04_2010

Francis Birtles_005_January 04_2010 Image by Michael Dawes BIRTLES, FRANCIS EDWIN (1881-1941), overlander, was born on 7 November 1881 at Fitzroy, Victoria, son of David Birtles, a bootmaker from Macclesfield, England, and his wife Sarah Jane, née Bartlett. He was educated at South Wandin State School, and at 15 joined the merchant navy as an apprentice. In 1899 he jumped … [Read more...] about Francis Birtles_005_January 04_2010