Dear all,
With pain in my heart, I would like to let you know that Mona AINSLIE (1927-2021) passed in her retirement village in Marshall, Victoria, Australia, on 19th August 2021.
She was the only child of George Alexander Campbell Ainslie (1869-1952) and Isabella Clementina Raff (1888-1979). As far as we know she was also the last descendant of Robert Raff (1845-1920) and Isabella Rachel (Bella) TOWNSEND (1852-1931).
She married late in life with Douglas Bruce (Bruce) Thomson (1926-2016) and had no descendants.
Her memories were razor-sharp and was able to contribute to the TOWNSEND research until the last few weeks of her life. We will dearly miss her.
A longer bio is listed below.
PS. Should you wish to see a picture of her, send me your email address to thomas@helmer.com
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Mona AINSLIE (1927-2021)
Mona was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, on the 22nd October 1927 as the only child of Isabella Clementine RAFF and George Alexander Campbell AINSLIE.
Her mother, Isabella Clementine RAFF was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, on 31st March 1888 of Robert RAFF (1845-1920), a pearler, son of the Moray Field Sugar Factory and plantation owner, and Isabella Rachel TOWNSEND (1852-1931), a Netherby shipwreck survivor who widowed young from her first marriage to Donald Grant MACLEAN, on the 4th of April 1874, in Brisbane, and had lost her son Donald Fitzroy “Fitzy” MACLEAN, born on the 26th of February 1875, who was dropped to the floor soon after his birth by the nurse.
Her father, George Alexander Campbell AINSLIE was born in Bellary, India on12th august 1869. Soon after his mother died. As his father was in the army at that time and would not be able to look after the child, he arranged for the child to be sent back to England to be taken care off by his sister. George was christened twice, once in India and again once he arrived in England. He became a master mariner and married his first wife, Edith Bliss MCCARTHY, in England and moved to Australia where they lived in Hamilton, a suburb of Brisbane, and went to the Anglican church in the area. His best friend, Douglas PRICE, a Methodist reverend, was instrumental in getting George to come to Australia.
Isabella Clementine RAFF married to George Alexander Campbell AINSLIE in New Farm, Brisbane on 19th June 1915, after his messy and much publicised divorce.
Her parents lived in rented quarters and rented rooms to boarders most of the time. As her father was a avid gardener, every time they settled in a new house, the garden would become so beautiful that the owners would sell the property forced the family to look for another house. The family was very religious and attended to the Anglican services.
Mona’s father, George Alexander Campbell AINSLIE died on 7th May 1952. She was very fond of him as he spend so much time with her, whilst her mother went out a lot.
Her mother did not like her RAFF brothers very much, in particular (her younger brother) Charlie as she was expected to be his ‘slave'. As fast as she could, she left the parental home and hardly maintained contact with the RAFF or the AINSLIE family. The only RAFF Mona remembered ever meeting was Harry RAFF (1856-1949, eight son of George RAFF) as her parents helped him with gardening when he was an old man. Harry was a surveyor in Brisbane after he created his wealth from mining gold. Apparently he was a good shot and readily shot at anybody in the dark nearing his tent at the time. He even lived with het parents at one stage until his death.
Once Mona was old enough to go to school, she did not want to go, as she had no shoes and no decent dresses until her uncle bought them for her.
At one point in time Mona was close getting engaged with someone she met in the church circles, but as her mother did not approve, she let the opportunity pass, which she regretted so many years later.
Mona worked as secretary in a physiatric practice for many years, of which she has fond memories. She continued living at home and handed her full pay to her mother until her mother, Isabella Clementine RAFF, passed on 13th December 1979.
It was only after the her mother passing that Mona bought a place of her own in a forested area of Tambourine, Queensland.
For many years Mona maintained an intense correspondence with Douglas Bruce (Bruce) THOMSON, born 19th July 1926 in Newtown, Geelong, Victoria, which she adored. Regrettably she did not keep the letters. Not sure how they came in contact with each other, but it was most likely through the Anglican church. After many years they decided to take a holiday to New Zealand where they finally met face to face.
They married in Mount Tamborine, Queensland, Australia on 16th June 1986. He was a very popular music teacher and played the organ in the churches where ever they lived. Soon after their marriage, Bruce insisted they should settle in Geelong forcing her to sell up in Queensland, a move she regretted very much later in live. They lived at another address at first before they settled in 105 Maudstreet, Geelong.
Her husband, Douglas Bruce (Bruce) THOMSON died of a heart failure in an hospital in Geelong, Victoria, Australia on June 30 2016.
Her eyesight had deteriorated severely making it near impossible to look after herself and live alone.
In May 2017 she moved to the retirement home in Rice Village, 7 Moylan Loop, Marshall,
3216 Victoria, Australia. Soon after she sold her home at Maudstreet well above the reserve.
The Moray Field Sugar Factory clock Mona inherited from her grandmother Isabella Rachel RAFF née TOWNSEND was donated to the Caboolture Historical Society for display in the museum.
Mona was well able to communicate and had a great recall of memories until the she had a massive stroke around 08:00 hrs on 20th August 2021, lost consciousness and died two hours later.
She was a caring person and great company to be with. She will be sadly missed.
