| [Index] |
| William Arthur Fane DE SALIS (1916 - 1999) |
|
| b. 09 Jun 1916 at Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia |
| m. 22 Feb 1941 Althea (Thea) Florence MOUAT (1917 - ) at Canberra, ACT, Australia |
| d. 26 Nov 1999 at Canberra, ACT, Australia aged 83 |
| Parents: |
| Rodolph Leopold Pierce (Tony) Fane DE SALIS (1886 - 1957) |
| Eileen Christian ELWORTHY (1892 - 1956) |
| Siblings (2): |
| Eric James Fane DE SALIS (1918 - 2002) |
| Children (3): |
| Grandchildren (11): |
| Events in William Arthur Fane DE SALIS (1916 - 1999)'s life | |||||
| Date | Age | Event | Place | Notes | Src |
| 09 Jun 1916 | William Arthur Fane DE SALIS was born | Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia | |||
| 22 Feb 1941 | 24 | Married Althea (Thea) Florence MOUAT (aged 24) | Canberra, ACT, Australia | ||
| 25 May 1941 | 24 | Enlisted - RAAF | |||
| 27 Sep 1945 | 29 | Discharged | |||
| 10 Sep 1956 | 40 | Death of mother Eileen Christian ELWORTHY (aged 63) | Canberra, ACT, Australia | ||
| 21 Feb 1957 | 40 | Death of father Rodolph Leopold Pierce (Tony) Fane DE SALIS (aged 70) | Canberra, ACT, Australia | ||
| 26 Nov 1999 | 83 | William Arthur Fane DE SALIS died | Canberra, ACT, Australia | ||
| Personal Notes: |
|
1916 was a tumultuous year - war was raging in Europe; zeppelins were raiding Paris; Sinn Fein rebelled in Ireland; the Anzacs arrived in France, HMS Hampshire with Lord Kitchener aboard was sunk; future British Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and Edward Heath were born, as was cricketing great Len Hutton.
In the midst of all this, Eileen and Tony's son William Arthur Fane De Salis was born on 09 Jun 1916 - the first grandchild for Leah and Arthur Elworthy. He began school at Copmanhurst in the early 20s but was later taught at Soglio by his Aunt Charlotte, who previously was governess to the Ryrie children at Michelago. In 1928 he boarded at Monaro Grammar School which became Canberra Grammar School when it moved to Canberra in 1929. Bill excelled at sports, particularly tennis and was School Captain in 1933. After passing both the Leaving Certificate and the Public Service Exam he began his PS career in 1934 with the Department of the Interior (Motor Registry) and at the same time began an Arts/Comrnmerce course at Canberra University College, living for a year at his old school, cycling to work by day and to lectures at night. When his parents bought Weston, he joined them there. A few years later he moved to the Trade and Customs Department, staying there until war came and he joined the RAAF. After initial training, Bill graduated as Pilot Officer, later becoming Captain of a Hudson reconnaissance bomber. In Port Moresby he joined No6 Squadron RAAF where most operational flying was towards Japanese-occupied islands in New Britain. After flying Hudsons and DC3s with 13 Squadron in Australia, he trained as a Specialist Armament Officer. When war finished Bill returned to the Dept. of Trade and Customs and soon afterwards was appointed Australia's first Migration Officer in New York, flying there in Oct 1947, whilst his wife Althea and children Adrienne and Peter followed by sea in the Marine Phoenix. Bill held the position for three and a half years - and was also Australian Vice Consul. After their return to Australia, Bill resigned from the Public Service, took over the reins from his father and ran Weston until it was resumed by the Government in 1968. For about four years he worked with National Mutual Assurance Co. Service Record Name DE SALIS, WILLIAM ARTHUR Service Royal Australian Air Force Service Number 411756 Date of Birth 9 Jun 1916 Place of Birth GUNDAGAI, NSW Date of Enlistment 25 May 1941 Locality on Enlistment Unknown Place of Enlistment SYDNEY, NSW Next of Kin DE SALIS, ALTHEA Date of Discharge 27 Sep 1945 Rank Flight Lieutenant Posting at Discharge 6 Service Flying Training School WW2 Honours and Gallantry None for display Prisoner of War No From The Canberra Times 5 March 1941 WEDDING De Salis-Mouat The wedding was celebrated recent- ly at St. John's Church, of Althea, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mouat, of Forrest, and William, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Fane de Salis, of "Weston," Canberra. The ceremony was performed by the Ven. Archdeacon C. S. Robertson. The bride carried a bouquet of pink tiger lillies and was given away by her father. The bridal gown was of white lace over taffeta with which a picture hat was worn. She carried a handkerchief originally owned by the great grand- mother of the bridegroom. The bride was attended by Mrs. Jack Robinson as Matron of Honour. Mrs. Robinson chose a frock of blue organ- die, with a matching hat and carried a bouquet of delphiniums and pink carnations. The ushers were Mr. John Fane de Salis and Major Robinson. After the ceremony a reception was held at Hotel Canberra. The bride chose as a travelling frock a heaven pink jersey linen frock with royal blue accessories. |
| Source References: |
| 2. Type: Book, Abbr: Devon to Downunder, Title: Devon to Downunder, Auth: Bettie Elworthy, Publ: Bookbound, Date: 1997 |
| - Reference = 241ff (Name, Notes) |
| 63. Type: Web Page, Abbr: Trove, Title: Trove National Library of Australia, Locn: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ |
| - Reference = Canberra Times 27 Feb 1941 (Marriage) |
| - Notes: WEDDING NOTICE
FANE DE SALIS—MOUAT.—On Feb- ruary, 22 1941, at St. John's Church, Canberra, by the Ven. Archdeacon Robertson, William Arthur Fane De Salis (R.A.A.F. Reserve), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Fane De Salis, "Weston," of Canberra, and Althea Florence Mouat, only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. H. Mouat, of Dominion Circuit, Canberra. |