THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of John & Sarah Ann Muddle's Family

 

John and Sarah Ann’s eldest child was John Thomas Muddle who was born in Port Stephens registration district in New South Wales on 7 August 1874, and baptised at Dungog on 28 August 1874. When he was about 29 years old John married Ada Jane Turner in Dungog registration district during 1903. Ada was the daughter of Richard and Emma Ellen Turner, and her birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1883. John and Ada had five children; the first three born in Dungog registration district between 1904 and 1917, and the other two born in 1922 and 1923. John died on 4 January 1945, at the age of 70 (not 67 as given on his headstone), in Wyong registration district in New South Wales, which is on the coast about 30 miles south of Newcastle, and he was buried in the Uniting Section of Dungog General Cemetery. The following year Ada died in Dungog registration district on 31 October 1946, at the age of 63, and she was buried with her husband in the Uniting Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Their grave is marked by an inscribed metal plaque and cross.

 

John and Ada’s eldest child was Doris Grace Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 4 August 1904. When she was about 17 years old Doris married Wilfred Sydney Haggarty, who was about 22, in Dungog registration district during 1921. Wilfred was the son of Sidney and Dora Haggarty, and he had been born at Bandon Grove in New South Wales on 17 July 1899. Wilfred and Doris had five children born between 1922 and 1937. Wilfred died at Wingham in New South Wales on 14 August 1970, at the age of 71, and Doris died at Wingham in 1974, when she was about 70 years old.

 

John and Ada’s second child was Elsie Irene Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1907. When she was about 21 years old Elsie married her first cousin William Travis Muddle, who was about 21, in Newcastle registration district in New South Wales during 1928. William was the son of William and Caroline Muddle, and his birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1907. See section below on William Travis Muddle for the rest of their lives and William’s ancestry.

 

John and Ada’s third child was Ada Beatrice Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1917. When she was about 21 years old Ada married Mervyn Henry Biles in Taree registration district in New South Wales during 1938.

 

John and Ada’s fourth child was Percival John Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 28 November 1921. During the Second World War Percival, at the age of 20, was living at Dungog when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Medowie to the north of Newcastle in New South Wales on 1 August 1942. He was Gunner NX101331 in the 2/7th Field Regiment when he was discharged on 14 December 1945.

When he was about 25 years old Percival married Nora Alberta Williams, who was about 20, in West Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1947. They had two children. Nora died on 18 April 1996, at the age of 68.[1] Percival died on 24 June 1997, at the age of 75. They are both commemorated by plaques on the columbarium in Dungog General Cemetery.

 

 

John and Ada’s fifth child was Daphne Joyce Muddle who was born on 7 July 1923. Daphne’s first marriage was to Thomas Lowe and they had one child. Daphne’s second marriage was to Arthur William Thomas Littlewood and they had one child. Daphne died on 17 June 1987, at the age of 63.

 

John and Sarah Ann’s second child was George Muddle whose birth was registered in Port Stephens registration district in New South Wales during 1876. When he was about 22 years old George married his 1st cousin once removed, Emma Agnes Moore, who was about 19, in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1898. Emma was the daughter of William and Charlotte Moore; she had been born in Port Stephens registration district on 7 December 1879 and her father was a younger brother of George’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Muddle née Moore. George and Emma had six children born in Dungog registration district between 1899 and 1914. Emma was living at Munni when she died on 15 March 1914, at the age of 34 (not 35 as given on her burial record), and was buried in St Peter’s Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba near Dungog on 16 March 1914.

Five years after Emma’s death George, at the age of about 43, married Emma Osmond, who was about 44, in Dungog registration district during 1919. Emma was the daughter of Henry and Mary Jane Osmond, and her birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1875. In 1922 George and Emma are thought to have ‘adopted’ 2-year-old Merle Young, the daughter of George’s sister Mabel Young, whose marriage had just broken up. George was retired farmer and living at Tillegra when he died on 12 July 1951, when about 75 years old (not 73 as given on his burial record), and was buried in St Peters Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba on 13 July 1951. Six years later Emma was living at Tillegra when she died on 24 August 1957, at the age of 81, and was buried in St Peters Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba on 25 August 1957.

 

George and Emma’s eldest child was Claude Arthur Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 13 December 1898. When he was about 30 years old Claude married Ruby Lillian Shoesmith, who was about 26, at Jones Island in Taree registration district in New South Wales, which is about 55 miles north-east of Dungog, on 19 August 1929. Ruby was the daughter of Thomas and Amelia Shoesmith, and she had been born at Jones Island in Taree registration district on 29 August 1903. Claude and Ruby had two children, a daughter and a son, the son was born at Taree in 1939. Claude died Jones Island on 24 February 1954, at the age of 55, and he was buried in Dawson River Methodist Cemetery at Cundletown near Taree. Thirty-nine years later Ruby died at Taree on 25 February 1993, at the age of 89.

 

George and Emma’s second child was Florrie May Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1900. When she was about 18 years old Florrie married Albert Edward Stow, who was about 23, in Dungog registration district during 1918. Albert was the son of Frederick and Susan Stow, and his birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1895. Albert and Florrie had five children, Dot, Gladys, Eric, Les and Ron.

 

George and Emma’s third child was George William Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 5 September 1903. When he was about 28 years old George married Edith L Izzard in Dungog registration district during 1931. They lived at Gloucester near Taree in New South Wales where they had one child, a son, born in 1932.

During the Second World War George enlisted in the Australian Army at Gloucester on 20 October 1939 as Private NX1500 in the 2/2 Infantry Battalion. During the war he became a prisoner of war and was in the 6th Division Supply Company when he was discharged on 11 September 1945.

George and Edith divorced in the late 1940s or early 50s, and Edith moved to Sydney in New South Wales to be near her son who was at boarding school there. George is thought to have then lived with another woman in Gloucester by whom he had a daughter. George died on 24 December 1979, at the age of 76 (not 74 as recorded on his headstone), and he was buried in Wingham Cemetery. His headstone records that he had been Private NX1500 in the 2/2 Infantry Battalion. Edith died in 1990.

 

George and Emma’s fourth child was Gladys E Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1905. When she was about 22 years old Gladys married Edgar Hilton Greentree, who was about 24 and known as Ted, in Gosford registration district in New South Wales, which is about 30 miles north of Sydney, during 1927. Edgar was the son of Saul and Alice Greentree, and he had been born at Gosford on 17 December 1902. Edgar and Gladys had four children, Betty, Keith, June and Gregory.

 

George and Emma’s fifth child was Eric Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 14 August 1909. When he was about 28 years old Eric married Beryl Louise Tighe, who was about 21, in Dungog registration district during 1937. They had three children born between 1940 and 1945. Eric died on 25 October 1982, at the age of 73, and is commemorated by a plaque on the columbarium at the Anglican Christ Church in Dungog. Twenty-five years later Beryl had been living in Dungog Nursing Home when she died during August 2007, at the age of 91.[2]

 

George and Emma’s sixth child was Roy Martin Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1914. When he was about 24 years old Roy married Olga May Longbottom, who was about 19, in Dungog registration district during 1938. Olga was the daughter of Leonard and Clara Longbottom, and she had been born at Dungog on 3 May 1919. Roy and Olga had four children born at Dungog between about 1940 and 1953. Roy died on 30 May 1992, at the age of 78, and three months later Olga died on 21 August 1992, at the age of 73. They are both commemorated by plaques on the columbarium in Dungog General Cemetery.

 

John and Sarah Ann’s third child was William Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1878. When he was about 27 years old William married 18-year-old Caroline Jemima Simmonds at Dungog on 6 July 1905. Caroline was the daughter of James and Jemima Simmonds, and she had been born at Dungog on 31 March 1887. William and Caroline lived in Dungog registration district where they had nine children born between 1905 and 1920. When their third child died in 1912 they were living at Munni, which is to the north of Dungog. Caroline died in Dungog registration district on 2 March 1957, at the age of 69, and she was buried in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. A year later William died in Dungog registration district on 25 February 1958, at the age of 79, and he was buried with his wife in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

William and Caroline’s eldest child was Hilda Mary Muddle whose was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 30 December 1906. When she was 19 years old Hilda married 23-year-old David Raymond Shelton at Dungog on 8 September 1926. David was the son of Joseph and Emily Shelton, and he had been born at Dungog on 8 September 1903. David died on 23 July 1974, at the age of 70, and Hilda died on 3 April 1977, at the age of 71.

 

William and Caroline’s second child was William Travis Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1907. When he was about 21 years old William married his first cousin Elsie Irene Muddle, who was about 21, in Newcastle registration district in New South Wales during 1928. Elsie was the daughter of John Thomas and Ada Jane Muddle, and her birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1907. William and Elsie had six children born between 1926 and 1940, the last of whom was stillborn. Elsie died on 8 June 1987, at the age of 80, and she was buried in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Ten years later William died on 28 June 1997, at the age of 90, and he was buried with his wife in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

 

William and Caroline’s third child was Percival Thomas Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 6 March 1909. Percival was living at Munni, which is to the north of Dungog, when he died on 13 April 1912, at the age of 3, and he was buried in St Peters Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba near Dungog on 14 April 1912.

 

William and Caroline’s fourth child was Gordon Leslie Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 14 May 1911. When he was 21 years old Gordon married his 18-year-old 2nd cousin Mary Page at the Methodist Church in Dungog on 21 May 1932. Mary was the daughter of Thomas and Florence Page and she had been born in Dungog registration district on 12 December 1913. Gordon and Mary had four children born between 1932 and 1948. During the Second World War Gordon, at the age of 33, was living at Dungog when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Paddington in Sydney, New South Wales on 12 February 1945. He was Private N481391 in the 1st A A S C T Battalion when he was discharged on 4 December 1945. Gordon died on the 22 November 1977, at the age of 66. Mary was living at Stroud, which is to the east of Dungog, when she died on 18 April 1990, at the age of 76, and was cremated at Beresfield.[3]

 

William and Caroline’s fifth child was Kenneth Bowen Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 4 November 1913. Kenneth’s birth was registered with just a single Christian name, but he had added his second name of Bowen by the time he married. When he was about 23 years old Kenneth married Winifred Mavis Cummings in Dungog registration district during 1936. They had one child, a son.

During the Second World War Kenneth, at the age of 28, was living at Lansdowne in Sydney, New South Wales when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Lansdowne on 2 February 1942. He was Lance Corporal N290207 in the 15th Australian Motor Regiment when he was discharged on 28 November 1945.

Kenneth died at Dungog during November 2004, at the age of 91.

 

William and Caroline’s sixth child was Laurie M Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 17 March 1916. When she was about 19 years old Laurie married Keith Augustus Neilson, who was about 21, in Dungog registration district during 1935. Keith had been born at Dungog on 31 May 1914. They had three children, Lynette, Marlene and Keith. During the Second World War Keith, at the age of 27, was living at Dungog when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Newcastle in New South Wales on 22 February 1942. He was Private NX148280 in the 31st Australian Garrison Battalion when he was discharged on 11 May 1944. Laurie died on 27 January 1984, at the age of 67.

 

William and Caroline’s seventh child was Dorothy Rose Muddle, known as Dot, whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1918. When she was about 18 years old Dorothy married Frederick John Schofield, who was about 25, in Dungog registration district during 1936. Frederick had been born in London, England on 20 July 1911.

During the Second World War Frederick, at the age of 30, was living at Dungog when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Dungog on 6 May 1942. He was Private N288657 on part time duty in the 4th Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps when he was discharged on 30 September 1945.

 

William and Caroline’s eighth child was Clyde Muddle who was born on 3 December 1920. During the Second World War Clyde, at the age of 21, was living at Dungog in New South Wales when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Dungog on 3 August 1942. He was Private NX104035 in the 2/12th Field Ambulance when he was discharged on 8 January 1946.

When he was 28 years old Clyde married 21-year-old Bertha May Forbes at Dungog in New South Wales on 24 September 1949. Bertha was the daughter of Sedgwick and Constance Forbes, and she had been born at Newcastle in New South Wales on 15 February 1928. Clyde and Bertha had five children born between 1950 and 1959. They initially lived in the small village of Main Creek near Dungog where Clyde worked as a sawyer at the local sawmill. Then in about 1957 or 1958, when Clyde’s parents died, they moved into their house in Dungog. Clyde had retired when he died at Dungog on 3 September 1994, at the age of 73, and was buried in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery on 6 September 1994.[4]

 

William and Caroline’s ninth child was Keith Muddle who was born in about 1924. When he was about 19 years old Keith married Georgina Molly Gordon, known as Molly, in Dungog registration district during 1943. They had three children. Keith died on 24 April 1985, at the age of 61, and he is commemorated on the columbarium in Christ Church Anglican Church in Dungog.

 

John and Sarah Ann’s fourth child was Ettie Muddle who was born at Candle Flat in Manning River registration district, New South Wales on 7 August 1880. When she was about 22 years old Ettie married John Huckstadt in Dungog registration district during 1902. They had three children born in Dungog registration district between 1908 and 1918. Ettie died when she was about 62 years old, her death being registered in Mayfield registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales during 1942.

 

John and Ettie’s eldest child was Lindsay Huckstadt whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1908.

 

John and Ettie’s second child was Lawrence John Huckstadt whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1914.

 

John and Ettie’s third child was Eunice May Huckstadt whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1918.

 

John and Sarah Ann’s fifth child was Henry Charles Muddle who was born in Wingham registration district in New South Wales on 17 December 1882. When he was about 26 years old Henry married Adelaide Edith Tighe, who was about 21, in Dungog registration district during 1908. Adelaide was the daughter of Arthur and Virginia Tighe, and her birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1887. Henry and Adelaide had five children born in Dungog registration district between 1909 and about 1919. Adelaide died at Singleton, which is about 35 miles south-west of Dungog, on 18 May 1942, at the age of 54, and she was buried in Bandon Grove Cemetery on 19 May 1942.

 

Henry and Adelaide’s eldest child was Henry Arthur Muddle, known as Arthur, whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1909. When he was about 46 years old Arthur married Marion Noreen Hewens in Singleton registration district during 1955. They had one child, a daughter.

 

Henry and Adelaide’s second child was Lily M N Muddle. Lily married William Tulip in Greta registration district during 1929, and they had eight children.

 

Henry and Adelaide’s third child was Barney Richard Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1914. When he was about 27 years old Barney married Nellie Southcombe in Maitland West registration district, which is about 25 miles south of Dungog, during 1941. They had five children.

 

Henry and Adelaide’s fourth child was Eric James Muddle, known as James, who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 18 June 1916. During the Second World War Eric, at the age of 25, was living at Dungog when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Bendolba, to the north of Dungog, on 10 September 1941. He was Private N155685 in the 61st Australian Infantry Battalion when he was discharged on 24 January 1946. While he was serving in the army, when he was about 26 years old, Eric married Daphne Irene Burgess, who was about 18, in Maitland West registration district, which is about 25 miles south of Dungog, during 1942. They had three children, a daughter and two sons. Daphne had been living at East Maitland when she died at Mayfield Aged Care, at the age of 83. Her funeral was held on 26 November 2007.[5]

 

Henry and Adelaide’s fifth child was Leila Jean Muddle. Leila married Arthur Robert Wylie in Singleton registration district during 1940. They had one child, a son called Stephen.

 

John and Sarah Ann’s sixth child was May Muddle who was born in Stroud registration district in New South Wales on 8 January 1885. When she was about 28 years old May married Albert Michael Walsh in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1913. They had at two children; the first born in Dungog registration district in 1914 and the second in Parramatta registration district in Sydney in 1916. Albert’s death was registered in Gosford registration district in New South Wales, which is about 30 miles north of Sydney, during 1957. Six years later May died when she was about 78 years old, her death being registered in Gosford registration district during 1963.

 

Albert and May’s eldest child was Bernard Allen Walsh who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 28 August 1913. During the Second World War Bernard, at the age of 28, was living at Gosford in New South Wales when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Paddington in Sydney, New South Wales on 8 September 1941. He was Gunner NX44464 in the 2/2nd Anti Aircraft Regiment when he was discharged on 12 June 1946.

 

Albert and May’s second child was Iris Mabel Walsh whose birth was registered in Parramatta registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1916. Iris never married. She died when she was about 55 years old, her death being registered in Gosford registration district in New South Wales, which is about 30 miles north of Sydney, during 1971.

 

John and Sarah Ann’s seventh child was Herbert Muddle, known as Herb, who was born at Tillegra on the Williams River in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 29 June 1887. When he was about 22 years old Herbert married Catherine Elizabeth Nash, who was about 21, in Dungog registration district during 1909. Catherine was the daughter of Thomas and Caroline Nash, and her birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1888. Herbert and Catherine had four children; the first was possibly born before their marriage, as there was no father named at the registration of birth. Their first two children were born in Dungog registration district in 1909 and 1911, and the third in Stroud registration district, which is about 12 miles east of Dungog, in 1914, the fourth was born in about 1919. Herbert was described as being a farmer when his son John married in 1942. The deaths of both Herbert and Catherine were registered in Gloucester registration district, which is about 30 miles north-east of Dungog, during 1969. Herbert was about 82 years old, and Catherine was about 81.

 

Herbert and Catherine’s eldest child was Walter Thomas Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1909, but without any father’s name given. (Walter’s birth seems to have been registered again in 1927 with a father’s name, and this time his year of birth was given as 1908. Presumably Walter had been born before his parent’s marriage.) When he was about 25 years old Walter married Myonie Beryl Mossop, who was about 23, in Five Dock registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1933. Walter had been living at Killcare Heights in Sydney when he died on 17 August 1984, when he was about 76 years old.[6] Myonie had been living at Baulkham Hills and before that Killcare Heights in Sydney when she died at the age of 94; her funeral was on 6 April 2004.[7]

 

Herbert and Catherine’s second child was Stanley Herbert Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1911. When he was about 26 years old Stanley married Eva Mavis Amos in Gloucester registration district, which is about 30 miles north-east of Dungog, during 1937.

 

Herbert and Catherine’s third child was Olive Ethel Muddle whose birth was registered in Stroud registration district in New South Wales during 1914. When she was about 23 years old Olive married Victor George Schmierer in Gloucester registration district, which is about 30 miles north of Stroud, during 1937.

 

Herbert and Catherine’s fourth child was John William Muddle who was born at Gloucester in New South Wales on 5 September 1919. John had been a bank clerk before he enlisted at Sydney on 6 January 1941 in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Second World War and was stationed in England. While in England, when he was 23 years old, John married 19-year-old Patricia Mary Egan at the Roman Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd and Saints Elizabeth and Helen in Eld Road, Coventry, Warwickshire, England on 19 December 1942 by licence. They were both then living at 657 Foleshill Road in Coventry, John was Pilot Officer 403418 RAAF and Patricia, who had been a shop assistant, was LACW 442605 WAAF. In 1944 John was flying as a Mid Upper Gunner on Lancaster bombers in 463 (RAAF) Squadron, when he was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross).[8] The citation in G. H. file RAAF 942 was for skill and fortitude in operations against the enemy. That year John was also mentioned in dispatches.[9] One of the bombing flights that John was on has been described by his pilot F/Lt Bruce Alexander Buckham DSO, DFC:

SHOOT THE TRAIN

This is a true story of an incident during World War II which was not reported, but was known and although not authenticated cannot be disproved after all these years.

On the night of 23 June 1944, a small force of bombers from 5 groups were dispatched at about 9pm to attack a large ammunitions dump and armaments arsenal which the Germans had in the precincts of the French town of Limoges, mid south-west of Paris well down towards Toulouse. The night was clear and apart from unwelcome ‘flak’ after crossing the French coast west of Cherbourg Peninsula the trip was comparatively free of trouble. Nevertheless, the aircrews were ever on high alert for night fighters. Flying at 12 000 feet visibility was so good some ground detail could be observed. Pathfinder flares broke out right on time and target indicators (TI’s) in red and green were spot on, and so was the bombing. I remember dropping our bomb load of 12 x 1000lbs, staying straight and level until frame 6B of the F28 camera had turned over — then bomb doors were closed. Just at that instant the whole place blew up! There were terrific explosions and fires in a multiplicity of brilliant colors from pyrotechnics. It was almost as good as Brest at night time with the added colors of ‘flak’ snaking upwards towards us. We watched this scene fascinated for some minutes before heading northwards.

I was flying a Lancaster ME7O1-JO-F known as “Whoa Bessie” featuring a rampant bovine painted on the side of the aircraft near the pilot’s position. It was our twenty-fifth ‘OP’ and John Muddle the mid-upper gunner’s twentieth to complete his second tour of duty and be ‘screened’ on landing. About 6000 feet of height had slipped off as we stooged homewards on such a perfect night — no trouble so far when suddenly Muddle yelled, “There’s a train — I must get me a train!” Sure enough there it was puffing steadily along parallel to our flight path. “Nah,” I said. “Let’s go home.” The whole crew chorused, “Aw, come on skipper — let’s get the train!” I replied reluctantly, “Okay, but keep your eyes peeled all around!”

I swung Whoa Bessie 180 degrees descending down to about 70 feet and coming up behind and slightly to starboard of the train which was travelling on a stretch on the top of an embankment. We were quite close to the train. I said to the gunners, “Fire when I tell you — and hit the engine only, not the carriages!” As we came up towards level with the engine I gave the order to “Fire!” It was exciting to see tracer bullets from the mid-upper turret’s 2 guns and 4 from the rear turret streak towards the train, go up the embankment to the rails and then hit the engine! “Cease fire!” A stream of smoke and steam burst skywards as the train came to a dead stop! “Hooray!” everyone shouted.

Having dissipated so much time over the target and now this, a change in flight plan was decided. I could see a fair bit of air activity up ahead so decided to fly west over the coast somewhere south of Brest then head out to sea before heading North-East to England. All very fine, but we flew over an uncharted enemy airfield. Search lights burst on and so did the ‘flak’. Nothing for it but to go down and shoot the place up, as aircraft were taking off. Johnny Muddle, mid-upper and Eric Giersch, rear gunner put the search lights out and shot up the gun emplacements as we flew around then dived down right onto sea level and kept going. Naturally we landed well after the rest of the crews. I swore my crew to absolute secrecy and was very adamant about it as we bombers were not supposed to get up to pranks like this. The interrogating officer was inquisitive about our late arrival, so we did disclose the enemy aerodrome incident!

All the crew members maintained there confidentiality, but a few days after the “OP” the Base Commander, Air Commodore Arthur Hesketh button-holed me and asked me to explain our delayed return so I repeated the interrogation information. “That’s strange,” he said. “There’s a report of a heavy bomber (Lancaster) shooting the engine up and ‘they’ are trying to ascertain who was responsible.” “Did you see anything unusual Buck?” “No sir,” I answered straight faced.

About a week later Air Commodore Hesketh was sitting in the corner of our officers’ mess bar when I strolled in and got myself a beer. “Buck, come sit down here!” Which I did. “Do you remember that train incident last week?” “Yes sir, I recall you mentioning it to me.” Then he told me the sequel to it. “At the psychological moment of the attack the Gestapo were just about to nab 6 escapees who jumped from the train and disappeared into the scrub. The French underground picked them up and hid them! A British submarine picked them up and they are all safely back in this country.” “Isn’t that great sir,” was all I could say.

John was a Flight Lieutenant in the 1660 Communications Unit when he was discharged on 5 July 1945. John and Patricia settled in Australia after the war. John's Distinguished Flying Cross was presented by registered post to the Bank of New South Wales in Gloucester, New South Wales on 12 March 1947, which was presumably where John was working.

 

John and Sarah Ann’s eighth child was Thomas Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 10 October 1890. When he was about 23 years old Thomas married Emma Violet Hinton, who was about 22 and known as Violet, in Dungog registration district during 1913. Emma was the daughter of William and Ann Hinton, and her birth had been registered in Taree registration district in New South Wales during 1891. Thomas and Violet had one child born in Dungog registration district in 1918.

Thomas died when he was about 73 years old, his death being registered in Lambton registration district in New South Wales during 1963. Nine years later Violet died when she was about 81 years old, her death being registered in Newcastle registration district in New South Wales during 1972.

 

Thomas and Violet’s only child was Sarah Constance Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1918. When she was about 20 years old Sarah married Francis Augustine Griffin in Dungog registration district during 1938.

 

John and Sarah Ann’s ninth child was Allay Muddle, also known as Allie, whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1893. When he was about 26 years old Allie married Lila Hudson, who was about 20, in Dungog registration district during 1919. Lila was the daughter of Anthony and Esther Hudson, and her birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1899. Allie and Lila had three children.

Allie was a pensioner living at 49A Mackay Street in Dungog when he died in Newcastle registration district on 8 September 1970, at the age of 77, and was buried in St Peter's Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba near Dungog on 10 September 1970. Twenty-four years later Lila was living at Allandale in New South Wales, which is about 130 miles south-west of Dungog, when she died on 21 February 1994, at the age of 94, and was buried with her husband in St Peter's Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba on 22 February 1994.

 

Allie and Lila’s eldest child was Mabel Rose Muddle who was born in about 1920. Mabel married John Anzac Turner in Dungog registration district during 1940. Mabel’s second marriage was to Edgar Muddle. Mabel died on 15 March 2004, at the age of 83, and she was buried with her parents in St Peter’s Church of England Cemetery at Bendolba.

 

 

Allie and Lila’s second child was Audrey Violet Muddle. Audrey married Norman John Horning in Dungog registration district during 1944.

 

Allie and Lila’s third child was Kathleen Jean Muddle, known as Jean. Jean married Thomas George O’Hare, who was about 23, in Dungog registration district during 1944. Thomas was the son of Thomas and Eva Florence O’Hare, and he had been born at Lismore in northern New South Wales on 11 September 1921. During the Second World War Thomas, at the age of 21 and while living at Rawdon Vale in northern New South Wales, had enlisted in the Australian Army at Paddington in Sydney on 5 December 1942. He was Sapper NX99017 in 2 Field Company when he was discharged on 16 April 1946. So he was serving in the army when he married Jean.

It seems that Thomas and Jean must have divorced and Thomas married Isabel May Tuckwell in Rockdale registration district in Sydney during 1954. Thomas died when he was about 50 years old, his death being registered in Sydney registration district during 1971.

Jean’s second marriage was to Reginald Augustus Rumbel, who was her 2nd cousin once removed and aged about 34, in Dungog registration district during 1954. Reginald was the son of Henry Augustus and Julia Susan Barbara Rumbel, and he had been born in 1920. Reginald died in Dungog registration district on the 17 November 1964, at the age of 44, and he was buried in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery, where his grave is marked by and inscribed headstone.

Jean’s third marriage was to her last husband’s brother Percy Charles Rumbel. Percy was the son of Henry Augustus and Julia Susan Barbara Rumbel, and he had been born in 1926.

 

John and Sarah Ann’s tenth child was Mabel Muddle, known as Rosie, who was born at Tillegra near Dungog in New South Wales on 14 August 1896. When she was 18 years old Mabel married 24-year-old Kenneth James Muddle/Young at Tillegra near Dungog on 19 August 1914 by the Presbyterian religion. Kenneth was then a labourer and they were both living at Tillegra. Kenneth was Mabel's 1st cousin once removed. Mabel and Kenneth had three children born between 1915 and 1920 before Kenneth petitioned for divorce in 1922, their marriage was dissolved on 3 June 1924. See the section on Kenneth James Muddle/Young on the page headed ‘Henry & Mary Muddle’s Family’ for Kenneth’s ancestry, and details of Kenneth and Mabel’s three children.

Mabel’s second marriage, using her maiden name of Muddle, was to Arthur Henry Stow in Hamilton registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales during 1924. Arthur was the son of Frederick and Susan Stow; his birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1892, and during the First World War he was Private 2162 in the 30th Australian Infantry Battalion, serving from 10 September 1915 to 22 May 1919. Arthur and Mabel had three children born between about 1926 and 1931. They were living at 15 Albion Street in Mayfield East near Newcastle when Mabel died in Mater Misericordiae Hospital at Waratah near Newcastle on 2 August 1957, at the age of 60, from chronic myeloid leukaemia that she had suffered from for several years. She was buried in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery on 5 August 1957. Eleven years later Arthur died on 9 March 1968, at the age of 76, and he was buried with his wife in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

Kenneth’s second marriage, at the age of 34, was to 35-year-old spinster Emily Dickie at 139 Castlereagh Street in Sydney on 18 October 1924 by the Methodist religion. Kenneth was then a labourer living at Darlinghurst in Sydney, and Emily was a dressmaker living in Sydney. Emily was the daughter of Joseph and Ellen Dickie, and she had been born at Brisbane in Queensland in 1889. Kenneth and Emily didn't have any children. Emily died in Burwood registration district in Sydney during 1945, when she was about 56 years old. Kenneth was a foreman biscuit maker. He had been living with his sister Marjorie and her husband at 22 Burchmore Road in Manly Vale, Sydney when he died in Rockcastle Private Hospital, Harbord, Sydney on 24 August 1964, at the age of 74, from congestive cardiac failure, lobar pneumonia and diabetes. Kenneth was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium on 25 August 1964.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2009

Last updated 25 May 2009