17 May 1880 International Hotel 130-132 Brisbane Street Launceston Tasmania Australia Reginald Peel John, Margaret

Alma Mona Cecil Barber was born on 17 May 1880 at Latrobe, the second child of George William Richard Barber (1851-1895), publican, and his wife Annie Alma Lawson (1855-1909). In 1903 Alma was living in Jolimont, East Melbourne, and studying to be a singer. She later performed in Launceston on several occasions. Alma was connected with the J C Williamson Light Opera Company. She is pictured in the Family Album with her mother, sister Mary and brother John.

Alma sailed to England on her own and had a career singing on stage until she married Reginal Peel about 1912. She had two children, both born in London: John, and Margaret  who was born in 1920. As a family they sailed back to Australia in 1920-21. Both children were sent to boarding schools in Victoria, (Geelong Grammar for John and Clyde for Margaret), while Alma and her English husband lived and worked in Siam (Thailand).

Alma died in Sydney after a long illness, about 1955.

Marion Sargent Aug 2008, Christine Peel October 2024