John Anderson, a former seaman, was committed to gaol at Exeter Devon, on 24 July 1785 for breaking into a house and stealing a linen handkerchief, other goods and money.  Sentenced to seven years transportation, he spent time in the Dunkirk hulk before embarkation aboard the Charlotte.  At Sydney Cove he married Elizabeth Bruce on 16 March 1788, signing with a mark.  On 4 October, both were sent to Norfolk Island on the Golden Grove.  On the Island he was employed to help John Altree and Thomas Webb at Ball’s Bay, and he also became a member of the night watch at Grenville Vale.  At the end of 1792 he was selling his own grain to government and by mid-1793 was settled on twelve acres, all ploughable and cultivated.  John Anderson disappears from records after 1796, either having died or deserted his family.

Elizabeth Bruce, was tried at the Old Bailey on 10 January 1787 for theft of three linen tablecloths and two aprons.  Found guilty and sentenced to transportation for seven years, Elizabeth arrived in Sydney Cove aboard Lady Penrhyn.  During the voyage Elizabeth had a fall from the forecastle and broke her right leg at the ankle.  On 4 October 1788 she left Sydney Cove as the wife of John Anderson for Norfolk Island.  Through-out the following years she is recorded as having three sons and living with John Anderson, settler.  After John Anderson’s disappearance, Elizabeth began living with Francis Flexmore (Neptune 1790).

Honouring their WW1 descendant

526 Oscar Henry Vince
Private 10th Infantry Brigade, 40^th Battalion – ‘B’ Company

Born 4 August 1895 Lower Longley Tasmania to Henry Morris and Laura (Huxley) Vince
Occupation Farm Labourer
Enlisted 26 February 1916 Claremont Tasmania, aged 20
Next of Kin Father Henry Morris Vince, Lower Longley Tasmania
Embarked 1 July 1916 Hobart Tasmania aboard HMAT Berrima A35
Service in France
Returned to Australia 20 May 1918 on HMAT Borda A30
Discharged 21 November 1918
Married 15 May 1919 to Jessie Amelia Edith Fehre
Died 15 January 1985 Kingston, Tasmania

 

 

Elizabeth Bruce
Went to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) by City of Edinburgh on 3 September 1808 as the wife of Francis Flexmore, and her five children all born on Norfolk Island, three by John Anderson and two by Francis Flexmore.  In 1813 Flexmore had grants at Crayfish Point and 50 acres at Sandy Bay.  Other lands were acquired and purchased at Green Ponds (Kempton), where they lived till both died.  Francis Flexmore died on 21 May 1835 at Kempton followed shortly after by Elizabeth Bruce Anderson Flexmore on 14 June 1835 at Kempton.  Both were buried in the grave yard of St Mary’s Church, Kempton Tasmania.

Honouring her WW1 descendant

29941 Archie Youl Flexmore
Gunner 120^th Howitzer Battalion
transferred to 12^th Army Brigade Australian Field Artillery, 112^th Battery
Born 24 December 1892 Richmond Tasmania to Albert Sommerville and Jane Louisa (Wilson) Flexmore
Occupation Farmer
Enlisted 3 April 1916 Claremont Tasmania, aged 23
Next of kin Father Mr Albert Flexmore, The Elms Elizabeth Street Hobart, Tasmania
Embarked 2 October 1916 Melbourne Victoria aboard HMAT Aeneas A60
Service in France
Died 18 September 1917, from a gunshot wound received in action at 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, Belgium
Buried Plot 19 (XIX), Row D, Grave 19A, Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium

Engraved in the Flexmore memorial grave plinth, Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Tasmania
In Loving Memory of Archie Youl Flexmore who died of wounds received in France 18^th August 1917.  Aged 23 Years.

The Mercury (Hobart Tasmania) Friday 18 September 1918
In Memoriam – Died on Active Service
FLEXMORE – In loving memory of Gunner Archie Flexmore, who died of wounds, somewhere in France, September 18, 1917.  He was one of the best.  “Until the last day breaks and the shadows flee away”.