Name: DEVLIN Michael Albert

Date of Birth: 19 January 1892

Birth Location: Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia.

Also Known As: Mick

Age at Burial: 94yrs 11mths

Date of Death: 8 January 1987

Death Location: St. Vincents Hospital, Bunbury

Date of Burial: 12 January 1987

Denomination: Catholic

Row/Grave: Row 8 / Grave 38

Grave Transcription:

In Memory Of

MICHAEL ALBERT

DEVLIN

LOVED BROTHER OF

HUGH, PATRICK, JAMES, FRANCIS,

MARGARET & MINNIE

19-1-1892 – 8-1-1987

MAY PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HIM

Father: James Devlin born: 1861 Died: 25 May 1939 Buried Bunbury Cemetery.

Mother: Jane O’Bryan/O’Brien born: 1859 Died: 2 November 1952 Buried Bunbury Cemetery.

Grandfather (Father): Hugh Devlin born: 1812 Died: 1897

Grandmother (Father): Mary Jane McKee born: 1811 Died: 1883

Grandfather (Mother):

Grandmother (Mother):

Siblings:

Hugh Devlin born: 1889 Died: 18 September 1962 Buried Bunbury Cemetery.

James Devlin born: 1894 Died: 25 June 1963 Buried Karrakatta Cemetery – Roman Catholic Grave No 0600

Patrick Devlin born: 1896 Died: 2 July 1972 Buried Karrakatta Cemetery – Roman Catholic Grave No 0077

Mary Jane “Minnie” Devlin born: 1898 Died: 1956 Married 1915 John Patrick Hogan

Francis Devlin born: 1901 Died: 6 August 2006 Buried Bunbury Cemetery. Married 1950 Margaret Mary Cantwell

Margaret Ann Devlin born: 1904 Died: 28 July 1988 Buried Karrakatta Cemetery – Roman Catholic – Lawn 6 – Grave No 0343.  Married 1935 Henry Thomas Gorddard.

Spouse: Unmarried

Children: Nil

Occupation: Orchardist

Their Story

Michael, also known as Mick, was born in Broken Hill, NSW. His father and mother were Irish Immigrants. His parents moved to Greenbushes, in Western Australia, around 1893 for tin mining. In 1901 the family moved to Roelands and bought a farm at Brunswick Junction, where they grew vegetables and milked cows.

Michael’s father bought 100acres on Goodwood Road next to the Capel River. Michael and his brother James both moved to the new property to start an orchard.

Trove Article – Roads Board Meeting

Trove Article – Resident of Capel

Trove Article – Dance Fundraiser

Trove Article – Rabbit Problem in the District

Trove Article – Death of Father

DEVLIN – On May 25, 1939, at St. John of God Hospital, Bunbury, James Devlin, beloved husband of Jane. loving father of Hugh (Brunswick) Michael and James (Capel) Patrick (Brother Patrick. C.S.S.R., Perth). Minnie (Sydney), Francis (Brunswick), Margaret (Mrs H. Gorddard, Perth), aged 78 years.

R.I.P.

Michael gave generously to fundraising efforts in Capel. His name often appeared in newspaper articles having given a donation to help many a worthy cause.

On Saturdays, Michael, dressed in his suit and hat would hitchhike into Capel to do his shopping and get the newspapers. The town of Capel closed on a Wednesday afternoon but was open all-day Saturday for shopping. Michael used to wait on the veranda outside the Capel Post Office or Roberts’s Shop after he had finished his business in town until he could hitch a ride back home.

Neither Michael nor his brother James learnt to drive. James became unwell in 1959 and moved into care in Perth, where he passed away a few years later. Michael continued to live on the property. The hut had two rooms and a lean to. There was no electricity until the late 1970’s. Richard (Dick) and Lorna Fisher helped him pick his fruit and get it to market.

Michael had very good neighbours who checked on him regularly. He never married. The Devlin Family remained close and every Christmas, Michael’s brother Francis would come to Capel and take Michael to the family at Brunswick Junction for the Christmas festivities. Michael bought a new suit for himself every Christmas!

Information and story by TH (niece of Michael Devlin) added to by DC (Member CDCP)

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© Capel District Cemeteries Project 25/09/2023