Elizabeth Longridge was born in 1846 in Holywood, Down, Northern Ireland to father Robert Longridge. Other details regarding her parentage are yet to be located.
The surname 'Loughridge' is occasionally used in documents referring to Elizabeth, so it can not be proven for certain at this stage exactly what is her last name. 'Longridge' has been used due to its frequency and the type of documents it appears in. Elizabeth was known as Eliza or Lizzie.
Marriage[]
Eliza married a man by the name of Robert Copeland at Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland on 19th October 1866. Nothing is currently know of his origins, but his occupation was plasterer.
On later documentation (including her death certificate), Holywood is recorded as Eliza's place of birth. On the marriage documentation, Eliza's occupation was recorded as servant and her father Robert was a labourer.
Children in Ireland[]
We next find Eliza through the births of her three eldest children. Daughter Elizabeth May was born in Donaghadee, County Down on 2/10/1867. When daughter Mary was born on 7/7/1869, this occurred at Knockbreda in County Down and the birth was registered at Castlereagh. Third daughter Ellen, born on 13/7/1871, was born in Antrim.
1871 census[]
The family are located in the 1871 census and Back Land, 9 Lyon Street, St George Glasgow, Milton, Lankashire, Scotland. Robert is recorded as aged 27 (b. 1844) and a plasterer born in Down, Ireland. Elizabeth is aged 26 (b. 1845) and also recorded as born in Down, Ireland. With them are their two daughters Elizabeth (aged 3) and Mary (aged 1). Interestingly, the census records the children as being born in Glasgow instead of their real birthplace of Ireland. Youngest daughter Ellen is not recorded.
Other children in England and Scotland[]
The family may have moved to England for a short time around 1872 and then back to Scotland again in approximately 1874/1875. Daughter Ellen died in the June Quarter of 1873 while they were in the Prescot district of Lancashire. Son Samuel was born in the same location in the following quarter (Sep Q) of 1873. Son Robert's birth occurred on the 4th April 1876 in the Calton District of the Burgh of Glasgow. The family resided at 41 Marlborough Street, Glasgow at the time.
Journey to South Australia[]
In 1877, the family decided to leave Scotland and travel even further, this time to South Australia. The ship they chose to travel on was the SS "British Enterprise". The ship British Enterprise was built at Stockholm in 1876, being a three masted iron barque of 1694 tons with dimensions of 246 feet by 40.1 ft. wide by 23.9 ft. draft. British Enterprise was a very fast ship on the England to Australia run and in the last few years of her service she had the reputation for taking a life on almost every voyage.
The Certificate of Arrival for the British Enterprise gives the date of embarkation of emigrants from Plymouth, England as the 12th January 1877. There were more than 500 immigrants on board and a case of smallpox developed on board shortly after leaving England. The man died; his clothes were burned and the ship fumigated.
Quarantine[]
The date of arrival at Port Adelaide, South Australia was 4th April 1877, a voyage of 82 days. The ship had been riddled with disease during it's journey, including small-pox, measles, typhus and scarlatina. The assistant health officer, Richard Jagoe, refused to label her a 'clean ship' and placed it in quarantine; this action was confirmed by his superior, Dr Duncan. Yet because a quarantine station had yet to be established in the colony at the time, the health officer had some trouble enforcing the law of infected persons staying on the ship. The passengers, naturally, were much disappointed in being held in this manner in sight of their destination after a long voyage on a crowded ship and showed their displeasure with Mr Jagoe by pelting him with loaves of bread.
This forced the government of the day to charter several small vessels, and the infected passengers were divided up amongst all the boats. The children were transported to the "Fitzjames" accompanied by their mothers and, two months later, passengers began to comment 'strongly and adversely' on the situation. The health officers conversed with Captain Marshall Smith, a marine surveyor, whose ship, the "J.L. Hall", was in the Port River having partly discharged a cargo of coal.
He agreed to clean the vessel and proceed to the anchorage and take the married couples and their children on board. Two barques in port, the "Ashburton" and "Fleur de Maurice", were also chartered; they accommodated the single men and single women, respectively. After the immigrants had remained another month they were allowed to go ashore, that is, six months from the time they left London. This quarantine exercise was an expensive affair and cost about £8,000.
They had, in essence, created the first quarantine station on the fleet of boats. This appeared to have an effect at keeping the diseases off shore, with only a few isolated cases of small-pox in the vicinity of the dock reported. The concern was so great about the potential threat of infection that the incident was even reported in the Hawaiian Gazette newspaper. Whether or not the Copeland family was infected by disease is unknown, but it should be noted that a death record for third daughter Ellen (who died before 1879 when another daughter baring her name was born) has not been located.
Son in trouble[]
Eliza and Robert would have two more children in South Australia after the birth of Ellen – two sons named John and James. Son John’s birth was registered but there is no record for James. His birth details have been presumed from his service record.
Son Robert appears to have been a difficult child and on the 28th January 1888 (at age 11) he was admitted to the Magill Industrial School. Remarks on his admission state that he was an ‘uncontrollable boy’ and was sentenced to a term of 12 months. Mother Elizabeth was living at Poole Street, North Adelaide at the time, and his father Robert was in Melbourne. The reason for Robert being in Melbourne is unknown.
Son Robert did not stay at the Industrial School long. By 6th February 1888, the Industrial School committee had placed him with a Sarah Ann Gamlin, a protestant Methodist living at Littlehampton, near Macclesfield. His referee was Thomas Weatherall, Protestant Methodist minister at Mt Barker. Robert was adopted by Sarah Gamlin and she was given a subsidy for taking him in.
It appears Robert lived with Sarah Gamlin for sometime, but by 1891, when he was 16, he was back in Adelaide and appears to have been looking for his family. His ‘uncontrollable’ behaviour appears not to have disappeared. This is determined by an article in the South Australian Police Gazette, June 8th 1891, which states:-
“Robert Copeland, alias Longridge, age about 16 years, medium height and build, very fair complexion and hair, full face, wore grey coat and vest, dirty white moleskin trousers, and white soft felt hat with narrow rim, for assaulting Wah Sing, at Glanville, on the 15th ultimo. Offender’s mother resides at Glanville; he was seen there on the 18th ultimo, and stated his intention of going up the country. He was formerly employed at a farmer’s, Littlehampton.”
Son in hospital[]
Son Samuel was admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital on at least two occasions; the first on the 6th August 1888 at age 15, and exactly a year later on 6th August 1889. The reasons for his admission are unknown, however he identifies the British Enterprise being the ship he arrived on and his time in the colony. Interestingly, he states his place of birth as Lancashire, England, which means the family were there before they were in Scotland where Robert was born. His occupation in 1888 was labourer and in 1889 it was tram driver. In 1888, he was living at North Adelaide and in 1889 he was residing in Hindley Street.
Charge[]
Elizabeth's husband Robert was in trouble around the very same period. Eliza charged him of threatening her and this was reported in the South Australian Register newspaper on the 30th June 1891. In her claim, Elizabeth stated that she had not lived with Robert for 7 months and was frightened to do so. Robert was drunk during the incident and could not recall what he had done. The charge was dismissed with payment of costs.
He was charged again with drunkenness on 3rd January 1893 and had to pay 2 pounds 6 shillings. Elizabeth was also required to pay a fine when it is said she hindered a policemen in his handling of Robert. Their charge sheet says both could read and write and their religion was recorded as Church of England.
School Records[]
Several of Elizabeth's children are recorded as attending school in the city of Adelaide. Sons John and James were admitted to Currie Street School on the 27th July 1891. Both were said to have previously attended Miss Clausen's School at Birkenhead. They are recorded as leaving the Currie Street School in September of 1892.
Daughter Ellen was admitted a month later to Currie Street Public School on the 10th August 1891 at age 11. It stated that Ellen had previously attended the same school at Birkinhead as her brothers. She was enrolled again in the same school on 18th January 1892.
Poverty[]
Poverty and husband Robert's alcoholism appears was an issue for the family and the reason why they moved frequently and lived separately. Husband Robert was back in Adelaide in December 1898, when a warrant was issued for his arrest. The South Australian Police Gazette describes the incident:-
“Robert Copeland, a plasterer, age 45 years, height 5ft. 7in., dark complexion, dark hair turning grey, dark moustache and believed small sideboards turning grey, wore a grey tweed check suit, a grey or white soft felt hat, and is addicted to drink, for larceny, as a bailee, of a basket of carpenter’s tools, and a swag consisting of a dark-blue rug with red stripes, a white blanket, a blue and white cotton counterpane, a coloured cotton shirt, a flannel under shirt, a light grey tweed sac coat, a dark-blue vest, and a pair of dark-brown tweed trousers, the property of Mathew Thompson, at Adelaide, about the 13th instant. The basket of tools has since been recovered, having been pledged by offender at Goodwin’s pawn office, Freeman-street, Adelaide, on the 13th instant.”
The South Australian Police Gazette of January 17, 1899, reported that the warrant had been withdrawn.
Son Robert dealt with the poverty by joining the military. His WWI record states on his attestation papers that he served 2 years 9 months with the Colonial forces in Africa. A search of records in the National Archives and Australian War Memorial has found no evidence of his service as an Australian at this stage, but a newspaper article states that "Trooper Robert Copeland, a member of the South African irregular corps" arrived back in Adelaide with other Boer War troops in February 1902 (The Chronicle, 8th February 1902). It appears that Robert joined the conflict by joining a South African regiment - as a trooper in the 1st Imperial Light Horse. His brother Samuel did the same.
According to medical information in son James’ service record, in 1903 he suffered a cough and difficulty breathing at night. He was treated for asthma.
Son Samuel, who had married and had children by 1913, was also found to be living in poverty during 1913. A story was published in the Daily Herald newspaper after the rooms his wife and children were living in were visited by police and the local parson, and found to be squalid. Samuel had been away in the country looking for work at the time and a fund was set up by concerned people to assist the family. It was called the "Samuel Copeland Distress Fund" and provided the family with some essentials. Interestingly, the rooms that Samuel and his family were living in belonged to the De Laine family.
World War I[]
Son James enlisted for WWI on 19/8/1914 at Broadmeadows in Victoria. He gave his birth place as Adelaide, South Australia, and his age as 30 years 8 months (placing his birth in approximately 1883). He gave his trade as labourer and listed his mother as next of kin. He recorded her address at the time as 28 Bendigo Street, North Melbourne, Victoria. He stated that he had spent one month with the school cadets, placed with the 17th Light Horse. At his medical examination, he was found to be 5ft 9inches in height, weight 10 stone, 2 pounds, chest 35/38 inches, with fair complexion, yellowish eyes and brown hair. The yellowish colour of James’ eyes may be indicative of future medical problems he was to face. In 1903 he suffered a cough and difficulty breathing at night. He was treated for asthma. He was placed with the 4th Light Horse Regiment with the rank of Private.
One week later, Son Robert enlisted for WWI on 27/8/1914 at Morphettville in South Australia. Have gave his birth place as ‘Ballergate’, Glasgow, Scotland, age 36 years, and stated his trade was a butcher, having been apprenticed by a B. Watts for 3 years. He stated he was married, gave his wife’s name as next of kin and said she was living at Kapunda. He did not give any information on his previous criminal history on his attestation form. At his medical examination, he was found to be 5ft 6inches in height, 140 pounds, a 56 inch chest measurement, with dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair. He was given the rank of Private and placed with ‘B’ Company, 10th Infantry, A.I.F. The record also states that he served 2 years 9 months with the Colonial forces in Africa, most likely during the Boar War. A search of records in the National Archives and Australian War Memorial has found no evidence of his service at this stage.
The attestation papers of both James and Robert were signed on the same day, 27/8/1914. James embarked on 19/10/1914 from Melbourne on the HMAT Wiltshire, and Robert embarked from Adelaide the day after (20/10/1914) on HMAT Ascanius.
Son John also enlisted in WWI on 30/1/1915 at Keswick, South Australia. He gave his birth place as Bowden, South Australia, age as 28 and his occupation as farmer. He listed his mother as next of kin and gave her address as Brougham Place off Gouger Street in Adelaide. This was later crossed out and changed by the army authorities on several occasions. His medical examination recorded him as 5ft 5 and a half inches in height, weight 144 pounds, chest measurement as 33 and a half to 35 and half inches, with fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. It was also reported that he had many moles on his chest. He was given the rank of private and was initially placed with the 27th Battalion AIF. He embarked from Adelaide on the HMAT Geelong on 31/5/1915.
Detail from Son's service records[]
The service records of James, Robert and John are extensive. As some of it involves communication with their mother Elizabeth, I have listed some of the relevant detail. Major incidents of their service are recorded in date order:-
February 1915
- 19th - James is admitted to hospital with pain in his limbs and a cough. He begins to feel better on the 24th of the month.
March 1915
- 2nd – Robert embarked on the ship ‘Ionian’ to join MEF Gallipoli ex Alexandria.
- 16th – John is transferred to the 27th Battalion AIF.
May 1915
- 4th – Robert is wounded at the Dardenelles and is transferred to Malta.
- 20th – James proceeded to join MEF in Alexandria
- 28th – Mother Eliza is advised that her son Robert is in hospital
- 29th - Robert is transferred to Cottervoro (Convalescent Hospital)
- 31st – John embarks at Adelaide on the ship HMAT Geelong
July 1915
- 30th - Robert rejoins his unit at Gallipoli
December 1915
- 7th - James is promoted to the rank of Sergeant Cook.
- 12th – James finishes at Gallipoli and is transferred to regional headquarters.
- 27th – James disembarks ex ship ‘Caledonia’ at Alexandria
- 29th – Robert disembarks ex ship ‘Seang Bee’ at Alexandria
January 1916
- 5th – Robert is granted leave
- 10th – John disembarks at Audroa, Alexandria.
- 25th – James is admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
- It should be noted that at this date, all three brothers are located in Alexandria. It is likely (but not proven) that the three brothers met up at some point during this month.
February 1916
- 5th – Robert returns after having overstayed his leave. He forfeits 32 days pay at Tel el Kabir. James is admitted to hospital in Heliopolis with severe pneumonia.
- 12th – Robert rejoins his unit at Habeita after his absence.
- 21st – Mother Eliza advises the army of her change of address from ‘Connenduit Cottages’, 51 Bartels Place, Adelaide, South Australia to No 28 Bendigo Road, North Melbourne, Victoria. The letter is interesting in that all three brothers and their unit details of the time are named and recorded.
- 25th – James is transferred to Helwan in Cairo
- 26th – Robert is recommended for transfer to the 50th Battalion
- 29th – Robert officially joins the 50th Battalion
March 1916
- 4th – Robert’s information is officially transferred to the 50th Battalion
- 11th - Robert joins the Battalion at Tel el Kabir – he is admitted to hospital
- 15th – John proceeds to join his battalion
- 21st – John disembarks at Marseilles
April 1916
- 6th – James is taken on strength to D squadron
- 17th – James is admitted to Abbassio hospital
- 31st – a discharge for James is recommended
May 1916
- 1st - James admitted to hospital with bronchitis
- 11th – Robert admitted to hospital at Tel el Kabir by the 13th Field Ambulance due to gun shot would to shoulder
- 12th – Robert evacuated to hospital for operation on shoulder. Embarked for Australia on the ship “Kanowna” from Suez.
June 1916
- 3rd – John sick to hospital
- 19th – John writes a statement in hospital about how his accident happened (to prove no fault). He was kicked by a horse while on picket duty, resulting in contusions.
- 20th – John admitted to 25th General Hospital, Dannen Camter
- 24th - John transferred to No 2 CCB
- 27th – John transferred to No 1 Con Depot
July 1916
- 18th James returned to Australia on the ship “Itonius” with bronchitis
August 1916
- 4th – John unfit for duty and discharged to Base Depot (Boulogne)
- 16th – James is issued his discharge certificate
- 19th – John admitted to Boulogne
- 23rd – Robert is absent without leave from Mitcham AIF Camp
September 1916
- 16th – Court martial proceedings are raised against Robert for deserting the army
- 19th – Robert is apprehended on North Terrace
- 28th – John is reported absent without leave from roll call on 23.9.1916. Awarded 7 days CC
October 1916
- 6th – Robert is found guilty of being absent without leave but not desertion and is awarded 30 days detention
- 21st – Robert embarks at Melbourne aboard the ship “Port Melbourne”
- 22nd – John is transferred from 27th Battalion to 48th Battalion from 2nd Australian District Base Depot, Estaples
- 23rd – John joins his battalion in the field
November 1916
- 23rd – John is killed in action at Flers, France. He is buried at AIF Burial Ground at Grass Lane W of Guidecourt
December 1916
- 18th – The cable advising of John’s death is received by his family
- 28th – Robert disembarks at Devenport
March 1917
- 12th – Mother Eliza asks the army for the pay book and personal effects of John
April 1917
- 2nd – Robert is absent without leave from 9.50pm until apprehended at Salisbury at 8pm on the 3rd April
- 5th – Robert is given 96 hours detention by Major J Newman. He forfeits 7 days pay.
- 12th – James’ army claim is reduced from 69 shillings to 34 shillings and sixpence
- 19th – Robert proceeds overseas to France from Folkestone
May 1917
- 4th – Robert joins his Battalion in France
June 1917
- John’s personal effects are received ex ship “Beltana”
August 1917
- 19th – Robert admitted to hospital in France
- 24th – Robert admitted to University War Hospital, Southhampton
- 26th – Robert embarked on ship HS “Essequibo” for England – diagnosed with Trench Fever
- 27th – Mother Eliza is advised that Robert is in hospital
April 1918
- 6th – Robert is returned to Australia for discharge due to Trench Fever, night blindness and a gunshot wound to the left shoulder
May 1918
- 30th – Robert disembarks from the ship “Borda”
June 1918
- 30th – Robert disembarks from the ship “Kanowna:
July 1918
- 26th – Robert arrives back in Australia and is discharged
Witness in Murder Trial[]
After the war, son Robert moved north in South Australia to work on many of the farm properties. In April 1920, he became a key witness in a murder trial of Alexander Lee, who was accused of poisoning his wife and children at Rhynie. Mr Lee and Robert had met at a hotel at Burra in March of that year, where Robert was employed by one of the properties to poison dogs. Robert said that Lee posed as a policeman, and requested that Robert provide him with some strychnine so he could poison some dogs. Robert had been drinking at the time that he met Lee, and gave him an ounce of strychnine in a bottle. It is believed that Lee used the strychnine to poison his wife and children. The incident was reported in several newspapers of the time, including the West Australian, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Brisbane Courier, and the Argus.
Son Robert was still working up north of the state in November of that year, when he signed for his 1914/1915 star at Koomaree Station, witnessed by a J. Thompson. Where he was in June of 1921 is unknown, as his sister Elizabeth Underdown (nee Copeland) signed for receipt of his British War Medal.
Memorial scrolls[]
Eliza received John’s memorial scroll in August of 1921 and a photograph of his grave in September of the same year. A William Copeland signs for Robert’s Victory Medal in Adelaide in April of 1922. Who this William Copeland is and how he is related to the family is unknown at this stage. Eliza received John’s Victory Medal in December 1922.
In February 1923, Eliza signs a form authorizing the officer in charge to collect John’s memorial plaque on her behalf. She signs a form acknowledging receipt of it in March of the same year, with her eldest son Samuel witnessing her signature.
Death of husband[]
Father Robert died, aged 77 years, on April 7th 1923. He was a resident of the Magill Home at the time of his death, which occurred in the Adelaide Hospital. The Magill Old Folks’ Home was the government’s institution for aged residential care at the time and elderly residents of the Destitute Asylum were moved there from 1917. Robert had been admitted to the Destitute Asylum several times during 1917 due his alcoholism making him unable to care for himself. It appears that he and Elizabeth were separated at this point as he always called himself a widower on admission, yet knew the locations of most of his children.
Robert died of Senile Gangene, Chronic Bronchitis and Heart Failure.
Later Years[]
In February 1925, a memorandum for the Officer in Charge of Base Records states that Eliza's latest address is No 3 Register Place, off Hindley Street, Adelaide. Her pension certificate number 83261 was payable at the GPO, Adelaide.
In October 1928, son James made a signed statement before a Justice of the Peace that he lost his discharge papers in a fire when working on the railway at Balranald Construction. The tents caught fire. The JP was F.M. Parkinson. The Department of Defence issued him a statement of service in lieu of the lost discharge certificate.
In January 1931, Eliza received a letter from the officer at Base Records asking her to complete the Roll of Honor form for son John. Her address at the time was 19 Arthur Court, Adelaide.
Death[]
Two months later, Eliza died as a result of cerebral thrombosis and cerebral haemorrhage. She died in Adelaide and is buried in the West Terrace Cemetery.
Children[]
| Name | Birth | Death |
| Children of Robert & Elizabeth Copeland
| ||
| Elizabeth May | 2/10/1867 Donaghadee, Down |
4/5/1943 Parkside, South Australia
|
| Mary | 7/7/1869 Knockbreda, Down |
|
| Ellen | 13/7/1871 Antrim |
June Q 1873 Prescot District, Lancashire
|
| Samuel | September Q 1873 Prescot District, Lancashire |
27/5/1937 Adelaide, South Australia
|
| Robert | c1877 Glasgow |
22/1/1939 Port Adelaide, South Australia
|
| Ellen Elizabeth Ann | 22/4/1879 Adelaide, South Australia |
8/12/1971 Woodville West, South Australia
|
| John | 19/9/1881 Brompton Park, South Australia |
23/11/1916 Flers, France
|
| James | c1883 Adelaide, South Australia |
13/7/1953 |
References[]
- Information from Peter Underdown
- Births, deaths and marriage records
- http://members.kern.com.au/users/hsweeney/ships.html
- The British Medical Journal, March 15 1884
- Hawaiian Gazette, July 4 1877
- http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/manning/sa/health/quarant.htm
- South Australian Police Gazettes, 1891 & 1894
- Records of Magill Industrial School
- Service records of Robert, John and James Copeland, National Archives of Australia
- The West Australian newspaper, 24/4/1920
- The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, 26/4/1920
- The Brisbane Courier newspaper, 12/6/1920
- The Argus newspaper, 12/6/1920