MUMs DIARY (Josphine Connolly)

Transcribed by Kathy 2013

In March 1923 Josie Mooney (nee Connolly) took Teddy (Edward Richard Frederick), the first-born of her three sons, then about two years old, to Ireland to visit family and friends. She never went back again....

This is her diary, as best I could transcribe it. Some pages are missing, and writing (in pencil) is very faint and sometimes hard to read.

NB A very young Ted Mooney is pictured by her mother on the boat

Missing pages, then…..was first lonely(?) then we went back to the ship and slept on board that evening. I was in company with Mr & Mrs Marriot and a friend of theirs, a Mr Drake, who is going home to be a C.E. Minister. Next morning, we went for a motor trip to Mt. Wellington.

It was bitterly cold and raining very hard. But the scenery was wonderful, when we got to the top the driver of the car wasn’t very careful turning, and we had a very narrow escape. We were nearly thrown down the precipice, the two front wheels went over. There were 6 of us in the car, 4 gentlemen and 2 ladies and Teddy, everybody jumped out and screaming out for somebody to take the baby, and one of the gentlemen took him. They had to cut down a sapling to get the car up and get …......... ….to help …. too. While that was happening we went into the hotel and had a lovely morning tea, and sat at a lovely fire. The view from the top was just wonderful, when our car was fixed up and someone ….we started off again. We were all very nervous going back so we asked the driver to be careful. It was beautiful …… …. As it had stopped raining. When we got back to town an old gentleman spoke to Mrs Marriott and I and congratulated us on being so brave and said some  ladies would have screamed or fainted. I was very glad to get back so I came straight back to the boat.

The next day, 30th March, Mr & Mrs Hughes & Mr & Mrs Sutton & Miss Sutton were going up the Derwent River and they asked me to go with them, so I went. We took a launch up the river. We left at 9.30am and had a beautiful morning tea on the boat, then after about …. I went ashore by myself there as my friends had to go and see their relations. I left the Jervis Bay at about 3.30 and got a train into Melbourne. I went to the gardens, and a lady and gentleman took a photo of Teddy and I and promised to send them on to Adelaide, which he did. I thought the gardens very pretty, I stayed for a while and then went and had a cup of tea, and Teddy fell asleep so I came home, as the railway station was a good step from the boat. I thought I would take a car which brought me right up to the boat for 6/-(or 6d?)

Next morning, Tuesday, I went with another girl out of my cabin and we went to St Kilda. It was really lovely going out and home, beautiful homes. But the beach wasn’t much, not near as nice as Sydney. We had lunch in town and looked at the shops. There were some lovely shops and some things were cheaper than Sydney. Walked round until we got tired and then had a cup of tea and came home. About 150 people came on board at Melbourne.

We left Melbourne 5PM Wednesday arrived Adelaide on Friday morning, Walked around the town and looked at the shops then went and had lunch. After lunch we went to the gardens which were very pretty, then we had tea and I laughed very much at Mrs Sutton, looking for a shop(?), left Adelaide had a nice trip through the Australian Bite and arrived in Fremantle on a Wednesday, got ashore and went to Perth. We walked about the town, I had lunch and then went to the zoo. We took a boat across the Swan River, and then took a car through beautiful Rels(?) and arrived at the zoo went round and saw the animals. Teddy had a lovely time feeding the Wallabies then we came back into town, and had tea and came home. I put Teddy to bed and then next morning we walked round Fremantle and had a beautiful cup of tea, and then we sailed at twelve. We then had a glorious trip to Colombo, in the meantime we had concerts and dances on board, also a fancy dress ball, Romo took the prize, I can’t remember much more as Teddy was sick.

We arrived in Colombo one Saturday about one o’clock, we had to get our passports endorsed before we could land. We were taken off in small rowing boats by black men, we walked round the town, and went into a shop, bought some things which were sold by “Black Men”. We then asked them where we could get a nice English Tea and he told us to go to the ‘Pergoda’ but we couldn’t understand him so we met a white man and asked him and he told us the same place, so we went there and had lovely tea, the blacks waited on us and fed Teddy and when he was finished washed his hands and face, and then carried him out to the Garry, we hired a Garry drawn by oxen to take us about Colombo, he brought us to the Temple, and we had to take out shoes off to go in.

We had a guide, and he described every thing to us. It then started to rain and we rushed into the Garry, and he brought us through beautiful streets and to the musemen(?) and then brought us to see some beautiful English homes and then along the Kahdy(?) River, which was very pretty, and we saw a nice, black boy and girl dressed in white and I thought they looked very pretty, they were strolling along by the river, it was so romantic, then he brought us through the natives quarters and we were a bit frightened, they were running after our car all the time calling out Buckshee, and saying me only one mother and one father, then we came back to the Pergoda and had a drink and then walked round the town and hired a black boy to  carry Teddy and he gave Teddy some bananas and I thought he was very good when he told me they cost twopence so I had to pay him.

We didn’t like to stay too late in the town, as we had no man with us so we got back again, we got a motor boat to take us across. Colombo was just wonderful, it was like something you would read about. The place we had tea was all done in seagrass chairs and palms, everything was so quaint. I shall never forget it. It was the end of a perfect day, I hope some day, Ted & I may be able to go there for a trip.

We sailed the next morning at 7 o’clock & I was up to see the boat go out. Everything looked so pretty & green, I hated leaving. The next day about 12 o’clock we passed Laccadive Islands which looked very pretty and very green, we are now getting nearer the red sea. It’s a glorious day today and the water is just beautiful. There’s not much to say about our life on board as every day seems the same.

Later we passed the Rock of Gibraltar. We passed very close to it. We could see the houses on it and we saw the forts they used during the war, it was built very smooth(?) I don’t know for what reason. It was a wonderful sight to see. After that we had our last ball on board and I enjoyed it best of all. We also passed Malta but passed it when it was dark and could only see the lights. One of the officers told me it was a pity as Malta is a very pretty place.

As we were drawing near England it began to get very cold and the daylight saving bill seemed very funny to some of the Australians on board. However the day arrived for landing. We got into Tilbury about ten o’clock and we were all dressed waiting to get off. It was coming down sleet and snow. It was bitterly cold. I almost felt sorry I’d come as Teddy was very sick and miserable, he felt the cold very much.

We all had to wait in the dining room and they gave us some cold lunch then I received two wires, one from Bid and the other from Ger, then we had to stand in a queue to get our passports signed, I will never forget it, then we came out on deck and the tender came over for us.

Then there was an awful crush in the dining saloon to buy tickets for London. A returned soldier got me mine, as he felt very sorry for me with Teddy. Next thing was the customs came on board. I was very lucky, I asked one of the customs officers to examine my boxes, and he said to me was I carrying any spirits or tobacco, and I told him I had enough to carry without carrying them. He laughed and just marked off all my boxes. Mrs Sutton and them had to open theirs. At last we got off and into the train. I had to pay 1.3 for Teddy’s push cart. We had to wait a whole hour in the train and then we started, we got to London about .. o’clock on Saturday. Then the trouble started. I had to hold Teddy in my arms all the time and look for my boxes. However I found them and got a porter to put them in the cloak room.

Then Mrs Sutton and us all went and had some tea on the station, thought it was lovely after the boat. Then took a taxi to Smith’s West Central hotel Southampton, now took a walk that night and then got Teddy to bed.

Next morning, Sunday, I went out to see Aunt Annie. She nearly died when she saw me. Had dinner there and then went to see Aunt Rosie (?) gave them an awful shock, they wouldn’t let me go back to the hotel that night. I had to stay, next morning one of my cousins left me back to the hotel and I had something to eat there and then went to St Pancras to get a train to Manchester. Arrived there, they wanted to charge me 4/6 to take Teddy’s cart to Manchester and I wouldn’t give it to them. I said I would send it straight on to Ireland, and he said it would cost me 8/-, so I told him I would …..him that if I ever got the push cart I hadn’t much time to catch the train but I got a  porter to take the cart round and was sending it by parcel post, it only cost me 4/-. just let them see I wouldn’t give it to them. I then caught the train to Manchester, had a nice trip down, met a nice old gentleman who took a great fancy to Teddy, arrived in Manchester, missed Nellie at the station, took a taxi to her place. Her mother was there. Nellie had gone to meet me. Nellie came in shortly after and was delighted to see me. We then had a nice tea and then talked a bit about poor Dick R.I.P. (Dick was Mum’s brother, died as a result of war injuries, I think, Nellie was his wife) Next day Nellie took me into town and I saw round the shops in Manchester. I thought it was a very big city. Next day we went to town and done some shopping. Then next day we went to town, had tea in town, and came home and some friends came that night to Nellie’s, it was very nice, then the next day Nellie brought Teddy and I to school for the afternoon and Teddy had to sit in the desk with the other children and get a pencil…

6 blank pages

Left Saltcoats caught train for Edinburgh, arrived there, went straight to Edinburgh Castle…. Saw carriage which Queen Victoria was carried on from Isle of Wight to Cowes.

Mary Queen of Scots……her child lowered from her room up the Castle and to receive R.C. baptism. It was in the time of John Knox. Then the guide showed us the smallest Chapel in Scotland and the oldest building Mary Queen of Scots had it built for herself. Then he told us this story and also showed us the stone over Mary Queen of Scots bedroom someone noticed a stone out and they had it removed and then they found a tiny coffin and in it a baby wrapped in a cloth of gold and it was taken out and they tried to identify it and they could find no one to claim it and it was put back and it’s there to this day. We were also in Mary Queen of Scots bedroom.

We then went to Holyrood Palace and on our way we passed St Giels (?) Cathedral. The King and Queen were having a garden party at Holyrood. I tried to get in but couldn’t. I saw all the style going in. Then we went and had some tea at a café in Princes Street and walked along Princes Street and then caught the train to Glasgow and came home to Saltcoats next day.

We went for a sail to Dunoon (?) and we saw beautiful scenery on each side but we had no one to tell us where it was, then we got off at Dunoon and as we were going up the street a lady followed me and asked me if came from Dublin.

She said she knew me by appearance in Dublin, she used to admire me very much. I recognised her she had a beautiful home in Drumcondra, then she showed us where Mrs Lewis (?) people lived so we went in and they were delighted to see us and we stayed a few hours and then went back for the boat again, and came home and had our tea and then went up to Cissie’s, stayed for a while and then came home this morning we had started out again for Glasgow.

A lady friend asked me to spend the weekend with her so I’m on my way. Arrived Central station, saw ……away, met Mrs. Johnston, went to Cooks to find Mr Haddon, found he had left there years ago. One of the chaps in Cooks came from Dublin and he was awfully nice to me. Left Cooks and came and got the train to Mrs Johnston in Springbourne, then we had tea and then Mrs Johnston & Mr and the children and I went to Springbourne Park and saw all over Glasgow, came home had supper and going out today again Saturday we caught a train to Balloch, arrived there and had lunch, we are now starting for Loch Lomond. We took a motor boat from the foot of Loch Lomond  right up through the loch and right round it and we saw Ben Lomond.

It was really beautiful but I don’t think it was as pretty as Killarney. We have come back now and are just going to have tea. I forgot, on our way home we came along the Clyde and saw the shipbuilding yard, saw Singers factory, a huge place it was and the hands of the clock were six feet, a man could sit on them.

I also saw the Anglo Saxon(?) motor company. Also saw Dumbarton Castle. During the time of the Scottish chiefs a boy Edwin Ruthren aged 14 scaled the heights and dropped the drawbridge and let the Scottish in. The English officers asked who was the man who got the password and scaled the heights. They told him and he said if Scotlands boys were like that what must their men be like.

Today I am going round Glasgow City. Saw the Municipal building could not get in It being a holiday, Glasgow fair. Went into the P. Office, posted some letters. Went to St Enoch station and then came home; On the way home we passed Sighthill Churchyard where the great Scotch violinist was buried. Next day, Tuesday 16th I went into the Municipal buildings and was lucky enough to get through. It was the most wonderful sight I’ve ever seen. I got a guide to show me through.

All the corridors were massive marble. The committee room was candain(?) oak, the corridor belonging to that room was Doulton(?) the reception room was satinwood and the furniture was in gilt and satinwood. I just held my breath when I saw. Then we went into the ballroom, it was huge, all done in mahogany, then we saw where the council sit, it was upholstered in red leather and mahogany. The fireplaces could not be described, they were wonderful, and the exquisite marble corridors with their beautiful gilt trimming ended(?) up with things(?) it was wonderful.

In the afternoon I took the tram out right through the west end of Glasgow, it was just beautiful. On the way back we passed the west end park. , the Art Gallery, which I thought was a beautiful building but couldn’t go in as Teddy was playing up awful, then we passed the Glasgow University which was another great building, then we passed the Hamilton Crescent Cricket Ground where the Australians played the Scottish. Then we came along on the tram to St Eccles(?) station, had a cup of tea got on the train for Saltcoats, said goodbye to Mr & Mrs J and was sorry to leave them as they had been such good friends to me. Am now admiring the scenery from Glasgow to Saltcoats. I enjoyed myself very much in Glasgow. I think it a fine city, but while I think of it I put it down I think fares are awfully dear here. It’s only an hour from Glasgow to Saltcoats and the fare is 5/3. I am enjoying the scenery, it’s a lovely summer’s evening, the sun shining beautifully on lovely green fields and the cows in the field. It all seems so restful to the eyes.

Arrived in Saltcoats, went to Cissie’s, had tea there, then Cissie and her sister-in-law came in the bus with me, and put me on the boat for Belfast. Went and had a cup of tea and then Teddy and I went to our cabin. A lady there was very much taken with Teddy and told me I had a lovely son. It was very good, had a lovely crossing and Ger was good enough to come and meet me in the morning. I was very pleased to see her, we then took a taxi home to Gers’ and both Jack and Tommie gave me a great welcome back. Peg is here and she is delighted to be with Ger.

Spent a quiet day. Went to the pictures that night, they were dreadful, came home and went to bed. Next day, Thursday 19th July, got up, it was pouring rain. We first stayed in all day then in the evening Tommy brought Susie, Ger and I to the theatre to see Talbot O’Farrell. He was awfully good and sang lovely , one of his songs was The best tears of all would fall when there was peace in old Ireland again. Ger’s maid looked after Teddy, and he cried the whole time we were away, it was the first theatre I was at  since I came. I can’t get very far with Teddy, it’s a great effort for me to see anywhere.

Next morning Ger and I are sitting sewing, Jack is away, the plumbers are in fixing the boiler. Last night I did some washing. I put Teddy to bed first and he howled the whole night. He got out of bed 6 times and I had to go up the stairs to put him back. I was pretty well worn out with him. I cannot get any where without him.

Today Ger did some more sewing for me as its our last Saturday evening together in her house. We went to town together and had a cup of tea then we came home and had our tea and Ger is sewing and I am going to stuff a chicken. I feel very lonely as I know I have to leave Ger soon.

Ger and Susie saw me off on the station, Ger was very much upset at leaving me. Got on the train, met a nice lady, while travelling, our boxes had to be opened, but they were very nice to me and closed mine up again. Arrived Amiens St Station at 5.45, Kathleen met me, we came home to her house, had tea and went to bed. Next day I went into town, it hardly worth while writing down, as every day is the same. I go and see different friends, and people stop me in the street and ask me am I Josie Connolly. A lady stopped me this morning and asked me the same question, and she said she saw me when I first came home, and she thought how pale and thin I got.

I have been at the pictures twice since I came back, I don’t go about very much as Teddy gets tired. I am drawing near my time for going back to Australia. I feel very lonely. I was in my father’s office today and Mr Harvey asked my girl friend and I down to tea on Sunday to Killiney(?). Saturday night Bid and I went to the pictures together, they were very nice. Met Maddie Jones and we all came home together. Sunday went to Killiney, spent a very pleasant time and took the 10. train home.

My last Sunday in Dublin dawns. I spend it at home. We are all together. In the evening we all go down to Aunt Katies, when we were coming home they were firing down the Clonliffe Rd and we had to go back up Fitzroy Avenue. Is this where the story of the

IRA fugitive hiding his gun in Ted’s pram originated? There is not mention of it in the dairy, but I certainly remember Dad telling me the story, and I know Brian had heard it too.

The following week has been very busy. Wednesday night some of my friends gave a farewell party in my honour. It seemed like old times the way we all laughed. The next

page has the following notes: Waverley Station Castle Hill go to Sentry and ask to be shown or directed to Holyrood Castle, Princes St D…s bridge

75 people live in 32 apartments Berth 42 S Y Children 1

When we were coming home there was an attack made on the Union but we managed to get home with our lives. Friday Gertie coming from Belfast to say goodbye to me. She comes in at about 11 0’clock. I go to meet her. We both go to Harcourt Street and then we do some shopping in town and then come home to Kathleen’s. She discovered a lump in Teddy’s throat and takes him down to Oliphants, they say to take him to a Dr. I just come in then and she tells me, so I go straight away, and he tells me he doesn’t know what it is but it shouldn’t be there. However he told me to see the dr. on board. However the hour arrives when I must say goodbye once more. My father, the two Kathleens and Bessie Curran is coming to Liverpool with me, Gertie, Bid, Willie, Jack, Aunt Katie, Winnie(?) come as far as Kingstown. I say goodbye to Cissie and the children in the house. We arrive at Kingstown, everybody taken it pretty badly. However I say goodbye to those on the wharf and go on board…. Even before the boat goes they get leave for me to come down the gangway and say goodbye again so 

I do and the boat moves out and they walk after it, Willie shouting “Goodbye and God bless you Josie” and Gertie getting head along crying her heart out. After a bit I lose sight of them and I leave Ireland behind me.

We had a dreadful crossing, all seasick. We got to Liverpool about 4 o’clock in the morning. After great struggle with customs we went and had our breakfast, found a place to have a sleep, got up at 11 0’clock and walked about Liverpool, had lunch and then went down to the boat. There was another boat in the Celtive(?) going to New York. I saw a friend of mine going on it, she moved out and then our boat came in. I brought my father and them all on board, and then they had to get off, and my father gave me great instructions how to look after Teddy.

They got off, Our boat moved out. The holiday I had looked forward to for four years, the people I looked forward to seeing, was all over and I felt just broken hearted. I think I felt this parting more than the other.

Life begins once more on board a boat. The food is beautiful and everything lovely but every day is just the same. Just getting up in the morning, sitting up on deck. We had a few concerts but they were not such a success and a few dances. They were not bad, last night we passed a ship going home. We were at Teneriffe on Thursday. I did not get off as we were only staying a few hours and its too much with Teddy. The chief steward brought Teddy some choc this morning, as usual he becomes a great favourite.

We had a very sad case on board the day we crossed the line. We had Father Neptune come on board as usual everything went very nice but when it was all over one of Father Neptune’s policemen jumped into the baths, and as they were not deep enough for diving he struck his head and was taken to hospital, where they found he was very bad.

Next day four Drs held a consultation and found he had hurt his spine. He has a wife and two children on board. They don’t think he will live and if he does he will be helpless for the rest of his life. The Freemasons on board held a meeting and got 85 pounds between them, and then the passengers gave something and between all I think they raised 220 pounds, which I think is very good.

Yesterday we had a Fancy Dress ball for the children. I put Teddy in as a brown elf. He looked awfully well but he didn’t like having it on. There’s a Fancy Dress tonight for the grownups.

The Fancy Dress went off very well. The result of the kiddies has just come out and I am very pleased as Teddy took second prize.

Another note on the next two pages: Mrs Johnston (from the voyage over?) leave 8.20 81 Reid St arrive St Enoch(?) 9.10 Springburn to Glasgow Central Glasgow 9.50 11

We are now drawing near Capetown. We can see Table mountains very plain, our boat pulls in, the mails come on board. I am very pleased there was 4 letters from Ted and one from Eileen.

However we got to Capetown at 6 o’clock Tuesday evening. I did not get off as it was too late with Teddy. So I went off Wednesday morning early and walked round Capetown, done some shopping, had lunch and took a motor round Table mountains. It was very wonderful but my nerves got the better of me and the man had to stop the car and I got out and was going back, but the driver said he could not allow me go as it would not be safe for me to go back alone. However I got in again and went on of course.

The next page has the following entry: S??sons Restaurant Pound sign 1 15/-other calculations on this side, but no indication what for 3 loaves 1.3

 Butter 1.6 Bacon 1.3 Cheese 6 6 Onion 1 Steak 1.2 Eggs 6 Milk 1.8 Sugar 1.2 Ham 6 Jam 1.2 Chips 6 11.3

Every moment I thought the car was going over. It was a most beautiful drive, two hours and a half. We got back at 5 o’clock and then I went looking for a friend, but could not find the place so we came back to town. Saw the P. office and then walked about for a while, then we went to the pictures. Came out after they were over, had a cup of coffee, took a car home. Spent a very nice day, but nothing compared to Colombo.

When I came on board I found that some people the name of Cross had been looking for me. I was sorry I missed them. However, we set off again Thursday morning at 8 o’clock. The weather is not very nice today. Our new passengers that came on at Capetown seem very nice and very friendly.

We had a nice concert the night before last and last we had a nice dance. Life gets very weary sometimes on board. The weather is very miserable just at present. We had a Fancy Dress ball last night. I had my dress ready, Sweet Lavender, but Teddy got very cross and I couldn’t go, but he went asleep afterwards and I went upstairs and danced the whole evening.

We expect to be in Albany tomorrow Thank God. I am tired of ship life and shall be glad to get home. The children had a nice party this afternoon. Father Christmas came on board and gave out the prizes, the kiddies were very excited. Teddy got a lovely ball. It was just a nice afternoon for them to remember. Mrs Pitman asked Teddy who he was going to see this afternoon and he said my daddy. Poor kiddie every day he thinks he is going to see daddy. However we are very near Aussie now and it won’t be long

P.G. Arrived Albany at 3 o’clock. The doctor was a long time in coming on board, then we had to pass him, then after that we had to pass some one else with out passports. It was an awful business. By the time it was over it was 7 o’clock and then Teddy went to bed of course I couldn’t leave him. I was very disappointed. The harbour looked very pretty coming in. It was three miles into the town.

We left next morning at 9 o’clock. We are now making for Adelaide. Things are falling rather flat on board, everybody seems to be thinking of getting off,…. …..And that’s where it ends.