By Alva “Bobbie” Davies

Early Years

Geraldine was born in Belfast on 22/5/1894. at 18 Laburnman St. Belfast.

She was the daughter of Elizabeth Gillespie and James Woods of the British army. It is not known if they were married. However, later Elizabeth married Fred Stanley, and had other children. I believe that Fred Stanley put Geraldine down on the Census papers as his niece, instead of step-daughter. Geraldine went to work at the age of 11—in service, which meant working very long hours every day.

She told her children later in life that the first lady who employed her did not offer anything for lunch except for a crust of bread and a small piece of cheese. It wasn't long before her mother got her out of that place. Geraldine then worked as a children's companion and nurse with a Doctors (or Chemists) family, (a Mr. Hardy) and it is believed that she was quite well treated there, even if worked very hard.

Geraldine then worked as a children's companion and nurse with a Doctors (or Chemists) family, (a Mr Hardy) and it is believed that she was quite well treated there, even if worked very hard. It was she, when the children developed diphtheria, who was the only one who could enter the sick room. ( I think that this was a doubtful honour, as she may have contracted the disease herself.) However, she must have thought quite a lot of her employers, and the neighbours next door to them, for she named one of her sons after both (Douglas Carlyle). The family used to call her Dinah.

Some time, she must have been in England nursing, for it was there that she met Francis William Cowen, who was a private in the first A.I.F. service in France. They must have decided to get married, but the army was in the process of sending the men home after the war's end. The result was that they didn't marry until Geraldine arrived in Australia. However, their first children (twins) were born in Ireland. (The second twin dying of gastroenteris at the age of 4 months.)

Geraldine sailed with her surviving son, Douglas Carlyle on the Brazilian ship the "Bahia Astello" with nearly all war brides on board. It docked in Melbourne in February 1921. She and Francis William were married at the Free Church, South Yarra on 14/2/1921. They were living in Prahran at the time. Almost immediately, they were sent up to Piangel, by the Railways, who was Francis's employer. It was a trying time for Geraldine, as Piangel was hot, dusty and lonely for someone who was used to the soft moist climate of Ireland.

The couple had many shifts of residence because of Francis's job.

Father was James Wood, Carpenter. Her mother married again to Fred Stanley, and they had more children. It has not been proved that James Wood and Elizabeth Gillespie were actually married.

Geraldine started at Sydnenham National school in 1899 and left in 1905. She had a serious illness her first year at school and missed three months schooling. She left during the fifth grade, and it is suspected that she had to go to work.

In about 1911 Geraldine was working as a damask weaver.

Geraldine arrived in Australia on the “Bahia Castello in 1921 with her son, Douglas.

Cowen family shifted to St.Kilda when Francis’s mother took sick, then there was a shift to Gardenvale in 1937

Geraldine was about 5'4" tall, blue eyes, very fair complexion, and slightly red hair, average build.

Geraldine suffered from heart trouble and died at her home in Noble Park on 15/8/1962. She was cremated at Springvale, and after almost thirty years, her children had her remains re-buried in her son, Arthur's grave at Macedon, along with her husband, Francis William.

Geraldine and Frank had nine children -

—Douglas Carlyle Cowen M. Edith Cray.
—Sydney Francis Cowen Died at 6 months
—Arthur Victor Cowen Died at 14 years.
—Leslie Raymond Cowen M. Nellie Nevein.
—Effie Evelyn Pearl Cowen M. Thomas Joseph Smith
—Alva Gladys Cowen M. William Frankston Davies
—Frederick William Cowen M. Beatrice Mellor
—Frances Geraldine Cowen M. Donald Daniel Prentice
—Daphne Inez Cowen M. William Alfred Attwood