B107 - Charles Walker, 1893

see cht. 11-8

Charles Walker was born at Riverdale farm in Yinnar South, Victoria, Australia on 9 Mar. 1893, the 2nd child of Joseph and his 2nd wife, Charlotte (born Edmunds) Walker.

Charles attended primary school at Yinnar South State School, followed by a one year term at the Friends School at Hobart. He was of a quiet nature with a ready sense of humour. From school he returned home to Riverdale to help his father and older brother, Martin, operate the farm.

Charles' mother, Charlotte, met Margaret Chruickshank at Melbourne Meeting House and eventually invited her to Riverdale to meet Charles. On 28 Apr. 1920 Charles married Margaret (known as Maggie) at the Friends Meeting House in Melbourne, Victoria. Margaret was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on 30 Nov. 1892. She emigrated to Australia in 1911, where she went to live with her uncle James Cruickshank. Immediately following their marriage Charles and Margaret embarked on a journey to Scotland and England to visit relatives. They visited Margaret's home in Aberdeen and then went to England where they visited Charles' Aunt Maria, who in 1921, was living at 47 Acomb Rd., York. Together they took a trip to Hay-a-Park to visit "The Poplars" farm, the previous home of Charles' father, Joseph. They also visited Charles' mother's family, the Edmunds. It is said that while in England Charles spent some of his time working on English farms. In any case, he and Margaret did not return to Riverdale, and their small new home, until early 1921.

Charles and Margaret had 5 children, all born in Morwell.:-

Charles and his brother, Martin, operated Riverdale farm in partnership until 1940, when it was divided between them. Martin's section retained the name "Riverdale", while Charles' section was named "Drumrossie", after Margaret's girlhood home in Scotland. Charles built a new dairy which he operated very successfully for the remainder of his life. His hobbies included shooting (he was a member of the local Rifle Club), bee keeping and wood carving, and he was also a keen axeman.

Charles & Ferg Schiebel cutting down one of the last "White Gum" trees at Riverdale creek flats in 1910.

Sources:-

• Margaret Edith Walker, Australia.

• Ian Charles Walker, Australia.

• Adrian Walker, Australia.

• Doug Watkins, Australia

By:- H. L. Walker - Can. Rev.:- 14 January, 2005

Rev:- Nov 2009 R B Walker