registered in 1959, at Caulfield North, Victoria, son of George Alfred Watkins and Mary Mortimer Cormack, aged 77.
10. ↑ Buried: findagrave.com