What can I say about my mother, except that she was a woman born long before her time.
Flo was born the 11th and last child of William and Elizabeth Dora (Marshall) Gerard.
I do not know much of her childhood, but do know that she and her father had a unique closeness. He called her "Biddie" and seemed to have a sixth sense where she was concerned.
The births of her siblings was spread out, with the result that she was already an aunt to two when she was born. Two of her brothers served in WWI, but only one returned home. She was very close to this brother as well as the two sisters closest to her in age.
From an early age she had a ferocious appetite for reading, and would even read the labels on the tins and jars on the shelves of her parents shop.
Severe illness prevented her from starting school until 18 months later than she should, but despite this she excelled extremely well at school.
After leaving school she worked as a domestic, and finally made her way to Brisbane. Here she met a young lady who was to become her bosom pal, and eventually her sister-in-law.
She married Eric Henry Williams, and they had three sons prior to his joining the Army in 1940.
With Eric away she was working up to three jobs at a time to support her sons, her father-in-law and his sister.
She was conscripted by manpower and worked as a sheet metal worker at Archerfield Aerodrome repairing damaged shot up planes returning from battle.
A very strong unionist, she deplored the waste of material and often shoddy jobs of repair done on the planes, and made an appointment to complain to General McArthur, who promised to personally investigate her claims. As she said, "They are our boys flying up there and they deserve the very best that we can give."
She was released from Manpower and took on the job of tram conductress or "Clippy" as they were known. During her off time, she would be found working in a hamburger shop in Brisbane.
She always found time to volunteer for any and all work involving the war effort, from selling bonds to organising concerts and other fund raising.
She continued to be involved in the union movement and politics, and was once asked to run for the position of Lord Mayor of Brisbane, but circumstances prevented this from happening.
She was running a fruit shop when Eric returned home from the war. He like most others who had been a prisoner of the Japanese found life very difficult, and could not settle to any paid position, so he helped with the running of the fruit shop.
Flo and another of her friends made headlines in the Brisbane papers, when they were photographed in Brisbane City, wearing of all things men's pants, which they found much more comfortable and practical than the traditional womens clothing.
Within 18 months of Eric's return home, a daughter was born, then another about 3 years later.
Flo continued to work at a variety of jobs - door to door salesperson; barmaid and eventually Railway Station Mistress, a position she held until her retirement.
After retirement, she designed and had built a home on land she owned on Tamborine Mountain. The view from the house was exceptional - all the way from one end of the Gold Coast to the other. It was amazing standing on the back verandah and watching the waves break at the Coast.
Gradually her health started to slide, and she sold her home on Tamborine and moved back to Brisbane. While at Tamborine she suddenly decided to stop smoking and never touched another ciggy.
Eventually, the results of age, hard work and the cigarettes took a toll and her health took a sharp downturn.
She was hospitalised on Boxing Day 1992, and died there on 6th January 1993.
She was cremated and her ashes scattered beside the home she built at Tamborine, so that she could enjoy the site for eternity.
She was survived by her 5 children; 15 grand-children and 15 great-grand-children. At present time (April 2009) there are 32 great-grand-children and 1 great-great-grand-child. 1 great-grand child preceded her.
*****Official Cause of Death: Respiratory failure; Severe respiratory tract infection; Chronic obstructive airways disease.*****
WILLIAMS - Flo, late of Wynnum
The Relative and Friends of (Benny) Eric and Mary, Neil and Kathy, (Nippy) Douglas and Di, Muriel and Harry Butler, Wendy and Kevin Tutt and Families are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral for their dearly loved Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandma and Big Grandma, which is appointed to be held in our Funeral Chapel, 57 Bay Terrace, Wynnum, Monday, 11th January, at 1.45 p.m.
NO FUNERAL CORTAGE
METROPOLITAN FUNERALS
Wynnum 893 1711
WILLIAMS - Florence Mildred Lilian
Committee and Members of the Wynnum R.S.L. Services Memorial Club are requested to attend the Funeral Service for their late Members, Florence Williams, to be held as per Family Notice.
By request of the President.
Brisbane Courier Mail 08th January 1993
^^^^^^I extend my sincere and heartfelt thanks, gratitude and appreciation to Michael Dunn for sponsering this Memorial to my Mother - Florence Mildred Lilian Gerard Williams. ^^^^^^
*******My thanks to Jim Seidelman for his wonderful act of kindness in the restoration of one of my mother's photos. Your generosity is much appreciated*******
What can I say about my mother, except that she was a woman born long before her time.
Flo was born the 11th and last child of William and Elizabeth Dora (Marshall) Gerard.
I do not know much of her childhood, but do know that she and her father had a unique closeness. He called her "Biddie" and seemed to have a sixth sense where she was concerned.
The births of her siblings was spread out, with the result that she was already an aunt to two when she was born. Two of her brothers served in WWI, but only one returned home. She was very close to this brother as well as the two sisters closest to her in age.
From an early age she had a ferocious appetite for reading, and would even read the labels on the tins and jars on the shelves of her parents shop.
Severe illness prevented her from starting school until 18 months later than she should, but despite this she excelled extremely well at school.
After leaving school she worked as a domestic, and finally made her way to Brisbane. Here she met a young lady who was to become her bosom pal, and eventually her sister-in-law.
She married Eric Henry Williams, and they had three sons prior to his joining the Army in 1940.
With Eric away she was working up to three jobs at a time to support her sons, her father-in-law and his sister.
She was conscripted by manpower and worked as a sheet metal worker at Archerfield Aerodrome repairing damaged shot up planes returning from battle.
A very strong unionist, she deplored the waste of material and often shoddy jobs of repair done on the planes, and made an appointment to complain to General McArthur, who promised to personally investigate her claims. As she said, "They are our boys flying up there and they deserve the very best that we can give."
She was released from Manpower and took on the job of tram conductress or "Clippy" as they were known. During her off time, she would be found working in a hamburger shop in Brisbane.
She always found time to volunteer for any and all work involving the war effort, from selling bonds to organising concerts and other fund raising.
She continued to be involved in the union movement and politics, and was once asked to run for the position of Lord Mayor of Brisbane, but circumstances prevented this from happening.
She was running a fruit shop when Eric returned home from the war. He like most others who had been a prisoner of the Japanese found life very difficult, and could not settle to any paid position, so he helped with the running of the fruit shop.
Flo and another of her friends made headlines in the Brisbane papers, when they were photographed in Brisbane City, wearing of all things men's pants, which they found much more comfortable and practical than the traditional womens clothing.
Within 18 months of Eric's return home, a daughter was born, then another about 3 years later.
Flo continued to work at a variety of jobs - door to door salesperson; barmaid and eventually Railway Station Mistress, a position she held until her retirement.
After retirement, she designed and had built a home on land she owned on Tamborine Mountain. The view from the house was exceptional - all the way from one end of the Gold Coast to the other. It was amazing standing on the back verandah and watching the waves break at the Coast.
Gradually her health started to slide, and she sold her home on Tamborine and moved back to Brisbane. While at Tamborine she suddenly decided to stop smoking and never touched another ciggy.
Eventually, the results of age, hard work and the cigarettes took a toll and her health took a sharp downturn.
She was hospitalised on Boxing Day 1992, and died there on 6th January 1993.
She was cremated and her ashes scattered beside the home she built at Tamborine, so that she could enjoy the site for eternity.
She was survived by her 5 children; 15 grand-children and 15 great-grand-children. At present time (April 2009) there are 32 great-grand-children and 1 great-great-grand-child. 1 great-grand child preceded her.
*****Official Cause of Death: Respiratory failure; Severe respiratory tract infection; Chronic obstructive airways disease.*****
WILLIAMS - Flo, late of Wynnum
The Relative and Friends of (Benny) Eric and Mary, Neil and Kathy, (Nippy) Douglas and Di, Muriel and Harry Butler, Wendy and Kevin Tutt and Families are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral for their dearly loved Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandma and Big Grandma, which is appointed to be held in our Funeral Chapel, 57 Bay Terrace, Wynnum, Monday, 11th January, at 1.45 p.m.
NO FUNERAL CORTAGE
METROPOLITAN FUNERALS
Wynnum 893 1711
WILLIAMS - Florence Mildred Lilian
Committee and Members of the Wynnum R.S.L. Services Memorial Club are requested to attend the Funeral Service for their late Members, Florence Williams, to be held as per Family Notice.
By request of the President.
Brisbane Courier Mail 08th January 1993
^^^^^^I extend my sincere and heartfelt thanks, gratitude and appreciation to Michael Dunn for sponsering this Memorial to my Mother - Florence Mildred Lilian Gerard Williams. ^^^^^^
*******My thanks to Jim Seidelman for his wonderful act of kindness in the restoration of one of my mother's photos. Your generosity is much appreciated*******
