Did you know Louisa, or would you like to help remember her? Leave a comment in the post, below.
Louisa Fanny Butler (née Spain, 1911-1974)
Louisa and Dick Butler had survived the 1937 cyclone which hit Darwin, Louisa and her children were evacuated and escaped the bombing of Darwin, while Dick narrowly escaped death while on duty at the Naval Oil Fuel Installation on 19 February 1942. Their son Arthur ‘Darky’ Butler (1944-2008) survived active service in South Vietnam in 1967-68. Unfortunately though, Mrs Louisa Butler was one of the 49 (sic)* killed by Cyclone Tracy in December 1974.
*71 people died are known to have died in Cyclone Tracy, not 49.
Louisa Fanny Spain (1911-1974) was born in Darwin on 11 November 1911, the second child and only daughter of Anastasio Spain and his first wife Fanny Louisa (née Chapman,1889-1960).
Louisa’s father was the first child of Dionisio Antonio Puerte (1863-1926) from Cebu, later known as ‘Antonio Spain’, and his English wife Elizabeth Massey (1866-1951) – Anastasio Puerte Spain (1886-1942). Officials incorrectly recorded his middle name as ‘Portia’, and in later life he was known as ‘Pedro’.
Louisa’s younger brother was Ernest Herbert Spain (1913-1996). Louisa and Ernie attended Darwin Public School, and were active participants in community activities such as the ‘juvenile fancy dress ball’ held each year at the Town Hall.
Ernie escorted his sister Louisa at Christ Church Cathedral on 1 July 1931 when she married Dick Butler. Butler had been born in Katherine in 1908 to a Wugularri/Jawoyn Aboriginal and a European father, and was later a Gunner in the Darwin Mobile Force. Later that year Ernie went to Queensland.
Louisa was evacuated from Darwin with her children and mother Fanny on the SS Montoro on 10 January 1942. They lived with Ernie Spain and his wife Elena in Brisbane for the duration of the war. They returned to the Top End in June 1948, living in a ‘Sidney Williams’ house at Salonika.
2 thoughts on “Louisa Fanny BUTLER (63 years)”
After all these years I found this obituary for Louise (Louie as we used to call her) Butler. She was on the staff at the Commonwealth Hostel Parap and was always cheerful and helpful. We all really liked her and we often used to have a lot fun teasing each other. She was a great personality and great to have around. I am really sorry to hear that she suffered in the Cyclone. May she Rest In Peace even though this was now a long time ago.
I am proud to say that this Butiful Lady is my Grandmother 💗 I don’t remember you, but I have always felt your presence.