Sidonia Selma (Selma) OTTO
married William Henry GROVES
married George Graham GOODFELLOW
Selma was born abt 1872 in Zwickau, Germany. She died 12 February 1962.
George Graham Goodfellow was born abt 1869 and died 29 February 1952.
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Selma & George are buried in the same grave in Lutwyche Cemetery
(Monumental Portion 2 Section 100A Grave No 29)
Note: None of Selma's children/step-children survived her. At the time of her death in 1962
she was the only surviving family member.
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Selma & William were married 28 August 1893
Selma & George were married 26 July 1911
When Selma's parents, Friedrich & Auguste, sailed from Germany in 1874, only five of their children sailed with them. Selma (aged 4 yrs) and her brother Pagel (Heinrich Paul) (aged 8 yrs) sailed to Australia two years later aboard the "Reichstag", accompanied by Ludwig Kahlert and Maria Flikenworth. It is unknown as to why Selma & Pagel were left behind or the relationship between the Otto family and Ludwig & Maria.
Child of Selma & William Groves
William Henry b. 18th October 1892 d. 22nd May 1961
​m. Emilie Vera Leitch 10th January 1920
Note: Queensland Births Deaths & Marriages records had two entries for William Henry Jnr's birth, both with same Reference No.
William Henry Groves - Mother Selina Litoney Otto Goodfellow - Father William Henry
William Henry Goodfellow - Mother Selina Litoney Otto Groves - Father William Henry
(An enquiry to Qld BDM, seeking clarification, seems to have resulted in the record being adjusted to show only the entry for William Henry Goodfellow, with the father remaining as William Henry.)
The Death record for William Henry is as follows:
William Henry Goodfellow - Mother Selicia Titoney Otto - Father William Henry Groves
Children of Selma & George Goodfellow
Selma and George did not have any children, however, Selma was step-mother to George's three children by a previous marriage. The children would have been 8yrs, 5yrs and 2yrs at the time of their mother's death.
George Goodfellow married Esther McDonald on 18th February 1894.
​Esther died 21st December 1902. They had three children:
George Graham b. 13th March 1894 d. 1st February 1917
George was killed in action in WWI at Gueudecourt, France - no known grave
He is recorded on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Canberra and Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Picardie, France
Margaret b. 7th October 1896 d. 5 December 1943
​m. Thomas Barnes 30th November 1921
Jessie Esther b. 1st May 1899 d. 14th September 1907
Jessie drowned while going down to a creek to wash. She was 8 yrs old.
Click here to read report in Telegraph
Land selection by William Groves
On 20th October 1902 William Henry Groves of Townsville, Engine Driver, applied to select Agricultural Farm 4425 Portion 231 being 172 acres 2 roods upon payment of Twenty-one pounds eighteen shillings. This amount was made up of Twenty pounds for the first year's rent plus survey fee of One pound eighteen shillings.
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The Electoral Roll in 1903 lists Selma Groves and William Henry Groves in Durundur (being the Parish in which Peachester is located).
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William obtained a Licence to occupy the selection and on 11 August 1903 a Lease was issued, however, on 12 October 1903 William surrendered the selection. During the time he occupied the selection he had enclosed it with a fence, as required, and built a house of sawn timber with a shingle roof.
Click on the above images to view a pdf version
Selma purchased property in
Erneton Estate, Newmarket
On 4th April 1907 Selma purchased from John Murrell land in a newly developed Estate in Newmarket (1904), comprised of two lots, 159 and 160. The property was on the corner of Erneton Street and Wilston Road and opposite the Newmarket Train Station. Electoral Roll records in 1908 show Selma and George at Erneton Estate, Newmarket.
Note: John Murrell was the first Station Master at Newmarket Station.
Selma purchased Lots 159 & 160
Above images show Nos 56 & 58 Wilston Road, Newmarket, which are now a carpark opposite Newmarket Station.
The first estate in Newmarket, Wilston Estate, was released in 1885 and the Newmarket Station was built in 1899. The pedestrian tunnel (shown on map as Underpass) was built in 1954.
Following Selma's death in 1962, both lots were sold to the Brisbane City Council by the Public Curator as Administrator of her Will.
​View of Newmarket ca 1909. Enoggera Creek is visible running across Alderson Street. M. Hinton's store is in the middle of the photograph, on Wilston Road (Description supplied with photograph). Many of the houses are made of weatherboard and are built on stilts. (State Library of Qld)
Two Brothers
It seems that although William Henry (Jnr) and George Graham (Jnr) were step-brothers, they had a close brotherly relationship as they both served in WWI and when George was missing in action, William wrote letters to Australian Red Cross attempting to discover what had happened to his brother. Selma wrote letters also as it was initially reported that George was captured by the Germans. This proved to be incorrect and it was established that he died in a trench in France.
George Graham GOODFELLOW
George Graham Goodfellow was killed in the German trenches at Gueudecourt, France.
His name is located at panel 76 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
George was part of the 11th Run of the 15th Battalion A Company in the LMGS (Lewis Machine Gun Section). It has been reported that the soldiers at Gueudecourt experienced some of the filthiest conditions on the Somme front.
George enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915. His occupation was biscuit maker.
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Below is a letter written by his brother, William, to the Australian Red Cross and another written by his mother, Selma, both seeking information about George. (Click to enlarge)
The Australian Red Cross and AIF (Australian Imperial Force) made many attempts to determine the fate of GG Goodfellow as evidenced by many letters contained in their archives.
Reference: Pte. G Williams 553S, A Coy, 28 March 1917
"I saw him with his M.G. in the trench we had to evacuate in front of Gueudecourt on Feb 1st. We retired and got back. He remained. I did not see him again. We concluded he had been taken prisoner. He was missing at Roll Call. I am positive he did not get back, as I made enquiries for him. If not a P/W he must have been killed. He belonged to the LMGS and was attached to A.Coy."
Informant: Sgt. V. R. Warren, 4400 15th Battn
"Of A. Company. Was Lance Corporal on Lewis Gun at Geuedicourt near Papaume. During our attack at 7.45 pm. on the 1st February, he was in a gun position out in front of enemy's trench which we had taken. Was wounded by one of our own shells, hit all over. He was brought back into the trench. We had to retire and we left him in the trench at about 4 o'clock in the morning of 2nd February, he was then practically dead. He was unconscious after he was hit; was a mate of mine and I tried to get him to speak, but he was too far gone." The trench was taken again and held by 13th Battn., on 4th february 1917.
There were many letters written by Selma and William with various replies from Australian Red Cross and AIF as to whether George was killed or taken prisoner by the Germans. It seems that more than a year passed before Selma and William were informed of the decision that George had been killed on 1st February 1917.
17th May 1918
Dear Sir,
With further reference to your communication of the 3rd of July last concerning the case of No 3304, Lance Corporal G.G. Goodfellow, 15th Battalion, I have to advise you that I am now in receipt of a reply to my enquiry addressed to the Australian Imperial Force Headquarters and an extract from same is appended for your information.
You are advised that the abovementioned N.C.O. is now reported Killed in Action 1.2.17
The report made by Hall was purely hearsay.
Headquarters 5th Australian Division have since reported that L/Cpl Goodfellow was buried, but so far his grave has not been located.
Yours faithfully
Major
Office i/c Base Records
Mr S.S. Goodfellow
NEWMARKET Vic
Outdoor group portrait of unidentified members of the A Company, 15th Battalion. A list of names of this group is on the First World War Embarkation Rolls held by the Research Centre, AWM. This will indicate the likely names of people in this photograph, but not their position. te central figure in the front row is Lieutenant Nikoolai Theodor Svensen (see also AO3576)
William Henry GOODFELLOW/GROVES
William first served in the Moreton regiment 9th Battalion in 1913. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1915. His occupation was 'packer'. He was attached to the Special Reinforcement for the 2nd Australian General Hospital (AGH). He was later attached to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station based near Estaires in northern France from May 1916 to May 1917. The unit was then relocated to Bailleul near the Belgian border during the battle for Messines ridge. He remained with his unit in France and Belgium until March 1919 with periods of leave in England & Paris.
In March 1919 William was admitted to the 3rd AGH in France with a fractured leg while on active duty. He was transferred to a military hospital in England and eventually arrived back in Australia in July 1919.
​Medical staff in the operating theatre at No.1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Bailleul, France, 1917
On 10th January 1920 William married Emilie Vera Leitch. In 1925 he had moved to Wilston, Brisbane and in 1941 Taringa. From about 1929 to 1949 he worked as a commercial traveller. From 1954 to 1958 he is recorded as living at Southport, Qld, and working as a salesman.
A few extra snippets
Advertisement placed in The Telegraph, Brisbane, 14th April 1910
Item in The Courier-Mail, Brisbane, 31st May 1947
​Notice placed in The Telegraph, Brisbane, 20th May 1919
Selma's mother, Auguste, died 19th May 1919.
A little family folklore
There is a family story that Selma ran a dance studio but no record has yet been found with further information about this.
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According to the Eulogy of Alvene Matilda Brandt (eldest daughter of Ernest Bruno & Martha Otto), Alvene (Rene) was born at Selma's home on 25 June 1910. Bruno was Selma's younger brother.
Selma's niece, Elsie May Otto, stayed with her for a while when she first left the farm in Tellebang mid 1940's.
A great-niece and a great-nephew can remember visiting Selma with their parents, (Marena Elsie (Marie) Ross nee Otto and Rudolph (Peter) Otto) when they were children. The great-niece particularly remembers Selma's ginger nut biscuits.
It is also interesting that it was Selma's house that was chosen as the departure point for her mother's funeral in 1919 and her sister, Annie stayed with her for an unknown period of time around 1949.
The Story of Selma
Left behind in Germany - 1874
Selma was born in Zwickau, Germany, about 1872. In 1874 when Selma's parents sailed from Germany, they left behind Selma and her older brother, Heinrich. It is unknown as to who would have taken care of this little two year old girl and her older brother, however, about two years later, in 1876, Selma & Heinrich sailed to Australia accompanied by Ludwig Kahlert and Maria Flikenworth who it is supposed were family friends. The next decade or so were spent living in the area of Newmarket Road, Brisbane.​
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Heinrich selects land in Peachester - 1887
In 1887, when Selma was about 15 years old, her brother, Heinrich, selected land in Peachester and soon after this the family moved to the area setting up home on the land selected by Heinrich. This property eventually transferred to Selma's mother, Auguste, who gained the freehold title.
Selma has a son & husband selects land in Peachester - 1893
In August 1893, aged about 21 yrs, Selma married William Henry Groves, having given birth to a son, William Henry Groves in October 1892. In 1902 William selected land in Peachester.
What became of this marriage is unknown. A William Groves died in 1904 but it has yet to be established as to whether this was Selma's husband.
Selma buys property in Newmarket, Brisbane, Jessie drowns in creek and Selma & George marry - 1907 to 1911
In 1907 Selma purchased two lots in newly developed Erneton Estate, Newmarket, opposite the Newmarket Railway Station. The Title Deed describes her as "Sidonia Selma Goodfellow" and Electoral Roll records show her and George John Goodfellow living at "Erneton Estate, Newmarket". George's wife, Esther, died in 1902 and it seems Selma adopted George's three children by his marriage to Esther.
It was in 1907 that the youngest of these children, Jessie (8 yrs old), drowned in a creek while going down to wash. It seems this would have been Enoggera Creek.
In 1910 Selma placed an advertisement in the paper for a housekeeper.
In 1911 Selma & George married.
Two sons off to war - only one returns - 1915
George Graham (Jnr) enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915 and William Henry (Jnr) enlisted in August 1915. Although George was a stepson his military records state that his next of kin was Sidonia Selma Goodfellow. This could have been due to the fact that his father was a seaman which leads to the question, what did he do during the war?
​When it was discovered that George was missing, Selma wrote many letters to the AIF and William corresponded with Australian Red Cross in efforts to discover whether his brother, George, was a prisoner of war taken by the Germans or had, in fact, been killed.
It was eventually established that George died in a German trench in Gueudecourt, France, in February 1917.
William finally returned home in July 1919, having served in a Casualty Clearing Station in France.
Life at Newmarket & Selma's mother (Auguste Ernestine Otto) dies - 1919
The property purchased by Selma was comprised of two lots, one being in Wilston Road and the other being next door on the corner of Wilston Road and Erneton St.
The 1919 Electoral Roll shows George living at Erneton St, Newmarket and also his daughter, Margaret, at the same address. Selma is shown as living at Wilston Road, Newmarket.
In May 1919 Selma's mother died on a train travelling between Northgate & Brisbane. It seems she had been very ill with cancer for some time. Selma was one of the beneficiaries in her mother's Will and from records available it seems she would have inherited about ​£130.0.0.
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Margaret marries and Selma borrows on the Newmarket property - 1921 & 1922
Margaret married in 1921, however, Electoral Roll records still show Selma & George as supposedly living apart, continuing until 1949.
In 1922 a Mortgage was registered on the Newmarket property for two hundred and fifty pounds with the Mortgagee being Margaret Mary Josephine Crowe, Widow. Another mortgage was registered only a couple of months later for one hundred pounds to the same Mortgagee. It appears from the Title document that there was a Release of Mortgage in 1926.
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Life at Newmarket, Selma's father (Gottlob Friedrich Otto) dies & Margaret dies - 1925 to 1949
In 1925 George was living Wilston Rd & Erneton St, Newmarket and Selma at Wilston Rd, Newmarket.
In June 1926 Selma's father, Gottlob Friedrich, died whilst at his daughter, Annie's, house in Fewings St, Toowong.
​In December 1943 George's daughter, Margaret, died. At this stage we have no information about her life.
It seems Selma had a couple of houseguests during In the mid 1940's as Selma's niece, Elsie May Otto, moved from her brothers' farm at Tellebang to Brisbane and stayed with her aunt for a short time. Also, in 1949 Selma's sister, Annie Pauline (aged 85 yrs) came to stay for a while.
Finally, in 1949 George is shown living at the same address as Selma, being 58 Wilston Rd, Newmarket. (The property Wilston Rd & Erneton St is 56 Wilston Rd.) Were there two houses on the property and if Selma & George were living apart for thirty years, what type of relationship did they have? Could this have simply been a different way of individuals completing Electoral Roll forms?
George dies in Feb 1952, William in 1961 and Selma in 1962
Selma outlived her husband, son and step-children. The Public Curator, as Administrator of her Will, sold her property to the Brisbane City Council. A carpark now fills the space occupied by her house.