HURSTVILLE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC.
(NSW, AUSTRALIA)
HURSTVILLE CITY LIBRARY
QUEEN STREET, HURSTVILLE
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOYCE PICKUP, 2005
PEOPLE OF HURSTVILLE
The following stories are taken from the HURSTVILLE GENEALOGIST and were mostly compiled by Jean Jehan and June Lane.
Just click on a name with your left hand mouse key or scroll down using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
ARROWSMITH, Ernest Toshack BROWN, Alfred Albert
SLADE, Henry Cecil
NAYLOR, Sarah Hubbard
BROWN, Alfred Albert
RALPH, Robert - The Up-to-date Draper and Mercer
MAHER, Susanna Mary and Braidwood Benevolent Society
JAMESON, William Henry
RUSSELL, Lieutenant Lavinia Jean, NFX70571
CAMBRIDGE, Mary Trinidad - A Congregational Pioneer
C. Diment Pty. Ltd. - Retailers of Hurstville
LENEHAN, Thomas
EDWARD, David Barnet
BURSILL , Elizabeth
DUNSTAN, Mary Elizabeth
ELDER, John Sidney - Master Plumber.
GOTLEY, Aubrey - St. George Boys in the Antartic
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DRAYTON, Henry, Albert and Angelina
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TAYLOR, Albert Edward and Esther Elizabeth
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MEYNINK, MURIEL and the Carlton Post Office.
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GROTH, John and the Bushranger On 12 October, 1943 John Groth of 64 Stoney Creek Road, Bexley celebrated his hundredth birthday and on being interviewed by a reporter from The Propeller, related this interesting story. Originally from Denmark he arrived in Australia in 1862 at the age of 19. A year after his arrival he was working as a shepherd in the Narrabri district. One day, somewhere between Narrabri and Armidale he was bailed up by Thunderbolt, who stole his gold watch, the only article of value he had on him at the time. All he could do was to utter a protest in his Danish language, which of course the bushranger could not understand. The next day the mailman told Thunderbolt, with whom he was friendly, that the watch he stole belonged to a poor shepherd. Thunderbolt returned the watch saying, "I don't want to take things from these people. Give it back to him. " This was typical of the bushranger Fred Ward, better known as "Captain Thunderbolt" Ward had a sad personal history. "As a bushranger he was particularly successful and, in seven long, dangerous years, he didn't once shoot to kill. Ward was born in 1836 at Windsor, NSW., and won some local fame as a jockey before being sentenced to a long term on Cockatoo Island, the harsh convict prison on the Parramatta River, near Sydney, for horse-stealing. Readily admitting many years later, more serious crimes, Ward always claimed that he had been the innocent dupe of a crooked horse trainer on his first offences. He escaped from Cockatoo Island in September, 1863, with Fred Britten, another prisoner. Life on the run was an adventure for a time - dressed in stolen womens clothing, Ward posed as Britten 's "wife" on one occasion - but Ward soon found he had destroyed his familys good name and that his former sweetheart was either dead, or as some said, in an asylum. So he became Captain Thunderbolt and took to robbing travellers and station houses in the Hawkesbury River district. Toll gates were a favourite Thunderbolt target, one of his first major holdups being that of a tollkeeper named Delaney on the Maitland-Rutherford Road in December, 1863. Meeting Delaney afterwards, Thunderbolt gave him his money box back, plus a few extra shillings "for a drink". The bushranger explained that he had robbed him in mistake for "a flash cove" of a toll-keeper who had boasted about what he would do to any bushrangers he encountered. On another occasion, Thunderbolt decided against robbing an inn because he had been invited to a meal (before he was recognised); and he gallantly allowed travellers to proceed unmolested as, he said, they had "such pretty ladies" with them. In one robbery he challenged a constable to a pistol duel - but readily agreed to postpone it when the constable said he did not have enough ammunition. A half-caste girl named Yellilong kept watch for Thunderbolt on many of his raids - and bore him several children. The children were adopted by sympathetic farmers after Yellilong died of pneumonia near Muswellbrook in 1868. The end came for Thunderbolt near Uralla in May, 1870. A hawker he had held up near Blanche's Hotel, a roadside inn on the outskirts of the town, got word to the police and two constables rode after the bushranger. Mounted on a splendid grey thoroughbred he had stolen from a station, the bushranger outpaced one of the police, Senior Constable Mulhall, but the other policeman, Constable Alex Walker, managed to stay with him. A shot from Walker hit Thunderbolts horse as he spurred it into Rocky River in an attempt to swim to escape. The bushranger turned to fight. He asked Walker if he was married and when the constable said that he was, warned him "Remember your family". Asked if he would surrender, he shouted: "I'll die first". Thunderbolt, on foot, jumped to grapple with Walker, who was mounted and the constable shot him through the side. Thunderbolt continued to fight and Walker hit him on the head with his pistol. Thunderbolt sank in the river and it took Walker some time to find him and drag him to the bank. He did not appear to be breathing and his wound was no longer bleeding, so Walker thought he was dead. He left him on the river bank and returned to Uralla for assistance. Thunderbolt's body was gone when the party returned! They found it next day in some nearby shrubs. The bushranger's heart was still beating, but only just, and he died on his way to Uralla in the back of a dray. Thunderbolts revolver had not been loaded in his fight with Walker. This led to some versions of the fight which did not do Walker, a brave policemm justice. Nearly a century after his death, Thunderbolt's grave at Uralla has become so much of a tourist attraction that it even has its own steel letter-box, erected by a local service club. Thunderbolt, no doubt, would have approved the way the box has had to be chained to his headstone! And he would surely have had a wry smile at the thought that the "New England Residents" who were his particular victims for so long, forgave him so thoroughly." John Groth and his wife, Marie Louisa, had seven children - Arthur W. born 1883; Herman T. born 1885; Albert E. born 1887; Herbert born 1889; Otto 0. born 189 1; Emily D. born 1894 and Margaret M. born 1896'all born at Barraba with the exception of Arthur who was born at Manilla. His wife died in 193 5 whilst they were living at Stoney Creek Road, Bexley. A few months after his hundredth birthday, John died in a private hospital on the 23 November, 1943 and was buried in the C. of E. Cemetery at Woronora. Jean Jehan References: BDM Records. SMH Death & Funeral notices 24.11.43 The Propeller 14.10.43 and 25.11.43. Thunderbolt story from "A Pictorial History of Bush Rangers" by Tom Prior, Bill Wannan and H. Nunn. Back to top of page
ARROWSMITH, Ernest Toshack The death of Ernest Toshack Arrowsmith in St. George Hospital on 29 June, 1951 ended a life full of interest and brimming over with energy up to the time he entered hospital. A resident of the Hurstville district for 45 years, the family lived at 1a Hillcrest Avenue, the deceased devoted much of his time to the progress of the district in which he lived. He was a keen Local Government man and had a broad knowledge of many subjects. As an Alderman of Kogarah Municipal Council he served the ratepayers of Middle Ward faithfully and well for 15 years and for two consecutive years occupied the mayoral chair in 1926-27 and 1927-28. For 3 years he was a delegate to the St. George County Council. As a gesture of appreciation of his work for the Kogarah Municipality, Arrowsmith Park, cnr. of Woniora and King George's Roads, Hurstville is named after him. He was an ardent church worker and was a Lay Preacher, for the Methodist Circuit in the district for many years. He was also a keen follower of cricket and football. Actively associated with politics he at one time stood for pre-selection as a candidate for the Nationalist Party. Ernest Toshack was born on 20 December, 1878 the son of William Henry and Mary Ann Arrowsmith of Gulgong. He joined the NSW Railways on 6 March, 1895 as an apprentice Clerk in the Traffic Branch at Cootamundra and was transferred to Sydney in 1899. He was promoted to Cashier in the Chief Accounts Department, a position he occupied for 27 years. He was made assistant Chief Paymaster for 12 months, then elevated to Chief Cashier occupying that position for 10 years up to the time of his retirement on 4 April, 1945. He and his wife Eunice Florence had three children -Norman born 1906, who became a builder at Kogarah; Twins Edna C. and Kenneth T. born 1910 at Hurstville. Kenneth (Jack) was Shire Clerk of Tintenbah Shire, Ballina at the time of his father's death. Jean Jehan. References: RTA NSW Record cards - Kingwood State Records. The Propeller newspaper 12.7.19 5 1 SMH Death Notice 2.7.5 1 Kogarah Council Records. BDM Records Back to top of page
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THOMAS, Joseph Abraham Joseph Abraham was born 10 March, 1872 and at the age of 15 joined the NSW Railways on 24 October, 1888. He worked in the Locomotive Branch at Harden, then from cleaner he advanced to that of fireman and driver of steam engines, finally ending his 33 years of service at the Eveleigh Loco Branch on 11 January, 1921. In 1899 he married Sophia Maud Latham at St. Peters and they had three children Alice Maud (known as Queen) born 1900 at Picton. Alice was to marry John D. Hatch in 1929 at Hurstville. Leonard J. born 1902 at St. Peters; Alan L. born 1907 at Hurstville. The family lived at 102 Husdon Street, Hurstville. Joseph Abraham took an interest in freemasonry and was one of the foundation members of the United Grand Lodge of NSW No. 282 Hurstville and also the UGL No. 382 at Carlton. He was also one of the foundation members of the Hurstville Bowling Club. He died on the 2 September, 1943 in a private hospital. He was survived by his wife and sons and daughter. His funeral, which took place at the Woronora Crematorium, was largely attended by by old residents of the district, Masonic brethren, members of various bowling clubs, railway men and family members. Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Hatch and family of Bexley; Leonard Thomas Bexley; Mr. & Mrs. Alan Thomas of Willoughby and their families; Mr. & Mrs. H. Ingham and family Bexley; Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Thomas and family Artarmon; Miss N. Thomas Bexley; Mr. & Mrs. G. W. Latham and family Arncliffe; Mr. & Mrs E. J. Latham and family of Sutherland; Mr. & Mrs. S. Latham of Belmore; Mr. & Mrs. A- Latham and family of Homebush; Mr. & Mrs. H. J. O'Connor and family of Hurstville. Jean Jehan
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RAYMENT, Alfred 1871-1943 Alfred Rayment was born 23 May, 1871 in Liverpool, England. At the age of 15 he was employed by the NSW Railways as an office boy, Permanent Way Branch, Svdney and over the years rosefrom Clerk, Chief Clerk, Staff Secretary and finally Secretary to the Staff Board from 1 July, 1907 until his retirement on 20 February, 1934. During his retirement he wrote a book concerning the Railways entitled "The Romance of the Railways". In 1902 he married Grace A. Horrocks and they had a daughter named Faith Winifred Constance. Throughout his life Alfred was a dedicated member ofthe Church of England and was actively associated with the churches he attended - All Souls Church, Leichhardt, St. John's Ashfield, St. Oswald's Haberfield and Christ Church St. Laurence, George Street, Sydney. Early in the 1900's he and his family came to live at "Oswestry" Apsley Street, Penshurst and with other pioneering families such as the Pitts, the Eastops and the Pettits they worked towards establishing a church in Penshurst, and so St. John's church was built in 1910. It was a wooden structure built by Charles Pitt and Arthur Eastop, carpenters by trade. The Sunday School began with Alfred Rayment as the first Superintendent and Dorothy, daughter of the Pitt family asfirst teacher. He was also the Choirmaster for a period and that of Lay Reader for many years. His interests extended beyond the parish to the Synod of the Church of England in Australia. For some years he was Chairman of Directors of the "Church Standard", a weekly publication of the Australian church. For a period he acted as Secretary in NSW for the Australian Board of Missions. Alfred Rayment died on 10 November, 1943 and was survived by his wife Grace, his daughter Faith and his grandson. Faith Rayment had married Reginald John Fawcett, who was killed in Action in Singapore on 12 February, 1942. After the new brick church was built in 1959 to replace the old wooden church, it was opened and dedicated - St. John's War Memorial Church on 6 December, 1959, a Cross on the Retable was given "To the Glory of God in loving memory of Alfred and Grace Armitage Rayment. For many years worshippers and workers in the Parish. The gift of their daughter, Faith Fawcett". There is also a Calvary Cross in the Vestry and a Light on the Case for 'The Book of Remembrance' both 'in loving memory of Reginald John Fawcett K.I-4. Singapore, 12.2.42 Gifts of his, wife and son. Jean Jehan. References: RTA Record cards of Alfred Rayment, Kingswood State Records. The Propeller newspaper 23.12.43 SMH Death Notice 10.11.43 "Saint John the Baptist Church, Penshurst NSW - A History" by Noelene L. Weatherby. Back to top of page d
Catherine and William David Evans
Two Hard-working Welsh Migrants
Catherine Hopkins (or Kate as she was known) leant over the rail of the "Glenmark" and surveyed the scene. It was early morning and a fresh breeze blew through the rigging, causing the ship to creak and shudder from time to time as the bow dipped and rose in the swell. There was slight chill in the morning air and Kate drew her shawl tighter round her shoulders. In the distance she could make out a rugged coastline and knew it was that of the State of Victoria, for it was the 30 November, 1869 and she knew the ship would soon enter Port Phillip Bay. It had been a long four month's journey and Kate thought back over the events since her seventeenth birthday of July 31 when she had left her home in Cardiff, Glarnorganshire and caught the train from Bridgend to Plymouth. There she had spent a week staying with friends and exploring that navel town before boarding the ship that was loading for Melbourne.
Being a friendly, lively girl she had soon made friends with some of the other migrants, mostly Irish girls and several Scottish women with some recently married couples. The single girls were quartered separately from the married couples and there was a matron in charge. ,After the ship had left Plyrnouth and the English Channel and into the Bay of Biscay, life on board began to fall into the routine of shipboard life. All passengers had a duty to keep their quarters as clean and tidy as possible, which was a necessity in such cramped conditions - tiers of bunks with dining tables in the centre, each of which accommodated 12 girls. The crew were ever busy with all the various tasks they performed and these were always carried out to the rendering of some sea shanty. One in particular Kate got to know well and often the passengers would join in -
"She is a bonny ship
So let her rip
Says the Glemnark's crew
Sail along! Sail along!"
The trip had been fairly uneventful, although they had run into a few violent storms which caused water to swamp their quarters at one stage which drenched everybody and everything, frightening some of the Irish girls who fell to their knees praying "Mother of God save us". Even Kate, who had taken to shipboard life with all the enthusiasm of a seventeen year old,. felt a bit apprehensive along with her fellow passengers. Unlike many of these girls, who had no relatives in Australia, Kate's mother and stepfather, Mr. Wallace were already in Victoria in Ballarat along with Kate's fiancee, William David Evans. So it was with happy anticipation when the ship finally moored at the pier that Kate found herself at last in Melbourne.
After disembarking she found an hotel in which to spend the night, then went for a walk through some of the city's wide main streets and found her way down to the Yarra River. It was a pleasant warm November day for the sun had not yet become the searing ball of heat that one could experience in an Australian summer.
The next morning she boarded the train for Ballarat where a welcome awaited her with her mother, stepfather and fiancee William. Ballarat was a thriving town that had attracted people from all walks of life in search of gold. Kate's stepfather was working at the Bonshaw mine which was still yielding a good supply of gold, but he was later to lose his life in this mine. Accidents on the goldfields were frequent. Williain David Evans had come from Cardiganshire and was working in one of the mines. In June 1870 he and Catherine were married and for the next three years they were to live and work. on the goldfields. Their first son, William,, was born in 1871 at Ballarat, but later when gold was discovered at Bendigo, the family packed up and travelled there by horse and cart.
William took employment at the large Golden Fleece mine on Kangaroo Flat. In 1872 Sarah Catherine was born, followed by Edward in 1874. As Kangaroo Flat was a settlement of Itents and humpies, there was not a house available, so they bought an allotment and built a small timber cottage with an iron roof and an oil-drum oven.
While William worked in the mine, Kate looked after the children and the home. She used a crosscut saw on logs of wood brought from the nearby bush and then used an axe to chop the blocks for the stove. Fresh water was a problem as this was mainly found in holes dug by some hopeful gold prospector and was muddy and yellow. Transferred to tubs, the dirt gradually settled and charcoal helped to clarify it enough to be used.
As the gold began to diminish William decided to go to Melbourne to look for work and left his wife and children back in Kangaroo Flat. Having no success in that city he travelled into NSW and went northwards to Newcastle, then a mining town. He finally decided to settle in Wallsend and sent for the family. Once they were all established they opened a general store and William also went contracting. They were to remain in Wallsend for the next fifteen years which proved to be very hard work for little return. Being a coal mining town there were strikes at times when the shopkeepers were expected to keep the idle miners and their families in food and necessities. Many of the families that the Evans had supported during the strike periods did not pay their debts once the strike ended and after the third large strike, they found they could no longer stay in business. Their family had also increased over this period, although their young son Edward had died in 1875 aged one year. James John was born in 1878; Janet in 1882; Margaret in 1884; David Thomas born 1887; Hannah born 1888 and Nellie born in 1889.
As their business had failed they decided to try farming and took up land at Jilliby, out from Wyong, between Newcastle and Sydney. William continued contracting in Newcastle and worked at weekends on the farm. Kate and the children ran the 'selection'. Their nearest neighbours, the Bevans family had a bullock team and a horse team so at times the crack of a whip could be heard as bullock teams creaked past. Life at Jilliby was lonely but never idle and at tirnes hazardous - snakes of the venomous kind were a problem and they had some narrow escapes; goannas ate the eggs in the fowl house despite protective sheets of tin. Native cats took their poultry; Bandicoots and Wallabies fed on their crops of corn and sorghum for cattle feed.. At night the howl of dingoes could be heard and they too, were a menace. Between 1893 and 1895 three more children were born - Albert Arthur and Ellis. From time to time floods would swamp their fields and flatten or wash away cereal crops and rotted their potato crops. After five years 'on the land' it was time to try Sydney.
Alan George Scott - Champion Cyclist of St.George Whilst indexing "The Propeller" I often come across interesting items concerning past sportsmen and women of the St. George area who became famous in their particular sport; names such as Jolin Bromwich, W. J. (Bill) O'Reilly, Jack Brabham, Ken Rosewall and many others have all found their way into the Index. Alan George Scott was amateur champion cyclist who met an untimely death on 18 December, 1940. Alan was only 21 and only for the outbreak of war, would have taken part in the next Olympic Games. Prior to turning professional he had been a member of the St. George Cycling Club and held the Junior and Senior Championships for many years. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. W. V. Scott of Besborough Avenue, Bexley. At the time of his death Scott was riding with another ex-St. George rider, Tommy O'Donnell, who had also turned professional. O'Donnell was a Hurstville resident and for some time had been a popular rider at the Hurstville Oval winning numerous championships. Both Scott and O'Donnell were training on one of the main roads in Noumea, New Caledonia when they came into collision with a motor lorry on a sharp bend. O'Donnell was only slightly injured, but Scott sustained injuries which led to his death. His body was brought back to Sydney and he was buried in the C. of E. Section of Woronora Cemetery on Sunday, 14 January, 1941. A service was held in Christ Church, Bexley which was attended by representatives of various sporting bodies, as well as relatives, friends and Masonic Lodge members. Scott had been one of the foremost cyclists in Australia, being twice amateur road Champion of NSW and once Junior Champion of Australia. He had turned professional to ride in the big six-days race that had been held shortly before his departure for NewCaledonia. Alan Scott and Tommy O'Donnell, plus the other names already mentioned are only a few of the many sportsmen and women who have lived in the St. George area, and today there are men and women of the area who are continuing to excel in their own particular field. In October, 2000 the St. George district lost its oldest Olympian, Edith Payne (nee Robinson) aged 94. Edith had been a Kingsgrove resident for the past 60 years and had taken part in the 1928 Olympics in msterdam. She had been placed third in the 100 metre semi-final race. During the recent Games Edith had been a torch bearer, carrying it through the City in a wheelchair. She was also a special guest of SOCOG at the Opening Ceremony. Jean Jehan References: "The Propeller" 18. 1. 1940
NEWELL, William Walter(Bill) It was noted in the Propeller of 21st November 1963 that this gentleman had passed away in the Blue Mountains District Hospital on 9 November. The late Mr. Newell, who was 83 years of age, had conducted a second-hand furniture salesroom in Forest Road, Hurstville for many years, At the time of his death he was survived by his wife and family. Most Hurstville residents of those far off early years would have been used to seeing advertisements in the Propeller of Bill Newell "Hurstville's Second-hand Furniture King'. However, on 15 February 1951 he placed this unique advert. In the Prtopeller, which would no doubt be a boon to any relative doing family research on the Newell family. 47th ANNIVERSARY "ON THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF February, 1904, one Sarah Coles, of Allen Street, Leichhardt, said "yes" in St. Barnabas Church, George Street Sest, Sydney, and thereby entered into mantrimonial partnership with twenty-five-year-old William Newell of Petersham. That happens to be his biggest and best business transaction over the years, other small fry being a livery and stables at Redfern, followed by a garage and three Dennis trucks, which were always under charter. Chatswood and Maroubra were other suburbs where the business acumen of the redoubtable William made hay while the sun shone; then came Como where he became a landlord owning several properties and being the first district resident to install electric light in his cottages. From horse and drays to his second-hand furniture store is a far cry, but the past twelve years have been among Bill's busiest and happiest, whilst his increasing avoirdupois has in no wise blunted his keen sense ofvalues, neither has it retarded his zeal for seeking bargains for the house-holders of the district. And having quietly celebrated his forty-seventh anniversary he is again on the warpath to keep furniture prices down to the lowest possible by giving the best possible value for every shilling spent. Old customers are always welcome and new ones can rest assured of receiving every courtesy and attention at BILL NEWELL'S Big Second Hand Furniture Store at Forrest Road, Hurstville, next door to Swans, Tel. LU 4115.-Advt." Jean Jehan Ref: The Propeller, 21 November, 1963 and 15 February, 1951 Back to top of page
RICHARD HENRY LEWIS AND THE LANDS DEPARTMENT In November 1942 a large number of representatives of several government departments gathered at the Department of Lands to tender a farewell to Richard Henry Lewis. He had been officer-in-Charge of the Deeds and Securities Branch of that department for twelve years and a public servant for forty-seven years. On behalf of the staff, the Under-Secretary for Lands, W. H. H. Guest, presented Richard with a wallet of notes. Richard Henry was born December 1879 at Woolloomooloo, son of Clement and Juliam Lewis (nee Quitan). He had four sisters and three brothers. Two of his brothers were later to become schoolteachers and residents of St. George. About 1889 the Lewis family came to live in Kogarah. After a short term in commercial business, Richard joined the public service in January 1895. He was appointed to the deeds and securities branch of the Lands department two years later and remained there until his retirement. During his public service career he witnessed many changes, both in the city itself and the public service. As he remarked to the reporter from The Propeller, there was a different spirit among the personnel of the public service today as compared to that of forty years ago. When he first joined the service there were no unions and no women were employed in the departments. Some idea of what the city itself was like in those times could be gauged from the fact that there were no trams in either Pitt or George streets and the railway to the city terminated at Redfem. About 1896 Richard married Ivy Annetta ? at St. Andrews Cathedral and resided for a while in Sydenham. However, in 1900 they came to live in Plimsoll Street, Sans Souci. At that tiine there were few houses in the locality and much of it was bushland. It was not uncommmon to see snakes near the cottage in the summer months and bandicoots foraging nearby at night. Forty years ago there was no ferry punt between Sans Souci and Taren Point, but people could cross the river by means of a boat run by old 'Black Albert', an Aboriginal who was said to have been the King of the Shoalhaven tribe. He had an aboriginal king's brass plate to wear around his neck. Richard and Ivy had seven children - Olive born 1897, Julie 1899, Clement 1902, Clarence 1906, Eric 1910 (died 1910), Ivy 1913 and Winifred 1918. Their son Clarence became a leading oyster farmer with many leases along the coast. He held the Judd Cup for the 'best plate oysters' for three years in succession and resided at Shell Point, Woolooware Bay. Seven years into his retirement Richard's wife Ivy died 22 June 1949 and was privately cremated at Woronora. He was to re-mury a few years later and went to live in Caringbah. By this time three of his children - Olive, Julie and Clarence had died. Richard Henry Lewis died 9 September 1959 and like his first wife was privately cremated at Woronora. Jean Jehan References: The Propeller 26.11.1942 BDM Records SMH 25.6.1949 & 12.9.1959. Back to top of page
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It was a bright summer afternoon when Richard and Bessie gathered with their family and friends to celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at their home in Kiwong Street, Yowie Bay. It was the 16 February 1969 and they had lived at this address for the last 20 years.
Prior to that they had resided in Bexley for approximately 34 years (1918-1949) and during that time had watched "dairy farms move out and homes spring up".
Richard was born in 1889 at Forest Lodge, son of William and Sarah Martin and was the second youngest of 14 children. He had started work in the boot-making trade at 12 years of age, earning a weekly wage of 2/6d. In later years he was the Bandmaster of the 1st Military Battalion Band.
Bessie Martin was born in 1888, daughter of Richard and Ada Bromley. She and Richard married 16 February 1909 at the Salvation Army Citadel, Newtown. They had a daughter, Kathleen Sylvia born 1913, who later married Reginald Edmond Tanner at Rockdale in 1943.
Among the presents given to these two 80-year olds were several congratulatory messages from the NSW Governor, Sir Roden and Lady Cutler, Prime Minister Mr. John Gorton, State Premier Mr. Robin Askin and local MP, Mr. Don Dobie.
Jean Jehan
References: BDM Records
The Propeller 27.2.1969.
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RICHARD ARTHUR STEVENS - The Stationmaster with the green thumb
There are many residents of Hurstville and surrounding area who still remember what a pleasure it was to wait for a train on the platforms of Hurstville Station during the twenties through the forties. In those days the station was without the overhead 'Super Centre" and one could stand in the sunshine and admire the roses. These grew in neat beds that were situated between the two platforms. This was due to the work of Mr. Stevens, the Stationmaster.
Richard Arthur Stevens (known as Barney) was born 8 February 1883, son of James and Eliza Stevens of Dundas NSW. He commenced work with the Department of Railways on 23 March 1900 as a probationer. He was promoted to Junior Porter, then Night Officer in 1907.
He was stationed at Orange in 1918 as Assistant Stationmaster and two years later was transferred to Wallerawang. Afterwards he was in charge of Temora Station for twelve months and from there went to Young, where he remained for two years. Eventually he became Stationmaster of Hurstville on 26 July 1924 and there he remained until his retirement on 20 March 1949.
Mr. Stevens was a keen gardener and a good organiser. He took pride in the efficiency of the staff, the cleanliness of the station and surrounds. The station was made beautiful with flowers for the benefit of the many thousands of travellers who used this station.
In the annual garden competition arranged by the Railway Department, from 1928 the prize was always won by Hurstville. In addition, the championship prize for the State was won by Hurstville seven times. The 'First Prize" Certificates were kept on display in a glass case on No. 2 Platform for many years.
The Stationmaster and his wife with their family of seven children lived in the Stationmaster's residence at No. 8 Ormonde Parade, Hurstville. It is still there, although much altered and is at present the office of the Local MP, Mr. Kevin Green. I believe Mr. Green has a framed photograph on the wall of his office,, of the house as it was in Mr. Stevens' time.
During Mr. Stevens' occupancy No. 8 had a pleasant front garden which contained a large bed of special cactus and succulent plants of various species which attracted much attention.
Richard Stevens was awarded the Imperial Service Medal in recognition 'of the meritorious service which you have rendered'. It was presented at Government House, Sydney on 6 March 1951. He was also awarded a Long Service Medal for 1901-1951.
On his retirement he was able to devote much of his time to his garden at 124 Patrick Street and orchid growing became a favourite hobby. At one time he had over two hundred Orchid plants and no doubt took an interest in the annual shows.
He died on 26 March 1967 aged 84, survived by his wife Annie and six of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The funeral took place at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Hurstville and the Catholic Lawn Cemetery, Woronora.
Jean Jehan
References: The Propeller 25.8.1949
R'ly Staff Record Sheets - State Records, Kingswood
SMH Death and Funeral Notices 28.3.1967
BDM Records
WILLIAM CHARLES FRIPP and the Hurstville Post Office
On Saturday evening 14 October 1944 William Charles and his wife Jean Grace attended a party in the Dispensary Hall, MacMahon Street, Hurstville. About seventy relatives and friends were present to celebrate the couple's Golden Wedding Aniversary; for on 24 October 1894 William Charles Fripp, eldest son of Charles Tilley and Maria Fripp(new Wheller) married Jean Grace Sleight, youngest daughter of William Sleight of Dalby, A'ld in the Hurstville Presbyterian Church, Gloucester Street.
The evening proved a happy occasion for among those present, were some who had attended the wedding 50 years ago - Mrs. A Cope the bridesmaid, Mr. E. Smithson, best man and Mr. George Evans who gave the bride away.
William Osmond, the couple's son-in-law acted as one of the MC's, whilst Frederick Denham proposed the toast to 'the Bride and Groom' to which William Fripp responded. Dancing and games were indulged in and Joy Bell and Elsie Squires contributed vocal and musical items.
William Charles was born 15 December 1870. On 17 Aujgust 1891 at the age of 21 he was appointed postmas to Hurstville post office, which at that time was housed in one room in the railway station premises. He delivered the mail on horseback.
After he married Jean Sleight the couple had two daughters and three sons; Cecil C.H. born 1895, Alice May, born 1897, Arthur Norman (Darcy) born 1899, Pearl P. born 1900 and William Norman born 1904. Arthur had the nickname given to him by his schoolmates at Fort Street High School because of his reputation of being handy with his fists and was likened to the then fighter, Les Darcy. Their daughter Alice May married Henry J. Smith in 1924 and Pearl married William C. Osmond in 1828.
The family lived at 129 Dora Street, Hurstville where William had an extensive garden. He developed and named a red Gladioli with a bluish tinge and white throat 'Jean Fripp'. He also specialised in Carnations and developed a large pink one with a strong perfume, which he named 'Frank Aldridt' after a close friend. The family also remembers a special rose, referred to as a buttonhole rose due to its neat buds and absence of thorns, coloured cream with a reddish pink blush on the edges of the petals. Over the years he was to win many awards in competitions in this State, Victoria and Queensland with his roses, gerberas, dahlias, carnations and sweet peas. He also grew sweet pea seeds for Yates.
He retired from the post office in 1930 and was to spend a busy and happy retirement until his death, 21 December 1946. He was cremated at the Woronora Crematorium.
His wife Jean died 20 August 1947 at her daughter's home at No. 6 Macquarie Street, Hurstville. She was survived by their son Arthur and their two daughters, Pearl Osmond and Alice Smith. She was also cremated at Woronora.
Their son Arthur Norman(Darcy) was assistant Town Clerk in Hurstville Council for many years before transferring in 1926 to Town Clerk at Ballina NSW until his retirement in 1964.
William Charles' brother Alfred Eli born 1872, also worked as a postman in Hurstville, but later he and his family moved to The Avenue, Strathfield (now Churchill Avenue). Alfred Eli married Margaret Russell, whose father died when she was 2
½ years old; her mother died ten years later and Margaret and her sister Therese were then appointed a guardian.Jean Jehan
References: The Propeller 19 Oct 1944; 3 January 1946;28 August 1947
BDM Records
Family information contributed by Colin C. Smith
SMH Death & Funeral notices 22.12.45 and 21.8.47
This site was last updated on Sunday, 13 August 2006
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