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Jones, David Samuel

"When the Ainslie (formerly Canberra) School closed in September 1914 the teacher David Samuel Jones took charge of a new Public School at Duntroon. He continued as teacher-in-charge until his retirement in 1943......When Gungahleen School closed in 1923 the school was converted as a residence for David Jones and for some time he transported some of the former Gungahleen pupils to the Duntroon School" [Gillespie 1999 p. 24].

David Jones married Frances Shumack whose family had farmed in the Canberra area from the mid-nineteenth century: "Report of the marriage at St John the Baptist Church Canberra on Thursday 23.9.1915 of Frances the youngest daughter of Mrs P Shumack of Kiaora Ainslie and David S Jones of Duntroon Public School.The bride was given away by Mr Jack Read. The bridesmaid was Miss Maud Stinson and Mr EM Jackson was best man. The bride's little niece Myee Taylor acted as cushion bearer. The reception and wedding breakfast was held at Fern Hill, the residence of Mrs G Southwell who kindly offered her home for the occasion it being the birthplace of the bride. Mr PF Douglas proposed the toast in honour of the bridesmaid. [Queanbeyan Age 15.10.1915]. "Prior to his marriage Mr DS Jones was presented by the Duntroon School children with a silver mounted oak tray suitably inscribed. Two other pupils Joan and W Edlington also presented Mr Jones with a dinner bell". [Queanbeyan Age 22.10.1915]

Their daughter Sheila married Mervyn Francis Brogan. Brogan was a staff cadet at the Royal Military College Duntroon 1932-1935 and went on to become Chief of the General Staff (1971-1973).

The late David Jones Obituary

Almost every family in the Majura district and many of the old Canberra district pioneers were represented at the funeral yesterday of the late David Jones, who had been continuously teaching in Canberra since the first public school was opened.
The Ven. Archdeacon Robertson, speaking at the Service, said that from his friendship extending over 14 years with the late Mr. Jones he had been deeply impressed with his gifts as a teacher and the many pupils who had passed through his hands had reason to be indebted to the influence of their teacher. His work, particularly in the early days of Canberra, would be long remembered.
Among those present to pay their last tributes were the headmasters of Canberra High School (Mr. A. Watson), of Telopea Park School (Mr. R. McD. Fry) and of Ainslie School (Mr. R. Harris), the Commonwealth Public Service Commissioner (Mr. F. G. Thorpe) and Messrs. C. S. Daley and H. R. Waterman, representing the Department of the Interior, whilst Staff Captain Wakefield represented the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
The chief mourners were Dr. Layton Jones (brother), Frances Jones (widow), Mrs. Brogan (daughter), and John (son).

[Canberra Times 8 August 1943]

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