On The Rocks – Chapter 9

p121

. . . the clothing department, managed by Butty’s wife, Sally . . .

Ralph “Butty” Marsden had married Sarah Ann Isherwood (1858 -1935) in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1882. They had no children.

p123

. . . I will then take a cab to my family’s newspaper office . . .

A further clue as to the identity of Alfie.

p126

. . . good-day to ye, Mr Mack; nice sunny day, aye!” said Butty, turning to greet a medium-sized man with black beard, clad in a fisherman’s jersey. . . .

The Reverend William McBride (1865 -1928), was born in Annahilt, Hillsborough, Northern Ireland.

On Sunday, December 27, 1885, Presbyterian services commenced in the Mechanics’ Institute. Sorrento came under the care of Mr. William McBride, a student missionary. His district of Dromana was large, embracing eleven preaching places. 1

By 1888, effort was being made to obtain land to build a church. On March 12, 1888, four gentlemen, namely William McBride, James Proudfoot, James Dunlop Allen and James Turner Holmes, on behalf of the Presbyterian Congregation, purchased some land, 40 feet by 60 feet, in Kerferd Avenue, with the intention of erecting a church.

By October building had commenced, and on October 17, 1888, the foundation stone was laid by the Hon. James Balfour, M.L.C., in the presence of the minister, Rev. W. McBride, who had been ordained in June, and a large gathering of people.

Reverend McBride left the district for Mortlake in September 1892. He remained there until his death in 1928 while visiting Anahilt, Hillsborough, Ireland. Presumably to visit family. 2 3

p130

. . . I have business needing attention in the city and will enjoy the comfort of the Melbourne Club, of which I’m a member.” . . .

Another clue as to the identity of Alfie.

p136

. . . My name is Robert Malcolm Buffeau, born London where my parents lived. My mother, Margaret, born Scotland, married in London. . . .

. . . Your name is Charlotte Ah Fee, father part Chinese, part English, married your mother (whose parents were English) in Canton. They went to Ballarat goldfields before coming here. Your mother died in a Melbourne hospital; your father, after leaving you in charge of friends here, went back to China. . . .

Here we get further clues as to the identities of our central characters.

  1. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Sorrento 1888-1988 Pamphlet – NHS Collection ↩︎
  2. Mornington Standard 29 Sep 1892 p2 from Trove HERE ↩︎
  3. The Argus 19 Jan 1929 p13 from Trove HERE ↩︎