Ethel May Staveley (1893-1976) was born at 11 Prospect Road in Scarborough on September 3rd 1893, the daughter of John Staveley (1861-1909) & Mary Elizabeth Staveley ( nee Boynton ) (1864-1944).. The 1901 census shows the family living at 1 James Place in Scarborough. Her father, John Staveley, is documented as being a van man mineral water salesman. Also listed at this address is his son George aged 15, Eliza aged 13, Ethel May aged 8 and Walter Boynton aged 5. Note the absence of John’s wife Elizabeth. Perhaps she was visiting relatives.
In 1914 according to the marriage bans Ethel May is living at 16 Low Street, Tong in Keighley. Ethel’s sister Eliza was also living at this address prior to her marriage to George Harry Painter in 1913. William Singleton Munday has his home address listed as 17 Lily Street, Huddersfield. His father, Singleton Munday is a Moulder by trade.. William Singleton Munday has his home address listed as 17 Lily Street, Huddersfield. His father, Singleton Munday is a Moulder by trade. Ethel May Staveley & William Singleton Munday get married on 23rd December 1914.
On 28th August 1923 the family boards the ship – Esperance Bay from London to Adelaide. The passenger list reads: William Singleton Munday of Cross Road, Keighley, a farm worker aged 29 who is accompanied by Ethel May aged 29 and daughters Hilda age 3 and Clarice age 2. The family arrive in Australia and settle down to life in their new adopted country.
On Saturday 5th May 1934 an entry in the Adelaide Advertiser – Pilling, formerly Munday, nee Pickles – On 3rd May, Mary Alice, dear mother of William Singleton Munday and loving grandma of Hilda & Clarice, Black Forest Estate – aged 63 years.
Another advertisement is placed under Silver Weddings in the Adelaide Advertiser on December 23rd 1939 – MUNDAY-STAVELEY – On 23rd December 1914, at St Mary’s Church, Tong. Bradford. William Singleton, only son of the late Mrs M.A. Pilling and the late Mr Singleton Munday of Bradford, Yorkshire, England to Ethel, youngest daughter of the late Mr John Staveley of Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. Present address, 10 Dryden Road, Black Forest Estate, South Australia.
In 1941 the family is still living at Dryden Road. William Singleton Munday is mentioned in the news when he is assualted by a Henry John Rivers and receives compensation. At this time he holds the position as secretary of the Moulders Union. The Federated Moulders Union was a fairly militant union representing moulders – skilled tradesmen who fabricated the moulds for casting metal products in foundries.
It was during 1941 that work ceased in all of South Australian foundries with 800 men of the Iron Moulders Union demanding more pay. It needed to be resolved fairly quickly because the government did not want to hold up the production of munitions.
The family had a nice home in Adelaide. All would appear well but unfortunately there was bad news to come. In 1948 Ethel May Munday is petioning William Singleton Munday for divorce on the grounds of his adultery. This must have been a very painful experience for the family. Our Aunt Ethel would have been 55 years old. Clarice is 27 and Hilda is 29.
Despite the difficulties and trauma that this must have caused there is a happy ending. Ethel May Staveley ( Munday ) would find a new love in her life. On December 5th 1949 in Adelaide she would marry George Stoddart who was originally from the town of Amphitheatre in the county of Victoria. They would remain together until his death in 1957. George’s wife – Lilian Ada Stoddart ( nee Dillon ), who he had married on 30th September 1916 in Adelaide. She had passed away in 1939 and he had 2 sons and two daughters by this marriage.
In 1969 whilst returning from service in Hong Kong on board the cruise ship “SS Oronsay” with his family, Walter Staveley (1921-2005) called in and visited Aunt Ethel in Adelaide. The descendents of our Australian relatives still live in Australia and can be viewed on our family tree.
George Stoddart and Ethel May Stoddart are buried at the Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia.
The Staveley Family 