Geoffrey William Croan, 1911–1959 (aged 48 years)
- Name
- Geoffrey William /Croan/
- Given names
- Geoffrey William
- Surname
- Croan
| Birth | 1911
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39 |
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| Death of a paternal grandmother | Ann … 1911 (aged 0) |
| Death of a paternal grandfather | Swift Croan September 1918 (aged 7 years) Death of an Old Resident MR. SWIFT CROAN. The death occurred at his residence, Church-street, Mudgee, yesterday, of Mr. Swift Croan, a very old and highly respected resident of Mudgee, aged 85. The deceased was born in Ireland, and came to this country over 60 years ago. He was for many years employed at Tindale's old mill, after which he carried on business as a carrier, and was carrying on the business when the Gulgong goldfields were first discovered. In his younger days the deceased was a very big man, and very healthy, but he had been ailing considerably for the last two years. He leaves the following grown-up family: - Mrs. Graham Clark (Sydney), Miss Jane Croan (Mudgee), George Croan (Sydney), J. D. Croan (Mudgee) and William Croan. The remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the General Cemetery this (Thursday) afternoon, the Rev. Canon W. J. Dunstan officiating at the graveside. Mr. H. Barton, undertaker, had charge of the funeral arrangements. Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), Thursday 26 September 1918, p. 15. Swift Croan Obituary |
| Death of a maternal grandfather | James Drew 6 August 1922 (aged 11 years) Local News James Drew, of Douro-street, died yesterday morning at the age of 76 years. He is an old resident of Mudgee and leaves a widow and family of five daughters. These are: Mrs. Thurgood (Coolah), Mrs. Box (Mudgee), Mrs. D. Croan (Mudgee), Mrs. Gallimore (Mudgee), Mrs. Barrgniaux (U.S.A.). His remains were interred this afternoon in the Mudgee cemetery. The coffin was first removed to the Church of England where a short service was held, and the funeral afterwards moved to the sacred burial ground. The Rev. J. Parr conducted the service at the Church and graveside, and Mr. J. C. Swords carried out the mortuary arrangements. Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), Monday 7 August 1922, p. 10. OLD C0BBERS OF THE TEAMSTER DAYS The late Mr. James Drew, whose death occurred last week, was one of the last of the old men of the roads, and will long be remembered as one of the most obliging and kindly dispositioned, of a body of fine men who served the roadside settlers all the years when teamsters flocked along the highway between Wallerawang and Mudgee. In that connection many fine men will be referred to by one of our contributors in a later article. Many interesting reminiscences are associated with "Jim" an his fraternity of comrades of the roads, the old timers who put up with much hardship and privations year in and year out daring those old years when so many fine men were numbered as trustworthy "cobbers" at all the stages. Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), Monday 14 August 1922, p. 6. |
| Death of a maternal grandmother | Ellen Omara 6 July 1925 (aged 14 years) MRS. ELLEN DREW Mrs. Ellen Drew, relict of the late James Drew, died at the residence of her daughter (Mrs. E. Bax) today, aged 76 years. Deceased had resided in Mudgee practically all her life, and, although of a retiring disposition, made very many friends, who will sincerely regret to hear of her death. She is survived by the following daughters, all of whom are well and favorably known in Mudgee: - Mesdames T. Gallimore (Kogarah), C. Thurgood (Bathurst), D. Croan (Mudgee), H. Borigniaux (New York), and E. Bax (Mudgee). A brother (Mr. J. Maher) resides at Kogarah. To these sorrowing ones we extend our heartfelt sympathy. The funeral will take place at half past 3 o'clock tomorrow, (Tuesday) afternoon to the Church of England portion of the general cemetery. Mr. J. C. Swords has charge of the arrangements. Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), Monday 6 July 1925, p. 7. |
| Charged | 28 November 1937 (aged 26 years) Mudgee Man Acquitted Of Capital Charge ALLEGED ATTACK AT BOMBALA (PHOTOS) At left, one of the witnesses, and right, James David Croan. "CROAN, the jury have acquitted you of a very serious charge, and it was a proper verdict, but, on your own story you were guilty of most disgusting conduct. I can only hope this trial will be a lesson to you." Thus Mr. Justice Owen addressed Geoffrey William Croan, a 25-years-old Mudgee man, after his acquittal by a Central Criminal Court jury last week. Croan had faced a capital charge concerning an alleged offence against Jocelyn Mary Gee, of Therry-street, Bombala. Ushered into court by Policewoman Mrs. Burton, the girl, Jocelyn Mary Gee, who was neatly dressed in black, gave her age as 19. She had known Croan since February of this year, she said. ON July 3 she attended a dance at the School of Arts, Bombala. During the evening she danced three or four times with Croan, and accepted his invitation to join him at supper. She said that she explained to him that she could not stay away long, because she had promised her sister to go home with her. They went to a cafe in Bombala for supper, said the girl, and after leaving the cafe she turned to the right, intending to walk home. It was raining slightly at the time, and Croan offered to drive her home in his car. So she entered the car, Miss Gee went on. She directed Croan where to go; but after she had told him to turn, he kept going. "I said turn around and take me home," said the girl. "He tried to kiss me but I drew back. I was asking all the time for him to take me home; but he kept driving, and when we got past the Sports Ground, he stopped. 'I then asked him again to take me home, and he said, 'All right; but he leaned forward to put his arm around me, and I opened the car door and started to cry. He then said he'd take me home. I sang out for help. 'He said to me, 'It's no good you calling out here. No one will hear you.' He tried to push me back on to the seat. We struggled. 'We were half on the ground and half on the footboard of the car. I sang out for help again, and said to him, 'Will you please take me home?' 'He said he would, and asked me to get into the car; but I wouldn't.' 'NEAR A POOL' Continuing her story, the girl said that she then commenced to run towards Bombala. Croan caught her when she was near a pool. To further pleading she added Croan agreed to take her home, and they made their way back towards the car. Before they reached it, however, Croan again attacked her. 'He threw me to the ground,' she said. 'We struggled, and I grabbed hold of a tree. We struggled round the tree and my hair caught on a bough. I cried out, 'Oh, my hair, my hair,' but Croan pulled all the harder and the bough gave way.' She saw a car approaching, and Croan, who also noticed it, said, 'Don't you scream.' 'But as it came near I screamed for help. He then put his hands over my mouth. 'When another car passed I screamed out and he put one hand down my mouth and with the other put his fingers up my nostrils. The car appeared to slow up, but it then went on.' She started to walk away, but Croan again followed her. He pulled her legs from under her and she tried to crawl beneath the car. She caught hold of the car chains, but Croan twisted them from her hand. After further discussion he again started to struggle with her. 'I called out, 'Oh, my neck. He said, 'I'll give you more if you don't give in. He continued to struggle with me and eventually the offence was committed.' Jocelyn Gee said that Croan then drove her to her home. Her mother said, 'Oh, my God, what's happened,' and she replied, 'He'd knocked me about and assaulted me.' Her face was swollen, she claimed, and her body was bruised. Her stockings had been nearly torn from her, and other clothing she was wearing had been in a perfectly good and clean condition prior to her treatment at Croan's hands. Replying to Mr. T. P. MacMahon (who was instructed by Mr. Felix Booth, of Cooma) for the defence, the girl said she had been to a number of dances at Bombala. She had previously visited the School of Arts and was fond of dancing. Mr. MacMahon: This happened on the Sunday morning? - Yes. You went to work on the Monday morning? - Yes. And, I think, you were a bridesmaid on the Tuesday? - Yes. Mr. Justice Owen: Did you bite him? - No, your Honor. I couldn't. Why? - He had the whole of his hand in my mouth, it seemed. He seemed to be pushing my tongue down my throat. He drove you to your door? - Yes. Did you kiss him good-night? - No. She denied that her clothing became torn on a fence when she threatened to ask someone else to drive her home. Dr. Macarthur, Government Medical Officer at Bombala, told of examining Miss Gee at his surgery on July 4 at about 7 a.m. when he found bruises on her left leg, right thigh, left hip, a scratch on her right thigh, a swelling of the lower lip, and a cut on the right side of the temple. The mother of the girl, after supporting her daughter's version of what occurred when her daughter arrived home, described Joyce's condition. 'She looked dreadful,' said Mrs. Gee. 'There were marks on her forehead and lips, and she was bruised on the hips and legs.' Croan was questioned about the clothing, said Sergeant Sewell, but to every question he replied. 'My solicitor will answer that.' Then came Croan's statement from the dock. 'Your Honor and gentlemen of the jury,' he said, 'I have never been in any trouble before in my life. I am absolutely innocent of both these charges.' At the dance at the Bombala School of Arts, he suggested that she come for a 'blow' in his car. 'On the way she nestled up close to me,' he said. 'I put my left arm around her waist, and she laid her head on my shoulder. She did not object at any time. 'When we got to Rosemeath I pulled up the car on the side of the road, and we remained in the car embracing and kissing. 'About ten or fifteen minutes after we got there a car I now know was driven by Mr. Brotherton passed. It slowed down. Someone said, 'Are you all right?' I did not reply because she did not want anyone to know she was with me, as she had the last dance with me. 'About twenty past one another car driven by Mr. Jones passed beside me. It returned about five minutes later and pulled up about 100 yards away. It stopped a few minutes, and I heard the car door slam. Three other cars also passed the same night.' Croan said that until Jones' car passed he and the girl had been embracing and kissing. She gave him permission for his subsequent actions. "I say now that I did not at any time do anything against her will, or assault her in any way,' said Croan. The weather, said Croan prevented him from starting his car and the girl became very hysterical. HIS DENIALS She accused him of doing it on purpose and screamed that she would get other people to take her home. She started to run and her hair became caught in the bough of a tree. She fell over. He ran over to pick her up. The girl was still hysterical and ran towards a house. When getting through the fence she tore her clothing and stockings. He told her afterwards not to worry about it; that he would pay for them and she told him the price of each article. On the way to the girl's home, said Croan, she started to worry about how she would get in. He suggested that she say they had car trouble, which was the truth. 'She said that if she could sneak in without them seeing her everything would be all right,' stated Croan, 'but if not, everything would be all wrong. I drove her to the gate and she kissed me good morning. Joseph Thomas Lambert swore that he saw Croan's car parked, but did not hear any sound or scream. NO SCREAMS Charles William Brotherton said he also passed in a car on July 4. He saw the car parked and called: 'Are you alright?' No one answered. If anyone had screamed he would have heard it. James David Croan, father of the accused, described himself as a carrier in Mudgee. The accused had worked with him. 'He has been a real good boy, and has never caused me any trouble or concern,' said Croan. At 2.45 p.m. the Jury retired on their verdict. At 5.15 they returned and acquitted Croan of both counts, there being a second count of indecent assault. (PHOTO) GEOFFREY WILLIAM CROAN. Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), Sunday 28 November 1937, p. 29. |
| Death of a mother | Annie Drew 18 December 1947 (aged 36 years) Mrs. A. Croan Deep regret was expressed in Mudgee on Thursday last when it became known that Mrs. Annie Croan, wife of Mr. J. D. Croan had passed away. Deceased, who was 75 years of age, was a member of the old Drew family, which settled in the district in the early days. For practically a life-time she lived among the people of Mudgee, and earned their respect and friendship. She was ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in distress, and her death brought sorrow to many homes in town and district. She is survived by a husband and the following sons and daughters: Geoffrey, James, Swift, Mesdames C. Underwood (Thornleigh), Mrs. J. Gardiner (Newtown), Mrs. B. Leach (Hurstville), Mrs. W. Lahey (Lahey's Ck.). To these and other sorrowing ones sincere sympathy is extended. The funeral, which was attended by many old friends of the family, took place to the Church of England portion of the Mudgee cemetery on Saturday afternoon, the Rev. Canon Powell performing the last sad rites. The arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. J. C. Swords & Son. Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), Monday 22 December 1947, p. 3. Annie Croan Obituary |
| Death of a father | James David Croan 1954 (aged 43 years) |
| Death | 25 December 1959 (aged 48 years) Mainly About People The death occurred in Sydney early on Christmas morning of Mr. Geoffrey William Croan, a member of a well known and highly respected Mudgee district family. Deceased, who was a bachelor, lived in Wattle St., Ultimo, and was only 48 years of age. The funeral took place this (Thursday) morning from St. John’s to the Church of England portion of the Mudgee Cemetery, Messrs. Eastaugh and Carroll being in charge of the arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 31 December 1959, p. 2. Geoffrey William Croan Death |
| Burial | 31 December 1959 (6 days after death) |
| Probate | 28 March 1960 (3 months after death) Probate Notice for Administration in the Supreme Court of New South Wales Probate Jurisdiction. In the Estate of Geoffrey William Croan, late of 531 Kent Street, Sydney in the State of New South Wales, Fitter and Turner, deceased intestate. Application will be made after fourteen days from the publication hereof that Administration of the Estate of the abovementioned deceased may be granted to James David Croan, a brother of the deceased and all notices may be served at the undermentioned address. All creditors in the Estate of the said deceased are hereby required to send in particulars of their claims to the undersigned. Spring, Bisley & Hannaford, Proctors for Administrator, 7 Church Street, Mudgee. By their City Agents, Marshall, Marks, Dezarnaulds & Jones, Solicitors, 67 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 28 March 1960, p. 8. Geoffrey William Croan Probate |
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| Charged | Mudgee Man Acquitted Of Capital Charge ALLEGED ATTACK AT BOMBALA (PHOTOS) At left, one of the witnesses, and right, James David Croan. "CROAN, the jury have acquitted you of a very serious charge, and it was a proper verdict, but, on your own story you were guilty of most disgusting conduct. I can only hope this trial will be a lesson to you." Thus Mr. Justice Owen addressed Geoffrey William Croan, a 25-years-old Mudgee man, after his acquittal by a Central Criminal Court jury last week. Croan had faced a capital charge concerning an alleged offence against Jocelyn Mary Gee, of Therry-street, Bombala. Ushered into court by Policewoman Mrs. Burton, the girl, Jocelyn Mary Gee, who was neatly dressed in black, gave her age as 19. She had known Croan since February of this year, she said. ON July 3 she attended a dance at the School of Arts, Bombala. During the evening she danced three or four times with Croan, and accepted his invitation to join him at supper. She said that she explained to him that she could not stay away long, because she had promised her sister to go home with her. They went to a cafe in Bombala for supper, said the girl, and after leaving the cafe she turned to the right, intending to walk home. It was raining slightly at the time, and Croan offered to drive her home in his car. So she entered the car, Miss Gee went on. She directed Croan where to go; but after she had told him to turn, he kept going. "I said turn around and take me home," said the girl. "He tried to kiss me but I drew back. I was asking all the time for him to take me home; but he kept driving, and when we got past the Sports Ground, he stopped. 'I then asked him again to take me home, and he said, 'All right; but he leaned forward to put his arm around me, and I opened the car door and started to cry. He then said he'd take me home. I sang out for help. 'He said to me, 'It's no good you calling out here. No one will hear you.' He tried to push me back on to the seat. We struggled. 'We were half on the ground and half on the footboard of the car. I sang out for help again, and said to him, 'Will you please take me home?' 'He said he would, and asked me to get into the car; but I wouldn't.' 'NEAR A POOL' Continuing her story, the girl said that she then commenced to run towards Bombala. Croan caught her when she was near a pool. To further pleading she added Croan agreed to take her home, and they made their way back towards the car. Before they reached it, however, Croan again attacked her. 'He threw me to the ground,' she said. 'We struggled, and I grabbed hold of a tree. We struggled round the tree and my hair caught on a bough. I cried out, 'Oh, my hair, my hair,' but Croan pulled all the harder and the bough gave way.' She saw a car approaching, and Croan, who also noticed it, said, 'Don't you scream.' 'But as it came near I screamed for help. He then put his hands over my mouth. 'When another car passed I screamed out and he put one hand down my mouth and with the other put his fingers up my nostrils. The car appeared to slow up, but it then went on.' She started to walk away, but Croan again followed her. He pulled her legs from under her and she tried to crawl beneath the car. She caught hold of the car chains, but Croan twisted them from her hand. After further discussion he again started to struggle with her. 'I called out, 'Oh, my neck. He said, 'I'll give you more if you don't give in. He continued to struggle with me and eventually the offence was committed.' Jocelyn Gee said that Croan then drove her to her home. Her mother said, 'Oh, my God, what's happened,' and she replied, 'He'd knocked me about and assaulted me.' Her face was swollen, she claimed, and her body was bruised. Her stockings had been nearly torn from her, and other clothing she was wearing had been in a perfectly good and clean condition prior to her treatment at Croan's hands. Replying to Mr. T. P. MacMahon (who was instructed by Mr. Felix Booth, of Cooma) for the defence, the girl said she had been to a number of dances at Bombala. She had previously visited the School of Arts and was fond of dancing. Mr. MacMahon: This happened on the Sunday morning? - Yes. You went to work on the Monday morning? - Yes. And, I think, you were a bridesmaid on the Tuesday? - Yes. Mr. Justice Owen: Did you bite him? - No, your Honor. I couldn't. Why? - He had the whole of his hand in my mouth, it seemed. He seemed to be pushing my tongue down my throat. He drove you to your door? - Yes. Did you kiss him good-night? - No. She denied that her clothing became torn on a fence when she threatened to ask someone else to drive her home. Dr. Macarthur, Government Medical Officer at Bombala, told of examining Miss Gee at his surgery on July 4 at about 7 a.m. when he found bruises on her left leg, right thigh, left hip, a scratch on her right thigh, a swelling of the lower lip, and a cut on the right side of the temple. The mother of the girl, after supporting her daughter's version of what occurred when her daughter arrived home, described Joyce's condition. 'She looked dreadful,' said Mrs. Gee. 'There were marks on her forehead and lips, and she was bruised on the hips and legs.' Croan was questioned about the clothing, said Sergeant Sewell, but to every question he replied. 'My solicitor will answer that.' Then came Croan's statement from the dock. 'Your Honor and gentlemen of the jury,' he said, 'I have never been in any trouble before in my life. I am absolutely innocent of both these charges.' At the dance at the Bombala School of Arts, he suggested that she come for a 'blow' in his car. 'On the way she nestled up close to me,' he said. 'I put my left arm around her waist, and she laid her head on my shoulder. She did not object at any time. 'When we got to Rosemeath I pulled up the car on the side of the road, and we remained in the car embracing and kissing. 'About ten or fifteen minutes after we got there a car I now know was driven by Mr. Brotherton passed. It slowed down. Someone said, 'Are you all right?' I did not reply because she did not want anyone to know she was with me, as she had the last dance with me. 'About twenty past one another car driven by Mr. Jones passed beside me. It returned about five minutes later and pulled up about 100 yards away. It stopped a few minutes, and I heard the car door slam. Three other cars also passed the same night.' Croan said that until Jones' car passed he and the girl had been embracing and kissing. She gave him permission for his subsequent actions. "I say now that I did not at any time do anything against her will, or assault her in any way,' said Croan. The weather, said Croan prevented him from starting his car and the girl became very hysterical. HIS DENIALS She accused him of doing it on purpose and screamed that she would get other people to take her home. She started to run and her hair became caught in the bough of a tree. She fell over. He ran over to pick her up. The girl was still hysterical and ran towards a house. When getting through the fence she tore her clothing and stockings. He told her afterwards not to worry about it; that he would pay for them and she told him the price of each article. On the way to the girl's home, said Croan, she started to worry about how she would get in. He suggested that she say they had car trouble, which was the truth. 'She said that if she could sneak in without them seeing her everything would be all right,' stated Croan, 'but if not, everything would be all wrong. I drove her to the gate and she kissed me good morning. Joseph Thomas Lambert swore that he saw Croan's car parked, but did not hear any sound or scream. NO SCREAMS Charles William Brotherton said he also passed in a car on July 4. He saw the car parked and called: 'Are you alright?' No one answered. If anyone had screamed he would have heard it. James David Croan, father of the accused, described himself as a carrier in Mudgee. The accused had worked with him. 'He has been a real good boy, and has never caused me any trouble or concern,' said Croan. At 2.45 p.m. the Jury retired on their verdict. At 5.15 they returned and acquitted Croan of both counts, there being a second count of indecent assault. (PHOTO) GEOFFREY WILLIAM CROAN. Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), Sunday 28 November 1937, p. 29. |
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| Death | Mainly About People The death occurred in Sydney early on Christmas morning of Mr. Geoffrey William Croan, a member of a well known and highly respected Mudgee district family. Deceased, who was a bachelor, lived in Wattle St., Ultimo, and was only 48 years of age. The funeral took place this (Thursday) morning from St. John’s to the Church of England portion of the Mudgee Cemetery, Messrs. Eastaugh and Carroll being in charge of the arrangements. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 31 December 1959, p. 2. Geoffrey William Croan Death |
| Probate | Probate Notice for Administration in the Supreme Court of New South Wales Probate Jurisdiction. In the Estate of Geoffrey William Croan, late of 531 Kent Street, Sydney in the State of New South Wales, Fitter and Turner, deceased intestate. Application will be made after fourteen days from the publication hereof that Administration of the Estate of the abovementioned deceased may be granted to James David Croan, a brother of the deceased and all notices may be served at the undermentioned address. All creditors in the Estate of the said deceased are hereby required to send in particulars of their claims to the undersigned. Spring, Bisley & Hannaford, Proctors for Administrator, 7 Church Street, Mudgee. By their City Agents, Marshall, Marks, Dezarnaulds & Jones, Solicitors, 67 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 28 March 1960, p. 8. Geoffrey William Croan Probate |