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Thomas Harold Butler and Elizabeth Jane McKeown © Born on the 10th March, 1887, Thomas was the sixth child of Elizabeth (nee Buckby) and Thomas Butler1. At the time of his birth the family was living at Hill Street, Stratton, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His birth was registered by his father 3 days later. Nothing is known of Thomas' early life, it is assumed he went to school, but it is not known where. It is known Thomas' father was a Drayman, working around Brisbane and it is known that Thomas also followed this occupation for a time3. On the 10th August, 19122, Thomas married Elizabeth Jane (Russell) McKeown in the Methodist Church in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Married according to the Rites of the Methodist Church, Thomas, a 25year old Bachelor, gave his occupation as Drayman, his usual place of residence as Doggett Street, Fortitude Valley, the home of his parents. Elizabeth, age 22, a Spinster, gave her usual place of residence as Wandoo St, Fortitude Valley, and her occupation as Domestic Duties. Witnesses were Norman Butler, probably Thomas’ brother, and Sarah McKeown, thought to be Elizabeth’s sister. The Minister was Chas Martin. On the marriage certificate, Thomas gives his parents as Thomas Butler and Elizabeth Buckley, his father's occupation as Drayman. Although Elizabeth gives her parents as William Russell and Sarah McKeown on the marriage record, she marries in the name of Russell, and it is not known if William, a Carter, was in fact her father. The Fortitude Valley Wesleyan Church4 was the leading church of its denomination until the Albert St Wesleyan Church was completed in 1889. In 1898 the various brands of Methodism combined, and this church became known as the Fortitude Valley Methodist Church. Then in 1977 there was a further religious rationalisation with the formation of the Uniting Church, combining the Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists. As a result of that union, this church was no longer needed, and the building was decommissioned in February 1977. Sold by the church in 1985 the building is now used as commercial offices. Born on the 22nd November, 1889 in Lutwyche, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia1, Elizabeth's birth certificate indicate she was the illegitimate daughter of Sarah McKeown. The birth certificate also shows Sarah did not register Elizabeth's birth until the 31st December, of the same year. As for Thomas, nothing more is known of Sarah until her marriage to Thomas. According to Thomas & Sarah’s first daughter Elizabeth May’s birth certificate in 1913, Thomas had changed his occupation and had become a Timber Mill Hand. It is not known where the timber mill was, but is assumed this job came about because of a possible connection to the mill through his role as a Drayman. During his lifetime Thomas also worked as a Hospital Orderly at the Royal Brisbane General Hospital3. In total Thomas and Elizabeth had five children: daughters Elizabeth May 1913, she first married Ronal Hesse 1937, and then partnered Harold Edmund Clunes c1944; Beryl Edna 1918, and sons Eric William 1915, Thomas Vernon 1916; and George Harold 1920. Electoral records show Thomas and Elizabeth lived in Wyatt Street, Fortitude Valley, between 1913 & 1925. Unfortunately, it seems Elizabeth was not entirely happy in the marriage, and around 1928 she left Thomas to live with a Robert Briggs to whom she had a son, Robert, in 19303. However, life continued on in the Butler family household, with daughter Elizabeth taking on the role of housekeeper, and child minder, to her younger brothers and sister as they grew up. The 1936 and 1937 electoral roles show the family had moved to Oates Avenue in Holland Park, and Thomas’ occupation had changed to Labourer. By 1943 Thomas, still recorded as a Labourer, had again moved, this time to Burlington Street, Holland Park, where he lived with his son Thomas Vernon. Still at that same address in 1949, son Thomas Vernon is not listed. In 1854 Thomas was living in Edith Street, Enoggera, his occupation is now recorded as Wardsman, believed to have been at the Royal Brisbane General Hospital, and it appears he was once again living with son Thomas Vernon. It is not known when Thomas moved from Enoggera, but by 1958 he was living with his son George and family on the Redcliffe Peninsula. He had again moved by 1963, still in Redcliffe he now was with his son Eric and family. The Redcliffe Peninsula is roughly 30km north of Brisbane, and today is considered an outer suburb of Brisbane. It is believe Thomas also worked for a short while at the Redcliffe Hospital as a Wardsman. Thomas died on the 28th June, 1971, at the Redcliffe Hospital5. He was 84years old, and the cause of death was Bronchopneumonia and Congestive Cardiac Failure. His death was registered, by his son Eric, three days later. Bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, caused by infection from viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The infection causes inflammation in the alveoli, also known as air sacs, in the lungs, causing the alveoli to become filled with fluid. Congestive Heart Failure, also called Chronic Heart Failure, is an ongoing condition in which the heart muscle is weakened and can’t pump as well as it normally does. Common causes of Congestive Heart Failure include Coronary Heart Disease, previous Heart Attack, Cardio-myopathy and High Blood Pressure. Symptoms include breathlessness, muscular fatigue, swelling of ankles, legs or the abdomen, and unexplained coughing and wheezing6. Thomas had suffered from the effects of Congestive Heart Failure for a number of years and in all probability this led to his contracting Pneumonia. Thomas was cremated at the Albany Creek Crematorium, Brisbane, Queensland, on the 30th June, 19715 & 3, and his ashes put in Wall 3, Section 3, in the Memorial Garden. Although Elizabeth Jane had left her husband Thomas, she kept in regular contact with her children, and they visited often. Elizabeth, known as Elizabeth Briggs, died on the 1st October, 1957, at the Royal Brisbane Hospital5. The cause of her death was Arteriosclerosis Cerebral Degeneration and Diabetes Mellitus, certified by the Deputy General Medical Superintendent of the Hospital and her partner Robert Briggs. Atherosclerosis is the build-up of a waxy plaque on the inside of blood vessels Atherosclerosis is often called Arteriosclerosis, from the Greek ‘arteria’ meaning artery, and is a general term for hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis can be caused by normal aging, by High Blood Pressure, and by diseases such as Diabetes6. It can also occur in the arteries of the neck, kidneys, thighs, and arms, causing cerebral problems or a stroke, kidney failure, or gangrene, and at times may necessitate amputation of an affected limb. Diabetes Mellitus is the commonest form of diabetes, a chronic disease characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood. Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, and diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin, or the body becomes resistant to insulin, or both. Diabetes can be hereditary, but other factors such as lifestyle risks, including poor diet, insufficient physical activity, being overweight, or obese, can all lead to the disease. Elizabeth was buried at the Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane, Queensland, on the 1st October, 1957. Her death certificate only gives her mother's name and no father. It is not known if there is, or was, a headstone for Elizabeth.
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