Information on Ted Davis compiled and shared with thanks by Pat Davis & Bruce Davis prior to his passing. 

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Born: 31 May 1911

Died: 8 July 2007 Grafton, Ted & Joyce buried at Clarence Lawn Cemetery South Grafton.

Ted was educated to primary school level only at Orara. Ted’s father died when he was just 12 and his uncle Jim became a father figure for him. As a young man he worked in the bush in the Mallanganee area with Uncle Jim where he learned the art of bullock driving. Later he lived with his mother, sister Ada and brother Allan on their dairy farm at Upper Copmanhurst. It was there that he met Joyce Thompson, who was the girl next door, and they were married in 12 July 1947. Ted and Joyce then moved to a share farm at Great Marlo near Grafton. About 1952 they moved to into Grafton where Ted worked in various jobs including bus driving and construction of the Peters Factory. In about 1955 he secured a job with Roy McPherson driving the daily milk trucks to the upper Clarence via Copmanhurst. He continued this work until in 1959 when Ted and Joyce purchased a sugar cane farm in Saunders Lane Palmers Island. In 1968 they moved back to South Grafton where Ted worked various jobs until his final retirement. Notably, one of these jobs was as a Bullock Driver at Old Sydney Town. Ted and Joyce had two sons Norman born in 1949 and Douglas born in 1954.

Published Coffs Harbour Advocate Tue 9 Dec 1947 – Page 3.

Family Notices.          Davis – Thompson

Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton, was artistically decorated with Iceland poppies and bowls of French Marigolds and orange and gold calendulas for the wedding of Joyce Irene, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Jas Thompson, of Copmanhurst, to Edward Norman, youngest son of Mrs and the late George Davis formerly of Upper Orara, and now of Copmanhurst.  The Rev J V Robinson, of Copmanhurst officiated.

The bride made a lovely picture as she entered the Cathedral on the arm of her father.  Her lovely white frock of bridal satin was cut on classical lines, featuring extended sheath bodice, with draped neck line and full-length shirred sleeves.  The flared skirt flowed into a long graceful train.  Her full length cut tulle veil was loaned by her aunt, Mrs T Gear, and was held in place by a wreath of orange blossom buds.  She added a gold locket, which was worn by her mother on her wedding day and carried a shower bouquet of Eucharist Lilles, azaleas, carnations and pale pink boronia tied with white satin streamers.  Miss Hazel Thompson, cousin of the bride, attended as bridesmaid and wore an old-world frock of white lace and net.  The full three-tiered skirt was trimmed with tiny pale pink ribbon bows.  Her short tulle veil was finished by a wreath of pale pink rosebuds.  Accessories included full length white kid gloves, while her bouquet was of pink roses and camellias.  Mr Bruce Davis of Woolgoolga carried out the duties of best man.  The cathedral organist presided at the organ and during the signing of the register, Mr Verdan Gillet, cousin of the bride, sang “O Promise Me”.  The reception was held at Skemts (hard to read) where the guests were received by the bride’s mother, assisted by the bridegrooms’ mother.  Mrs Thompson chose a powder blue silk crepe frock with matching lightweight cont. hat to tone and a shoulder posy of pink roses. Mrs Davis, preferred a black crepe de chic frock with touches of white and completed the ensemble with a white hat and shoulder posy of Lady Hillingdon roses.  The usual toasts were well received and honored and the telegrams of congratulations were many.  The three-tiered cake was made and decorated by the bride’s mother.  After the reception the happy couple left for Yamba.  The bride’s travelling frock was a tailored suit of heavy weight turquoise blue linen with black accessories.