Jessy Lydia Falconar Grant

GEDCOM Note

Passed Sydney University entrance examination at fifteen, but considered too young to leave home. Class was advised to prepare for Melbourne University which was just opening up. It permitted the first two years work in home college and final two years on campus. Class completed two years work in one year, but all but one student broke down and left school. Spent 18 months in Art School under Godfrey Rivers, M.A.; then made debut in society, being presented to Prince and Princess of Wales (later King George and Queen Mary) at garden party at Government House, Brisbane. Accompanied family to United States in 1902. Was private secretary to the president of Phelps Dodge Corporation in New York for several years.

Married Charles and travelled extensively with him in the course of hs professional career. Made three trips in three years around the world by boat with her husband when he was developing Mount Isa Mines in Northwestern Queensland, Australia. While he was busy preparing the mines for production, she planned the 3 villages for housing 15,000 construction men and their families. Duiring that time, she gave them an outline of a clubhouse for the work men and their familiies, with its pool tables, rooms, for games, band practice, glee club of 25 voics singing during evenings, library, pool room, soft drink counters, etc.

During those days, long trips of that kind were usually made for business reasons and there was not much travel for pleasure. Both were captured and interned by the Japanese in the Philipines, int Sto. Tomas, Manila, 1942-1945. Rescued by General MacArthur in February, 1945. Left the Philippines 1950, visiting Brazil, Turkey, and South Afirica. Returned to Philippines 1955.