Erica Rita Ina Chaplin A.M.U.A., L.A.B.

Erica Rita Ina Chaplin was born in Rose Park on 9 November 1898. Her parents were Frederick William Chaplin and Olive Page Chaplin (née Churchett).[1]

At seven years old, Chaplin was identified as a proficient violin player. The Mail stated of her talents: “At that early period it was noticed that, without the presence of any of those objectionable elements of precocity which generally lead nowhere, this little girl was gifted beyond the ordinary with musical temperament and natural aptitude.”[2]

At four years old, Erica appeared on stage with comedian and singer Howard Vernon. Vernon was recognised worldwide for his performances in Gilbert and Sullivan musicals.[3] Her parents encouraged Erica to learn the piano, but she was drawn to the violin. In 1907, at the age of nine, she entered a competition in Ballarat for children under twelve and won two gold medals.[4]

In 1911, Erica passed the advanced grade of the Associated Board. She won five scholarships and was subsequently awarded the distinction of being chosen for the English Elder Scholarship. The scholarship offered three years of training at the Royal College of Music in London.[[5]]

However, Chaplin began to fall ill and was unable to take advantage of the scholarship in London. She retired from public performance as her illness overcame her. In 1922, Erica Chaplin died of tuberculosis at the age of 23 at her parents’ house on Victoria Avenue, Rose Park.[6]

Miss Chaplin’s funeral was held at the Mortuary Chapel of the North Road Cemetery on 31 October 1922, overseen by Canon Jose.[7]

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2020

[1] Chaplin Family Records, (2013), http://abundance.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chaplin.pdf.

[2] 'MISS ERICA CHAPLIN', The Mail, (18 March 1916), p. 14., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59381819.

[3] Joan Maslen, 'Vernon, Howard (1848–1921)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/vernon-howard-8915/text15665

[4] 'Obituary.', Chronicle, (4 November 1922), p. 16., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87516776.

[5] 'MISS ERICA CHAPLIN'S CONCERTS.', The Register, (31 July 1920), p. 9., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62929348.

[6] 'Obituary.', Chronicle, (4 November 1922), p. 16., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87516776.

[7] 'Family Notices', The Journal, (30 October 1922), p. 1., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208073502.

Ruby Davy : South Australian Icons

Ruby Claudia Emily Davy

Ruby Claudia Emily Davy was born on the 22^nd of November 1883, in Salisbury. Her father, William Davy was a local shoemaker, and her mother, Louisa, a singer and music teacher. Ruby grew up in a home full of music, not only was her mother an accomplished singer, but her father was an excellent brass instrument player. Their house was full of instruments, and young Ruby was encouraged to play them all.

By the age of 5, Ruby was improvising, and composing on the family piano. By the age of 13, Ruby was teaching 27 students at the Salisbury School of Music. By the age of 20, Ruby had begun studying at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, and also earned an Associate of Music.

 Ruby graduated in 1907, at the age of 24 with a Bachelor of Music, she still taught music in Salisbury, was now also teaching at Allen’s Music shop in Rundle Street, Adelaide.

•        Ruby Davy was the first Australian woman to receive a doctorate in music from The Adelaide University, one of many firsts, which also included:

•  First woman to receive a doctorate in faculty at the University of Adelaide.
•  The first person in Australia to become a Licentiate of the London College of Music (1913).
• First Australian woman to become a fellow of Trinity College of Music, London (1921), the first to be awarded outside England.

Ruby’s outstanding achievements also included earning a Diploma in Elocution from the

London College of Music, and an Honorary Fellowship of the Victorian College of Music (the first person to be awarded this honour outside of England)

Ruby’s life changed dramatically in 1929, first, her mother Louisa died in April, aged 78, and only a month later her father, William died aged 82. Ruby, an only child, fell into a deep depression, which led to a nervous breakdown, and the closing of her music school at Prospect.

 It took four years to recover from the blow of losing her parents, but with support from Pastor John Hewitt, Ruby returned to her first love in 1993, and by 1934 she had returned to performing music in public.

 Ruby soon found herself giving performances on radio, and through 1934 to 1938 found herself touring through Victoria.

In 1939, Ruby toured England and select parts of Europe, Canada and the United States giving lectures and recitals.
In 1941, she founded the Society of Women Musicians of Australia, which she presided over until 1949.

Ruby was described as a frail woman with haunting dark eyes, she usually wore long black dresses and black clothing, probably in mourning for her beloved parents. 

In 1947, Ruby suffered a tragedy she would never recover from. Diagnosed with breast cancer, she was given a full mastectomy, which negatively impacted her playing. Ruby fell into another deep depression and never recovered, she died on the 12^th of July 1949.
 Her body was returned to Adelaide, and she was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery

.

Ruby Davy collection held at the University of Adelaide:
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/mss/davy/

The Dr Ruby Davy Prize for Composition: https://arts.adelaide.edu.au/scholarships/prizes/ruby_davey_prize_composition.html

Memorabilia for Ruby Davy can be found in the local history room of the Len Beadell Library in Salisbury, South Australia.
 

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2017

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Bibliography. 

1929 'MUSICIAN AND ATHLETE', News (Adelaide, SA: 1923 - 1954), 17 May, p. 15. (HOME EDITION), viewed 26 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129141051

Joyce Gibberd and Silvia O'Toole, 'Davy, Ruby Claudia (1883–1949)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/davy-ruby-claudia-5918/text10081, published first in hardcopy 1981, accessed online 26 September 2017

1934 'Dr. Ruby Davy's Concert', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), 14 March, p. 18. , viewed 26 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74082657

1949 'DR. RUBY DAVY DEAD', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842 - 1954), 13 July, p. 3. , viewed 26 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18122279

1940 'DR. RUBY DAVY', News (Adelaide, SA: 1923 - 1954), 25 July, p. 9. , viewed 26 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131420359