COMPLETED Death on a ship from UK to Australia

[greenpaula]

Thank you so much Jamjar, you are so kind,
Thanks to you too Dundee - I never even thought about searching for service records in Australia.
Am off to look at the link you've posted.
I only joined this site a couple of months ago and still can't get over how kind Rootschatters are
 

[Jamjar]

Hi greenpaula,

I have photos for you. Could you PM me an email address, please?

Jamjar

[Jamjar]

Rita Demas is buried with Peter. I wonder what the relationship was?

http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/honours/d.html

Rita's birth, NSW BDM: 8920/1906 Rita K father Leo J and  mother Elizabeth, at WATERLOO   

They weren't married. As they are buried in the catholic section, I wonder if Peter had been married and was unable to get a divorce?

Jamjar

[judb]

Electoral rolls show Rita living with her parents until 1954 (which is the extent of my access)

1930 Ellen DEMAS, HD and John Frederick DEMAS, labourer, Leonidas DEMAS tailor, Rita Kathleen DEMAS telephoniste and Elizabeth DEMAS HD at 43 Willison Rd Carlton  (or Kogarah West - seems to have two suburb names)
1933, 1937, 1943 Leonidas DEMAS tailor, Rita Kathleen DEMAS telephoniste and Elizabeth DEMAS HD at 43 Willison Rd Carlton  (or Kogarah West - seems to have two suburb names)
1949, 1954 Rita and Elizabeth only - same address

Can only find an elctoral roll entry for  Peter HOEY steward, 1954 in Bondi, but the death notice for him said 'of Carlton' so perhaps he lived with them, or lived in after 1954.

Ryerson has the following for Rita:
DEMAS Rita Kathleen died 15 March, 1980  late of Carlton Notice in Sydney Morning Herald 17 March, 1980 

Judith

[Jamjar]

As they are in the same grave I'd think 'lived with her', might have been the case.

Why would a telephonist get an O.B.E? What's a B.E.M, that is also on her plaque?

Jamjar

[Jamjar]

Could this be it? http://www.vvaa.org.au/med-bem.htm

[Jamjar]

She has a record on National Archives. Miss Rita Kathleen Demas - ISM [Imperial Service Medal] 1970

Her father's record is there for viewing.

Jamjar

[judb]

The Imperial Service Medal was instituted in 1902 to recognize distinguished public service at junior levels of the British civil services and the civil services of Commonwealth countries.

http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/honours/ism.html

Judith

[Jamjar]

Photos sent. 

Jamjar