McAllister of Ireland
Violet Ann McAllister was born on 20 September 1906 in Brompton, South Australia. Violet was the third child of Joseph McAllister and Ethel Margaret Mason. Violet was named for Ethel’s sister Violet Pascoe (nee Mason).
Like her older sister and brother, Estelle and Joseph, Violet attended Brompton Primary School and she was also expected to help with the household chores. Violet left school when she was about 13 years old and most likely began some paid employment until her marriage. Ralph & Violet were in the wedding party when Violet's older sister, Estelle was married on 28 August 1926. |
When she was 23 years old, Violet married Rudolph (Ralph) Lyall Schmidt, the 23 year old son of Fritz George Schmidt and Fanny Maud Wiles, on 7 December 1929, at the Brompton Methodist Manse in Brompton, South Australia.
Ralph later anglicised his surname to Smith; he was described by Violet's niece Mavis as very tall, very blonde, and very placid and kind. It is believed that Violet & Ralph occasionally would join in the Sunday night’s around the piano in Chief Street. Violet may or may not have been musically inclined. A few years after their marriage Ralph & Violet adopted a daughter. Barbara (known as Betty) was born in about 1934. |
Ralph & Violet entered into divorce proceedings in August 1947 and the divorce was finalised some years later. It is believed that Betty went to live with Ralph for a time. Betty may have married and moved to Western Australia
Front L-R: Anita Seward, Lyn Seward, Daryl McDonough, Janice McDonough & Nalda Strawhan.
Middle L-R: Joyce McAllister, BETTY SMITH, June McDonough, Joan McAllister & Margaret McDonough.
Back L-R: Colin McDonough, Elva Seward & Ray McAllister
Middle L-R: Joyce McAllister, BETTY SMITH, June McDonough, Joan McAllister & Margaret McDonough.
Back L-R: Colin McDonough, Elva Seward & Ray McAllister
Sometime after 1950 Violet married Edward (Ted) John Hubert Mettam. Ted Mettam was born in Scotland on 22 April 1897. He served in the King's Own Scottish Borderers in the British Army from 1917 to 1922. After the end of World War 1 he decided to immigrate to Australia departing England on 9 September 1926 and arriving in Adelaide, with his first wife Beatrice, on 10 October 1926. during the Second World War Ted served in the Royal Australian Air Force, enlisting in July 1941. He was discharged in June 1945.
Violet Mettam ( left), Nell & Joe McAllister, Ethel McDonough & Ethel's daughter-in-law Roslyn McDonough.
Ethel McAllister is seated in front
Ethel McAllister is seated in front
Violet and Ted lived at 16 Parker St, Angle Park, South Australia in 1974 and Violet later moved to 9 Sixth St, Wingfield, South Australia. Ted Mettam died on 16 November 1974 at age 77 years. Violet died on 29 November 1976 in Wingfield, South Australia; she was 70 years old.
Descendants of Violet Ann McAllister
Violet Ann McAllister was born on 20 September 1906 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 29 November 1976 in Wingfield, South Australia at age 70. Violet married Rudolph (Ralph) Schmidt/Smith on 7 December 1929 in Brompton, South Australia. Ralph was born on 3 May 1906 at Glandore, South Australia and died on 21 October 1990 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 84. They had one child: Betty. Violet next married Edward (Ted) John Hubert Mettam. Ted was born on 22 April 1897 in Edinburgh, Scotland and died on 16 November 1974 in South Australia at age 77.
- Barbara (Betty) Schmidt/Smith was born about 1933. She married William (Bill) Burgess . They had two children; Mark and Graeme.
It has been difficult to research Violet's story as she seems to be a bit of a mystery to family members. At this time we have not been able to locate any further information about Violet's daughter Barbara or Betty. The notices below were located in the Adelaide Advertiser 1 December 1976, p.52.
Mettam, Violet Ann. Suddenly at her residence on November 29 loved wife of Ted (deceased) and loving mother and mother-in-law of Betty and Bill. Also much loved grandmother of Mark and Graeme. Aged 70 years.
Mettam, Violet Ann. On November 29, daughter of the late Joseph and Ethel McAllister and sister of Gordon, also Joseph (deceased). Aged 70 years. Mettam, Violet Ann. On November 29, much loved friend of Ron McCully. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. Funeral Notices - Mettam. The relatives and friends of the late Mrs. Violet Ann Mettam of 9 Sixth St Wingfield are respectfully invited to assembly at the East Chapel, Enfield Crematorium this day (Wednesday) for her funeral service which will be conducted at 1.45pm. Floral tributes to the crematorium please. Jack Elliott (Tony Elliot) 70 South Rd West Hindmarsh. |
A Betty Burgess was the person who organized the funeral and internment for Violet Mettam. A notice was placed in the Advertiser upon the passing of Janine Ruth Burgess in September 2014, loved niece of Bill, Betty and Peter, cousin of Mark, Graeme, Carolyn and Sue.
The only other information that has been located at this time relates to Ralph Smith, some of which was supplied by Helen Milosevic of Mount Gambier, South Australia. After Ralph's death on 21 October 1990, his ashes were interred at Centennial Park Cemetery. The person who organized for Ralph to be cremated was Beverley Kay Brenton. The notices below were located in the Adelaide Advertiser 23 October 1990, p.38. |
Smith, Ralph Lyall. Late of Richmond on October 21 1990 at the RAH. Aged 84 yrs. Grandfather of Bev and Malcolm, Carolyn and Czes. Great-grandfather of Kristi, Karen, Cassie, Rachael and Adam. Dear friend of Edith and Jack. Lovingly remembered.
Smith, Ralph Lyall of Bickford St, Richmond. Love and happy memories of the old days at Black Forest. Ruth, Ron and Sid Hoad and families. Funeral Notices - Smith. The Chapel Funeral of Mr. Ralph Lyall Smith will be held at Blackwell Funerals, 120 Henley Beach Rd. Torrensville on Wednesday 24 October at 2.30 pm. A private cremation will follow. Blackwell Funerals Torrensville. |
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