By Alva “Bobbie” Davies and David Lauder

Early Years

Mary Louise Styles’ name was registered as “Margaret” (a mistake). She was born on the 4th September 1864 in Brisbane to William Styles (b. Croydon, UK, 16th August 1818 – d. Ballarat, 27th October 1889) and Sarah Webster (b. Cooktown, Ireland., 13 April 1837 – d. Middle Park, 2nd October 1912).

William and Sarah married in Melbourne on 2nd March 1855. Mary had an elder half-brother, James Styles, one of three children who had been born to William Styles and his first wife, Harriet Friend, in Croydon, UK, in 1841. James Styles was a Protectionist Senator, elected to the First Australian Parliament in 1901, serving until 1906.

Marriage and Family

Mary married George Frankston Lauder at Footscray on 7th December 1885, when George Frankston was 25 and Mary Louise was 21.

George and Mary had five boys and 2 girls. Their children (with their ages at George’s death) were listed on George’s death certificate as follows (Birth year and/or Birthdate are from other sources, as are the second names):

—George William Lauder (aged 42)
—Horace Henry Lauder (aged 38) [13]
—Harold Frankston Lauder (aged 36) [14]
—John Robert Lauder (aged 33)
—Frank Wilton Lauder (aged 29) [15]
—Mary Illife Lauder (aged 23) [16]
—Irene (died in infancy)

George and Mary acquired a beachfront block of land from a Charles Alfred Fisher from 64 Peel St. Windsor on 12th December 1930 at 3 Chadwell Lane, Chelsea. The property passed through their youngest daughter, Mary Illife Davies, thence to her son and daughter, William Frankston Davies and Jean Lyne (nee Davies) (as tenants in common—uniquely, with each holding one indivisible half of the property on a separate title), and thence her great-grandson, William Martin Davies. Martin and his wife Alice Davies (nee Mok) bought out Jean Lyne’s share with an up-front payment and then over a ten-year period. Martin also inherited his father, William Frankston’s, half-share after his death on 1st November 2003. The Contract of sale was dated 12th December 1930 to Mary Lauder to P. Needham, Darlimurla. (The original name for the house was “Rehsif” i.e., the original owner’s name, “Fisher” spelt backwards. This name is still being used.)

Later Life

By all accounts, Mary was a very civilised and cultured woman who wanted the best for her family. She sent her only daughter, Mary Illife, to the exclusive Presbyterian Ladies’ College in which she was tutored in elocution, poetry, music (piano), and other refinements suitable for young ladies. Mary Jnr’s marriage was featured in the “gossip” magazines of the period. Mary’s opera glasses remain in the possession of the Davies’ family.

Mary originally lived in 40 Jolimont Street, Jolimont, opposite the MCG with her husband George Frankston Lauder. When he died she retired to 3 Chadwell Lane, Chelsea. At that stage the house was a ramshackle timber-framed dwelling with a corrugated iron roof. The old bungalow believed to have been built on the properly about this time. She lived in the house in a granny-flat with her daughter Mary Illife and her husband William James Davies and their children, William Frankston Davies and Jean Lyne (nee Davies) or many years.

Mary Louise survived George by almost twenty years, dying on a concrete public seat on Nepean Highway on the 6th August 1948 in Bonbeach, Melbourne, whilst walking to the train station. She was nearly 84 years old.