I have just succeeded in ordering on line Arthur's book, which I discovered at the same time was called 'Gold to Grass'. I am so excited! I wanted to buy two copies so I could give one to my first cousin who has invited us for Christmas dinner. At the same time I discovered one could order a copy of an interview with Robin Ashwin who is my father's godson and who has had a distinguished diplomatic career. I believe he is back in Adelaide and in view of the fact that he's is a good deal older than I, I really must try to contact him on this visit.He is the descendant of Charles Ashwin, Alfred's brother whom you mention.Charles Francis Godrey was born in 1816. He married Caroline Amelia, daughter of Joseph Reece of Essex and had 3 children: 1)Caroline Grace 2) Godfrey Napier, married Mabel Rosa Gibson and had a son Edward Manley 3) Charles Stephenson married Eliza Sarah Joy ? and had a son Eric Charles Godfrey who went back to signing his name Ashewynne. He had a son Eric Charles Francis Godfrey born 19 October 1890. He married Mary de Quetteville (there is a de Quetteville terrace in Adelade), daughter of Rowland Barbeuson Robin (hence the name Robin). They had two sons, Philip Manley born 5 September 1929, married Patricia Mary Ann Russell and had a number of children, and Charles Robin who married OchChe of Seoul and had a son and a daughter.
Alfred Jenkin and Charles Francis Godfrey had 5 brothers and sisters. George Thomas, born 1811, Charlotte Grace born 1809 were both older, and then after came Caroline born 22 January 1818, died at Cheltenham unmarried, Fanny Ellen Eliza born 21 August 1021, died 22 May 1834 and William Manley born 11 February 1825 lived with his aunts in Cheltenham and all trace of him was lost.
Indeed Alfred and Susannah's grave must have a plaque. Tell me how you fare with that. My grandmother, Ethel Maud, is in the Mitcham cemetery which was fairly newly opened when she died and she is surrounded by her old Adelaide friends.The rest of the Ashwins are in the West Terrace cemetery which is close to the centre of the city, being one of the first ones built. Ethel was exceptionally beautiful and in fact my father met a man who said she was considered the most beautiful girl in Adelaide. She was very vain and had a high opinion of herself I have heard. She was much photographed in wonderful dresses but I need some technological help to get these onto the site to show you! She had a very active social life I gather, balls, parties non stop and she also won medals for lifesaving, being a great swimmer, a skill my father inherited, but sadly not I! It may have had something to do with the fact that her father had built his house right on the seafront. She also spent a lot of time in India, especially when her brother, Malcolm was there, and she was an avid traveller, something my cousin Janet and I have inherited. It must have been a very great change for her to find herself a vicar's wife deep in the Enhlish countryside at the rather isolated parish of Thorneyburn, far from the sea and within sight of Hadrien's wall.
You have told me so many things! I had no idea there was a street named after Arthur in Alice Springs. I have been there a couple of times and my cousin Janet very often. What is the street called exactly...my daughter will have a look at Christmas when she is there.
Tell me what else you would like to know.
Best wishes, Susan
