Gordon Newton Williamson (1928 - 2012)

Born 18 Jul 1928 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Ethel Catherine (Korotcoff) Williamson — married 8 Sep 1951 in Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Died 20 Aug 2012 at age 84 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Biography

Robbie Williamson was born in Queensland, Australia

Gordon Newton "Robbie" Williamson was born in Townsville, Queensland, on the 18th July 1928, the second child and only son of William Robert "Will" Williamson and Doris Eva "Dolly" Newton.^[1]

Gordon's father, Will, passed away on the 15th April 1930; and his mother on the 17th July 1932 (one day before his 4th birthday) leaving Gordon and his sister double orphans (a term that was in use at the time, denoting one who had lost both parents). Gordon's sister was taken in by their maternal grandmother (and an unmarried aunt), but the older woman felt unable to give the boy what he needed, so he went to live with his mother's sister Daisy and her husband Alexander, in Ayr, Queensland, thereby growing up in a larger family situation.

Gordon spent some time in the RAN (Royal Australian Navy), at HMAS Moreton (Brisbane), which inspired his sister's sons to follow his example and may be the source of the nickname "Robbie" by which he was known for the rest of his life.
Gordon record states he enlisted on the 18th July 1946 as an Ordinary Seaman; was promoted to Acting Able Seaman on the 30th September 1947; confirmed as Able Seaman on the 4th June 1948 - with that crossed out and confirmed AB on the 4th June 1947 inserted (which goes against the Acting AB in September '47). Robbie was demobilised as of the 4th August 1948, with an automatic transfer to the Naval Reserve.^[2] The archives index has his Next of Kin listed as his cousin, Mary McConnchie (which is written on the records as McConchie and which should be McConnachie), totally ignoring that the first listed NoK is his sister, Ailsa.

Gordon married Ethel Korotcoff on the 8th September 1951, at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Cairns, Queensland.^[3] Her father "walked her down the aisle", and her attendants were her soon-to-be sister-in-law, as matron of honour, her sister, Mary, as bridesmaid, and her young cousin Nancye as flower girl. The groom's attendants were L. Thorpe, as best man, and K. Gillies, as groomsman. Miss A. Callaghan sang "Oh Promise Me" while the register was being signed.
The reception was held in Boyd's Hall, Stratford (via Cairns), where more than 120 guests were made welcome by the bride's mother (Ethel May Korotcoff née King), who wore a charming frock of dusty pink crepe. The three-tiered wedding cake, as seen and admired (and, presumably enjoyed) at the reception was made by Ethel's uncle, A. Duck, father of the flower girl. Many congratulatory telegrams (remember, folks, this was way, way before the internet and email!) were received and read out during the reception (a task that usually fell upon the shoulders, or should it be vocal chords, of the best man and groomsman).
Gordon and Ethel had two children (both still living) and enjoyed the company of grandchildren and great-grandchildren beginning in the 1970's.

Gordon Newton Williamson passed away on the 20th August 2012,^[4] and was interred in the Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery and Crematorium, Bridgeman Downs, where his wife would also later be placed at rest.^[5]

WEDDING

——♦——
WILLIAMSON—KOROTCOFF

——

A very pretty wedding took place in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Cairns, on September 8 at 3 p.m.. when Ethel, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. Korotcoff ex-changed vows with Gordon, only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Williamson, of Townsville.
The bride, entering the church on the arm of her father, looked radiant in her bridal gown of heavy moire taffeta which featured a fitted bodice with a sweet-heart neckline unusually trimmed with self-looping. The long sleeves coming to a dainty peak over the wrist were also trimmed with the loops. The skirt was fully flared and fell away into a very long train at the back. Her three tired veil was held in place with an orange blossom coronet and her bridal bouquet of arum lilies completed this lovely ensemble.

The bride was attended by the groom's sister, Mrs. F. Paul, of Brisbane, as matron of honour, and the bride's sister, Mary, as bridesmaid. Both were dressed alike in frocks of pale blue featuring two tiered silk net over taffeta skirts falling away from a draped bodice of taffeta with a draped neckline and tiny puffed sleeves. Blue embroidered veils were worn, caught in place with a spray of pale pink roses. An unusual feature were the blue taffeta muffs with spray of pink rosebuds caught in the centre, which they carried.
Tiny Nancye Duck, cousin of the bride, made a sweet flower girl in her dainty frock of blue showing a taffeta bodice with a frill of silk net round the yoke, tiny puff-ed sleeves and flared skirt of net over taffeta. She also carried a muff and wore a pretty bonnet of blue taffeta tied in a bow under the chin.
During the signing of the register Miss A. Callaghan beautifully sang "Oh Promise Me".
The duties of best man were carried out by a friend of the groom. Mr. L. Thorpe and Mr. K. Gillies, also a friend of the groom, attended as groomsman.
As the bridal couple were leaving the church Mrs. C. Zamboni presented the bride with a lucky horseshoe made also of moire taffeta.
After the ceremony a reception was held in Boyd's Hall, Stratford, and over 120 guests were received by the bride's mother who wore a charming dusty pink crepe frock with tan accessories. She wore a corsage of orchids.
The beautiful three tiered wed-ding cake which was given pride of place on the bridal table, was made by the bride's uncle, Mr. A. Duck, of Cooktown, and iced by Mesdames. Paterson, Duck and Hinds.
Mr. L. Saint, of Stratford, was chairman. Musical items were rendered by Miss J. Osborne and Mr. E. Phillips. Many congratulatory telegrams were received by the bride and groom.
For her travelling frock the bride chose a green crepe made with fitted bodice; peaked collar and pleated floating panels. Her accessories were of dark brown. The happy couple left by plane for Cooktown where they spent their honeymoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Williamson will make their home in Stratford.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth — From family records.
2. ↑ National Archives of Australia Control symbol : WILLIAMSON G N Citation: NAA: A6770, WILLIAMSON G N WILLIAMSON GORDON NEWTON : Service Number - 30709 : Date of birth - 18 Jul 1928 : Place of birth - TOWNSVILLE QLD : Place of enlistment - SYDNEY : Next of Kin - MCCONCHIE MARY
3. ↑ Marriage — This date is after the privacy cutoff, but the wedding did get reported on Page 6, the Cairns Post (published on Wednesday the 10th October 1951 (a copy of said clipping in held in family files).
4. ↑ Death —The date is from his son.
5. ↑ Burial — Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/223466119/gordon-newton-williamson : accessed 20 October 2021), memorial page for Gordon Newton “Robbie” Williamson (18 Jul 1928–20 Aug 2012), Find A Grave: Memorial #223466119, citing Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery and Crematorium, Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia ; Maintained by woowoo (contributor 49949980).
6. ↑ Wedding Announcement —From newspaper clipping of Page 6, the Cairns Post (published on Wednesday the 10th October 1951), held in family files.

• Family records, family sources, BDM certificates, BDM records.