George Henry RANSLEY

Notes:

Newspaper report of his death. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53879479

Died:
SUICIDE AT MOUNT MORGAN MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY
Our Mount Morgan correspondent writes as follows:
At the Police Court House on Tuesday afternoon, before the Acting Police Magistrate, Mr. R. Power, an inquiry was held into the cause of the death, on the 9th instant, of George Henry Ransley.
Sergeant R Mckenzie conducted the examination of the witnesses.
Ethel Ransley, widow, deposed that she was married to the deceased at Mount Morgan, fifteen years ago, and had resided in Mount Morgan ever since. There were seven children of the marriage. The deceased and witness did not live very happily. Drink was the cause of the unhappiness. On several occasions the deceased had assaulted her when drunk. In consequence, she had had to leave him, but had always returned to him. In February, 1918, the deceased bought a shop in East Street for her. The shop was bought on time payment. The fact of its not being paid off seemed to worry the deceased, who often said "I wish I was dead." By the deceased's permission a retired soldier named Donald Olsen came to the shop with them. The deceased was jealous of Olsen, and, on account of this jealousy, she asked Olsen to leave. On the 3rd of September the deceased and witness had a quarrel, in consequence of which she left and went to her mother's place. She spoke to Olsen in East-street and told him not to
go near the place. In spite of what she told him, he went in and lit the gas. The deceased put Olsen over the counter and outside. The deceased followed Olsen outside and had a fight with him. The deceased accused witness of having had improper relations with Olsen. The deceased and Olsen were drunk
after the fight. Olsen left Mount Morgan and she did not see him again for
several weeks. On the 29th of October the deceased did not go to work, and returned home about 10.30 p.m. and threatened to kill witness. This was on account of Olsen. Olsen came to the house about three weeks ago and had a conversation with the deceased, and they shook hands. The deceased then wanted to get Olsen to come back and stay with them in the house, but Olsen did not come back. On the following morning witness told the deceased that she had seen Olsen and had delivered the message to him. The deceased said to her "You like Olsen better than you like me." Witness walked into her bedroom. The deceased followed her. The deceased said " Don is a younger and better looking man than me. I am too old. You like him better than you do me." She replied that she liked nobody but herself. The deceased then demanded some money that he had given her and she gave him ?4. She then left the deceased and resided with a Mrs. Brown, and afterwards with a Mrs. Parsons. She remained at Mrs. Parsons's until the 9th instant, when she heard of her husband's death. On the 7th instant the deceased came to Mrs. Parsons's and said to her " Have you got my watch ? " She replied "Yes," at the same time giving
it to him. The deceased said " You keep it." She went into the bedroom
and the deceased followed her. The deceased said "Will you kiss me ? " She replied "Yes" and did so. The deceased then asked her if she would come
home and she replied " Not while you are in that state." The deceased then went
away. He returned in about an hour, stepped up to her at the front door, and caught her by the throat and the inside of the mouth. Mrs. Parsons came to her rescue. Witness then left Mrs. Parsons's and went to her mother's. She knew that she was reported as missing from the 7th instant. She did not write a letter to Olsen asking him to meet her at the Gasworks on the Friday night. On the Saturday night, between ten and eleven o'clock, her son Cecil told her that the deceased was home mad drunk. She did not think that the deceased would take his own life. She was satisfied that the fact of Olsen frequenting the house was the cause of a lot of unpleasantness between the deceased and herself. The letter produced was in the deceased's writing. The letter read: "Ethel. You want me to get out of the road so that you can have Don Olsen, so I am going for ever. Good-bye." George Henry Ransley was the deceased's name. He was forty-eight years of age and a native of Rockhampton. She could not assign any reason why the deceased's should have taken his life except jealousy.
Samuel Gadd, ambulance bearer attached to the Mount Morgan Centre, stated that about half-past seven o'clock on the morning of the 9th instant, a boy named Cecil Ransley called at the office and stated that his father was sick at home. Witness went to the house, and, after rendering first aid with the assistance of William Arlott, removed the deceased to the Hospital.

Margaret Parsons stated she had known the deceased and his wife for about ten years. She knew that they had " rowed " on several occasions and that the wife had left home. On the 4th instant Mrs. Ransley said to her "I had a row with the boss (meaning the deceased) and I am going away by the two o'clock train." Witness advised her not to go and asked her to stay, which she did. Mrs. Ransley left witness's house on the 7th instant and returned on the 8th instant. The deceased came to witness's place on the 7th instant and said to his wife "Will you come home ?", adding "If you do I will get out." Mrs. Ransley replied " No, I will not go home. I would rather sleep in the gutter with my children." Mrs Ransley went into the room and the deceased followed her. The deceased kissed his wife, said "Good-bye" to her, and shook hands with her and then left the house. The deceased was not drunk at
that time. The deceased returned in about ten minutes. His son Cecil was present then and said to the deceased Dad, you have found out all you wanted
to find out ?" The deceased replied 'Yes." The deceased's wife was standing at the front door at the time. The deceased caught her by the throat with one hand and struck her with the other hand. Witness caught hold of the deceased and took him away from his wife, holding him until his wife had got out of the gate. The deceased then left. He returned about 8 o'clock that night and lay
down on the verandah. He called out to witness "Is Ethel (meaning his wife in ?" Witness said "No, She has not returned since." ' The deceased then said "Is Muriel (meaning his daughter) there ? " Witness replied " N0. She has gone down the street." The deceased then left. On the Saturday the deceased came to witness's house about 9 a.m. and said to her " Is Ethel home ?" Witness
replied "No." The deceased asked witness to mend a pair of trousers for him, which she did. He went away then. He returned about midday and said to her "Is there any trace of her, Maggie ?" He
also handed ?1 to his daughter Muriel and left the place. Between one and two o'clock in the afternoon he returned and said " Where are the children ? " He knelt on the floor with the youngest child. He also picked up the child and kissed it. He also commenced to cry and continued for about ten minutes. He then said "Can I have a sleep here ?" Witness replied " Yes." The deceased
went into the back bedroom. He remained there for about twenty minutes during which time he was calling out " Ethel," meaning his wife. He was drunk then, but was not violent. He came out of the bedroom and into the front room and got his boots. After kissing the baby and shaking hands with witness and bidding her "good-bye," he left. He returned in about an hour's time and spoke to his daughter Muriel over the fence and handed her two ?1 notes. He then proceeded in the direction of his home in East-street. Witness knew a young man named Donald Olsen. On the morning of the 7th instant he came to witness's place and said "Is the missus in ?" Witness replied " Yes." He then walked into the kitchen, where Mrs. Ransley and another woman named Mrs. Morris were talking. He remained talking in the kitchen until witness's mother, Mrs. Kirk, and witness's sister (Mrs. Houseman) came to the house. Mrs. Kirk said to witness " Who is the man in the house ?" Witness replied "Donald Olsen." Witness's mother said " I will go and chase him out. It is not a fit place for him to be in." Mrs Kirk chased Olsen out of the house and he left. On the same day witness saw Mrs Ransley writing a note, which she afterwards handed to her daughter Muriel, telling her to deliver it to Olsen who was on the river bank. The note was headed "Dear Don." In it Mrs. Ransley
asked Olsen to meet her at the Gasworks at 7.30 p.m. on that date. Mrs. Ransley and Olsen appeared to be on affectionate terms. Witness knew that the peace and happiness of the Ransley home was greatly disturbed by the fact of Olsen coming to the place. She had never seen the deceased violent. He was always good tempered when under the intoxication of liquor.
Cecil William Ransley, aged fifteen years, residing with his mother in East-street, Mount Morgan, and son of the deceased, deposed that occasionally his father used to take some drink. Sometimes quarrels would take place between the deceased and witnesses's mother, and sometimes his mother would have to leave the house. About three months ago a young man named Donald Olsen came to reside at their place. At the start, the deceased gave permission for Olsen to stay. The deceased was all right until he started drinking, and then he disapproved of Olsen being in the house. One night the deceased kicked Olsen out of the shop and followed him out, and they had a further struggle outside. Witness's mother then went between them and stopped them from fighting. The deceased then returned to the shop and said "I will go and get a gun and shoot them both." Witness's mother and Olsen ran away. The deceased came out with a Winchester rifle and went along East-street in the direction
of Morgan-street. He did not know whether the rifle was loaded or not, but he knew that there was some cartridges in the house. Witness next saw Olsen on the 1st instant, when he remained in the shop from 2.30 pm until 5 p.m. The deceased was on afternoon shift at that time, and he would not knock-off work until midnight. On the following morning he saw the deceased, and he said to witness's mother "I am told that Olsen was here yesterday until about eleven o'clock." Angry words passed between the deceased and witness's mother. The deceased asked his mother for some money On the same day the deceased said to witness "Cecil, we will beat them in the end." He knew the deceased to mean witness's mother and Olsen. All through the week the deceased told witness that he would do for his mother and Olsen. On the 7th instant the deceased did not go to work. The deceased was drinking heavily and appeared to be out of his mind. About six o'clock on the evening of that date the deceased told witness that he was going round to witness's mother to try to coax her home. He returned shortly afterwards, and had supper with witness. He then went over to Mrs. Parson's place for the deceased. He heard the deceased and witness's mother rowing at Mrs. Parson's place. He heard the deceased say to his mother " You want to get me out of the house so that you can get Don Olsen in." The deceased then went away and returned to Mrs. Parson's house and had another quarrel with witness's mother. Mrs Parsons interfered and kept them apart. About six o'clock on the morning of the 8th instant the deceased came into the house and to where witness was in bed and said " I am going up to get a drink." He did not see the deceased again until about six o'clock in the evening. The same date he saw him near the Japanese laundry and he said to witness "Good-bye Cecil. I am going for ever," at the same time shaking hands with witness. The deceased was drunk at the time and witness did not think that he intended committing suicide. The deceased then went in the direction of his home in East-street and witness went to Mrs. Parsons's place. Witness then went to look after his mother as he knew she had been reported as missing. He returned to his home about half-past eight o'clock. When he opened the door the deceased rushed out, but when he saw witness he said " I thought it was mother." Witness then went into the deceased's bedroom to get a light and saw a bottle of lysol on the table. The deceased was then lying on his bed. Witness asked him what he was going to do with the lysol and he replied "You leave
it alone. It is mine." Witness then went into his room and remained there for a few minutes. He then got frightened and went over to Mrs. Parsons's place and remained there that night. He returned home about six o'clock on the morning of the 9th instant. On entering the house he discovered his father lying face downward on the floor of the dining-room and breathing very heavily. Witness reported the matter to the Ambulance Brigade and the ambulance bearers came and took his father to the hospital. After the bearers had removed his father, he went into his father's bed room and he found a packet on the washstand. (The packet was tendered and marked exhibit 2). In ink on the top of the packet there was marked " white arsenic," and underneath in red letters, was the word " poison." Witness handed the packet to Constable Elford. Witness also found a letter which he also banded to Constable Elford. After the removal of Olsen the disagreeableness in the house seemed much greater.
William Arlott stated that he occupied the house next to the deceased's. He remembered the 8th instant. He arrived home about midnight. He heard a noise in the deceased's house as if somebody was kicking the wall and talking very loudly. He knew that the deceased was given to drink and he thought he was drunk and took no more notice. On the following morning the deceased's son came and told witness that his father was in a peculiar state and asked him to have a look at him. Witness saw the deceased and sent the son for the Ambulance Brigade.
Constable Elford stated that on the 9th instant he went to the General Hospital, where he was told by Dr. Luddy that a man named Ransley had just been admitted in an unconscious state and apparently suffering from the effects of poison. Witness accompanied the doctor to the deceased's bed. The doctor
examined him and found no sign of violence. Ransley died at the institution at eleven o'clock the same day. At about midday on the same day witness attended a post-mortem examination held on the body of the deceased. The doctor handed witness a post-mortem certificate and a certificate of death.
On the same day witness visited the deceased's home. On arrival he met the son, who handed him a bottle of lysol which had not been touched, a packet, and a note. There was also a billycan containing water on the washstand, also a cup, which showed signs of having recently been used, as there was a drop of water in the bottom. Witness saw a label on the packet bearing the name of C. Williams, ironmonger. Mount Morgan. Witness made inquiries and found that Miss Lula Williams, who was employed as an assistant by Williams, had sold a quantity of white arsenic to the deceased on the afternoon of the 7th instant, the deceased stating that he wanted the arsenic to cure coat skins.
The inquiry was then closed.

Mount Morgan, 21st November, 1919.

SUICIDE AT MOUNT MORGAN. (1919, November 25). Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved June 23, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53875514

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George married Ethel DOBBS on 15 Feb 1904 in Queensland, Australia. Ethel (daughter of William DOBBS and Ann JACKSON) was born in Apr 1884 in Sheffield, Yorkshire West Riding, England, UK; died in UNKNOWN in Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Australia Birth Index: Name: Cecil William Ransley Birth Date: 23 May 1904 Father's Name: George Henry Ransley
Mother's Name: Ethel Dobbs Birth Place: Queensland Registration Year: 1904 Registration Place: Queensland
Page Number: 21603 Registration number: 009371

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Died:
Australia Death Index, 1787-1985 Name: Cecil W Ransley Death Date: 1930 Death Place: New South Wales Father's Name: George H
Registration Year: 1930 Registration Place: Randwick, New South Wales Registration number: 12148

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Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1980, 33 Forest Rd, Heathcote, New South Wales, Australia

Notes:

Muriel left her first husband Henry Muller and took up with William Keefe who in turn had abandoned his wife and children.
The following entry from the New South Wales, Australia, Police Gazette in 1930 gives details:
Inquiry is requested at the instance of Eliza Keefe and Hilda Keefe, residing at 73 Frankland-road, and 2 Garfield-street, Launceston, Tasmania, respectively, with a view to trace their son and husband William George Robert Keefe (may assume the name of Galven), 35 years of age, 5 feet 6 to 8 inches high, sturdy build, very dark complexion, dark eyes; a miner or labourer; may be found in the company of a woman named Muriel Muller; has deserted his wife and four children, and inquiries should be discreet as he is aware the Police are anxious to interview him.

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Birth:
https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au/ Birth registration:
Muriel Amelia Ann Ransley Birth date: 15/06/1905
Mother's name: Ethel Dobbs Father/parent's name: George Henry Ransley
Registration details: 1905/C/8976

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Residence:
Australian electoral roll

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Died:
Australia Death Index, 1787-1985

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Muriel married Henry Richard MULLER on 13 May 1923 in Queensland, Australia. Henry was born about 1900; died in UNKNOWN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: William George Robert KEEFE. William was born on 2 Dec 1894 in Beaconsfield, Tasmania, Australia; died in UNKNOWN in Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au/
Birth registration:
Henry George Ransley Birth date: 23/09/1907
Mother's name: Ethel Dobbs Father/parent's name: George Henry Ransley
Registration details: 1907/C/9755

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Died:
https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au/ Death registration:
George Henry Ransley
Death date: 01/12/1907
Mother's name: Ethel Dobbs Father/parent's name: George Henry Ransley
Registration details: 1907/C/3063

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Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1933, 26 Shepherd St, Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Residence: 1937, 26 Shepherd St, Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Residence: 1943, 47 Ramsgate St, Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Residence: 1949, 47 Ramsgate St, Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Notes:

At same address at Bondi is a Jean Ethel Bernice Ransley who presumably is his wife but no marriage record yet found.

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On 1937 electoral roll at 26 Shepherd St, Bondi there is a Vera Ransley and a Bernard Charles Ransley. Vera is presumably his sister but, at a guess, Bernard may be a cousin/uncle from Ransley branch.

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At same address on electoral roll in 1943 and 1949 at Bondi is a Jean Ethel Bernice Ransley who presumably is his wife but no marriage record yet found.

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In memoriam notice:
RANSLEY - In loving memory of my dear son passed away January 18 1953
To your resting place I wonder
And picture your face so dear
I touch each flower I place there
And whisper Vic I'm here
Inserted by mother and step-father
RANSLEY -In loving memory of Vic who passed away January 18 1953
A life of ever kindly deeds
A helping hand to those in need
Sadly missed by his sister Vera and Jim Walsh
RANSLEY -In loving memory of dear Vic who fell asleep January 18 1953 Still loved still missed still very dear Inserted by his sister. Ken and Dick
Family Notices. (1954, January 18). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved June 23, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18405219

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Birth:
Australia Birth Index, 1788-1922 Name: Victor George Wesley Ransley Birth Date: 1 Oct 1909 Father's Name: George Henry Ransley
Mother's Name: Ethel Dobbs Birth Place: Queensland Registration Year: 1909 Registration Place: Queensland
Page Number: 21604 Registration number: 008853

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Died:
NSW BDM ref: 4808/1953 RANSLEY VICTOR GEORGE W son of GEORGE HENRY nand ETHEL at BONDI
and in memoriam notice at http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18405219

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Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1933, 26 Weynton St, Glebe, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Residence: 1939, 26 Shepherd St, Chippendale, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Residence: 1968, 61 Gocher Court, Stuart St, Manly, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Notes:

Birth:
https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au/
Birth registration: Vera May Ransley Birth date:08/02/1912
Mother's name: Ethel Dobbs Father/parent's name: George Henry Ransley
Registration details:1912/C/9867

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Residence:
Australian electoral roll

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Residence:
As per marriage entry, lived at 26 Shepherd St, Chippendale, Sydney.

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Residence:
Australian electoral roll

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Died:
Sydney, Australia, Cemetery Headstone Transcriptions, 1837-2003
Name Vera May Walsh Age 72 Birth Date 1912 Death Date 22 Sep 1984
Burial Place Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Cemetery Waverley
Section Central Mound Row 32
Inscription wife of Jim. Sister of Jean

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Vera married James Nelis WALSH on 11 Nov 1939 in St Paul's Church, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. James was born in 1914 in Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; died on 23 May 2002 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1954, 7 Moneur Ave, Belmore, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Notes:

Birth:
https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au/ Birth registration:
Bernard Charles Colin RANSLEY
Birth date: 13/04/1915
Mother's name: Ethel Dobbs
Father/parent's name: George Henry Ransley
Registration details: 1915/C/6611

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Residence:
Australian electoral roll

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Notes:

Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950
Record details
Name Reginald Hector Ransley
Spouse Name Irene Joyce Carroll
Marriage Date 1942
Marriage Place New South Wales
Registration Place Sydney, New South Wales
Registration Year 1942
Registration Number 9390

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Birth:
https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au/ Birth registration:
Reginald Hector RANSLEY
Birth date: 22/07/1918
Mother's name: Ethel Dobbs
Father/parent's name: George Henry Ransley
Registration details: 1918/C/10445

Died:
https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/
RANSLEY, REGINALD HECTOR, ref 9322/1975, son of GEORGE HARRY and ETHEL

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Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007
Name Reginald H Ransley
Death Age 56
Birth Date 1919
Death Date 14 Apr 1975
Cemetery Woronora Cemetery
Cemetery Location Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia
Burial Location Sutherland

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Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1958-80, 82 Juno Pde, Greenacre, New South Wales, Australia
• Residence: 1949, 132 Johnston St, Annandale, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Residence: 1954, 76 Juno Pde, Greenacre, New South Wales, Australia

Notes:

Birth:
Family information

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Residence:
Australian electoral roll

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Died:
Family information

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Prudence married Bruce Allen EVANS on 12 Mar 1945 in Annandale, New South Wales, Australia. Bruce was born in 1922 in Australia; died on 9 Aug 1986 in Greenacer, New South Wales, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1980, 33 Forest Rd, Heathcote, New South Wales, Australia

Notes:

Birth:
Family information

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Died:
Family information

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Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

living - details excluded

Notes:

living - details excluded