Thomas Harry (Harry) Martin1,2,3

M, ID5341, (6 Jun 1891-2 Jan 1945)
Last Edited13 Nov 2024
Birth6 Jun 1891Young, NSW4,5 
Marriage4 Apr 1923Alma May Durham; Young, NSW; >
Children Norma, Meryl, Marie, Clive, Audrey and Bryce (all deceased before Nov 2023, leaving only Marie's husband Max).6,7 
Birth of daughter27 Dec 1926Olga Meryl (Meryl) Martin; Young, NSW; >
Second of 6 children.8 
Court15 Sep 1929Extract from article in Grenfell Record 31 Oct 1929, p4:
CORONER'S ENQUIRY
     The Coroner for the district (Mr.A. A. Bradley) held an enquiry at the Court House on Monday last, touching thethe house had been at Bonnie View, Young Road, occupied by Thomas Henry Martin, on 15th September last.
Frederick Snape deposed: I am a police constable, and reside at Grenfell. On 19 September I went to the scene of the fire at Mr. Martin's property; the fire occurred on the 15th Septembe. I met Mr Martin on his property and he accompanied me to where me to where the house had bee. I inspected the debris and found all locks except the kitchen door. I found a petrol tank (portion of a Gloria light system) on the verandah and a benzine ring. I took the latter to a mechanic. I obtained statements from several witnesses.
     Alma May Martin stated: — I am the wife of Thomas Harry Martin, and reside with him at Bonnie View, Young Road, Grenfell; I remember about 4.15 p.m. on 15 September, I left home with my husband and family and maid to visit a friend's place. I do my cooking in the kitchen, using a wood stove and a benzine ring (connected to a tank on the verandah) for emergencies. I did not use the benzine ring that day, and had not used it for six weeks prior. There was a little fire in the stove when we left that day, and I saw that the stove was safe before I left, and as far as I know there was no other fire left burning on the premises. The only person left on the premises after we left was my husband's assistant Freeman. Most of my jewellery was destroyed with the exception of that which I was wearing time. I was the last person in the kitchen that day as far as I know. My husband has been a heavy smoker; I have no reason to suspect any person in connection with the fire, and I have no enemies, and know no reason why anyone should burn us out.
     Ruby Rae Hammond stated: I am a domestic, and on 15 September was in the employ of Mr. and Mrs. Martin; I do not smoke; I left with the Martin family on 15 September last; I was in the kitchen just before we left, and the only fire was in the stove; I can give no reason as to the cause of the fire; I have no enemies; the benzine ring was not used that afternoon.
     Arthur Reeve Freeman stated:- I am a farm laborer in the employ of Mr. Harry Martin, of Bonnie View, Young Road; I was working for him seven or eight weeks before the fire; I remember 15 September last, about 4.15 p.m.; we all had afternoon tea in the kitchen; there was a fire tn the stove; shortly after the family and the maid went visiting in the car, and I was the only one left behind; after they left I attended to the pigs and fowls, and then drove the cows to a dam about three-quarters o£ a mile distant; on my return from the dam I saw clouds of smoke issuing from the house; that would be about a quarter of an hour after I left the house; the kitchen door was closed, and the fire seemed to me to have started in the kitchen; I tried to put the fire out, but was unable to do any good, and in a very short time the whole of the building was consumed; I saw no one about before or during the fire, and can offer no suggestion as to how the fire started; I was not smoking at he time; I am positive of that; there was no other fires burning in the house on that date; I am on good terms with Mr. Martin and family, and am still in his employ; I saw the benzine ring in use on one occasion; I have not heard anyone threaten to burn Mr. Martin out or do him any injury.
     To Mr. Martin : I guessed the distance from the tank to the house.
     To Sergeant Ryan: There were no fires burning near or outside the house on that date to my knowledge.-
     Niel Robinson Bean stated: I am a motor mechanic, and reside at Grenfell; I remember Constable Snape bringing a piece of pipe and fittings to me on or about three weeks ago; I cut them open with a hack saw in the presence of Constable Snape, and then handed the pieces back to Constable Snape; I think it is part of a lighting plant, and it looks like the heating part; the tap shows open at the present time, and if the tank was pumped up the benzine would run through, but not if it was not pumped up; I am certain that the tap is at open now.
     To Mr. Martin: There is only one tap on the ring; I am not a Gloria light expert.
     Thomas Harry Martin stated: I am a farmer and grazier, and reside at Bonnie View, Young Road, Grenfell, and own a property of 2050 acres freehold, and up to the 15th September last I had my home there; I valued the building at £1600 to £1700, and other property that was destroyed by the fire at £1000; I was insured— buildings £1400, furniture £300, and wearing apparel and house linen was not insured; the assessor said that I was a heavy loser, and the company effected the settlement at once or the full amount in both cases; I reported the fire to the police on the 17th of September, and did not know that I should report the matter to the police; we had afternoon tea on that day in the kitchen and then
went for a drive to a friend's place, leaving the hired man Freeman at home to attend to his ordinary duties, and I told him that if we had not returned at sundown or thereabouts to light a fire in the stove and have the kettle boiling when we
arrived home for tea; I am sure that the only fire was in the stove when we left; I can offer no suggestion as to the cause of the fire; I have no enemies, and have never been threatened; I am not financially embarrassed.
     The Coroner found that the evidence did not enable him to say how the fire occurred. 
Death2 Jan 1945Gloucester House, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW; THOMAS HARRY MARTIN.
The death occurred in Gloucester House, Sydney, on Tuesday, of Mr. Thomas Harry Martin, one of Grenfell district's most pleasing personalities — a man who was esteemed by all, and whose death is deplored by a very large circle of friends.
     The late Mr. Martin was 53 years of age, and although he had not enjoyed good health for some years, he was a cheerful and kindly man.
     He had been in hospital since about the first week in November.
     Deceased married a daughter of Mr. and the late Mrs. Thomas Durham, who survives, together with a family of six - Misses Norma, Merle, Marie, Audrey and Clive and Brice.
     The late Mr. Martin was a member of the Grenfell Repatriation Committee, and gave service and assistance to the Patriotic Fund. He was president of the Warrunga Parents and Citizens' Association, President of Tyagong Hall, took a great interest in sport, and with the
Hampton family enabled the building of the Church of England at Lirembenda.
     The funeral at Young yesterday was largely attended, and many beautiful wreaths were forwarded. Rev. Garnsey officiated at the services.
     9 

Family

 Alma May Durham b. 25 Jun 1901, d. 25 Jan 1956
Child 1.Olga Meryl (Meryl) Martin b. 27 Dec 1926, d. c Nov 2023

Citations

  1. Ancestry Public Member Tree entitled Durham Family Tree, owned by Rhona Mudgway, QLD, AUSTRALIA, accessed at https://www.ancestry.com.au; hereafter called Ancestry PMTree/Rhona Mudgway; copy not retained. Site accessed 20 Jan 2024: Given names, Birth surname. Original sources: Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922; Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950; Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980; Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985; Australia and New Zealand, Find A Grave Index, 1800s-Current.
  2. NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, Online Marriages Index, URL https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/; hereafter called NSW Online Marriages Index. Registration No. 7760/1923 [Thomas H MARTIN + Alma M DURHAM], accessed 20 Jan 2024: Groom's Given name, Initial, Surname.
  3. Grenfell Record newspaper, published by WB Howarth in Grenfell, NSW, accessed at www.grenfellrecord.com.au; hereafter called Grenfell Record, digital copy in Researcher's Family History records at ID5342. Source 14 Dec 2023, p9, accessed 5 Feb 2024: Father's Nickname, Surname.
  4. Ancestry PMTree/Rhona Mudgway. Site accessed 20 Jan 2024: YOM, POM. Original sources: Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922; Australia and New Zealand, Find A Grave Index, 1800s-Current.
  5. NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, On-line Births Index, URL https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/; hereafter called NSW BDM Registry, Births Index. Registration No. 39422/1891 [Thomas H MARTIN, parents George T & Emily], accessed 20 Jan 2024: YOB Registration 1891, Registration District Young, Memo.
  6. NSW Online Marriages Index. Registration No. 7760/1923 [Thomas H MARTIN + Alma M DURHAM], accessed 20 Jan 2024: DOM [by reduction], Registration District Young.
  7. Grenfell Record; digital copy in Researcher's FH records at ID5342. Source 14 Dec 2023, p9, accessed 5 Feb 2024: Memo.
  8. Grenfell Record; digital copy in Researcher's FH records at ID5342. Source 14 Dec 2023, p9, accessed 5 Feb 2024: DOB, POB, Memo.
  9. NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, On-line Deaths Index, URL https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/; hereafter called NSW BDM Registry, Deaths Index. Registration No. 4047/1945 [Thomas Harry MARTIN, parents George & Emily], accessed 11 Nov 2024: DOD [by reduction], Registration District Newton [presumably Newtown].

Olga Meryl (Meryl) Martin1,2

F, ID5342, (27 Dec 1926-c Nov 2023)
Last Edited6 Feb 2024
Relationship2nd cousin of Lindsay David Graham
FatherThomas Harry (Harry) Martin b. 6 Jun 1891, d. 2 Jan 1945
MotherAlma May Durham b. 25 Jun 1901, d. 25 Jan 1956
Birth27 Dec 1926Young, NSW; >
Second of 6 children.3 
Marriage6 Sep 1947Noel Campbell Hunter; Young, NSW4 
Married Name6 Sep 1947Hunter 
(Executor) Probate29 Jan 2016Noel Campbell Hunter; Grenfell, NSW; >
NSW Online Probate Notice dated 29 Jan 2016 foreshadowed an application in 14 days to Supreme Court of NSW Equity Division Probate List for Probate of the Will dated 23 Dec 2011 of Noel Campbell HUNTER, late of Grenfell, NSW by Olga Meryl HUNTER and Jeffrey Noel HUNTER. Claims on the Estate to be sent to Peter John Nevin Moffitt, Gordon Garling Moffitt, 129 Main Street, Grenfell NSW 2810 or by email to grenfell@ggmlawyers.com.au.5
Deathc Nov 2023Grenfell, NSW6

Family

 Noel Campbell Hunter b. 1921, d. 1 Jan 2016

Citations

  1. NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, Online Marriages Index, URL https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/; hereafter called NSW Online Marriages Index. Registration No. 21419/1947 [Noel Campbell HUNTER + Olga Meryl MARTIN], accessed 21 Jan 2024: Bride's Given names, Maiden Surname.
  2. Grenfell Record newspaper, published by WB Howarth in Grenfell, NSW, accessed at www.grenfellrecord.com.au; hereafter called Grenfell Record, digital copy in Researcher's Family History records at ID5342. Source 14 Dec 2023, p9, accessed 5 Feb 2024: Nickname.
  3. Grenfell Record; digital copy in Researcher's FH records at ID5342. Source 14 Dec 2023, p9, accessed 5 Feb 2024: DOB, POB, Memo.
  4. NSW Online Marriages Index. Registration No. 21419/1947 [Noel Campbell HUNTER + Olga Meryl MARTIN], accessed 21 Jan 2024: DOM [by reduction], Registration District Young.
  5. Probate Index, NSW, as recorded in the NSW Online Registry, Courts and Tribunals at https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/content/…; hereafter called Probate Index, NSW; digital copy in Researcher's Family History records at ID5343. Case 2019/00029163, Intended Application for Probate dated 29 Jan 2016 for Noel Campbell HUNTER died 1 Jan 2016, accessed 1 Feb 2024: Date, Address, Memo, Witnesses.:.
  6. Grenfell Record; digital copy in Researcher's FH records at ID5342. Source 14 Dec 2023, p9, accessed 5 Feb 2024: DOD estimate, POD inferred.

Noel Campbell Hunter1

M, ID5343, (1921-1 Jan 2016)
Last Edited5 Feb 2024
Birth1921Grenfell, NSW; >
Parents Frederick A & Flora P C HUNTER.2 
Marriage6 Sep 1947Olga Meryl (Meryl) Martin; Young, NSW3 
Death1 Jan 20164 
Probate29 Jan 2016Grenfell, NSW; >
NSW Online Probate Notice dated 29 Jan 2016 foreshadowed an application in 14 days to Supreme Court of NSW Equity Division Probate List for Probate of the Will dated 23 Dec 2011 of Noel Campbell HUNTER, late of Grenfell, NSW by Olga Meryl HUNTER and Jeffrey Noel HUNTER. Claims on the Estate to be sent to Peter John Nevin Moffitt, Gordon Garling Moffitt, 129 Main Street, Grenfell NSW 2810 or by email to grenfell@ggmlawyers.com.au.5
Executor: Olga Meryl (Meryl) Hunter

Family

 Olga Meryl (Meryl) Martin b. 27 Dec 1926, d. c Nov 2023

Citations

  1. NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, Online Marriages Index, URL https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/; hereafter called NSW Online Marriages Index. Registration No. 21419/1947 [Noel Campbell HUNTER + Olga Meryl MARTIN], accessed 21 Jan 2024: Groom's Given names, Surname.
  2. NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, On-line Births Index, URL https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/; hereafter called NSW BDM Registry, Births Index. Registration No. 8508/1921 [Noel C HUNTER, parents Frederick A & Flora P C], accessed 20 Jan 2024: YOB Registration 1921, Registration District Grenfell, Memo.
  3. NSW Online Marriages Index. Registration No. 21419/1947 [Noel Campbell HUNTER + Olga Meryl MARTIN], accessed 21 Jan 2024: DOM [by reduction], Registration District Young.
  4. Probate Index, NSW, as recorded in the NSW Online Registry, Courts and Tribunals at https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/content/…; hereafter called Probate Index, NSW; digital copy in Researcher's Family History records at ID5343. Case 2019/00029163, Intended Application for Probate dated 29 Jan 2016 for Noel Campbell HUNTER died 1 Jan 2016, accessed 1 Feb 2024: DOD.:.
  5. Probate Index, NSW; copy in Researcher's FH records at ID5343. Case 2019/00029163, Intended Application for Probate dated 29 Jan 2016 for Noel Campbell HUNTER died 1 Jan 2016, accessed 1 Feb 2024: Date, Address, Memo, Witnesses.