Timeline of Lord Casey's life

This is a timeline of the life of Lord Casey, the namesake of the City of Casey. I rather like timelines and created this one a few years ago and, as I was looking for it amongst all my documents the other day, I thought it would be just easier to post it here. Much of this information comes from the book Casey by W.J Hudson (Oxford University Press 1986)  Mr Hudson also wrote the entry for Lord Casey in the Australian Dictionary of Biography 

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/casey-richard-gavin-gardiner-9706

1890 Richard Gavin Gardiner Casey born on August 29 in Brisbane. Eldest child of Richard Gardiner Casey and Jane Eveline Casey (known as Evelyn, nee Harris). Richard’s father was 44 years old when he was born and his mother was  24.

1891 The future wife of Casey, Ethel Marion Sumner Ryan, known as Maie, born on March 13, in Melbourne.  She was the daughter of Sir Charles Snodgrass Ryan and Alice Elfrida Sumner.  Her brother, Rupert Sumner Ryan had been born in 1884.

1893 Casey Family moves to Melbourne, where his father worked as a Company Director.

1893 Sister, Eileen Ruth Evelyn Casey is born on August 21. She died December 13, 1894.

1897  Brother, Dermot Armstrong Casey is born on August 27. He died in 1977. He was married to Gwynnedd Mary Browne. Her mother, Mary Chirnside, was the sister of Andrew Chirnside who was married to Winifred Sumner. Winifred was the aunt of Lady Casey and left Edrington to Maie and her brother Rupert Ryan.

1895-1908 Schooling at Cumloden until 1905, then his final years at Melbourne Grammar.

1909 Started Engineering Degree at Melbourne University, then moved onto Cambridge University.

1913 Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Cambridge and a Master of Arts in 1918.

1914 Appointed Lieutenant in the A.I.F on September 14 and left Melbourne on October 21 for Egypt. Later served at Gallipoli and the Western Front and worked in intelligence gathering.

1917 Awarded Military Cross in January and Distinguished Service order in 1918.  Promoted to rank of Major.

1919  Demobilized on June 10.  Casey’s father died in April, leaving an Estate of £100,000.

1919-1924 Worked in various Companies.

1924  Joined the Commonwealth Public Service and went to London as Australia’s Liaison Officer, effectively a political agent for Prime Minister, Stanley Bruce.

1926 Married Maie on June 24, in London.

1928 Daughter Jane Alice Camilla born in England on October 7. She died  August 26, 2015.

There was a gushy report in the Australian Women's Weekly of April 3, 1937, with the headline - Have you seen our Mr Casey? In London they think he's simply divine!  He was described as tall, well built and graceful. 

Australian Women's Weekly April 3, 1937

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52245121

1931  Returned to Australia and was elected to the seat of Corio, for the United Australia Party.

1931 November. Son Richard Charles Donn (known as Donn) born. The Casey’s are described (by W.J. Hudson)  as taking ‘no pleasure in small children’ and ‘they were largely left to the mercies of a nanny’. Donn never married and died in January 2009.

1934 Maie Casey and her brother, Colonel Rupert Ryan, inherit Edrington at Berwick from their aunt, Winifred Chirnside (nee Sumner)

1935 Became Treasurer, under Prime Minister Joseph Lyons.

1938 Casey Airfield established at Berwick by Colonel Ryan. Casey had purchased a Perceval Gull monoplane and commuted to Canberra in the plane.

1939 Became Minister for Supply and Development. Lyons died in 1939 and Casey stood for the United Australia Party leadership (later the Liberal Party), but was defeated by Robert Menzies.

1939 Appointed Privy Counsellor.

A report in the Australian Women's Weekly about Lord Casey's Washington appointment.

Australian Women's Weekly March 9, 1940

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47483768

1940 Resigned from Parliament and appointed as the first Australian Diplomat to the United States by Prime Minister Robert Menzies. ‘As in London, he proved to have an extraordinary flair for diplomacy’  and ‘he was a keen convert to the American craft of diplomacy’ Quotes from W.J. Hudson.

1942 Accepted the post of United Kingdom Minister of the State in the Middle East (offered to him by Sir Winston Churchill)

 Lord Casey relaxes at Edrington, on the skin of a tiger he shot whilst Governor of Bengal*

Australian Women's Weekly, February 10 1960.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51390735

1944 Became Governor of Bengal, India.

1944 Appointed C.H (Companion of Honour). The order consists of the Sovereign and 65 ordinary members. The Order's badge is a gold oval-shaped medallion with a representation of an oak tree. Hanging from a branch is a shield of the Royal Arms, and on the right of it is a representation of a knight in armour mounted on a horse.  The badge, surmounted by an imperial crown, has a blue-enamelled border bearing the motto of the Order, 'In action faithful and in honour clear'.

1946 Back to Australia.

1947 Federal president of the Liberal party.

1949 December - elected to the Federal seat of La Trobe and became Minister for Supply and Development  for Works and Housing.

1951 Minister for External Affairs (also responsible for the Australian Secret Intelligence Service). Casey preached the importance of Asia and was a frequent visitor to Asia.

1952 Maie’s brother, Rupert, died. He had married in 1924, divorced in 1935 and had one son Patrick (died 1989). When he returned from England after his divorce he and his son lived at Edrington, as did the Caseys when they were in Melbourne.

1955 Daughter Jane married Murray Wynne Macgowan on March 12 at Christ Church in Berwick. The reception was held at Edrington.

Jane Casey's wedding to Murray Macgowan at Christ Church, Berwick, was featured in the Australian Women's Weekly of March 23, 1955. The gown was described being fashioned from an  Indian sari of fine cream silk, narrowly bordered in gold. (AWW February 23, 1955)

Image: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48516103

1955  Grand-daughter Anna Macgowan born in December.

1957 Grand-daughter Marian Macgowan born.

1959 Played a lead role in negotiating the Antarctica Treaty covering co-operation in exploration and scientific research.

1959 Grand-daughter Tempe Macgowan born.

1960 Made a Life Peer in January and resigned from Parliament to sit in the House of Lords.

1960-1965 On the C.S.I.R.O executive.

1965 September- Appointed Governor General of Australia. Retired in April 1969.

The Australian Women's Weekly reported on the swearing-in of Lord Casey as Governor General in their October 6, 1965 issue. -  Attended by members of the Household Staff, Lord Casey took  the General Salute on the steps of Parliament House immediately his arrival for the swearing-in ceremony in the Senate Chamber. Directly behind him are Lady Casey,  the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies,and Dame Pattie Menzies. Crowds waited outside the House from early morning to watch the arrival of guests, who came from all over Australia

Australian Women's Weekly  October 6, 1965

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51195887

1965 Appointed G.C.M.G  - Knight of  Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George.
The Star and Badge of the Order feature the cross of St George, the Order's motto, and a representation of the archangel St Michael holding in his right hand a flaming sword and trampling upon Satan.

1965/66  Grand-son Richard Macgowan born. He was christened on Easter Sunday 1966 according to the Australian Women's Weekly of April 13, 1966.

1968 Named Father of the Year.

1969 Awarded K.G - Knight of the Garter. The Order consists of the King and 24 Knights and is a personal gift of the Monarch. The investiture was held June 16.

1969 Lived at Edrington with Lady Casey. They also had a house in East Melbourne.

1970 Named Australian of the Year for 1969.

1976 June 16 - died. He left an Estate of $621, 560 in Victoria and £64, 899 in England. Buried at Macedon.

1983 Lady Casey died January 20 at Edrington. Buried at Macedon.

1994  Newly created City of Casey named for Lord Casey

* Casey Cardinia Links to our Past does not condone tiger shooting, in fact I can't believe anyone ever thought it was a good idea.

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Lord and Lady Casey, at home at Edrington, 1947.

These photographs of  Lord and Lady Casey, at Edrington, their property at Berwick were taken by Ivan Ives in October 1947. They illustrate the interests of the couple - Lady Casey and her easel, she was an accomplished artist and Lord Casey is shown in his workshop, he trained as an engineer and is also shown with a model aeroplane. Both Lord and Lady Casey were pilots and had a plane at Casey Airfield at Berwick.  They are from the  Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy ACP Magazines Ltd. You can see the original record here

Lady Casey in the Tack room. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435908

Lady Casey at her easel - the painting is that of the Berwick Inn / Border Hotel in High Street, Berwick. 

Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435951

Lord and Lady Casey relaxing inside. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435937

Lord  and Lady Casey relaxing outside Edrington. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435946

Lord and Lady Casey relaxing outside Edrington. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435945

Off for a drive.Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435944

Lord and Lady Casey and I presume their daughter Jane, who was born in 1928.  

Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435922

Lord and Lady Casey and daughter, Jane and sheep. 

Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435935

Out in the paddock. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435938

Out in the paddock. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435936

Going for a walk with the dog. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435939

Climbing over the stile. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435940

Lord Casey at his desk, he is holding  model plane. 

Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435941

Lord Casey at the saw bench. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435942

Lord Casey selecting the right tool. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435943

Lord Casey at the bench drill. Photographer: Ivan Ives

State Library of New South Wales Image FL9435966

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Back to Cranbourne, April 1927

Over 400 people attended a Back-to Cranbourne in April 1927. There was a full report of the weekend's activities in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of April 21, 1927. You can read the report on Trove, here, and it is also transcribed, below. It is an interesting account of the events that took place over three days at Easter, April 16th to 18th 1927 and interesting to see the names of the old residents.


BACK TO CRANBOURNE
Thursday and Friday saw visitors arriving at Cranbourne by every train and quietly establishing themselves in the homes of relatives and old-time friends. Saturday morning—the opening of the celebrations, the early train emptied at Cranbourne, and motors, buggies, jinkers and pedestrians fought their way to the old township, where banners, bunting and decorations of every kind gave festive tone to the excited gathering. Long before the appointed hour, visitors and residents began to foregather in the market place (the historic meeting point of Cranbourne), and very early the seating accommodation provided had to be augmented. After the Gippsland train arrived with reinforcements, the Rev. D. Bruce, President of the movement, opened the gathering with an appropriate address of welcome. Whilst the ladies served morning tea, several old one-time residents responded.

Mr. Josiah Allen told of Cranbourne as he found it in 1862 after a journey of 14 hours from Melbourne. Angus Cameron traced its development from his infancy. Mr. J. Nelson, told of its ancient glory, and Mr.Frank Facey referred to the great pleasure they all experienced in seeing again the faces of old friends. The Rev. Thomson, one-time Vicar of Cranbourne, also expressed the pleasure he and Mrs. Thomson felt at being present. Mr. R. C. Garlick, secretary, apologised for the absence of Messrs. William Brunt (who was not well enough to attend). H. White, A. L. N. Walter, M.L.A., and many others. In the absence of the Shire President and all the local Councillors, Cr. J. Crabbe, of Devon Meadows, the only Councillor present, spoke, and wished the celebration
every success.

After lunch, a large number proceeded to the old school at Clyde North, where further reunions were enjoyed and school, under the direction of Mr. T. A. Twyford, the respected master of olden days, was conducted. “Tardy scholars” were still in evidence, and punishment duly admnistered. Contrary to the olden school practice, afternoon tea was dispensed, and all returned to Cranbourne happily appreciative of their reception in the old school. In Cranbourne a football match between Well’s-road and Cranbourne provided an exciting entertainment for those who stayed home.

In the evening a concert and social evening was held in (and out of) the Shire Hall. Long before 8 o’clock the building was filled to overflowing, and hundreds had to be content with what they could see and hear through the windows. By way of keeping the anxious throng quiet Mrs. Norman McLeod played old but popular airs, which all joined in singing. The gathering was the largest recorded in the history of Cranbourne.

The Rev. Bruce presided, and the whole programme, with one or two exceptions, was provided by former leaders of song and speech. Two very old-timers, “Mr. and Mrs. Donovan” (afterwards discovered to be Messrs. Paddy and Ernie Einsiedel), were introduced to the audience in due form by the secretary, and their silent comedy “brought the house down.” Miss Faulkiner then steadied the fun with a very fine pianoforte selection of popular airs, and after Mrs. Evans had splendidly rendered the “Floral Dances,” Mr. Josiah Allen, a former well-known identity, gave a short speech reminiscent of 50 years ago. Master Angus Facey, a young scion of the Facey-Bethune clan, then favored the audience with a violin solo. Miss F. Hart gave a recitation, “Make My Coffee Strong.”

Back to Cranbourne, April 18, 1927. 

Left to right - George Binding, ? Cameron, Jim Binding, Harry Bird. 

Seated - Donald McKay. 

Cranbourne Shire Historical Society photo

Mr. Alex. McLellan an ex-Councillor of the Cranbourne Shire, was then in introduced by Mr. Garlick. His Celtic blood was up, and for a short period he kept the house in a whirl, and could the bagpipes have been introduced there would have been nothing lacking His name sounded Scotch, his speech commenced the same, but ended in the wild Irish song, “Tim Flaherty.”

Miss Jessie Cameron, a descendant of the Cameron clan, who invaded these parts in the early 50’s, then sang “Back to Dear Old Cranbourne.” Mrs. Avard (Ada Hunter) sweetly sang Angus McDonald,” and so prepared the way for another “old-timer,” Mr. Angus Cameron, who told of “the good boys” who inhabited Cranbourne 60 years ago, how they “borrowed” fruit from the gardens, chased kangaroos, swam in the lagoons, and altogether established a standard for all succeeding generations of “good boys. ’ He told, too, of the wonderful horsemen of those days—Jim Adams, Will Lyall, and Frank McCraw. Mrs.Sibley sang “Coming Home,” and Mrs. Avard and Miss Inez Hunter sang the duet, “Maying.”

Mr. R. Herkes, another old-time Councillor, said he would like to make a speech, but was afraid someone might “pinch his seat,” and so, imagining that Cranbourne was as bad as ever, was taking no risks. The Rev. and Mrs. Bruce astonished the house by the splendid way in which they rendered the duet, “Keys of Heaven.”

Cr. Wm. Greaves spoke on behalf of the pioneering Greaves family, and Mr. Norman Brunt on behalf of his father (Mr. Wm. Brunt) who for 20 years held a seat in the local Council, and who was to have opened the proceedings, but was too ill to do so. Mrs.Radford, another one-time resident, then favored the audience with a song, “My ’Ain Folk,” accompanied by Mr. Angus Facey on the violin. Mr. Ernie Einsiedel turned the house “upside down and inside out” with a couple of his inimitable comics. Had Mr.Einsiedel taken to the stage in his youth Harry Lauder would not be known. Mr. William Greening, a 66-year old “boy,” told more tales of early Cranbourne, and how he held the ‘gobbler” by the neck and went in swimming.

Finally, with Mrs. Norman McLeod at the piano, and Mr. Evans wielding the baton, the whole audience broke into song, and the “Swannee River,” “Home, Sweet Home,” and “Auld Lang Syne” ended an evening of unalloyed enjoyment, followed by supper.

Sunday morning saw all  the churches full, afternoon the Sunday schools, and in the evening the town assembled in the Shire Hall, where a people’s service was conducted by the Rev. Douglas Bruce, who took as the theme of his discourse the one word, “Home.” All that “Home” meant both on earth and in Heaven, was splendidly expounded.

A united choir filled the stage, and Miss Elsie Bethune at the organ led a large congregation in fervent praise and thanksgiving. The collection was equally divided between the three churches — Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian.

The celebrations, which were most successful throughout, concluded on Monday. It was proposed to hold sports and a football match on the recreation reserve, but the crowd was so large that this could not be done. An “old-time” ball was held at night, and the Shire Hall, Parish Hall, State School, and Poole’s motor garage had to be used to accommodate the dancers.

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