Francis Travers Snr (c1831 – 1910) – Obituary
We regret to have to place on record the death of one of the district’s oldest residents, in the person of Mr. Travers, senr., of Australind, who breathed his last at his home on Tuesday night. The old gentleman was born in Ireland 80 years ago, and has been a resident of these parts for considerably over 50 years, most of which time he has spent at Australind. At that centre he settled down many years ago, and there his large family has been reared. He had, in all, eight children, two of whom are dead, and the remainder settled in the district, and all of whom are citizens of the right class. The old gentleman, who was, as mentioned, in his 80th year at the time of his demise, had been ailing for a considerable time past, and on several occasions recently had been given up by the doctors. His strong constitution, however, had, up till Tuesday, enabled him to pull through, although his death at any time had been anticipated by his friends.
The funeral will take place to-day, leaving his late residence at Australind at noon, and arriving in Bunbury about three hours later, when the cortege will proceed to the Roman Catholic cemetery, where the remains will be interred.
The six surviving children are, Mrs Hartnett, of Ferguson, Mrs. Waddingham, of Balingup, Messrs. F., J., and M. Travers, of Australind, and Mrs. Clapp, of Benger.
(Bunbury Herald, 28 April 1910)
Mrs Margaret Travers (c1833 – 1912) – Obituary
Still another of the founders of early-settled Australind passed away on Tuesday last, in the person of Mrs. Margaret Travers. Mrs. Travers, who was in her 80th year, had been remarkably active for one of her age and an attack of pneumonia was responsible for her demise. She leaves three sons and three daughters to mourn their loss, her husband having predeceased her several years ago. The deceased lady was among the earliest arrivals at Australind, and she lived there almost continuously for 59 years, having left her native place, Queens County, Ireland, for Western Australia when quite a young woman.
Her sons and daughters, most of whom are still resident in the district, are well known and respected throughout the South-West. The funeral, which took place on Thursday afternoon, was largely attended, and the long procession of vehicles which formed the cortege was reminiscent of the early days. The remains were interred, the Rev. Father McCormack conducting in the Bunbury Roman Catholic cemetery, the service both at the church and the graveside.
The chief mourners were Mrs. Waddingham, Mrs. Hartnell and Mrs. Clapp (daughters), M. and F. Travers (sons), and several grandchildren, and the pall bearers were Messrs. Clapp, White, Hurst, and Rafferty.
The attendance at the graveside was representative of the district, members of many old families being present. The mortuary arrangements were in the hands of Mr. W. Brittain.
(Bunbury Herald, 27 April 1912)