Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles "Charlie" Edward Livesey was born in about 1863 in Stafford, Staffordshire to William Livesey and Lucilla (nee Baldwin). In the 1871 UK Census, the family were living at "Lyme House", Lowton, Lancashire and his father William's occupation was "Chief Accountant to the Mersey Docks and Harbours Board, Liverpool". The family appear to be relatively "well to do", having several servants, including a Governess for the children and a nurse, in the 1871 UK Census.

Charles was well educated and had a literary 'bent' - when he 'lands' in Brisbane by 1884, his poems start being published, and he is entering and winning prizes in various poetry competitions, in various Brisbane newspapers. He was also a journalist, and an article published in 1888 provides:

"C. E. Livesey has gone up to Warwick to take the place on the literary staff of the Examiner and Times vacated by Holland, who has joined the Warwick Argus. Charlie Livesey has been a dabbler in metropolitan journalism in Brisbane, and is brother to W. B. Livesey, of New Guinea fame. He was secretary of the Brisbane Lawn Tennis Club, and is a bit of a social acquisition. He narrowly escaped
being banqueted by his tennis friends, and may be relied upon to start that popular outdoor amusement going in Warwick, if it is not already practised
there. Charlie is a bit of a "pote," and did some very neat local parodies on some of Miss Amy Horton's best songs, during the recent reign of the
"Mother Goose " pantomime here." (Source: Queensland Figaro and Punch (Brisbane, Qld. : 1885 - 1889), 5 May 1888, p. 17).

Charlie must have been quite the character, as less than 6 months later, an article published again in the Queensland Figaro, detailing the "Spinster's Ball at Warwick" provides:

"..Mr. C. E. Livesey looked diabolical as Mephistopheles, and thought it very good fun to invite ladies to take shelter under his wing, but none seemed to appreciate tbe honor." (Source: Queensland Figaro and Punch (Brisbane, Qld. : 1885 - 1889), 6 October 1888, p. 1.)

Charles enlists in the Third Contingent - and when they arrive in South Africa, a letter of his back to Brisbane is published in several Brisbane newspapers (Source: Third Contingent. (1900, May 23. The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 10 (SECOND EDITION).)

Upon return to Brisbane in 1901, Charles is soon busy, inventing! On June 4, 1901, Charles filed an application for a certificate of provisions protection for an invention:

"Patents and Inventions.
Mr. Edward Waters (Fred Walsh, manager), 23 Elizabeth-street, Sydney, has compiled from the records of the Patents Office, Sydney, the following list of applications for letters patent and certificates of provisional protection (the latter
denoted by an asterisk), as having been filed during the week ending June 8:
No. 11,074. Charles Edward Livesey, Brisbane:An improved hat-fastener for ladies' hats. June 4.*" (Source:Patents and Inventions. (1901, June 22). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 6).

In July 1901 a newspaper article reports:

"Mr. C. E. Livesey, who has lately returned from the South Africa campaign, 'has invented a neat and effective fastener for ladies' hats, which seems likely to be successful. The fastener is extremely simple in its action, but differs materially from all the other fasteners previously invented. It consists of a pair of comb-like metal plates attached to each side of the interior of the brim of the hat or bonnet by a button, so that the fasteners can be easily inserted in a hut or removed to a
new one. The opinions of many ladies who have tried it in windy or calm weather is that it is by far the best method of securing the hat. The new fastener can be obtained at Mr. Jordan's jeweller's shop, Queen-street, opposite the Treasury" (Source: "FASTENER FOR LADIES' HATS." The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933) 26 July 1901, page 6).

In the 1903 Electoral Roll, Charles is listed as living at 120 Warren Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane and his occupation listed as "independent means". Perhaps his invention proved successful? Or perhaps he was just fortunately already financially independent and was thus afforded the time to be creative and invent things?

By 1908, Charles appears to have left Australia and is in Europe. In an article published in "The Telegraph" (Brisbane) in 1908, concerning the death of Mr Alfred Baldwin, M.P. (British House of Commons), reference is made to "..Two nephews of Mr. Baldwin are Mr. W. B. Livesey, who has for many years been engaged in journalistic work in Queensland, and Mr. C. E. Livesey, who was engaged in educa
tional work here, and had some reputation as a minor poet, and who now is in
Europe." (Source: 1908 'Late Mr. A. Baldwin, M.P.', The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), 21 February, p. 4).

Charles has by the 1911 UK Census, turned his hand to being a "Poultry Farmer" (though, lists he is 'working on own account' - despite actually being a boarder on a poultry farm in Sussex (Aburton Farm, Edburton Hassocks, Sussex). Though unconfirmed, it appears he passed away in 1926 on the Isle of Wight.