Eva May ‘Masie’ Roberts (nee Gregson)

(1909-1980)

Eva May ‘Masie’ Roberts (nee Gregson) (1909-1980)

Eva May ‘Masie’ Gregson was born in 1909 in Fremantle. Her father, Constable William Henry Gregson had arrived in WA c. 1902 with wife Caroline and they first lived lived in Attfield Street, Fremantle. Masie had an older brother Reginald William 'Reg' (1900-1980) who lived in 1931 at McKimmie Street, East Fremantle and worked as a Fremantle Prison warder and an older sister Elsie Gregson (1904-1988) who was a stenographer. Masie attended school at Princess May Girls’ High School and became an accredited Music (and Theory) teacher.

1908 STOP THIEF! Perth, Nov. 7 Two Norwegians stole a bag belonging to the late John Larkin from Fremantle shipping office. Constable Gregson pursued them, and an exciting chase occurred along the sea beach. Other police arrived, and the men were arrested after a struggle. (reference)

1912 Constable William Gregson, accompanied by his family, goes East shortly to revisit the haunts of his youth. Gregson has been a decade in the WA force, and is now rewarded by three months off and full pay...There is no more popular member of the force in Fremantle. (reference)

1937 After 35 years' service in the Western Australian Police Force Constable W. H. Gregson, who has been stationed at Fremantle since 1904, retired from the service recently. Except for two years In Perth, when he first joined up, he has been engaged continuously in station duty at the Port. Naturally, he is probably the best-informed police officer who has ever been attached to Fremantle, and instead of looking up records and dates it has been customary for his colleagues to refer to Harry... (reference)

‘’Grandad Gregson was illegitimate and born on the goldfields at Rushworth in Victoria in 1869. Father’s name is not stated on birth certificate. However his mother married soon after his birth and he had a good family life. My mother would have found it impossible to mention such a subject. He was rather remote as a grandfather and probably my most vivid memory was of him making me spell ‘haemorrhage’ and ‘diarrhoea’! He may have only done it once but it is seared into my memory and think I would have been about 10 at the time.’’granddaughter Anne Bryant (nee Roberts)

August 1927- Miss Masie Gregson, daughter of Constable and Mrs Gregson, of Hubble Street, East Fremantle, became the proud possessor of a cap and gown during the week, when she took the ALCM letters of the London College of Music. (reference)

1927 COLLEGE OF MUSIC. Examination Results.The following candidates were successful in practical music, including singing and elocution, at the examination held at Perth and provincial centres in Western Australia by the London College of Music, in June and July last and at the theory examination in December last, the subject in each instance, except. where otherwise stated, being pianofort playing: Associate Diploma, A.L.C.M. Maisie Gregson... (reference)

Dec 1927 Parents of Fremantle children who desire that their offspring should obtain a thorough training in pianoforte and theory are advised that Miss Masie Gregson, A.L.C.M., of 137 Hubble-street, East Fremantle, has vacancies for pupils. Terms can be ascertained on application. (reference)

Masie advertised lessons at her home from Dec 1927- Jan 1928

From 1931 - 1937 lived at 137 Hubble Street (now no. 77), she lived at home with her family. 

1937 Masie married William H Roberts (a clerk) and they lived at 15 Bernard Street, Claremont. In 1943 they moved to 48 Riley Road, Dalkeith where they lived until 1972.

From 1977-1980 - Masie moved to the ACT to live near her daughter Anne who had married Christopher Bryant and lived in Hackett from 1968 (at 64 Rivett Street, Hackett, ACT).

“Despite the fact that she obtained her ALCM letters she never played the piano after she was married, maybe for lack of money or maybe some other reason. My father enlisted in the Army in WW2 and, as an accountant, was based at Hollywood Barracks until discharge after the War. As was typical for so many women of that era she did no paid work and was a devoted wife, mother, sister and daughter.’’
Daughter Anne Bryant (nee Roberts)

Masie's daughter Anne Bryant (nee Roberts) went to Presbyterian Ladies’ College and was a prefect in her final year. She now lives in Canberra where her husband, Emeritus Professor Christopher Bryant, is a biochemical parasitologist and science communicator- zoology, at ANU.