A non-Machell

[BridgetM]

George Francis “Frank” Machell was the friend.

[sparrett]

Hi Neale1961, I’d always heard that Robert Ernest had a falling out with his family, which is why he moved in with the Machells, and changed his surname. But I’m now wondering if the Machells took him in because he had no one else? In 1943, when he enlisted in the army, he has E. M. Machell listed as his guardian.
The stories families tell, that soon become family truth. The family rift, and teenage rebellion, is certainly a more dramatic story—and one I’ve always believed.
Bridget

I would have to say that it is quite a big step to take up the surname of another family.
From this young man's viewpoint, it in effect is in a way turning his back on his parentage. It would perhaps be more usually done in infancy or early childhood. Quite a bold step IMO. The"falling out" if that's what it was, must have been significant.

And a big step from the MACHELL family viewpoint too. To accept another child under your surname.
not to mention the financial aspects.

Do you think there was any other connections between the 2 families? Relatives or friends?
Sue   

[Neale1961]

Ernest Patrick ENGLISH was made a Ward of the Children’s Court in 1911 (along with his sister Marjorie) because his mother Margaret had means to support them, after her husband had died in 1908.

Their files are here
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/A10CCA91-F4C7-11E9-AE98-09D576B188B4?image=307
https://prov.vic.gov.au/search_journey/select?keywords=Ernest%20Patrick%20English&iud=true

Having grown up without a father figure, perhaps Ernest Patrick could not cope with his own children after his wife died.

Maybe “falling out with his father” was just a story to cover up family poverty and a parent-less child.

[BridgetM]

Ernest Patrick English had only one child still alive, Ernest Robert English, and perhaps the father couldn’t, or wouldn’t, look after him, which is why the Machells stepped in. That’s a much sadder story, so perhaps Ernest Robert English tried to make himself a ‘hero’ of his life story with the drama of a teenage rebellion?

The Machells didn’t adopt Ernest, and he’s not buried with them. Maybe he was more of a foster child?