Duncan David Davidson & Catherine Marion Mackin ...
Duncan David Davidson was born in 1876, the eighth child and seventh son of Robert and Margaret, and like his brothers and sister, would have attended the Mt. Egerton school.
Duncan married Catherine Mackin, known widely as Kate, at Mt. Egerton in 1901, and they had 3 children - Duncan David, Myrtle Doreen, and Betty Alice Peace. Their last child, Betty, was born in 1918 on the 8th of November, the day that peace was declared at the end of World War 1. In honour of that momentous occasion, Duncan and Kate decided to add Peace to her name when she was born.
Duncan and Kate moved around a bit over the years and were living on a vineyard in Stawell when their first child, Duncan Jnr, was born. A move back to Mt. Egerton followed where Doreen was born, and from there they spent time in Crib Point, Williamstown, and Castlemaine. Whilst in Williamstown, Duncan worked as a carpenter on the naval base there, and in Castlemaine he was employed on the building of the new Castlemaine jail. The family also spent some time in Mildura and the Millewa region, and while in Mildura Kate ran a guest house in Lime Avenue.
Inquest into the death of Duncan David Davidson (Click on image to enlarge)
Duncan and his family eventually returned to Mt. Egerton, where he worked building poppet heads for the mines. He had been suffering from heart problems for some years and one January summer’s day in 1935, while at work, he was found sitting up against the wall of the shed he was building. He died soon after, a young 59 years old. An inquest was held and the official cause of death was given as ‘aortic disease’.
SUDDEN DEATH
Word was received yesterday by the Coroner that Duncan David Davidson, aged 59 years, a married man living in South Egerton, died suddenly while engaged at Wilkinson’s Cyanide Works, South Egerton. He had been suffering from heart trouble. The matter was referred to a local J.P.
– Ballarat Courier
DEATH
DAVIDSON – On the 23rd of January 1935 at South Egerton (suddenly) Duncan David Davidson, dearly loved husband of Catherine and loving father of Duncan, Doreen (Mrs. Curtis) and Betty – aged 59 years.
– Ballarat Courier
FUNERAL
DAVIDSON – The friends of the late Mr Duncan David Davidson, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Mt Egerton Cemetery. The funeral is appointed to leave his late residence, South Egerton, this day, Friday, at 3 p.m. H. EVANS & Sons.
– Ballarat Courier.
Kate continued to live at Mt. Egerton for some time. She eventually passed away at the Caulfield Private Hospital in 1969, exactly 34 years to the day after Duncan died. Duncan and Kate are buried together at Mt. Egerton Cemetery.
Kate Davidson (nee Mackin) with her son
Duncan David Davidson Jnr.
Grave of Duncan David Davidson and Catherine Marion Mackin
Please note: More detailed information on the children and their families of Duncan and Catherine Davidson will be added at a later date.
To view the full Descendant Chart for Duncan David Davidson and Catherine Marion Mackin, please click here.
Sources:
The Egertonian: Kith and Kin of our Clan Davidson - written by Gail Chambers and Lydia Davidson 1995 (edited by Gail Erwood 2021)
VPRO Inquest Files, Inquest of Duncan David Davidson No. 190/1935 - VPRS 24/1281
Sudden Death notice, Ballarat Courier, January 25th, 1935
Death notice, Ballarat Courier, January 25th, 1935
Funeral notice, Ballarat Courier, January 25th, 1935