Darby & Joan

[BC Wench]

Has anybody watched the programme Darby & Joan with Bryan Brown and Greta Scacchi which is set in Australia? It’s really good, a nice laid back programme to watch.

Bryan Brown appeared in the TV programme The Thorn Birds in 1961 with the main character being Richard Chamberlain – swoon!! The main female character was Rachel Clare Ward and she married Bryan Brown in 1983. I really loved this series.

Some months ago I started writing about growing up in the Black Country. I was born at the Rosemary Ednam Maternity Hospital, so doing some digging and delving I found this:-

I never knew at the time when watching this T.V. programme that Rachel Clare Ward was the granddaughter of Rosemary Millicent (nee Sutherland-Leveson-Gower) and William Ward (who later became the 3rd Earl of Dudley) Viscountess and Viscount of Ednam and their traditional home was Himley Hall, Dudley. The Rosemary Ednam Maternity Hospital that used to stand in Burton Road, Dudley was named after her.

Rosemary Millicent was born in 1893 and was the youngest daughter of Cromartie Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 4th Duke of Sutherland and Millicent Leveson-Gower. Before Rosemary Millicent married William Ward in 1919, Edward VIII, Prince of Wales, proposed marriage to her, but his parents, King George V and Queen Mary were against the match, so it never happened. I do wonder though what would have happened if Edward VIII had had his wish.

Something we will never know, but it just shows you how watching TV programmes can lead to Family History.

[Rob]

I dont think Darby and Joan has been on over here yet. I'll keep on eye out for it. Sounds great Barb. .
I used to watch Thorn Birds ( the flippin "r" on my keyboards not working all the time !) with my wife. Didn't realise it was that long ago. Hang on i didn't get married till 1969!
Racheal Ward was and still is lovely.

[kdwoodie]

Just reading this, my daughter was born at Rosemary Ednam strangley her name is Rachel Claire I had no idea.

[BC Wench]

Well would you believe it, we've got aristocats on the forum. Or should that be aristocrats. That's lovely having the same name without knowing.

[kdwoodie]

More of a commoner.

[mallosa]

Wow Barb! The Thornbirds is one of my all time favourites

I was showing a friend my book a couple of days ago!

Just a thought........

I never knew at the time when watching this T.V. programme that Rachel Clare Ward was the granddaughter of Rosemary Millicent (nee Sutherland-Leveson-Gower) and William Ward (who later became the 3rd Earl of Dudley) Viscountess and Viscount of Ednam and their traditional home was Himley Hall, Dudley. The Rosemary Ednam Maternity Hospital that used to stand in Burton Road, Dudley was named after her.

Surely a connection......

https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... =685752955

[mallosa]

Just reading this, my daughter was born at Rosemary Ednam strangley her name is Rachel Claire I had no idea.

How lovely Kaye

[BC Wench]

Yes San, from that link you have given this is the connection.

From William Humble Ward (1867-1932) the 2nd Earl of Dudley and Rachel Gurney, their son was:-

William Humble Eric Ward (1894-1969) who became the 3rd Earl of Dudley who married Rosemary Millicent Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1893-1930) in 1919. Their eldest son was William Humble David Ward (1920-2013) who became the 4th Earl of Dudley. William & Rosemary's youngest child was Peter Alistair Ward (1926-2008) who married Claire Leonora Baring (1936-2019) in 1956. These are the parents of Rachel Clare Ward who married Bryan Brown both of The Thorn Birds television programme that we absolutely loved.

[mallosa]

That's great Barb!

I'll add all that later, but have to watch the Blue's match first

[BC Wench]

WHAT!!! How very dare you Hope they win for you.

[mallosa]

WHAT!!! How very dare you Hope they win for you.

I wish I hadn't bothered!

[mallosa]

I can't add Rachel and Bryan cos they are still very much alive.

Just read this.........

After months of filming steamy sex scenes with Rachel, Richard finally fell in love with her for real. He admitted: "Rachel is one of the sexiest women I've ever known." "She emanates desire with her husky voice, and she has a unique way of moving." "When she walks it is as if she is stepping over ice."

[mallosa]

Yes San, from that link you have given this is the connection.

From William Humble Ward (1867-1932) the 2nd Earl of Dudley and Rachel Gurney, their son was:-

William Humble Eric Ward (1894-1969) who became the 3rd Earl of Dudley who married Rosemary Millicent Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1893-1930) in 1919. Their eldest son was William Humble David Ward (1920-2013) who became the 4th Earl of Dudley. William & Rosemary's youngest child was Peter Alistair Ward (1926-2008) who married Claire Leonora Baring (1936-2019) in 1956. These are the parents of Rachel Clare Ward who married Bryan Brown both of The Thorn Birds television programme that we absolutely loved.

I think I've added everything now - https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... ver=670453