Information sought on Thomas HUGHES, grandfather of Robert

[Bob_SA_Oz]

I would particularly like to find out about when and how my grandfather Thomas Hughes arrived in South Australia, his date of death, circumstances and burial place.  He was born 21 January 1891 in West Ham, UK, married Mary Elizabeth White on 2 September 1910, and served in the merchant service (CR10 463797).  He resided in Coburg Road Alberton, South Australia from about 1927-1931.  He worked as a wharf labourer in Port Adelaide.  He appeared before the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in 1927 for threatening to harm his wife and was put on a good behaviour bond for 12 months.  Family anecdotal history says he died when he fell into a ship's hold sometime before about 1938.  I cannot find any indication of a death record or coroner's inquest in the State Library of SA.  Similarly, a search of digitised newspapers and cemetery records has failed to provide any clues.  Can anyone help please?

[cando]

His wife stated in the court appearance on Tues 7 Nov 1927 that she and her family had been in SA for 6 months.

Advertiser Wed 9 Nov 1927
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0tp8/

I always treat family stories with a degree of caution.  So many are inaccurate.  Perhaps he simply left her.  There would have been an inquest into an accident and a death certificate would have been issued.

I have searched a resource Inquests 1880-1942 and there is no inquest recorded for a Thomas HUGHES in South Australia.

Cando

[Essie]

Hi Bob

The NAA passenger arrivals index have Mr TJ HUGHES and Mrs M HUGHES and a number of children listed on the ship Beltana that arrived 10 May 1927.

Essie

[SASHAR]

1939 SA Electoral Roll has:-
Thomas James Hughes (occ:  Assistant), at 77 Dale St., Pt Adelaide.
Also at that address is Mary Elizabeth Hughes, home duties and Kathleen Florence Hughes, home duties.

Regards,
Sashar

[SASHAR]

The 1941 Electoral Roll is the same but in 1943 it just has Mary Elizabeth HUGHES at 77 Dale St., Pt Adelaide.
Thomas James HUGHES is at 33a Cannon St., Pt Adelaide and is a mechanic.
There is a Kathleen (no middle name mentioned) HUGHES at Gladstone Ave, Kilburn (machinist).

I believe there may be another Electoral Roll but that is all I have.

May be no connection but thought worth posting,
Regards,
Sashar

[cando]

Thanks Essie....I was just about to post the same info....   I think it is their son.

The passenger list on the BELTANA lists a Thomas James HUGHES 12 years with Mary Elizabeth HUGHES 37 years, Housewife; Mary Elizabeth HUGHES 16 years, Factory hand; Dorothy Rose HUGHES 14 years,Factory hand; Kathleen Florence HUGHES 10 years, Vera May 3 years and John William 2 years.  Their last address in the UK 50 Emma Street, Silvertown E16.

In 1911 Thomas gave his age as 22 so possibility born c1889 not 1891.

This is the only marriage I can find for a Thomas to a Mary E in the period however they stated they had been married for a full year on 2 Apr 1911.  Do you have the reference for their marriage in Sep 1910.

Marriages Sep 1910   
HUGHES    Thomas  W Ham 4a/680    
THOMAS    Mary E     W Ham 4a/680

Cando

[SASHAR]

I believe the Thomas James HUGHES at 33a Cannon St., is the son of TJ & ME HUGHES. (just confirmed by Cando)
There are records on NAA, he was born 4.10.1914 LONDON, NOK Mary (mother), Dale St address.
He served on the Cerberus for about 9 months but was discharged 1940.

In 1943 at 33 Cannon St., there is also:-
Desmond Michael HAMDEN - ships fireman
Joyce May HAMDEN - home duties

Joyce's maiden name was LINDSAY and she lived at Dale St., Pt Adelaide when she was engaged in 1939, so maybe the families knew each other.  In 1943 Desmond was lost in action, drowned at sea.  I can't see his WW2 service record but his wife and mother applied for Mothers and Widows badges.

Cyril James HARTLEY was also at 33 Cannon St., (labourer).

Just mentioning all this in case something connects for you.

Sashar

[CassT]

Hi
Found this record at Cheltenham Cemetery

Name: Hughes, Thomas James  Date of Death: 11 January 1957  Age: 42 Years
Last Abode: QUEENSTOWN, SA Service Type: Burial

Cemetery: Cheltenham Cemetery  Section: Section T Drive: D  Path (#): 11(22)  Site Number: 326S

Could be the son

there is also a Mary ELizabeth

Name: Hughes, Mary Elizabeth Date of Death: 06 November 1947  Age: 59 Years
Last Abode: PORT ADELAIDE, SA  Service Type: Burial
Cemetery: Cheltenham Cemetery  Section: Section E Drive: B  Path (#): 6(28) Site Number: 197C


Hope this helps

Cass

[SASHAR]

I think you are right Cass.

Mary Elizabeth's death on TROVE:-
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/43741452?searchTerm=hughes mary elizabeth&searchLimits=l-decade=194|||l-year=1947