Person:St.George Grasby (1)

George died in a fire in a bungalow where he resided at the back of the house of his son Charlie and wife Marrion, in Spring St, Mortlake. The following newspaper article appeared in the Western District Newspaper:

"Tragic Fatality

"Invalid Burned To Death

"Trapped in his room with no possible chance of escape owing to enfeebleness, Mr Saint George William Edward Grasby, 76 years, was burned to death. ABOUT 7.15AM ON Thursday morning smoke was noticed issuing from the room in which Grasby was occupying in the yard behind the residence of his son Mr Charles Grasby, situated in Spring Street Mortlake. Efforts were made to effect rescue but they proved unsuccessful, as the flames inside the building prevented entrance. It was not until the fireman had subdued the flames could entrance be affected when the lifeless body was found in a crouching position along side the charred frame of a bed. From the position of the body it was evident the deceased had attempted to reach the door, but had been overcome by smoke from which he collapsed. The deceased had been confined indoors for several years, practically since he left Woorndoo to take up residence with his son in Mortlake. By his death the last link of an English aristocratic family has been severed. He was a grandson of Baronet Grasby of Grasby Hall, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, England. His father was Captain George Grasby of the 59th London yeomanry, and he fought in The Crimean War. When he came to Victoria he possessed a considerable fortune, which he lost through speculation in the tragic land boom which ruined so many thousands of people. Deceased's uncle Sir Charles Grasby visited Australia with the late King George V as aide-de-camp. Deceased leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters. They are Mr George Grasby (Albert Park, Victoria), Pte Charles Grasby, Ethel (Mrs R Grant, Noorat) and Alice May (Mrs Frank Berry, Rupanyup) The internment took place on Saturday afternoon at The Mortlake Cemetery in the presence of a large attendance of friends and relatives. Rev John Hall read The Church of England service at the graveside, and Mr W Christian was the funeral director."

The information about a connection to aristocracy has not been confirmed. His grandfather appears to have been a publican in Colsterworth rather than a baronet.

1. ↑ Vic Birth Reg. No. 4126/1868.
2. ↑ Vic Death Reg. No. 21904/1941.