Winkler Generations
Charles William Winkler was the sixth child of Andreas and Wilhelmina Winkler. In 1895, when he was 20 years old, Charlie married Elizabeth Jane Hicks, the daughter of William Hicks and Elizabeth Jane Hicks (nee Johns) of Port Wallaroo. Elizabeth had immigrated to Australia from Cornwall with her parents and brother, William. William was ten years old and Elizabeth Jane was eight years old. The Hicks family arrived in Victoria on the ship Cuzco in January 1885. From there they made their way to the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.
On 3 September 1891 at age 18, Elizabeth had given birth to a son that she named Richard Albert Hicks. Eighteen months later, on 21 April 1893, Elizabeth gave birth to another son. He was named Benjamin Hicks. It wasn't until Benjamin was almost 2 years old that Elizabeth married Charlie Winkler at the home of her father at Port Wallaroo on 9 March 1895.
Exactly nine and a half months after their marriage, a daughter was born to Charles and Elizabeth Winkler. She was born two days before Christmas 1895, and named Ettie Augusta Roseline. Charlie was quite likely working as a smelter at the Wallaroo Smelting works at this time. |
In 1898, Charlie and Elizabeth had a son who was named after his father, Charles William. Another three sons followed in quick succession, Edward Frederick in 1900, George Henry in 1901, and Sydney Percival in 1904, before the birth of another daughter in 1906. She was named Elizabeth Jane after her mother and grandmother.
Charlie and Elizabeth were living at the working man’s blocks at Wallaroo in 1910 [hundred of 1540 in 1913] The “Blocks” were small parcels of land of about five acres on the outskirts of Wallaroo, just off the Wallaroo to Moonta Road. They were smallholdings for working men and suitable for raising some livestock.
A report by the Sanitary Inspector in 1909 found that the premises where the family were living at the time were in an undesirable condition. Apparently there was a lot of rubbish scattered about and the privy accommodation was inadequate. Charlie was advised to clean up his premises and keep the rubbish in store. |
Charlie’s father, Andreas, committed suicide in 1910. He had been staying with Charlie and Elizabeth at Wallaroo for a few days and had been threatening to do away with himself for some time. It must have been a very traumatic time for the family. Eventually though life returned to normal for the Winkler family. The eldest son, Richard, married Annie Ruby Bitters, on 6 January 1912. They lived nearby at Kadina for a while before moving to Adelaide.
Then events in Europe in 1914 were to turn everybody’s lives upside down. When Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914, young men in towns all over Australia began lining up to enlist. The town of Wallaroo was no exception.
Young Frederick Winkler was the first of the Winkler brothers to enlist. Even though he was only 15 1/2 years old, Fred enlisted on 3 August 1915. He told the authorities he was 18 1/2 years old! It didn't take long for his 17-year old brother, Bill (Charles William), to follow. Bill enlisted in the Australian Infantry, 10th Battalion on 24th August 1915. Bill was very much looked up to by his younger brothers, especially 14 year old Harry (George Henry) and 11 year old Perce ( Sydney Percival) and they considered him very brave. Unfortunately their father did not feel the same way. A farewell to Bill and another Wallaroo soldier, a Private W Eames, was held on the 6th March 1916. A large gathering presided over by the Wallaroo Mayor assured them both of the town’s good wishes and appreciation of their service to the country. Bill ensured that his mother would have money toward the upkeep of the home and arranged an allotment of 4/- a day to be paid to her until he returned home. |
Benjamin was the third of the Winkler brothers to enlist, he was almost 24 years old when he enlisted in the 32nd Battalion on 27 March 1916.
Charlie was furious that his sons had enlisted. He still felt an allegiance to Germany through his heritage and objected to his sons going to war against Germany. This caused a rift between Charlie and Elizabeth and they separated.
Charlie was furious that his sons had enlisted. He still felt an allegiance to Germany through his heritage and objected to his sons going to war against Germany. This caused a rift between Charlie and Elizabeth and they separated.
Bill never came home; he died in France on 11 August 1918. Elizabeth had left Wallaroo by this time and was living in Adelaide, mostly with her son, Richard at Kent Town. Charlie also left Wallaroo and went to Broken Hill to work as a labourer at the mines. Elizabeth obtained an Order for Separation on 3 April 1919 and an Order of Court against Charlie for financial support was granted. A bitter dispute between the two of them arose in 1920 over the War Gratuity granted due to the death of their son.
By 1939, Charlie was living at Semaphore, most likely, with his daughter Ettie, who had a boarding house and deli on Semaphore Road. Elizabeth, in the meantime, moved house frequently. She was a very good cook according to her son Perce. In 1920, she worked as an assistant cook at the Freemason’s Hotel in Pirie St Adelaide for a time. Elizabeth Winkler died on 19 August 1958. She and Charlie may have been reconciled by this time as they were both living at 60 Sutton Terrace, Richmond. Elizabeth was buried at Cheltenham Cemetery. Charlie lived with one or other of his children over the next nine years or so, before his death on 5 July 1967 at Milford House Hospital, North Adelaide. Charlie was cremated at Centennial Park two days after his death. |
Descendants of Charles William Winkler
Charles William Winkler was born on 20 April 1874 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 5 July 1967 in North Adelaide, South Australia at age 93 years. Charles married Elizabeth Jane Hicks on 9 March 1895 in Port Wallaroo, South Australia. Elizabeth was born on 8 May 1877 in Redruth, Cornwall and died on 19 August 1958 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 81 years. They had eight children: Richard Albert, Benjamin, Ettie Augusta Roseline, Charles William, Frederick, George Henry, Sydney Percival and Elizabeth Jane.
- Richard Albert Winkler was born on 3 September 1891 [OR 27 August 1891] at Wallaroo, South Australia and died 29 March 1968 in Glenside, South Australia at age 76 years. Richard married Annie Frances Ruby Bitters on 6 January 1912 at Kadina, South Australia. Annie was born on 1 February 1894 and died on 31 August 1927 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 33 years. They had five children: Dulcie Thelma Frances, Alma, William John, Richard Frederick and Gwendoline.
- Benjamin Winkler was born on 21 April 1893 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 5 July 1978 in Hilton, South Australia at age 85 years. Benjamin married Doris Pearl Hocking on 6 July 1916 in Wallaroo, South Australia. Doris was born on 7 June 1895 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 12 October 1988 in Morphettville, South Australia at age 93 years. They had three children: Doris Jean, Lorna Frances and Colin Roy.
- Ettie Augusta Roseline Winkler was born on 23 December 1895 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 21 November 1968 in Fullarton, South Australia at age 72 years. Ettie married Reginald Frank Ewart (Rex) Lihou on 23 February 1924 in West Adelaide, South Australia. Rex was born on 14 July 1898 in Terowie, South Australia and died on 19 March 1983 in North Adelaide, South Australia at age 84 years. They were divorced. Ettie next married Frank Rutherford South on 31 July 1944 in Semaphore, South Australia. Frank was born on 28 May 1894 in Wasleys, South Australia and died on 8 October 1974 in Walkerville, South Australia.
- Charles William Winkler, known as Bill, was born on 26 May 1898 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 11 August 1918 in France during World War I at age 20 years.
- Frederick Winkler was born on 13 January 1900 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 18 July 1965 in Woodville, South Australia at age 65 years. Frederick married Myrtle Lucy Emma Wilkes on 3 July 1919 in West Adelaide, South Australia. Myrtle was born on 30 June 1903 in Thebarton, South Australia and died on 20 November 1979 in Warradale, South Australia at age 76 years. They had three children: Alexander Fleures, Frederick William Harvey and Laurence Harvey. Frederick next married Mary Gertrude Goorty on 15 September 1928 in Mile End, South Australia. Mary was born on 13 October 1904 in Fullarton, South Australia and died on 29 August 1992 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 87 years. They had five children: Dorothy Peggy, Frederick George, Margaret Rose, Kathleen Elizabeth and Christine Mary.
- George Henry Winkler, known as Harry, was born on 11 September 1901 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 12 April 1981 in Fullarton, South Australia at age 79 years. Harry married Daisy Olive Blanche Hood on 16 July 1921 in Brompton, South Australia. Daisy was born on 7 September 1905 in Queenstown, South Australia and died on 24 July 1981 in Bowden, South Australia at age 75 years. They had four children: Thelma Joyce, Marjorie Jean, Maxwell George and Brian William.
- Sydney Percival Winkler, known as Perce, was born on 19 April 1904 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 20 July 2004 in Morphetville, South Australia at age 100 years. Perce married Jean Griffiths on 30 March 1929 in Glenelg, South Australia. Jean was born on 11 December 1907 in Broken Hill, South Australia and died on 5 May 1993 in Walkerville, South Australia at age 85 years. They had two children: Roma Margaret and Jennifer Margaret.
- Elizabeth Jane Winkler, known as Violet, was born on 2 November 1906 in Wallaroo, South Australia and died on 26 April 1988 in Morphetville South Australia at age 81 years. Violet married Albert James McNeil on 26 January 1924 in West Adelaide, South Australia. Albert was born in about July 1898 in Kapunda, South Australia and died on 8 July 1955 in South Richmond, South Australia at age 57 years. They had seven children: Gwenda Lita, John Albert Charles, Bette, Valma, Max, Fay and Janice.