Biography

FINDLAY Percy Alexander, Norman and families
Percy Alexander Findlay was born in Launceston on 28th June, 1866, the eldest son of Alexander Findlay, an emigrant from England. Percy was educated in Launceston and was first employed in the piano and music store of Arthur Munnew. Percy later became a partner and in 1907 he took over as sole proprietor under the name of "Findlays". In April 1889 he married Alice Emily Jones at St. John's Church. Both had been Sunday School teachers there. They had three sons, Algernon, Norman and Selwyn and six daughters, Ila, Meryl, Gwen, Thelma, Lorna and Nancy. Some of these children later entered the family firm. Members of the Findlay family attended both St. John's and St. Aidan's Churches.

Outside his business interests, Percy was actively interested in many musical affairs, being a member of several music societies. He was also involved in the fruit industry and had an orchard on the East Tamar. Percy died at the age of 79 in June 1945.
Algernon Percy, eldest son of Percy, was born on 17th March, 1892 at Launceston. He was educated at Scotch College, Launceston, and was employed at Findlays. On 15th October, 1915 he married Frances Mary Hutchinson and they had five children. Algie was prominent in sport while at school and in later years represented Tasmania in cricket, bowls and table tennis. He was president of the Launceston Bank for Savings, a director of the Newnham Nurseries, and a local director of the Northern Assurance Co. He was the pioneer of commercial radio broadcasting in Tasmania and the first station erected in Launceston transmitted from his own company's building. Algie was a member of many charitable, service and philanthropic organisations. In 1943 he received the O.B.E. and three years later was made a C.B.E. He died on 9th January, 1956.

Norman, second son of Percy, was born on 20th April, 1894. He too was educated at Scotch College and was also employed in the family firm. He enlisted in the A.I.F. during World War I and served in France and was mentioned in despatches. After the war he married Jane Thelwell, daughter of William and Jane Thelwell and sister-in-law of C. T. Finney. Jane, or Jenny as she was always called, assisted her husband in his business, becoming a director of Findlays, Wills Broadcasters and Wills & Co. Pty. Ltd. She was a member of several philanthropic and charitable organisations including the Launceston General Hospital Auxiliary and Hospital Board, Cosgrove Park Auxiliary, Red Cross, Comforts Fund, Broadland House School, the Launceston Girls' Home Women's Auxiliary and the War Memorial Commemorative Centre Committee. Jenny did not have any children. She died on 10th April, 1956.

Several years after Jenny died, Norman married again. His second wife was Doris Oakley. They did not have children. He was very involved in amateur theatre, cricket, music, Rotary and with broadcasting. He died on 14th March, 1968, having received the O.B.E. a few years before.

Selwyn, the third son of Percy, was born on 13th February, 1897, and was educated at the Launceston Church Grammar School. He entered the family firm, eventually taking over the North West Coast branches. He was activeIy interested in most sports, music and musical instruments. He married Molly, daughter of F. A. Gaunt of Launceston. In memory of this large family, in November 1959 Norman Findlay gave to St. Aidan's Church a stained-glass window featuring 'St. Paul the Apostle', with a brass plaque below. After Norman's death, in his memory his second wife, Doris, gave funds to St. Aidan's Church which enabled Vestry to erect an illuminated cross on the church roof. The inscriptions for these memorials read:
"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED FAMILY, MY WIFE, MOTHER, FATHER, SISTERS AND BROTHERS, WHO WORSHIPPED AND SERVED IN THIS PARISH FOR 50 YEARS GIVEN BY NORMAN A. FINDLAY RECTOR'S WARDEN." "IN MEMORY OF NORMAN A. FINDLAY DIED 14TH MARCH 1968 AGED 73 YEARS. THE ILLUMINATED CROSS IS A LOVING TRIBUTE FROM HIS WIFE. HE SERVED THIS CHURCH FAITHFULLY FOR 60 YEARS."

Source

"Engraved in Memory", GILL, Jenny, 1988

Launceston Family Album
https://www.launcestonfamilyalbum.org.au/detail/1030841/percy-alexander-findlay