The same pattern of drastically reduced child-bearing is seen in TLM-P's second marriage as in his first. He and Nora had eight children, of whom only three (Meta, Eileen and Robert) had children of their own. All three had grandchildren.

1. Edwin Murray Barton (known as Barton/Bartie/Barty) Hobbs, b. 8 January 1897 at Strand, Townsville. In February 1916, the second year of World War I, he was a 19 year-old 'station hand' and enlisted in the 12th (Army) Brigade, Australian Field Artillery, Park Section, A.I.F. He stated he was 5'8½“ and nearly 11 stone. On 29 July 1916, he was on his way to the European front as a driver. He had trouble with army discipline, starting on board ship and continuing throughout the war. His offences included returning nearly 3 weeks late after leave; not turning up for a parade; for having a lighted candle in his hut after lights out; for failing to salute an officer; and being late on duty. He was sent to France in January 1917, and subsequently hospitalised several times. In June 1918, he was invalided home to Australia with peritoneal adhesions (scarring after abdominal surgery), and discharged from the army. In 1942, he wrote to the army that he had left Australia during 1926-31 during which time his father died. His address was then Raffles Restaurant, Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross. In 1943, he had moved but still lived in Kings Cross; by 1947 he lived in Melbourne. We know this because he wrote to the army after he lost, in three separate incidents, his discharge papers (twice) and army medal.¹⁾

Meta and her son 'Bartie' from TLM-P's photo album.²⁾
He was apparently doing well in 1932 after he returned to Australia - if he was the Hobbs mentioned. In April 1932 'Barton-Hobbs' was noted flying to New England.³⁾ Later that year, 'Mrs Barton Hobbs' and her young son 'Tony' featured in the social pages.⁴⁾ In 1938 it was definitely 'our' Barton Hobbs who married Alice Margery (Marge) Michod, the daughter of a Brisbane doctor; the couple planned to live in Melbourne when Barton already lived.⁵⁾ Magery was described as a beautiful dress designer, some years younger than Barty, who intended to move her business to Melbourne after her marriage.⁶⁾ In 1948, the Union Trustee Company advertised for Barty's whereabouts since he had left Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross: this suggests he had lost touch with his family.⁷⁾

2. Alice Dorothea Mary Hobbs, born on 7 November 1898. In 1921, she married William Hamilton Gibson Robinson.⁸⁾ It is hoped she was happy, as she had had to live with survivor's guilt from the time she was around 15 years old. In 1913, Alice and friends had been swept out while swimming, and three young men drowned trying to rescue them.⁹⁾ Alice and William Robinson had a daughter (Meta Jean Robinson, married surname Sinclair, 1925-82) and two sons (Arthur West (Polo) Robinson 1922-98, and William Barton Robinson, 1927-71).¹⁰⁾

1. Robert (Bob) Rowan Barton Hickson (11 October 1903 - 1994) married Edna Cox and had two sons. He was a Lieutenant Colonel and author of The Historic Family Tree of Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior, Sydney: R. Hickson, 1980.

2. John Maurice Hamilton Hickson (4 April 1906 - 1993) married September 1929 to Lillian Killen and had 3 sons and 2 daughters.

3. Brian Murray-Prior Hickson (11 May 1907 - 7 November 1943). In 1937 he was Manager for Riley Newman & Co. at Warialda.¹¹⁾ He married Margaret Gaden Day and had a daughter and a son. He enlisted during World War II, becoming a corporal in D Company, 18 Platoon, 2/30 Australian Infantry Battalion. He died of ulcers and dysentery at Sonkurai when a Prisoner of War on the infamous Thai-Burma railway. He is buried at Thanbyuzayat Cemetery, Grave A13.A.3, Myanmar (Burma). ¹²⁾

4. George Harvey Foster Hickson (15 March 1909 - ?) He and his wife had no children.

5. Rowan Darvall Hickson (28 November 1911 - 3 May 1931) he remained single, and had no children.

References:¹³⁾