Snippet 8 - "Time to take the Bride upstairs, Jim" (1940)

SNIPPET OF FAMILY HISTORY  -  No. 8

"We are born with a History, and we live to tell another Story." (Warren Maloney)


"TIME TO TAKE THE BRIDE UPSTAIRS, JIM"

(Written by Warren Maloney - July 2020)


The funny family stories of Jimmy Davis ("Uncle Jim") are legendary. Where does one start? Well why not with his Wedding.

1940 and James Frances (Jimmy) Davis, aged 38 years, was moving out of his Carlton boarding-house to marry the 39 years-old Spinster and very proper, Margaret Edith (Connie) Conlon. 

Jimmy was a bricklayer (a brickie) with a history of one failed marriage, when his first wife, Gladys, had run off with his employee, a brickie's labourer named Pat McGuire. 

Jimmy was a lad. He enjoyed the male company at the boarding house and with his street mates, Ray and Roy Maloney. He nevertheless thought himself to be quite a catch - a brickie on the way up, who could dance, who could sing a bit, who loved a party. The fact that he was 5'5", with a tradie's stomach and appetite, balding, and "a bit loud" - these were details to be passed over.

Ray Maloney (left) & Jimmy Davis (right) & Mates - 1940

Jimmy had wooed Connie, promised her he would build her a fancy house anywhere she wanted, and that she could give up her clerical work to live the life of a "Lady on the Up". 

A lot of promises indeed, but Jimmy was everyone's optimist, and there was no doubt he was a hard worker! Perhaps those few details above could be put to one side. 

1940, the first real year of the War, the last gasp of the depression, was a tough time to finance a Wedding.  

So, with no money, after a civil ceremony (Divorce was a no-no for Catholics),  an ad-hoc reception was held in the front parlour of the Maloney rented house at 238 Lygon Street Carlton. 

Ray Maloney negotiated a couple of beer kegs on the never-never. Aunty Babe got the Maloney womenfolk focused in providing a "real good spread". The pianola was tuned and a record player was borrowed. What else could possibly be wanted!

Jimmy had a great Wedding eception, dancing with all the sheilas, emptying the kegs with his best mates, and leading the singalongs. Time just flew by.

Connie was quieter in her happiness, enjoying the singing but prefering cuppas and helping out in the kitchen.

It was just before midnight that Nan, Ruby Maloney, spoke to her eldest daughter, Aunty Bab, who then took Ray aside. 

"Listen love, it might be time for Jim to be reminded that he got married today and that it might be time to take his Bride  upstairs". 

The Maloney family sleeping arrangements had been re-organised to assist the struggling Couple by making the large second upstairs bedroom the honeymoon suite for the night. It was a bit of a tradition to utilise this room to help out with births, deaths, and special guests. No-one had any money for a honeymoon so a ggod first night was special, before heading back to the Conlon rear room the next day.

Ray scratched his neck, finished his glass, then whispered "fairly loudly" in Jimmy's ear. 

Jim, to his credit, refocussed without complaint, sang one last song, looked across at his Bride Connie who had been sitting quietly with the Aunts by the fireplace, and then without discussion James Francis Davis lifted the Bride in his arms, and with the biggest happiest smile and applause from all began the climb up the winding stairs. 

Alas, gravity overtook the splendid purpose and shortly thereafter the happy couple were receiving treatment at the Royal Women's Hospital down the road. 

It was not the dream start Connie had been promised. 

Indeed, it took a lot of days before "the ship was back on an even keel". 

Jim later told Ray- 
 "I took her by taxi to see some land in Essendon that would be perfect for that house she wanted. She seemed happier after that. Ray, I reckon I can do it after this War is over. Things will be on the Up then."

It took a bit longer, about 12 years, but Connie did get to "play the Lady" in that Essendon house, and the marriage stood the time (with a few ups and downs).

Such was life with Jimmy. Promises were big, but they were eventually kept, and the parties were always good fun!

Jimmy Davis with that wonderful smile - 1975

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