Published on Thursday, 26 June 2025 at 9:29:56 AM
This beautifully preserved christening gown, which was donated in 1979 by Mrs Eakins, was a family heirloom belonging to the Turner Family of Woking, England.
Frederick and Maude (nee Blay) Turner were married 26th October 1901 in St John’s Church, Woking, England. They had three children, Elsie, born 24th December 1902, Henry Roy, born 14th June 1912 and Ena, born 19th May 1919. Elsie is the baby wearing the gown in the photo.
The family arrived in Australia 12th July 1923, on the “Jervis Bay” in Fremantle. Frederick took 1000 acres of virgin land 10 miles NE of Southern Cross, lot 501 in Wheatley. His was the first claim to be taken up in the Wheatley district, and he was the last farmer left in the district after the depression.
Frederick died in the Southern Cross Hospital 12th February 1939 and is buried in the Southern Cross Cemetery. Maude survived her husband by 22 years and died 5th April 1961.
The gown must have held great sentimental worth to the family to have been looked after so well for so long and to have lasted almost 130 years!
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