Henry Punch (b 1869)
parents Charles Alexander Punch & Mary Fisher


born 1869, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia[1]
died 20 January 1910, Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia[1]
buried 23 January 1910, Swan Hill Cemetery, Swan Hill, Victoria[2]


Henry Punch was born in 1869 in Bendigo[1].  He grew up in Bendigo.

Henry married Margaret Honora Power (Maggie) on 27 July 1892 at St Kilian's Pro-Cathedral by the Rev. Father Hogan[5].

They lived in Swan Hill in northern Victoria[1,2]. 

Maggie's parents were Pierce Power and Johanna Coiridon[1].

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Henry died aged only 46 years and was buried on 23 January 1910 at Swan Hill Cemetery, Swan Hill, Victoria In Section R.C, Row 8, Grave 116.  Maggie died in 1915 and was buried on 19 February 1915 at Swan Hill Cemetery[1,2].

In 1903, Henry was living in Swan Hill and his occupation is Cab Proprietor.  It seems that this was his occupation until his death[7].  Between 1903 and 1914, Maggie is recorded living in Swan Hill carrying out Home Duties[3].




In his Last Will, Henry left everything to Maggie.  Probate was granted on 18 July 1911.  Maggie was not left with much - a weatherboard cottage of 3 rooms on a small allotment valued at £150 and furniture and cash to the value of £19 but also debts of £9.


Henry and Maggie had 8 children:-

1.  Beatrice Margaret Punch was born in 1894 in Swan Hill and died aged only 9 months in 1895 in Swan Hill.  Beatrice was buried on 12 April 1895 at the Swan Hill Cemetery in Section R.C.[1,2].

2.  James Henry Punch was born in 1896 in Swan Hill.  In 1920, he married Mary Kate Wilkins (aka Polly).  Mary Kate died in 1932 at Ultima, Victoria and was buried on 4 April 1932 at the Swan Hill Cemetery in Section R.C., Row 18, Grave 18.  James died in Swan Hill and was buried on 25 October 1963 at the Swan Hill Cemetery in the same grave as Mary Kate[1,2].  

When James enlisted for the Great War of 1914-18, he stated his occupation as Cab Driver probably working for his father[4].

James enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (Army) on 16 June 1916.  He completed his basic training at Seymour and joined the 6/2 Pioneer Reinforcement group on 1 September 1916 as a Private.  He left Australia on 20 October 1916 and arrived at Plymouth, England on 9 January 1917.  From 11 July 1917 to 7 October 1918, James was in France.  He was wounded in action several times and suffered from tonsilitus and influenza.  On 11 July 1917 he was assigned to the 6oth Battalion.  On 11 December 1917 he transferred to the 29th Battalion and on 17 October 1918 was transferred to the 32nd Battalion.  James returned to Australia on 5 April 1919[4].

In 1922, James and Kate were living at Beveridge Street, Swan Hill.  In 1924 James lived in Swan Hill and worked as a Barman.  Between 1924 and 1936, James lived in Ultima and his occupation is stated as Manager - presumably manager of a hotel.  Mary is found also carrying out Home Duties[3].

James and Mary Kate had (at least) one child - James William[1].

3.  George Punch was born ca 1897, probably in Swan Hill.  He died in 1970 in Ballarat, Victoria[1].  In 1903, George worked as a Groom in Swan Hill.  From 1909 to 1936 he is still in Swan Hill working as a Carter/Carrier/Labourer[3].

4.  Henry (Harry) Punch was born in 1900 in Swan Hill.  He died and was buried in Swan Hill Cemetery on 12 July 1900.  He lies in the same grave as his parents[1,2].

5.  William Harold Punch was born in 1901 in Swan Hill.  He died in 1976 in Ballarat[1].  Between 1931 and 1936, William was a Driver in Swan Hill[3].  Possibly he drove taxis for his father?

6.  Thomas Rex Punch was born ca 1903, probably in Swan Hill.  He died in 1971 in Swan Hill and was buried on 12 August 1971 at the Swan Hill Cemetery in Section Lawn A, Row A, Grave A.10[1,2].  Between 1924 and 1936, Thomas is found in Ultima working as a Labourer[3].

7.  Francis Gordon Punch was born in 1906 in Swan Hill.  He married Eileen Jessie Cusack in 1931.  Francis died in 1981 in Heidelberg, Victoria[1].  Between 1931 and 1936, Francis was living in Swan Hill working as a Saddler.  Later in Bendigo he worked as a Bread Carter[3].

8.  Henry Punch was born in 1909 in Swan Hill.  He died aged only 5 months and was buried on 28 September 1909 at the Swan Hill Cemetery and lies in the same grave as his parents[1,2].



References
  1. Victorian Birth, Marriage and Death registers
  2. Swan Hill Cemetery records
  3. Victorian Electoral Roll
  4. James Henry Punch AIF Service Record
  5. Bendigo Advertiser Personal Notices, 29 Aug 1892
  6. Henry Punch Last Will
  7. Henry Punch Probate