Actual size
Grandpa (Cecil Parkes) with his father Albert
Detail
This is a recent find from the bottom of an old box of my grandmother’s things. This tiny tintype photo is the only extant picture that shows my grandfather and great grandfather when on a tour from Australia to the USA. Grandpa was a child prodigy in the violin and toured the vaudeville circuit in 1917 with his dad as chaperone. He performed with many noted people including Lillie Langtry. His mum and two brothers had to stay at home in Williamstown, in Melbourne for the duration of their fifteen month trip. We are currently trying to work out where this was taken.
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Transcript of the message –
Milton and Kingsley, just look at this photo and see if it is just like the papa you saw in Electra Street over 8 months ago. Wouldn’t you have liked to have been on this big boat with us. I know Mama (crossed out word?) …. would.
God bless you all
(Papa) possibly a date
Milton and Kingsley are my Great Uncles and Electra Street is where the Parkes family lived in Williamstown, Melbourne.
Mugshots and Miscellaneous 
That is absolutely awesome!! The photo has blown up beautifully. Aren’t the two of them good looking!!!!!
Thanks Kath X
Thanks, me darling. I was thrilled to find it. Do you know if your Mum has seen it yet?
Is this the same Albert Cecil Parkes who later taught violin at the Melba Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne? If this is so, I should add that he was as a father to me. Warren D
Hi Warren
Yes, it is the same. Your name is vaguely familiar. I will ask Mum if she remembers you. How did you find this post?
Occasionally I trawl through the internet to seek out information regarding my beloved violin teacher – it was sheer chance that I stumbled onto your site.
I remember you now! How time flies! How is your aunt Cecily in New Zealand? She was a brilliant pianist.
One of the reasons I left Melbourne was as a result of the injury to my bowing arm – I could hardly travel further west than Perth…without ending up in the Indian Ocean. I recently returned to Melbourne and took some photos, including Mr Parkes’ home on Williams Road.
Cecilie is still performing but her health hasn’t been great lately. She still lives in Hamilton.
230B is not the gorgeous cottage it once was. I made the mistake of looking through it when it was re-sold many years ago and they had gutted it, removed most of the original features including the 50 year old Japanese maple tree in the back garden, which is now no more than a courtyard. It was very upsetting.