Bertha Matilda Doyle
From Our Contribution
Bertha Matilda Doyle (1887 - 5 August 1976), was one of thirteen children born to William and Sarah Buckingham.
Early Life
Bertha Doyle was born in 1887 at an isolated farmhouse in Araluen that today we know as the Buckingham Cottage. The family lived off the land, selling their farm produce to survive. They kept horses, sheep and cattle and planted a market garden and many fruit trees. As a child, Bertha went to school spasmodically. She had to walk 6 miles down to Kelmscott School with her siblings. Bertha left school when she was in Class 5. As Bertha grew up, like most girls her age she left home and went to work as a domestic.
Marriage
Married Jack Hymus 1918 in the old Church that her Uncle Thomas built. Their 4 children were born into their War Service home in Rockingham. Sadly, Bertha lost Jack from his war injuries after only 10 years of marriage and later married Jack Doyle.
Community Contribution
She would exhibit things at the Kelmscott Show and won prizes for her cooking. She once won a beautiful silver teapot as a trophy for the best butter in the Show. Everyone loved Bertha, the hospitality queen.
Death
Bertha died at 88.