My 2nd great-grandfather Thomas Charles Marriott was born on the 29th of January 1879, in Dandenong, Victoria, Australia. He was born to father George Marriott Sr (1852-1931) and mother Jane Williams (1852-1925). The Marriott’s were a rather large family, Thomas Charles being one of 9 children. His siblings: George, Hannah Elizabeth Jane, James, Walter Edward, Emily Jane, Henry Ernest, Arthur and Eva Ann Marriott.

He was the fourth child born of George and Jane Marriott. He had two older brothers and one older sister at the time of his birth.

When Thomas was 22 he married Charlotte Adele Treby (1882-1961), in Victoria. Charlotte later filed for divorce on the ground of desertion for three years. Six months after the marriage, and while living in Malvern with Charlotte’s parents, Charlotte claims that Thomas began to treat her cruelly. She says he used to pinch her and bite her, and on one occasion he almost broke her back over the railing of the bed. In consequence of this treatment, Charlotte had to consult a doctor, who advised her to take a trip. On 5th April 1902, Thomas told Charlotte that he did not want her. She asked him to provide a home for her, but he refused, and assaulted her. On the evening of the same day, Charlotte’s father saw Thomas in the street, and horsewhipped him. Charlotte had not seen him since. The divorce was granted.

On the 13th March 1908, Thomas Charles Marriott married Mary Ann Ryan, Thomas aged 29, and Mary Ann aged 32. Thomas’ occupation was listed as a painter. They married in Mary’s hometown in New Zealand before later emigrating back to Victoria. So, Thomas must have traveled there after his first divorce. He and Mary would have 6 children together: Jean Lenora, Mervyn Charles, Cecil George, Charles Raymore, Melba Hinemoa and Sheila Iris Marriott. They resided in Riddells Creek, Victoria, at 108 Orrong Rd, Armadale. Sheila Iris was my great-grandmother, you can read my blog post about her, here.

Mary also brought to the relationship a previous daughter she had, Kathleen Mary Ross, born to a married man in 1899 that she had an affair with back in New Zealand. Kathleen’s life story I have detailed in this blog post. Thomas actually deserted Mary and their children to be with Kathleen, who was his step-daughter! This happened in 1918, when Kathleen was 19 and in Victoria, Australia. It is noted that Mary Ann did not include her first born daughter Kathleen in her Will/not listed on her death certificate, so it is presumed that she disowned Kathleen/knew about the circumstances surrounding her husband’s disappearance eventually. Thomas and Kathleen moved to New South Wales, and a year later, in 1919, their first child, a son, was born. The two would have 6 children together themselves before Thomas’ death in 1933 after an extensive illness.

Thomas obviously had to use an alias name as he was wanted and charged on warrant for deserting his wife and six children with Mary Ann. Thus, he would change his name from Thomas Charles Marriott to Gus Thomas. Everyone then around NSW knew him by that name. His children with Kathleen carried the surname Thomas. The children he had with Kathleen were: Mervyn Clarke, Iris, Kevin, Noelene, Arthur and Jack Thomas.

Thomas Charles was known to be around 5ft 9 in height, medium build, dark hair and moustache, large dark eyes. He would generally wear a light-coloured coat and vest, dark trousers, and a light-coloured felt hat. Kathleen later remarried following his death and had two more children before she died of complications after childbirth, aged 36. She died named Kathleen Mary Mungovan. Thomas died aged 54 years.

When Kathleen and Thomas’ first child, son Mervyn Clarke Thomas, was only 14 years old, his father died. Two years later, after his mother remarrying and having step-siblings his mother passed in 1935. It is known that Mervyn took care of his younger siblings as long as he could, but majority of them ended up in foster care.

Thomas Charles Marriott would die in the same year, 1933, as two of his brothers did, George Marriott and Walter Edward Marriott, but it’s presumed they weren’t in contact with Thomas (or Gus) or his new life he started away from Victoria. George and Jane Marriott had passed only a few years earlier, with Jane passing in 1925 and George in 1931.

Unfortunately I gather that my 2nd great grandfather Thomas might not have ever had a good relationship with any of his 12 children. However I wonder if he thought about his previous kids with Mary Ann often? After all, he did seem to name his children with Kathleen similar names, I mean… he used Mervyn again and the name Iris.