Laura West

Story

Laura WEST was born in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland (near Edinburgh), on 2/11/1858 of John WEST and Augusta MICHELL. Her birth certificate actually indicates, “at 2am Woodcockdale Cafe”, which is just outside of Linlithgow. . It is not known for how long she lived in Scotland.She was living with her family there in 1861 Census and in England according to the 1871 (Census).The 1881 Englsih Census, has Laura WEST of correct age and Scottish birth place (Glasgow), working as a family servant in London. Her father had worked for the Electric Telegraph Company, Glasgow, it would appear that this would be our Laura WEST.

It was shortly after the 1881 Census, that we find record of Laura WEST’s arrival in Australia, this being in Maryborough, QLD, on 7 June, 1882, aboard the 909 ton vessel “Silver Eagle”, under the control of Captain BRIGHT. Laura is listed as a single 20 year old female. The ship left Plymouth, England, on 8th March, 1882, with 275 immigrants. Extracts from the Mayborough Chronicle for June 1882 indicate it signalled its arrival offshore at 7am on 5 June, and actually disembarked its passengers on 7 June. There were no deaths or serious illnesses on board, and only one birth. During the voyage, a school had been established enrolling 16 children and 40 adults resulting in many able to write by the end. Cleaniless was observed everywhere on the boat, with the single girls’ portion especially being marvellously clean and white. Mrs WARE, ship’s matron, showed skilful management of the single girls. As a result of the excellent attention given by Captain BRIGHT, ship’s surgeon Dr.O’CONNOR, Mrs WARE and the ship’s crew in general, each was presented with a flattering testimonial, with a collection taken up for the purchase of a gold watch for Dr.O’CONNOR. On arrival the passengers were described as a sturdy, well-dressed and intelligent lot of people. Many groups of young men and women could be seen strolling about the town. The following night the passengers celebrated, and although there seemed to be a lack of musical instruments, the “bonnie lasses” were determined to keep up a merry dance.

Larua married Frederick Nugent de BELIN at Maryborough, Queensland, on 23/12/1882, with one of the witnesses being Agnes HART, a fellow passenger aboard the “Silver Eagle”. Marrying just after 6 months arriving in Australia, this gives rise to the theory that she had met Frederick on board the ship during the voyage out, though he is not listed as a passenger, nor named as one of 5 crewmen who absconded at Maryborough. Or could she have been pregnant, as she did have one un-named infant child who died early in the 1880’s.

Having lived in Queensland many years, Laura and the family moved to New South Wales and lived in a number of inner Sydney locations, where they rented. She was also in Lismore at one stage, as she gave birth to their fifth child there in 1892. It is not known why Laura (and family?) were in Lismore as they were living in Sydney in 1889 and 1895. Two of her infant children died during this time. On 11/1/1902, Laura was admitted to the Thirlmere Home for Consumptives, Queen Victoria House, near Picton. Her admission number was No.34, and shows her residing at Sydney at this time, however it is not known why she was admitted to a location at Thirlmere, some distance from her home. It may have been due to the fact that the hospital dealt with TB, a contagious disease, and was situated away from Sydney for that reason. The register also indicates her occupation as housework, and her native place being London. Although born in Scotland, and as earlier described, she appeared to be working in London in 1881, before sailing to Australia. Seventeen days after her admission (28/1/1902) Laura died from heart disease, an ailment she had been suffering from for some nine months. She was buried the following day at the Church of England Cemetery, Thirlmere, plot 84A, which is an unmarked site.

Laura’s marriage to Frederick de BELIN resulted in six known children. ;

1) Un-named male. He is not named, and is only mentioned on John Frederick de BELIN’s 1888 Queensland’s Birth Certificate as a “Deceased male sibling”.

2) Marion Augusta de BELIN, born 12/7/1885, in Queensland, and died 21/9/1959.

3) John Frederick Nugent de BELIN, born 25/1/1888, in Queensland, and died 19/1/1889, in Sydney.

4) Zoe Ida de BELIN, born 12/7/1889 in Sydney, and died 29/12/1889, in Sydney.

5) George Arthur de BELIN, born 3/4/1892, in Lismore, NSW, and died 10/71944. 45th Battalion WWI 1915. Returned 1919. Awarded Military Medal for bravery.

6) Fred Ernest Hector de BELIN born 19/9/1895, in Glebe, and died Sydney.14/11/1971. 1st Battalion WWI 1915. Returned 1919. Twice wounded.

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