Edgar Thomas Townsend (3A14)
| Date of Birth: | 13 Apr 1883 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | 13 Jun 1955 |
| Generation: | 9th |
| Residence: | Lake Cargellico, NSW, Australia |
| Father: | Edward Townsend [374] |
| Mother: | Edgar, Margaret Tredwell |
| Spouse: |
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| Issue: | |
| See Also: | Table IIIA ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Edgar Thomas Townsend
Edgar was born in Hillston, NSW.
Married 3 October 1912 at St Patrick's Catholic Church, West Wyalong, NSW by the Reverend Edward Joseph Laido. Ida May Cafe (1) was the daughter of Martin Matthew Cafe of Yelkin near Lake Cargellico, NSW.
Leaving school at an early age, Edgar spent three years in New Zealand learning about sheep farming. On return to New South Wales in about 1900 he drew a mixed farming block at Yelkin and it was here that he met his future wife, Ida Cafe.
At the outbreak of the First World War Edgar enlisted in the Australian Light Horse and saw service in Palestine and Syria (2). Returning to Yelkin after the war he continued farming and later expanded his holding before moving to Conaparia Street, Lake Cargelligo in about 1951 when he would have been 68.
Though a quiet retiring man, Edgar participated fully in the affairs of Lake Cargellico. He was President of the Lake Cargellico Show Society in 1936 and 1937 and always took a keen interest in the local district hospital and ambulance service. He joined the Freemasons in about 1925 and over the course of the subsequent 30 years held every office including that of Past District Grand Inspector of Workings.
Edgar died at his home in Conaparia Street, Lake Cargelligo; his obituary says that he was born at Lakeside and his birth certificate shows Cardoo!.
Edgar's entry on the website 'Townsend Surname in Australia' shows his son Edward James [3A22] as the only issue from his marriage to Ida Cafe. The website does contain an unattributed reference to John Robert [3A25] but no reference whatsoever to any of the remaining seven children.
(1) Ida was born in 1888 and died on 12 November 1959.
(2) Edgar's distant cousin Samuel Edward Townsend [441] was commissioned Captain in the 16th Battalion Australian Infantry Force on 1 Oct 1914 in Perth and embarked for Gallipoli at Melbourne on 22 Dec 1914. He was killed in action on 10 May 1915 bringing to an end the male line of the Townsends of Whitehall (Table IV). The entry for Whitehall in the University of Galway Landed Estates Database records "Edward Townsend held this property in fee at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when it was valued at £22. Lewis noted it as the residence of S. Townsend in 1837. In 1906 it was owned by the representatives of Samuel R. Townsend and valued at £21. Bence-Jones indicates that it later became the property of the Alleyne family." Horatio Townsend [5D00] describes Whitehall on page 342 of his book 'Statistical Survey of the County of Cork' - "Whitehall, the seat of Samuel Townsend, Esq. stands on the east side of Rincolisky, or Roaringwater Bay. It enjoys every advantage of land and water, but from the nature of its situation is unfavourably circumstanced for the growth of trees. The upper part of the ground commands one of the grandest prospects to be found any where, an immense expanse of water extending from Cape Clear on one side to the Mizen-head upon the other. The depth of this great bay is proportioned to its breadth, its shores are diversified by many jutting points and headlands, on several of which are ruined castles, and its ample bosom is inlaid with a great number of verdant islands, of different sizes and shapes. The cape forms a fine termination to the land view on the left, and the rocky summit of Mountgabriel appears to great advantage in the back ground on the right. Some of the islands are large, and contain a great many inhabitants; others small, and used only for summer feeding, are remarkable for the richness of their pasture. Exclusive of these considerations, they are extremely useful in breaking the force of the sea, and forming many secure stations for vessels." The property was sold out of the family in the early 20th century by Piers Townsend Hughes-Townsend son of Charlotte Frances Townsend [422]. Most of the information in this record was provided by Lisa Jane Townsend [3A47].