Harold James Anstee (b 1899)

by Gary. M. Anstey, chief researcher of the Anstey story project.

See ‘Anstey: A Complete History From the Norman Invasion to World War One‘ for much more on the Majorca Anstees of Victoria. In addition to biographies of various Anstey individuals who make up this sub-branch, the book contains a plethora of Anstey research and statistics, including an analysis of how the Majorca Anstees of Victoria fit into the pedigree descendent from Hubert de Anesti, the 12th century originator of the ‘Anstey’ surname.

MJ 18. Harold James Anstee: He was born in 1899 in Rutherglen to parents Alfred George Rich Anstee (MJ 6) and Annie Eliza Hyatt. He grew up in Victoria with his family, where he was living in c1910.

Due to his age, he did not sign up for active service during World War One until 11 November 1918 in Melbourne, which coincidentally was the same day that Germany formally surrendered. On his Australian Imperial Force Attestation Form, he noted that in November 1918 he was an unmarried grocer, living with his parents at Parnell Street, Gardenvale, a suburb south of Melbourne in Victoria. Again due to his age, he needed his parents’ consent to sign up, which was granted – he was also declared “fit for active service“. Given that the war was already over, he was never called up for duty, and he was demobilised a month later on 20 December 1918.

He continued to be a grocer for much of his adult life. Then in 1927 he married Mary Agnes Benjamin in Victoria – we are not aware of any children of this marriage.

In ‘The Argus (Melbourne)‘ newspaper on 21 May 1943 the following appears “NOTICE is hereby given, that the PARTNERSHIP between James Luigi Perini and Harold James Anstee, carrying on business as grocers under the style of ‘Perini & Anstey’ at 236a Glen Elm Road Elsternwick, and 312 Glen Huntly Road. Elsternwick, has been DISSOLVED as from the 1st day of May 1943; and notice is further given that the said James Luigi Perini will henceforth carry on the said business at 312 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick, under the same name, and all debts owing by, and all moneys payable to, the said firm will be respectively paid and received by the said Janies Luigi Perini at the said address. Dated this 19th day of May, 1943. J. L.PERINI, H. J. ANSTEE. Witness to the above signatures: F. J. Orames. F. J. Orames, solicitor. 84-88 William St.. Melbourne“

He died in 1978 and was buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery in Melbourne, Greater Dandenong City, where there is a gravestone with inscription “In Loving Memory Harold J. Anstee 27 July 1978 aged 79 years“.

Anybody who would like to add anything to this biography, please contact us at research@theansteystory.com.