Wilson Family History

Ernest Ralph Wilson was my grandmother’s first husband. He was born in Carlton. They had three sons: Robert, Jacky and
James. Ernie lived to 101. His brother was a famous boxer Herb McCoy. Ernie was well liked and loved.

Grace Annie Frances Cook
Grace Annie Frances Cook 1893-1966

My grandmother Grace Annie Frances Cook married Ernest Ralph Wilson in 1911 in . She was 18 and he was 27 years old.

I remember hearing stories about Ernie and his sister Flo. I was told Ernie was a famous boxer. The famous boxer was actually Ernie’s brother, Herbert James Wilson, who fought under the name Herb McCoy. Flo, Ernie and Herbert were all very colourful characters. Flo lived to 103 and Ernie to 101, and Herb to 82.

Ernie used to ride around in a motor bike which had a sidecar and Flo used to be in that. Apparently the police very regretfully had to take his motor bike license off Ernie as he was still riding well into his 80s.

My  parents were very fond of Ernie and used to visit him. They used to tell the story of when they went to visit Ernie in Richmond. There was no response when they knocked. They stood there debating about whether to knock again as maybe Ernie was sleeping being of advanced years at the time. They went around the back and there was Ernie chopping wood!! so much for being old and resting.

I also remember that he came to my grandmother’s funeral in 1966. They were divorced in  1921 when Grace married Jim Knighton and Ernie married Ellen Jessie Black. The divorce came after the marriage in the case of my grandmother!

Ernie and his second wife Ellen Jessie, and his sister Flo and brother Herbert, the boxer, are all buried in Springvale Cemetery in the Catholic section.

And of course I remember my mother’s half brothers, my half uncles: Bobbie, Jacky and Jimmy Wilson.

Ernest Wilson 1984
Ernie Wilson age 100
Ernest Wilson, Richmond Times Article, 16 Oct 1984
Ernie Wilson in The Richmond Times 16 Oct 1984
Ernie and Flo Wilson 1984
Ernie and his sister Flo in 1984 on Ernie’s 100th birthday.

Ernie on a Motorbike 1984

Ernie on his motorbike or a motorbike in 1984 aged 100

Ernie Wilson Age Story with Bike Photo 1984
The story that went with the motorbike photo 1984
Ernie Wilson and Flo Crilly, newspaper article, 1984
Ernie Wilson and Flo Crilly, newspaper article, 1984
Flo Crilly nee Wilson, her nephew Jimmy Wilson and his friend June 1991
Flo Crilly nee Wilson, her nephew Jimmy Wilson and his friend June 1991
Florence Crilly age 102
Florence Crilly age 102 still living at home

Grace Cook and Ernie Wilson had three sons: Robert (Bobbie), John (Jacky) and James Jimmy).

The three Wilson Boys fishing in thew Footscray River
The three Wilson Boys fishing in the Footscray River
Bobby Wison and dog
Bobby Wilson
Bobby Wilson on motorbike
Bobby Wilson
Jacky Wilson
Jacky Wilson
Jimmy and Evie Wilson 2
Jimmy and Evie Wilson
May Pavier and Jacky Wilson
Jacky and May Wilson nee Pavier
Bobby and Kath Wilsons wedding, Jacky Wilson best man on left
Bobby and Kath Wilsons wedding, Jacky Wilson best man on left
Charles Wilson Descendant Report 2015
Charles Wilson Descendant Report 2015