Doris "Paddy" Brown

Doris Muriel Fleming Chambers was born 9 January 1898 in Melbourne, perhaps in Glenferrie , to Katherine Anne (unsure spelling) Gibbs who wed Luke Chambers . Doris was their seventh and last child. Her older sisters were Charlotte (1886 to 1968), Edith and Evelyn (twin of Harold Luke Horner Chambers). One brother died as a small child. Stanley Micah Gibbs Chambers was the oldest son. Stanley and Harold served in the Great War. Stan had been a blacksmith, Service Number 548, 37Bn, B Coy. Harold was an engineer, Service Number 5433, 5 Field Coy, enlisted Sapper, commissioned Lieutenant. Both served in Europe, returning to Australia in 1919. The family lived at 60 Stewart St Malvern, having been in the Goulburn Valley region several years. Luke was a Methodist Preacher, although whether ordained or lay is uncertain. Charlotte 's Beau died, she married a Mr Walton later in life. They did not have children. Edith died a spinster, presumably any young man in her life being a casualty of WW1. Evelyn was a widow who had Georgina (Georgie) as her only child. Georgie married Ernie Jinks and had 3 children: Robern , Rolf and Douglas. Doris wed Len Brown in Melbourne 2 June 1925. They were blessed with Kenneth Leonard born 6 November 1931, died of cancer aged approximately 80. Muriel Annette arrived 22 January 1934. Ken had 7 children with Avril, nee Archbold - David (1954) Pamela (1955), Graham (1957), Alan (1959), Ian (1965) and Bruce (?1968). Ken and Avril divorced and Ken married Elaine, a widow who had 6 children, on 6 November 1984. Muriel wed Ronald Papworth 1 October 1955. They had 3 children: Wilma (1957), Colin (1959) and Dianne (1965). Doris was a tailoress until she r etired upon marriage as were the social expectations of the day. She travelled by tram to work for Mr Lacey in Kew. Doris made most of the family clothing. There were cherry plum, crabapple, lemon and orange trees in the yard of 36 First Avenue East Kew, plus a Satsuma plum bearing fruit from next door. A vegetable garden and henhouse helped the budget. Before becoming parents, due to housing shortage, 1 and sometimes 2 other newly we'd couples lived in the 2 bedroom plus sleepout home. Len was a loyal Yenkens employee, rising from 15yo office boy to Credit Manager, from which position he retired in 1965, the same year their home was renovated. Len was born 27 March 1900. He courted Doris pedalling his bicycle from Carlton. He was a life long member of the Carlton Football Club. Len also enjoyed watching cricket, recited many poems, and during the second world war was Home Guard Officer for the local area. An Anderson Shelter was dug into their b ackyard, disguised by pumpkin vines. As a new wife, Doris sifted the soil full of onion weed bulbs, stones and coarse earth. Len audited the Bowling Club books and was given the unwanted topsoil whenever the greens were refurbished. Both Doris and Len were keen bowlers for many years. Soon after they had an empty nest, Charlotte was widowed. It had been partly due to Charlotte (Lottie) that Doris and Len had bought the land, building their home which Doris designed. Mrs Walton lived with Mr and Mrs Brown until her death. Doris liked to name pets after people who had them first. Willy was a tabby kitten from the Williamson family, Robbie a Welsh Corgi puppy from the Robinsons, for example . Her last pet , a stray shitszu cross found by Ken, was named Tammy as she always had thought that a small brown dog should be called Tammy. Doris suffered anaemia throughout her adult life, had swollen, aching rheumatic knees, veins were stripped(late 40s or early 50s age) on one leg, went virtually blind due to torn retina towards the end of her life. She liked gardening, craft (often teaching herself by copying new skills ) Doris started tapestry at age 75, completing an heirloom for all her grandchildren and several other people. Doris covered at least 2 chairs with tapestry and made a coffee table top. Almost to the end, Doris continued crocheting blankets for babies and local charity. Doris said that 'old is 100'. When she was nearly 90, the effort to rehabilitate after a knee reconstruction left her feeling old. Her heart and variable blood pressure added to chronic low iron levels, such that her physician advised no longer living alone. Doris ended her days being with Muriel and Ron. At some early age, the nickname Paddy was attached to Doris, becoming fondly called Auntie Paddy by many people, or Paddy by her friends. For decades, Thursday afternoon was 'at home ' time. A group of ladies took it in turns to host high tea. Muriel and Ken sometimes ate cream cake for breakfast if there were leftovers from Doris' baking. Charlotte and Mother were in charge of meals. Edith and Mother did major housework, leaving Evelyn and Doris to set table and tidy afterwards. The boys cleaned shoes, dug over the garden, cut the grass and other outside tasks. Evenings were frequently spent with females stitching (mending, knitting, etc) while males read books or newspapers, studied and rehearsed poetry or other presentations. Doris' school holidays were often in Shepparton region as there were family members who could accommodate visitors for a few weeks. About 1910, the Goulburn River punt lost mooring, floating down river until the punt came aground and could be assisted by horses. Charlotte found the experience a wonderful adventure, not so Doris. Other family members lived in the land near Trafalgar. Muriel had some holidays there or at Traralgon. Around 1947, Muriel brought back a male Kelpie pup, Wally, who knew how to behave at home and in public as a true gentleman. Muriel sometimes dressed Wally in baby clothes then pushed him in her dolls pram. Wally allowed the indignity for a bit before alighting to ask for the clothes to be removed. For innocent entertainment, during their respective childhood years, both Doris and Muriel would walk atop boundary fences . Muriel would wander to Harp Road where she counted cars, sometimes as many as 15 an hour. Ken had at least 2 memorable holidays. He was in Tasmania when bushfires started, practically surrounding the camp. He sent a telegram home saying to not worry about him, he was safe. As his parents were unaware of the catastrophe, and telegrams expensive, they were concerned until Ken returned home. Another adventure was to Queensland. For many years, a photograph in Doris' kitchen showed a teenaged Ken with friends travelling a river in an enormous pumpkin shell craft using fence pointed as oars and rudder. Each day the Butcher sent a lad to take orders early for delivery or collection in time to prepare the evening meal. Fruit and vegetables were delivered by horse and cart, later by small truck until mid 1980s. Milk was left in the shade, with a fortnightly reckoning, as was the 'quarter' of high tin white bread (left in a 'bread tin' on the verandah. In the years prior to 1939, groceries were brought to the house on request. After WW2 commenced, groceries were purchased by people visiting the shop. Doris used a shopping jeep, as petrol was too precious to use in delivery rounds. Typical weeks for Doris: Sunday Church and associated activities, Monday major wash day (using a copper at first, then for many years a hand wound ringer attached to the washing machine ), Tuesday ironing. Each day of course had meals and beds made ready. Animals as well as humans needed to be fed. Friday was baking day, with some baking done Wednesday if it was Doris' turn to host the ladies at her home. Dusting, vacuuming, silver polishing, window washing, scrubbing floors and gardening were part of the morning. After lunch, Doris tidied by having an all over wash, changing into afternoon attire and being a lady of leisure, knitting, darning or other mending, sewing,accepting guests dropping in for afternoon tea. Then finish off preparing meal, greet children from school . Len looks after the outside of the house, and carries in the blocks of ice before they purchase a gas refrigerator . In season, Len brings in the harvest, prunes, waters and mows lawn, makes/repairs toys. Len built their earliest furniture, including marital bed. They are great neighbours, helping out where they are able. One night's stew leftovers are given for small children to enjoy a hot lunch next day. Fruit is handed out by the bucket full. When buying fabric for her own family's needs, Doris gets a little extra so she can sew for little friends. Whilst her trade is in sewing, Doris attended classes to learn culinary skills. The family enjoys a fortnight at Cowes,Phillip Island, each year, reserving 2 rooms at the same guest house in January. When Len died, Doris was one of 4 women to be widowed that year in her street. Only Doris attended family parties and celebrations. Of the 4, only Doris did not enter a decline into longterm mental anguish. The other widows refused to even mention the name of their spouse. Doris talked about Len in natural fashion, that he would or would not like whatever changes were happening, or what he appreciated or recalling sayings, etc. Dying so soon after Christmas and her birthday meant that Doris had caught up with almost all her family friends . Her funeral was full of happy memories of an industrious, loving, generous lady.