24 Clifton Street

The house at 24 Clifton Street has been a part of Bunbury’s community for close to a century. According to real estate records, the house was built in 1938 (reference). However, unless street numbers have changed, the historical record indicates that the house was there by 1930.

A newspaper article from 1930 indicates that 24 Clifton Street Bunbury was the residence of Albert William, a locomotive superintendent and his wife, Caroline Raynes (reference). The couple had at least five children, William, Gertrude, Sydney, Dorothea and Corrie (reference). Their daughter Corrie was married on February 21 1930 to Harold Breidahl at St George’s Cathedral in Perth (reference). In 1934 the residents of 24 Clifton Street lost a young black and white Spaniel puppy and offered an award in the South Western Times for its return (reference). However, it is unclear if this was the Raynes’ puppy, as no records indicate if they were still living there in 1934. By 1940 Albert and Caroline had moved to 11 Bruce Street in Nedlands (reference). On October 22 1940, at 77 years old, Caroline passed away and was buried in the Anglican portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery (reference).

Sometime between 1937 and 1943, James Henry and Mary Annie Tyers moved into 24 Clifton Street according to the electoral rolls. Before they moved to Clifton Street, they were living at 38 Charles Street in Bunbury. James was a machinist. They had a son, Desmond, who was engaged to Shirley Bezant in August 1953 (reference). The house at 24 Clifton Street was James’ final home, as he passed away at the age of 53 on June 22 1957, and was buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Bunbury Cemetery (reference). Mary continued to live at their house in 1958, but had moved out by 1963 (reference).

Residents of 24 Clifton Street

1930 Albert and Caroline Raynes

1943 James and Mary Tyers