Shep's Place Family Tree

Stuart married at 25, his wife being Jubiletta May Bosley, but her first name was never used and she was either "May" or "Princey". The latter was from Princess, a pet name bestowed because she was born during the week of the 50th. ‎(Jubilee)‎ celebration of Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne. She was the 11th. of the 12 children of Corah ‎(nee Dufty)‎ Bosley by her second marriage to George Bosley of Hindmarsh. Typically, Stuart always addressed his mother-in-law as Corah. He had a great regard for her and was happy to have her as part of his household in her last years.

Stuart and May spent the first years of their married life at Washington Street, Glenelg but when they built it was nearer the area where her sisters lived at Croydon. They occupied 24 Welland Avenue, Welland, for the remainder of their lives. May was very small, with dark curly hair, and always took a keen interest in fashion, having been a milliner before her marriage. In her later years she had no hesitation in admitting to being a scatty young thing over such things as when given £5 by Stuart, and more than a week's income, to attend an auction to bid for a gas stove for the new house, she purchased instead a pair of very large and elaborate Chinese vases encrusted with a raised pattern in gold for just that amount. That Stuart was not at all pleased did not trouble her in the least.

May had a sharp tongue and was by no means a favourite of her sister-in-law Ada who would say, "Just listen to her on her topmost note again", as May's voice grew higher and shriller as she excitedly recounted some recent occurrence. The marriage was happy enough and their only child arrived in 1918. For the 5 years before this May had suffered continual ill health, and finding her G.P. unable to help, she joined a group calling itself "New Thought" which believed that mind over matter was the answer to every ailment. So strong was her belief in their precepts that she was determined to have her child without benefit of medical attention and Stuart had a difficult time convincing her she must have a doctor present at the home birth.

Like his father and three of his brothers ‎(Keith was the exception)‎ Stuart joined the Masonic Lodge in 1911 and in 1962 was presented with the Veteran's Jewel and an illuminated address by the "Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of South Australia - presented to our trusty and well beloved Brother Stuart Henry Stevenson in recognition of his faithful service as a member of the Fraternity for a period of over fifty years". He had been received into the Duke of Leinster Lodge on April 4, 1911. The jewel of gold coloured metal is on a pale blue ribbon.

Stuart gradually rose in his profession and in the Government service. After World War 1 ‎(he did not enlist)‎ he was draughtsman for the Soldier Settleman plan in South Australia. By 1929 he had been promoted to be an Officer of the Architect-in-Chiefs Department, having been specifications officer, quantities surveyor and construction officer for many large government institutions, both country and metropolitan schools government Hospitals, etc.

The South Australian Government decided to mark the centenary of the state ‎(1936)‎ by building a new Parliament house and Stuart was to be very much concerned with this project. Parliament houses on North Terrace Adelaide progressed from the first one opened October 1843 and enlarged 1855 ‎(now the Constitutional Museum)‎ to a much larger building next door in the Georgian style that was officially opened 5 Jun 1889. The new one was to incorporate the old as its west wing with a grand central ediface and matching east wing. The Depression was at its height and finance not forthcoming until Sir Langdon Bonython donated £20,000 to commence the work ‎(he owned the daily paper the Advertiser)‎, and gleefully Stuart was "in business" and was given the task of drawing the plans of the new building with its Georgian facade supported by twelve vast grey marble columns and granite walls. The lawn and garden area stretching between the then existing building and the Government Printing Office in King William Street gave ample space.

At this point Stuart was third in rank under Architect-in-Chief, A.E. Simpson and his Deputy W. Lindsay. On March 11,1936 the first sod of the lawn covered space was turned in preparation, with Stuart supervising and the only other witnesses, except for the casual passerby, was his brother Keith and his then chief, Mr.F. Trigg the Government Printer, from the latter's office window next door in King William Street, as a newspaper article and photograph records.
For a long time the scene was an imitation of a Roman ruin as marble and granite took shape, with 50,000 tons of the last named under the control of Scots born Alex. Slater and the marble dealt with by Italian born craftsmen. Communication between these parties was not easy and the head Italian complained to Stuart that the Scot "No speaka de Ing" quite frequently. For three years, until the official opening on 6 Jun 1939 Stuart was on site seeing to every detail. He had become Deputy Architect-in-Chief in 1938 with the retirement of the head. Both Mr. Simpson and the new Chief Mr. Lindsay were administrators and the practical work had fallen almost entirely on Stuart, so that by the time Lord Gowrie the then Governor General had opened the first Parliament with much pomp and ceremony, Stuart was feeling distinctly bereft, if justly proud of his very large part from excavation to the placing of the 3 ton cornerstones.

May and Stuart lost their only son, Noel, who was serving overseas with the R.A.A.F. in 1942 and had to endure the anxiety of the period he was reported "missing" before final confirmation. May continued her social life with her name in the Social Notes as attending this or that function or lunching at the then centre of social activity, the South Australian Hotel ‎(since demolished)‎ but also worked quite actively for Red Cross during the war years.

In 1940 Stuart had been appointed to the Town Planning Appeal Board and continued to be active in the practical work of his department which he found so much more congenial than the merely administrative. Every opening of a government project saw the Stuart Stevensons present as official guests and they were not all stuffy affairs. In 1945, having been appointed as Chairman of the Enfield Cemetery Trust after planning and designing the Enfield Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, there was a grand opening before any burials occurred. Later the Bert Schultes were to be interred there. It was circular, very modern, tree and shrub planted. Afternoon tea was to be served to the official guests who included Keith and his wife. When all the speeches were over refreshments had still not appeared. Stuart marched about embarrassed and anxious and May's voice would have brought forth Ada's usual comment had she been present too.

At the critical moment when people started to move toward their cars a smoking chimney appeared over a hill and a motorised caravan outfit came chuffing briskly along, pulled up and shutters were quickly opened, caterer and waitresses emerged and in no time at all cups of tea and good things to eat were being dispensed. Keith voted it the highlight of a somewhat macabre entertainment.

September 1950 saw Stuart at a dinner for 14 officers of his department ‎(newspaper report)‎ with 25 years or more service. Stuart had been with it for 39 years so was well to the fore. On April 26, 1951 the same paper, the "Advertiser", had an article and photograph headed "Appointment of New Architect" and stated that Executive Council , the previous day, had appointed Mr. S.H. Stevenson to be Architect-in-Chief after 13 years as Deputy. Stuart had reached the top of his profession. The story continued:- "since entering the Public Service in 1911 as a draughtsman his work has included the specifications for large government institutions such as the new Parliament House, Bice Building, the Casualty Admission Block, Out-patients' Block and the McEwen Building at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. K11 buildings at the Northfield Mental Hospital, the Morris Hospital and the Infectious Diseases Hospital." It did not mention the High and primary schools or any of the other many public works with which he had been associated during the previous 40 years.

Stuart retired at 65 in February 1953. The "Advertiser" of January 7, 1953 had a heading:- "Planner of Parliament House to Retire Soon". To the service record already given and now repeated was added that he planned the Education Building, Flinders Street, Adelaide, several Court Houses and part of Keswick ‎(military)‎ Barracks. The councillors of the S.A. Institute of Architects entertained him at luncheon and friends and associates wined and dined him. His busy career seemed to be over.

However, in the New Years Honor List of January 1st. 1954, Stuart Henry Stevenson F.R.A.I.A. ‎(Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects)‎ was awarded an O.B.E. - civil list - "for public service, particularly as Architect-in-Chief". A letter from the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, St. James Palace, London S.W.1 says that the secretary "has the honour to transmit a Warrant of Appointment, under the Queen's Sign Manual, to the most Excellent Order of the British Empire" and requested that the recipient forward a receipt. EMS now has this decoration which Stuart bequeathed to his brother Keith. It is of gold metal in the form of a cross surmounted by an imperial crown with a miniature medallion centred on the cross which depicts King George V and his consort Queen Mary. The Queen herself bestowed this medal during her Royal Visit of March the same year at Adelaide.

The Qeen's visit meant a great deal of work for Stuart, for although retired, he was recalled and appointed to the committee which arranged the various entertainments and functions, and in particular, Stuart was responsible for much of the Royal Music Festival held at the Wayville Showgrounds ‎(which EMS and her sister Betty attended using their parents' cards of entry for V.I.P. seats)‎. Most of the 60,000 audience stood and the Royals and dignitaries sat in the centre of the arena for all to view. The morning newspaper account said that the former Architect-in-Chief Mr. S.H. Stevenson supervised the main grandstand being made into a stage for the choirs and arranged the spectacular climax which was to be "a huge crown slowly lighting up and appearing to move from the back to the front of the stage over the blacked out choristers". The next issue proclaimed the whole affair to have been a marvellous success.
At the investiture held at the ballroom of Government House Stuart's two permitted guests were his wife May, and sister Ada who pronounced it to be the highlight of her life. The newspaper account is given to "set the picture of the period."

From the Adelaide "Advertiser" of Wednesday, March 24, 1954
Brilliant Investiture - Queen honours 49 South Australians.
With dignity, grace and charm, the Queen invested 49 South Australians at Government House yesterday. The ballroom was a stately setting for the ceremony. Portraits of the Queen's grandparents King George V and Queen Mary looked down on the scene. Guests and relatives of those who received awards sat in the ballroom under crystal chandeliers suspended from the domed invisibly lit ceiling. The Queen stood on a slightly raised dais backed by a blue velvet curtain and flanked by large bowls of mixed flowers. She looked youthful but poised in a strawberry silk frock figured in black with a double row of pearls and pearl stud earrings. The band of the Royal Marines on the lawn outside played the National Anthem as she entered the assembly and the guests rose to bow. With a light touch of a sword on each shoulder she bestowed the accolade on four knights as they knelt in turn before her. Those were Sir Shirley Jefferies, Sir Kingsley Faine, Sir Geoffrey Heed and Sir Brian Swift. When the investiture of other orders and decorations went forward smoothly. Men stooped slightly to assist the Queen in placing the ribbons of orders around their necks. She firmly patted medals in place and spoke a few words to each recipient. ‎[These recipients were listed, including Stuart, with the reason for each award.]‎

Both the Stuart and the Keith Stevensons were guests at a number of festivities during this first Royal Tour of Elizabeth II, a garden party, an evening reception held at the Art Gallery and a private party at Government House with only 700 guests, and then for Stuart complete retirement, and this he really enjoyed. With membership of three golf clubs he was able to play several times a week and there were fishing and camping trips and a round of friends to visit.

For some time friends and relatives had remarked on the increasing amount of makeup which May plastered on and how ill she appeared if seen without this mask. She made no complaint and did not see a doctor so that it was a great shock for Stuart when she died suddenly of heart failure while preparing for bed on the evening of January 25, 1955. The first intimation that all was not well at the Welland household came to Clarence Park when a neighbour phoned with a message that Stuart had died. As he had a mild heart attack a few months earlier this was not very surprising.

Keith went at once to May's rescue ‎(as he believed)‎ only to have Stuart himself answer the door with one of May's sisters who was much like her in appearance beside him so that Keith thought he was the victim of an unpleasant hoax.
Soon after he phoned home to announce the "colossal mistake", his words, and that he would stay with his brother until after the cremation. But in a few days, the result of his shock at the error, he was extremely ill with pneumonia.
In mid 1956 Stuart went travelling to the far East with his niece Shirley Gordon and her husband Douglas who was on a timber purchasing trip for his firm and Stuart stayed on after their return to Adelaide and toured Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Borneo. On reaching Darwin he travelled south by cargo boat down the Western Australian coast to Perth. The ship was forced to take a detour as atomic tests were in progress at the Monte Bello Islands. Many passengers were on deck to view the mushroom cloud.

Stuart stayed at Perth and visited the south-west timber country and saw brother Walter before reaching home again at the end of May with gifts for all the stay-at-homes including EMS - silver jewellery from Kuala Lumpur. The years that followed were a pattern of travel and illnesses including mild heart attacks and two strokes, none of a serious nature. In March 1961 he left for a tour of England and Europe. Of the family Ada, Walter and Ronald had died and niece Kathleen died while he was away. He had not wanted to travel alone and asked first Keith, then EMS to go with him, travelling expenses paid, but Keith had no interest in overseas travel and EMS had ill health and regretfully refused too, so away he went by ship by himself.

He was taken ill at Venice and finding an English speaking doctor was a difficulty, and when he at last did so it was recommended that he return to Australia as soon as possible for a prostate gland operation, so he cancelled all arrangements for further continental travel but had to wait six weeks for a ship. Plane travel was not then so popular, particularly with older people ‎(Stuart was 73)‎ so a ship it had to be. His operation in October was a complete success and he was soon planning further travel, but within Australia.

Soon after May's death Stuart had consulted his brothers over the changing of his Will, and though none of the others protested Walter was horrified - being very family minded - that Stuart proposed to leave his estate to Noel's friend Nancy Atkins, now Mrs. Lloyd Fuller. Increasingly he found the Welland house empty and lonely so was away at every opportunity. When travel became too much of an effort Stuart invited Nancy and Lloyd Fuller, their 5 children and her mother to share his house which he had altered to accommodate them all, and rearranged the lounge room as his own bed-sitting room. His large black car which was so like the kind used by gangsters in the 1930s and which drank fuel at an astonishing rate was given to a nephew by marriage for a nominal amount and a small modern one was purchased. He was still mobile but health gradually deteriorated, driving ceased and finally he kept to his room. He died suddenly on Sunday August 22, 1965.

Obituary:
From the "Adelaide Advertiser".
Architect died at 77 - Mr. Stuart Henry Stevenson O.B.E. a former Architect-in-Chief died on Saturday at his residence Welland Avenue, Welland ‎(Note actually Sunday)‎ . Mr. Stevenson, 77, a widower, was the third son of the late Mr. & Mrs. R.R. Stevenson of Unley. He was appointed Deputy Architect-in-Chief in 1938 and Architect-in-Chief in 1951. Mr. Stevenson entered the government as a draftsman in 1911. There will be a private funeral tomorrow."

As promised, he left his estate to Nancy Fuller and $6,000 to a nephew by marriage of Melbourne who was already a rich man. The Government promptly took $20,000 in death duties as Nancy was not a blood relation and in the highest group for such payment. His in-laws, the Thomas Drurys of Croydon who had been so kind to him over the years following May's death received nothing. They were pensioners and could have done with some help. Nor was there even a token gift to brother Blaine who, by careful investment had increased Stuart's holdings considerably until he was quite comfortably situated.