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1. Richard Thomas Alfred Prentice was b. 1861 in England (per his burial record). He d. 27 Jul 1948 in Queensland, Australia (Ref: 1948/001204) and is bur. at Bundaberg Cemetery (per Judith Dickson, email, 4 Sep 2006).

He m. 1st. Elizabeth Gordon Ward on 6 Jan 1909, Queensland. She was b. 25 Mar 1883 (Ref: 1883/005107), died 9 Mar 1910 (Ref: 1910/002490), daughter of George Ward and Mary Jane Gordon. Sonof Richard and Elizabeth:

1. Claude John Prentice, b. 9 Mar 1910 (Ref: 1910/008321) died 21 Jul 1910 (Ref: 1910/002549).

Richard Thomas Alfred Prentice then married 2nd Margaret Ward on 3 Dec 1910 (Ref: 1910/002274) in Queensland. She was b. 20 May 1888 (Ref: 1888/007429), daughter of George Ward and Mary Jane Gordon in Maryborough, Queensland (according to the Bundaberg Cemetery burial register) and was a sister of Richard’s first wife Elizabeth Gordon Ward. In the 1922, C’wealth Electoral Roll Richard and Margaret are living at Woondooma St, Bundaberg. Richard’s occupation is listed as labourer. Margaret died in 1959 and is buried in the Bundaberg Cemetery with her husband. Children of Richard and Margaret:

1. Thomas Gordon Rex Prentice, b. 19 Jun 1911. . . . . . . . . . [2]
2. Myrtle Elizabeth Prentice, b. 12 Jul 1912 (Ref: 1912/009491) and d. later that same year on 22 Dec 1912, (Ref: 1913/002896)
3. Clara Jane Prentice, b. 22 Jul 1915 (Ref: 1915/010613).
4. Stanley George Prentice, b. 14 Oct 1917 (Ref: 1917/012302) in Bundaberg, Queensland. Stanley enlisted at East Bundaberg in the Australian Army for WW2 on 27 Aug 1940. He was a Sapper in the 16 A FD COY TD ENGR. He was discharged on 7 Feb 1942. At the time of enlistment his father Richard was given as his next of kin.

2. Thomas Gordon Rex Prentice, b. 19 Jun 1911 (Ref: 1911/008661) in Childers, Queensland. (NB Subsequently given in WW2 Nominal Roll as Gordon John Prentice with same birth date and parents). He enlisted in South Bundaberg in the Royal Australian Air Force on the 27 Jun 1941. He was a Corporal in the Security Guards Unit. He was discharged on 11 Sep 1945.

His next of in military records was given as Phyllis Prentice who was probably his wife. If this is the case this may be Phylliss May Prentice (nee Lovatt) born 1919 in Wallaville, Queensland (daughter of Charles William Lovatt and Wilhelminia Creamer) who died 30 May 1948, 1948/001204 and is buried in the Bundaberg Cemetery. She is listed as Presbyterian. NB: There is a child Beverly Joyce Prentice born 1940 and died 1940 in Bundaberg (Presbyterian) buried in the Bundaberg Cemetery who may be their daughter.

Queensland records say that Richard was the son of Richard Prentice and Mary Jane Unknown. For now, nothing further is known about them.

A search of England census records for a Richard Prentice in Warwickshire shows a Richd Prentice, b. c. 1793 in Warwickshire and in the 1841 census living in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, with his wife, Elizabeth, b. c. 1795, Warwickshire, and children:

1. Ann Prentice, b. c. 1831, Warwickshire.
2. Elizabeth Prentice, b. c. 1829, Warwickshire.
3. Josh Prentice, b. c. 1834, Warwickshire. Not in 1851 census.

However, Elizabeth would be much too old to be the mother of the 1861 Warwickshire Richard Prentice.

The IGI shows Richard as the son of James Prentice and Anne, not Richard and Mary Jane. See our Summer 2001 article About William Prentice of Birmingham, Warwickshire, England . It might be possible that Richard had a 2nd, younger, wife named Mary Jane, but there is no presently available evidence of that.

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