Biography

Eleanor Jane Elizabeth Kiddle (1900 - 1992)
Born at Launceston, 11th June 1900 died at Legana 26th November 1992
Well-known at St. John’s during the middle and latter parts of the 20th century, Miss Kiddle’s grandparents emigrated from England about 1870. Their voyage was delayed because of the impending birth of Frederick Kiddle, Miss Kiddle’s father, one of seven children, who was six weeks old when they set out on a six month voyage by sailing ship. The ship they should have sailed on was lost without trace. Miss Kiddle’s parents married at St. John’s shortly before the turn of the century. Her father was a groom in the stables of one of Launceston’s wealthier families, and later curator of the bowls club at Windmill Hill.

Miss Kiddle lived all her life in the neighbourhood of St. George’s Square in East Launceston. The Kiddle family moved to 70 Arthur St. about 1917. She went to work in McKinlays sewing room as soon as she had finished at East Launceston Primary School, at about 14 years of age. This was before the Launceston High School opened. She remained with McKinlays all her working life.

Miss Kiddle (known in her family as Bessie) and her next sister, Elsie both attended Sunday School at St. John’s from a young age. Sunday School was quite strict. Examinations were held to measure progress, and the Sunday School hall was set out with tables, under strict supervision. It was “school” in the full sense of the word. The Sunday School consisted of three divisions, senior, intermediate and kindergarten, which was in the back section of the building. Sybil Brownrigg’s mother took the intermediate section in the middle part of the building. Of course, the kindergarten section had a different program to the older ones!

Elsie became a teacher in the Sunday School, and rose to superintendent of the kindergarten section, and held that position for many years until her marriage in 1935, at which point Miss Kiddle, whom Elsie (Mrs. Jessop) had recruited as a teacher working with the older boys in the kindergarten, took over the leadership, a post she continued with until the mid 1980s! Sybil Brownrigg, too, was a teacher in the kindergarten section in those early years.

Miss Kiddle’s involvement in St. John Ambulance began in 1939, and she continued as an active member until the mid 1980s, rising to the rank of Serving Sister. She was twice decorated by the Governor of Tasmania in recognition of her service to St. John Ambulance. Her duties included hospital assistance during World War II and first aid at football matches and at the Launceston Show for many years. She conscientiously worked to support the organisation, and was active in organising the Button Days and the Doorknock Appeal. The high esteem in which she was held by her fellow officers was demonstrated in the guard of honour of uniformed St. John Ambulance officers at her funeral.

Miss Kiddle was always very faithful and devoted to her work for the church and St. John Ambulance, and if she knew of somebody that was seriously ill or dying, she would make a point of sitting with them to make sure they were not alone in their hour of need. Her life was the church and her sewing. She sewed for her whole family, including the younger children. Even as the children grew up, she made wedding dresses and other clothes for their special occasions. Nieces and nephews also benefited from her skills, as did the church and Sunday School. At the time of the birth of her youngest sister, her mother was seriously ill, and Miss Kiddle took over four months off work to nurse her mother and care for the new baby.

GFS (Girls Friendly Society) concerts would be held in the old Mechanics’ Institute (site of the Northern Regional Library), to raise money for the carpet fund and other worthy causes. Miss Kiddle and Mrs. Jessop were members from their teenage years (the joining age was 14), and continued later as Townsend group members. By the 1930s, Miss Kiddle was GFS secretary. Later, she took charge for many years. In those days, there was an active connection between GFS as a girls’ organisation at the church, and the GFS hostel which provided for the needs of working girls unable to live at home. In more recent years, the Townsend group were instrumental in providing for the fine carpet now to be seen in the church. Many will recall the fundraising stalls, slide shows, outings and “beetle evenings” of this latter period.
Plaque – on northern side of nave:
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ELEANOR JANE ELIZABETH KIDDLE, 1900-1992
WHO GAVE LOVING SERVICE TO GOD THROUGH DEDICATION
TO ST JOHN’S CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL, THE GIRLS FRIENDLY SOCIETY IN TASMANIA AND ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

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