HENRI/HENRY COLVIN ROUSSAC
The second eldest son of Etienne Auguste Roussac Jnr and Isabella Masson.
He was born on Wednesday 11th November, 1863 at Darjeeling and baptised on 29th October, 1864.
He attended St Paul's School, Darjeeling in 1879. Nothing else is known of his early years.
On Thursday 2nd December 1886, he married Mena BROADWAY at Dinapore. She was the daughter of Daniel Philip Broadway and Mary Belchambers and was born on 11th February 1865.
It is unclear when he joined the Post Office, but by 1888, when his eldest son, Reginald, was baptised, he was described in the Register as Superintendent of Post Offices.
Three years later, in 1891, when his daughter, Irene, was baptised, he was described in the Register as Inspector Post Offices, Narlindda Division.
In 1900 he was despatched to Bhandara, towards the north of India and due east of Nagpur, for ‘famine duty’ though it is unclear what these duties entailed.
By 1908 he was Superintendent of Post Offices in the Kumaon Division, and the following year Post Office Superintendent, 1st Grade,
In 1912 he and Mena embarked on the Uganda at Calcutta and sailed to Sydney, Australia arriving on 7th December and was regarded as the 'blacksheep' of the family. At some point he ‘got religion’ and became quite a strict Baptist, for example, never allowing his daughter Grace to attend any sort of party.
In 1919 he is described in the Baptist Missionary Society's annual report as a Missionary at Whittlesea, Victoria.
The second eldest son of Etienne Auguste Roussac Jnr and Isabella Masson.
He was born on Wednesday 11th November, 1863 at Darjeeling and baptised on 29th October, 1864.
He attended St Paul's School, Darjeeling in 1879. Nothing else is known of his early years.
On Thursday 2nd December 1886, he married Mena BROADWAY at Dinapore. She was the daughter of Daniel Philip Broadway and Mary Belchambers and was born on 11th February 1865.
It is unclear when he joined the Post Office, but by 1888, when his eldest son, Reginald, was baptised, he was described in the Register as Superintendent of Post Offices.
Three years later, in 1891, when his daughter, Irene, was baptised, he was described in the Register as Inspector Post Offices, Narlindda Division.
In 1900 he was despatched to Bhandara, towards the north of India and due east of Nagpur, for ‘famine duty’ though it is unclear what these duties entailed.
By 1908 he was Superintendent of Post Offices in the Kumaon Division, and the following year Post Office Superintendent, 1st Grade,
In 1912 he and Mena embarked on the Uganda at Calcutta and sailed to Sydney, Australia arriving on 7th December and was regarded as the 'blacksheep' of the family. At some point he ‘got religion’ and became quite a strict Baptist, for example, never allowing his daughter Grace to attend any sort of party.
In 1919 he is described in the Baptist Missionary Society's annual report as a Missionary at Whittlesea, Victoria.
In the family Bible, there is this from the Baptist Mission in 1929:
Our esteemed Sister Roussac received the call to be with Jesus on February 7th. Her health had been unsatisfactory for some considerable time, during the last nine months and she suffered intensely. Amid it all her faith in Jesus was very beautiful, and her wonderful patience revealed her confidence in the goodness of God. Mrs Roussac was the daughter of Mr Broadway, Baptist Missionary in Northern India. She, with Bro. Roussac, and their family, came to Australia some fifteen years ago, and more recently came to Oakleigh, Victoria, where they took membership with the church. Our late sister was known by all for her saintly character. The sincere sympathy of the church is with Bro. Roussac and his family in the time of their sorrow. S. H. Mudge.
As it says, Mena died on 7th February 1929 aged 63 at Murrumbeena, Victoria, Australia. She is pictured left with her husband.
On 30th May 1929 he sailed from Sydney aboard the RMS Niagara to Seattle with Grace Jessie Snell. Both stated on the passenger list they are Australian of French descent. It is not clear why they went there or when they returned.
He married secondly, Lydia Agnes WATT (née Lemmon) in 1930 in Victoria, Australia. She was born in 1881 at Hebburn-on-Tyne, England, and had previously been married to William Alexander Watt, a Shipwright, and they had two sons, William Alan Watt (1911-1975) and Eric Watt (1920-1972).
She and her two sons sailed from London to Melbourne in 1921 aboard the Berrima.
She is also listed in the Victoria Electoral Rolls as Mrs Lydia Agnes Roussac between 1931 and 1954, residing variously at Balaclava and Henty, both in Victoria.
She died under her maiden name, on 19th May 1955, then a widow, late of 10 Alma Road, St Kilda, Victoria.
Henri Colvin Roussac died on Wednesday 3rd February 1937, at 5.30am at Dandenong Road, Oakleigh, Victoria, the home of his daughter, Grace.
There were seven children by his first wife:
1. Reginald Augustus Colvin Roussac
He was born on Tuesday 28th February 1888 at Bankipore, Bengal.
Nothing is known about where he went to school or his early life.
He married Jane Rose BOUCHER on 1st February 1912 at Howrah, Bengal; she was then a Nurse - seen left - and he was an Engineer.
She was the daughter (and 7th child) of James Boucher and Annie Hardy and born about 1892 and died on 8th September 1969 aged 77 at Fawkner, Victoria, Australia.
On 24th June 1916, he was initiated into the Nirvana Lodge at Ghazipor, Bengal.
On 20th January 1918, he arrived with his wife and daughter, Phyllis Jean, aboard the Tasman from Batavia (now Jakarta) at Melbourne. It stated on the manifest that they were British and he was an Engineer.
On 16th December 1920, he arrived alone at Melbourne from Suva, Fiji, aboard the SS Levuka although it is not known why he went there.
He started a firm Roussac & Dillon with a partner, Leslie Samuel Dillon, located at 346 Flinders Street, Melbourne which was mutually dissolved on 5th January 1922 when he retired from it and with the partner taking the assets.
He enlisted in the Australian Army as a Private on 5th February 1941 at Royal Park, Victoria, and served in 13 A.T. Coy. Until 21st December 1942. He died in 1960 aged 72 at Coburg, Victoria.
There were two children:
He was born on Tuesday 28th February 1888 at Bankipore, Bengal.
Nothing is known about where he went to school or his early life.
He married Jane Rose BOUCHER on 1st February 1912 at Howrah, Bengal; she was then a Nurse - seen left - and he was an Engineer.
She was the daughter (and 7th child) of James Boucher and Annie Hardy and born about 1892 and died on 8th September 1969 aged 77 at Fawkner, Victoria, Australia.
On 24th June 1916, he was initiated into the Nirvana Lodge at Ghazipor, Bengal.
On 20th January 1918, he arrived with his wife and daughter, Phyllis Jean, aboard the Tasman from Batavia (now Jakarta) at Melbourne. It stated on the manifest that they were British and he was an Engineer.
On 16th December 1920, he arrived alone at Melbourne from Suva, Fiji, aboard the SS Levuka although it is not known why he went there.
He started a firm Roussac & Dillon with a partner, Leslie Samuel Dillon, located at 346 Flinders Street, Melbourne which was mutually dissolved on 5th January 1922 when he retired from it and with the partner taking the assets.
He enlisted in the Australian Army as a Private on 5th February 1941 at Royal Park, Victoria, and served in 13 A.T. Coy. Until 21st December 1942. He died in 1960 aged 72 at Coburg, Victoria.
There were two children:
1. Phyllis Jean Roussac
She was born on Sunday 31st August 1913 at Calcutta.
Nothing is known of her pre-married life.
She married twice. First, to Arnold Joseph APPLEYARD (1909-1954) on 10th March 1935 at Fitzroy, Victoria. They divorced on 11th February 1941; at the time, she was a Munitions Worker.
She married, secondly, Patrick John HICKEY on 1st June 1941 at St Monica’s, Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria; he was then a Labourer of 32 Elizabeth Street, Moonee Ponds. He was born 11th June 1913, the son of Martin John Hickey, a Railway Employee and Mary Ellen McGrath of Corio, Victoria.
He joined the Australian Army 14th April 1944 at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and served as a Private in the 58/59 Battalion and was discharged 8th May 1945.
He died aged 54 on 8th December 1967 at 425 Camp Road Broadmeadows, Victoria and was buried at Fawkner Cemetery, Victoria.
Phyllis died on 7th November 2006 at Fawkner, Victoria, aged 93. There were three children.
She was born on Sunday 31st August 1913 at Calcutta.
Nothing is known of her pre-married life.
She married twice. First, to Arnold Joseph APPLEYARD (1909-1954) on 10th March 1935 at Fitzroy, Victoria. They divorced on 11th February 1941; at the time, she was a Munitions Worker.
She married, secondly, Patrick John HICKEY on 1st June 1941 at St Monica’s, Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria; he was then a Labourer of 32 Elizabeth Street, Moonee Ponds. He was born 11th June 1913, the son of Martin John Hickey, a Railway Employee and Mary Ellen McGrath of Corio, Victoria.
He joined the Australian Army 14th April 1944 at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and served as a Private in the 58/59 Battalion and was discharged 8th May 1945.
He died aged 54 on 8th December 1967 at 425 Camp Road Broadmeadows, Victoria and was buried at Fawkner Cemetery, Victoria.
Phyllis died on 7th November 2006 at Fawkner, Victoria, aged 93. There were three children.
2. Leon Auguste Roussac
He was born on Friday 5th July 1918 at Melbourne, Victoria.
He enlisted as a Private on 23rd March 1941 at Royal Park, Victoria and served in the 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion.
He was killed in action on Wednesday 22nd July 1942 at El Alamein and was buried at the War Cemetery there.
2. Irene Clare Roussac
She was born on Friday, 3rd April 1891 at Harda in the Central Provinces, India but died shortly afterwards and was buried the following day. Her epitaph, a quote from Samuel Coleridge Taylor, reads: Ere sin could blight or sorrow fade, Death came with friendly care; The opening bud to heaven conveyed, And bade it blossom there.
He was born on Friday 5th July 1918 at Melbourne, Victoria.
He enlisted as a Private on 23rd March 1941 at Royal Park, Victoria and served in the 2/23 Australian Infantry Battalion.
He was killed in action on Wednesday 22nd July 1942 at El Alamein and was buried at the War Cemetery there.
2. Irene Clare Roussac
She was born on Friday, 3rd April 1891 at Harda in the Central Provinces, India but died shortly afterwards and was buried the following day. Her epitaph, a quote from Samuel Coleridge Taylor, reads: Ere sin could blight or sorrow fade, Death came with friendly care; The opening bud to heaven conveyed, And bade it blossom there.
3. Henri Claud Roussac
He was born on Sunday 14th July 1892 at Patna, India and attended La Martiniere School, Lucknow. He lived in Naini Tal for a while before going to Australia aged 17 in 1909 where he attended Scrubby Creek School. He was a Baptist.
In the records, he is shown as having been rejected in 1915, aged twenty-two, when he first tried to enlist. On 5th June 1915, he successfully enlisted in the 7th Infantry Brigade, 22nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement. He embarked on 20th August 1915 and returned wounded on 21st April 1918.
He served for three years and one month and saw action in France and Gallipoli. He lost the sight of his left eye and suffered from shell shock and was discharged 31st July 1918. Prior to enlisting he had gained farming experience as an Orchardist in Queensland, Western Australia and in Victoria.
He re-enlisted as a Private in the Australian Army on 26th August 1941 at Royal Park, Victoria and was discharged 15th July 1942.
He married Eileen Louise SPINKS on 17th December 1918 in Victoria, Australia. She was born 11th January 1891, the daughter of Charles Edward Spinks and Louisa Annie Dawson.
His wife predeceased him, dying on 15th December 1948 at Murrumbeena, Victoria. He died on 29th November 1979 aged 87 in Windsor, Victoria, Australia.
He was born on Sunday 14th July 1892 at Patna, India and attended La Martiniere School, Lucknow. He lived in Naini Tal for a while before going to Australia aged 17 in 1909 where he attended Scrubby Creek School. He was a Baptist.
In the records, he is shown as having been rejected in 1915, aged twenty-two, when he first tried to enlist. On 5th June 1915, he successfully enlisted in the 7th Infantry Brigade, 22nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement. He embarked on 20th August 1915 and returned wounded on 21st April 1918.
He served for three years and one month and saw action in France and Gallipoli. He lost the sight of his left eye and suffered from shell shock and was discharged 31st July 1918. Prior to enlisting he had gained farming experience as an Orchardist in Queensland, Western Australia and in Victoria.
He re-enlisted as a Private in the Australian Army on 26th August 1941 at Royal Park, Victoria and was discharged 15th July 1942.
He married Eileen Louise SPINKS on 17th December 1918 in Victoria, Australia. She was born 11th January 1891, the daughter of Charles Edward Spinks and Louisa Annie Dawson.
His wife predeceased him, dying on 15th December 1948 at Murrumbeena, Victoria. He died on 29th November 1979 aged 87 in Windsor, Victoria, Australia.
4. Grace Jessie Roussac
She was born on Wednesday 19th December 1894 at Monghyr.
Little is known of her life.
She married Charles SNELL on 4th April 1916 in Victoria. He was born 10th January 1888 at Kialla, Victoria, the son of John William Snell and Sarah Ann Steen. He died 1st April 1977 at Foster, Victoria.
In 1929 she sailed to London via Montreal, arriving on 12th July aboard the SS Duchess of Bedford. She stayed with her cousin, Isabella Annie Roussac, née Peters, the daughter of William Alfred Roussac, in Hove, East Sussex. It was while staying here that she told my mother that her father, Henri Colvin Roussac, was strict and never permitted her to attend any sort of party.
She died on 9th January 1973 at Foster, Victoria.
5. Lynette Beryl Roussac
She was born on Friday, 2nd July 1897 at Monghyr and died the following year.
She was born on Wednesday 19th December 1894 at Monghyr.
Little is known of her life.
She married Charles SNELL on 4th April 1916 in Victoria. He was born 10th January 1888 at Kialla, Victoria, the son of John William Snell and Sarah Ann Steen. He died 1st April 1977 at Foster, Victoria.
In 1929 she sailed to London via Montreal, arriving on 12th July aboard the SS Duchess of Bedford. She stayed with her cousin, Isabella Annie Roussac, née Peters, the daughter of William Alfred Roussac, in Hove, East Sussex. It was while staying here that she told my mother that her father, Henri Colvin Roussac, was strict and never permitted her to attend any sort of party.
She died on 9th January 1973 at Foster, Victoria.
5. Lynette Beryl Roussac
She was born on Friday, 2nd July 1897 at Monghyr and died the following year.
6. Eric William Roussac
He was born on Tuesday 11th September 1900 at Coonoor, India.
He married twice. Firstly, Mary Lillian MILLER on 7th June 1930, as seen on their wedding day, left.
She was born 7th June 1906 at Raglan, Victoria, the daughter of William John Miller and Mary Jane Ward. She died tragically on 21st September 1946 when she received a fractured skull after her clothing became entangled in the flywheel of a milking plant at Foster, Victoria.
He married, secondly, Jean Emma FULLER in 1947. She was born 21st September 1914 at Leongatha, Victoria, the daughter of John Burrows Fuller and Emma James. She died on 22nd February 2008 at Foster.
There were two children by his first wife and two by his second wife.
7. Etienne Vernon Roussac
He was born on Saturday 18th July 1908 at Naini Tal, India.
He joined his parents on their voyage to Melbourne in 1912 and subsequently went to school. In 1916 he is recorded as attending Scrubby Creek Primary School, Queensland, but left aged 13/14.
He married Gladys May JAMES on 10th November 1926 at North Mirboo, Gippsland, VIctoria. She was born 30th May 1905 at Bairnsdale, the only child of William John James and Elizabeth Ann Granger. She died in 24th June 1986 at Glenroy, Victoria.
He served in the Civil Construction Corps, Victoria from 23rd September 1942 as a Tractor Driver. On enlistment he lived at Meerlieu. He was Discharged on 17th March 1943. At various times during his life he was a labourer, mechanic, farmer, grader driver, Country Roads Board patrolman, beekeeper and house builder.
He died on 8th July 1984 at Bairnsdale, Victoria.
There were three children.
