You were previously introduced to my English great-grandfather as mentioned in “The Arrivals – 1883” on board the “Hampshire”.
Ludlow, Shropshire.
My name is Henry Bluck and I was born in Ludlow Shropshire on 13 September 1864. My parents were Henry and Mary Bluck (nee Breakwell). Father was a journeyman shoemaker.
I was the fifth child. My older siblings were William born in 1858, Thomas in 1859, Annie in 1861 and Edwin in 1863.
Like most children, I hardly recall much of my early years. I do remember mother was always so busy, especially with so many children in the flock.
Lower Mill Street.
By the time I was six in 1871, there were four more births, Jane about two years after me, Mary another two years later and in 1870 Elizabeth and Timothy. Sadly Timothy died in the same year.
We were all living at 10 Lower Mill Street in Ludlow along with mother and father. Grandma Bluck was also living with us. Father was working as a sawyer and mother a laundress.
Brothers.
In my early years, I enjoyed the company of my brother Thomas who was about five years older than me. He taught me a lot of things about life. Little did I know at the time our bond would become even greater – the big brother, little brother thing.
During the 70s, I continued my schooling so I could at least read and write. As I got older I discovered I was able to do more than I realized. Sadly we lost Grandma in 1872.
Generations.
There were five more additions to our family over the decade: Timothy in 1872, Charles in 1873, Hannah in 1875, Alice in 1877 and Martha in 1879. We had all been born in Ludlow like our parents. The Bluck line of Ludlow goes back many generations.
Lower Galdeford.
Living with the family at 73 Lower Galdeford in Ludlow was very crowded in 1881. Besides mother and father, Thomas and myself there were three more brothers and five sisters. Both Thomas and I were general labourers so as to help provide for the family. I was 16. Mother never had any time to herself. We lost mother on 26 November. She died during labour. We were all terribly sad. It was a very difficult time for all of us.
We, as in Thomas and myself, were always out and about. On one of these occasions, we came across some posters advertising the Queensland colony with all the possible opportunities.
And you know what happened – my story continues.
Rockhampton.
After arriving in Rockhampton, Queensland, Thomas and I had to adjust to the climate as well as the newness of Rockhampton. Coming from a medieval town to a very new town is quite a contrast.
The weather was punishing – summers being extreme – the heat was at times unbearable. Then there were the times of horrific rains and what seemed at other times unbelievable droughts. A vast and different place from where I had come from.
Thomas and I eventually took different paths. Thomas worked on the rail lines and I started out on the pastoral stations west of Rockhampton around the Springsure, and Emerald areas.
Pastoral Stations.
I worked at Meteor Downs (bottom arrow on map), starting at the bottom as a labourer and working my way up as I learned more and became familiar with the conditions of the land. There was a shearer strike at the beginning of 1890 but was fairly quickly settled.
I vaguely remember that the owner of the property was Mr. James Tyson.
Married.
In 1899, I married Annie Williams in Rockhampton. I will let the wife tell you more about the day. We were both residing at Cullin-la-Ringo Station (top arrow on map). We had three children born in Springsure. I will let the wife tell more about them. She remembers more than me.
Moved.
In around 1907, we moved to Farleigh about 8 miles from Mackay. I became a farmer. It was called the Beaumont Farm. I recall we had some cattle and grew sugarcane.
We had two more daughters. Again, I’ll let the wife give you all those details. Our family was a close-knit one and we cared about each other.
Strange thing.
A strange thing occurred in Mackay about a year after we arrived – a horseless carriage appeared. I vaguely recall it was owned by a local doctor whose name I cannot recall.
Letters from Home.
We fell on hard and frustrating times at the beginning of the new decade when mill workers went on strike. Things didn’t improve as we moved forward when war broke out in Europe in 1914. I did worry about my family back in Ludlow. I was lucky to get some letters from my sister during the war. She updated us on what was happening in Ludlow. I recall she wrote of the curfews and the air raids. Difficult times and so far away even though young men from here are fighting.
Mother Nature.
Sometimes mother nature hits us with a huge blow. Mackay was nearly destroyed by a huge storm in January 1918. It was a scary time for everyone. We move forward and rebuild. Then, an epidemic arises – when does it stop? Many people around the world died.
Peel Island.
It seems things just don’t end. I had health concerns in 1921. On 24 April 1921, I was sent to Peel Island as I had leprosy. The island is about 12 miles off the coast of Brisbane. I was about 56.
This was an extremely difficult time for the wife and children. I was so far away from them. My son Charlie was left to get the cane off. At least I was able to write letters home. I spent my 59th birthday with others on the island at the beach. I even had a birthday cake made. My tests got better from January 1923 when I tested negative 4 times. In October 1923, father died back in England.
I cannot remember when I left Peel Island to return home to Farleigh.
Henry died on 31 May 1930 at Farleigh. A post-mortem was conducted. He was buried at Mackay Cemetery on 1 June. His brother, Thomas was there till the end. He was shown as the informant on Henry’s death certificate. Henry is survived by his wife Annie and their children Bertha Alice Elsie (30), Annie (28), Charles (24), Martha Jane (20) and Elizabeth (18).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Feathers Hotel, Ludlow: own collection – taken in 1983
Lower Mill St., Ludlow: own collection – taken in 1983
Map Pastoral Stations Queensland: Queensland State Library (Sept., 2023)
Letters: originals – from home – own collection – dated 9 Nov 1916
Letters: originals – from Peel Island – own collection – dated 1920’s
Others: WordPress
Ancestor Family 