elizabeth martin's death
TRANSCRIPT
Elizabeth Martin 1882 – 1957
Grandmother of Glenn Martin
Brian Martin
and Helena Yates
Elizabeth Martin’s memorial is at Canobolas Crematorium, Orange.
ELIZABETH MARTIN
DIED 1ST AUGUST, 1957
AGED 73.
“ALWAYS REMEMBERED BY FAMILY
God Bless.”
At her death, Elizabeth had spent 37 years in two mental institutions: Callan Park, from February 1921, then Orange Mental Hospital from 1930.
She was 37 when she was admitted to Callan Park, five months after the birth of her seventh child, Frances. Our dad (Sydney James Martin) was just seven years old; he was the fourth child.
Elizabeth had been ranting and delusional for weeks; she was admitted to hospital after swallowing sheep dip.
The Florentine Wall
The memorial plaque for Elizabeth (“Lizzie” on her marriage certificate) is in the Florentine Wall at the crematorium, which was opened just the year before her death. Dad’s oldest brother, Norm, the eldest son, requested that she be cremated rather than buried.
Norm Martin attended the funeral.
Norm Martin attended the funeral. It seems that he was the only person from the family to attend.
He paid the difference between what the hospital paid for the funeral and what the cremation cost.
He expressed appreciation for all the hospital had done for his mother.
(Hospital’s notes)
William Thomas Martin died in 1955
Elizabeth’s husband, William Thomas Martin, had died two years earlier, on 16th December 1955.
On his death certificate his marital status was noted as “Married”, despite the fact that they had not lived together for over thirty years.
He is buried at Woronora Cemetery, along with other members of the Martin family.
The setting for Elizabeth’s memorial
It is not know why Norm wanted Elizabeth to be cremated, but certainly there is a grandeur about her final resting place that belies the beleagured circumstances of her life.
Notice of death from hospital
The telegram notifying the family of Elizabeth’s death was sent to George Martin, who lived with his father, William Thomas, until the latter’s death in 1955.
Grounds of Canobolas Crematorium, Orange
A wooded hillside at Orange came to be Elizabeth Hannah Martin’s final resting place, after long years of melancholy and estrangement.
George Martin’s letter
George Martin, who was two years younger than our dad, received the telegram about the death of his mother and wrote back to the hospital:
I received your telegram yesterday, and was
deeply moved of the situation. My father, Mr
William Thomas Martin, passed away the
16th December 1955.
The last time I seen my mother was when I
was about six years of age. I have spoken to
my elder brother [Norm], the next of kin,
and he may try and contact you by phone.
Thanking you very much for your telegram.
I remain yours sincerely,
G. Martin
Orange Mental Hospital
Bloomfield Hospital* lies on the south-eastern outskirts of Orange, on 640 acres.
Opened in the 1920s as the Orange Mental Hospital, it favoured clusters of smaller buildings over large institutional structures, and emphasised open space and gardens as restorative influences.
People with mental conditions were no longer seen as criminals. Rather, their condition was seen as a disease that good surroundings might assist to cure.
* Orange Mental Hospital was renamed in the 1950s as
Bloomfield Hospital.
The transfer of Elizabeth
In the 1920s, Callan Park Mental Hospital in Sydney was over-crowded, and the hospital at Orange was built to alleviate this situation. It was built to take about 1,200 patients.
(Aerial photo 1932)
Elizabeth was transferred to Orange on 13th February 1930. The medical notes describe her behaviour as “idle, solitary, reserved,
delusional. Transferred
not improved”.
Elizabeth’s belongings
A docket listing Elizabeth’s belongings accompanied her upon transfer to Orange in February 1930.
It’s not much – top coat; hat; 4 – no, 3 dresses; 2 petticoats; 1 singlet; 2 pairs hose; 1 pair shoes; 1 pair bloomers.
At a second reading, you see that these are the same clothes she had upon admission in February 1921. Hence the 4 dresses have diminished to 3.
Her mother’s reaction to the move
Elizabeth’s mother did not know until afterwards that she had been transferred to Orange. On 5th March 1930 she wrote to the Medical Superintendent at Orange:
Dear Sir,
It came as a great surprise when
you sent me word that Lizzie
Martin (my daughter) had left
Callan Park. I hope it is for the
best. Would you kindly let me
know how she is as I am anxious
and you will greatly oblige.
Yours obediently,
Mrs E. Eaglestone
Buildings at Bloomfield
Buildings at Bloomfield
Buildings at Bloomfield
The grounds
The grounds
The grounds
A gentle environment
The grounds of the hospital attract the presence of kangaroos.
Photo of Elizabeth Martin at Orange, probably taken in late 1940s.
Her mother died in 1937.
A file note in August 1942 states “She has no letters, no visitors.”
A file note in 1945 says she has “no amusements”; when she is unsettled she is “restless, violent and destructive. Otherwise she is dull and quiet”. “She speaks rarely.” “She answers some questions, but she is mostly confused, disoriented and incoherent.”
No visitors
The hospital wrote to Elizabeth’s husband in February 1947 to advise that she was “failing in health and should be visited”.
He writes in reply, three weeks later:
I just received your letter,
which was wrongly addressed. I
thank you for writing to me.
Would you please let me know
how my wife Elizabeth Martin
is at present. Sorry I cannot
visit her as I am in bad health
myself.
W. T. Martin
Accommodation
Elizabeth was housed in Ward F5, one of the many buildings on the grounds. She had a single room.
The hospital had many activities for patients, but she did not engage in any of these activities.
Activities
Mental health authorities believed in the value of recreational activities in the care of the mentally ill. The centrepiece of the buildings was the Recreational Centre.
From the 1950s, when migrants from Europe boosted the hospital’s workforce, many theatrical productions were staged here.
“Festival of Spring”
The 1950s was a vibrant time for the hospital, with regular entertainments staged by the Bloomfield Theatrical Society. In August 1957 it staged a musical written by one of the migrant workers, Jaroslav Broz – “Festival of Spring”. It was a great success.
The end of Elizabeth’s life
Elizabeth did not live to see “Festival of Spring”. She died on 1st August 1957, at 9:00 am, in the presence of Nurse Reynolds, of a cardiac lesion.
She was 75.
Born 4th June 1882 at Balmain.
Married William Thomas Martin on 22nd July 1908 at St Peters.
Admitted to Callan Park on 23rd February 1921 at 38 years of age.
Elizabeth Hannah Martin [Eaglestone] Always remembered by family.
God bless.
Acknowledgments
Slides prepared by Glenn Martin, September 2015.
Photos of Canobolas Crematorium and Bloomfield Hospital taken by Glenn Martin, August 2015.
Information about the hospital and aerial photo in 1932 drawn from Bloomfield Hospital Conservation Management Plan, 2006, NSW Government Architects Office.
Patient information about Elizabeth Martin obtained from medical records of Callan Park and Bloomfield Hospitals.
Photo of Elizabeth Martin obtained from medical records of Bloomfield Hospital.
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