An adorable studio portrait of Alice May Powell. Handwriting on the back of this photograph suggests that it was taken about April 1905, when she was eighteen months old. Alice was born to John Thomas Powell and Sarah Alice Palmer on 13 September 1903 and passed away 9 July 1992 at Merlynston, Victoria, Australia.

Cadet Alice May Powell in Salvation Army Uniform (c. 1925). Known as "Allie" in her youth, she spent many years serving in the Salvation Army, before marrying William Frederick Thomas on 19 December 1925 in Fitzroy, Victoria. "May", as she was to be affectionately known during later years, married Harry Birch (shown below) on 15 April 1965 at Oxley, Queensland, Australia.

Who's stepping on my bridle train? Alice May Powell and William Frederick Thomas on their wedding day. The Advocate newspaper recorded the occasion as a "pretty wedding of interest.... The bride was beautifully gowned in a frock of white satin, trimmed with lace and swansdown fur.... The veil of tulle beautifully embroidered, was fastened with a coronet of orange blossom and pearls."

A portrait of William Frederick Thomas, probably taken just prior to his marriage to Alice May Powell at Saint Marks Church, Fitzroy. William was the son of Cornish parents, William Thomas and Julia Emma Bray. "Fred's" father was later to become Warden of Zeehan during the 1930s, as well as serving in other municipal capacities.

The family home of William Thomas and Julia Emma Bray in Zeehan, Tasmania. Family sources report that William, who as mentioned served as Warden (equivalent to a Mayor) of Zeehan, owned a number of properties in the Tasmanian west coast town, one of which was given as a wedding gift to his son William Frederick.

Alice May Powell and Harry Birch on their wedding day in Queensland. "May" moved away from her family to live with Harry in Gympie. However, the harsh Queensland climate took it's toll on her aging body and the couple were forced to return to Melbourne, where they took up residence at 3 Vincent Street, Coburg. Both Harry and Alice were to pass away while living at their Vincent Street home

Unidentified Ancestors of Alice May Powell (c. late 1800s). Possible family names include Ah Yee, Powell, Palmer, Carpenter and Baker. The couple was probably from Colac. The photograph was discovered (along with the unidentified portrait below) among Alice's possessions after her passing on 9 July 1992, at Merlynston, Victoria.

Another Unidentified Ancestor of Alice May Powell. It has been suggested that this photograph is Catherine Powell, daughter of John Powell and Charlotte Vincent. However, Catherine's facial features as illustrated in the photograph above and in others also extent, are sharp; whereas those of the young woman in this studio portrait are soft and gentle.

Violet Nellie Powell and an Unidentified Ancestor in a studio portrait taken c. 1922. Handwriting on the back of the photograph identifies "Violet and mother". A striking similarity exists between the elderly woman, known as 'mother' in this photograph, and the Unidentified Ancestor of Alice May Powell immediately above, which seems to be the same woman at a much younger age.