15 Ednie Street
The house at 15 Ednie Street is a single storey timber and iron Federation Bungalow with an iron clad gabled roof. It is the width of a single room with an asymmetrical front elevation. The front room protrudes and has a timber double hung sash window while the enclosed porch has a separate roof.
In 1941, the Health Inspector, Fred Senior, submitted the following report to the council detailing the repairs and renovations required to 15 Ednie Street.
“Dwelling house, No. 15, on Lot 4 Ednie-st, owned by Estate G. King. Inspection revealed a building of timber and iron. Repairs required to post and floor timbers of front porch; roof; walls and ceilings of passage and two bedrooms. Renovations required to walls and ceilings of one room; bathroom not lined or ceiled; laundry facilities not provided; sanitary convenience in very shaky condition; fence in bad state of repair. Recommended that notices be served on the owner to carry out within 28 days repairs and renovations required, provide lining and ceiling to bathroom; provide laundry facilities; provide sanitary convenience in accordance with the by-laws. Repair fence.” (reference)
George King
George King owned 13, 15, 17 and 19 Ednie Street from at least 1920 until his death in 1937 and then it remained as part of his estate until at least 1941 (reference; reference). George’s details are included in the history of 13 Ednie Street (reference). From the 1920s to at least the 1950s, 15 Ednie Street was leased to a number of tenants.
Albert and Catherine Barker
Albert Barker was born on 18 March 1895 in Collingwood, Melbourne, Victoria and came to Western Australia as a baby with his parents (reference). He married Catherine Maud White, the daughter of Mr and Mrs James White of Bunbury on 13 April 1914 (reference). Their son, Albert was born later that year (reference).
In 1915 the family moved to Perth. In 1916 Albert was working as a butcher when he enlisted in the army. He was assigned to the Sixth Reinforcement Regiment, 44th Battalion,11th Brigade of the First A.I.F. He was shot in the wrist while fighting in France in 1917. He returned home and was discharged from service in 1918 (reference).
After returning from the war, Albert worked for the railways. Albert was a heavy drinker who’s addiction worsened after his service on the front (reference). Catherine had separated from him once, due to his addiction, returning to live with her parents, but moved back with Albert after he promised to do better by her (reference). Catherine was a victim of domestic violence and she left him after he physically assaulted her, nearly costing her sight in one eye (reference). She was granted her request for divorce in 1929 (reference; reference; reference).
After being divorced, Albert rejoined the army in 1940 and served in the Western Australian Garrison Battalion (Y Company). He was discharged in 1944 and died later that year (reference; reference).
After the divorce, Catherine brought her children up in Boyanup (reference; reference; reference). In the late 1930s, Catherine married John H. Shields, a widowed farmer from Trayning (reference). Catherine’s father, James White, also lived at Trayning with her (reference). John died in 1948 and in 1950 Catherine and her father moved to Perth. Catherine’s father died in 1951 (reference; reference). Catherine was living in Victoria Park when she died in 1973, aged 78 (reference).
Albert and Catherine had four children; Albert (Bert), Bonnie, Sylvia and William.
Albert worked for Millars Timber Mills and had a passion for sailing. Albert married Phyllis Richards in 1940 (reference). They lived in Kennard Street, South Perth (reference). He enlisted for service in the Second World War and was wounded in North Africa in 1941. While in Libya he wrote to his sister Bonnie “we are busy sending over a few 'iron rations' to the Italians” (reference).
Bonnie Barker, partnered with Mr Northover, was a finalist in the Amateur Dance Championships of Western Australia in 1935 and then went on to win the competition in 1937 (reference; reference). Bonnie married Raymond McMorrow in 1940 and they lived in Onslow Flats on Hay Street, Perth (reference; reference).
Sylvia Barker married Norman Whittle and they lived in Federation Road, Mount Hawthorn (reference; reference)
William served in the Air Force during the Second World War. In 1944 he married Ethel Buckley. Ethel was hit by a car on the morning of her wedding and taken to hospital by ambulance. Luckily she escaped with only abrasions and still made it to her wedding (reference). William and Ethel made their home in Toodyay (reference).
George Bewsher
George Bewsher and his wife Belle probably moved into 15 Ednie Street in 1929 when they moved from Kirup to Bunbury (reference). More information on George can be found in his biography: George Bewsher.
Residents of 15 Ednie Street
1920-1937 Owned by George King
Albert and Catherine Barker
1929-1949+ George Bewsher
Researched by Gaye Englund for the Museum of Perth