Alice Mabel Faulds
(1875-1956)
Alice Mabel Faulds was born Alice Mabel Wilson in 1875. She had an interesting life with roles as Lady Mayoress of Mount Morgans, bakers wife and mother to nine children. She was an East Fremantle resident from 1913 until 1956.
Her parents Joseph H. Wilson and Ann Wilson were early Ballarat pioneers. Joseph was a mine manager and ‘Primitive Methodist' Minister (from Durham UK).
Alice married Andrew James Ronaldson Faulds in November 1896 in Bendigo (reference). His interest in politics may have developed within his family. As well as both parents (Mary and Matthew Faulds- miners) and an uncle being present at Eureka Stockade (Mary Faulds was in labour with her first child in a tent, in the middle of the attack), Andrew’s cousin Charles (Charlie) Fraser was the Federal Member for Kalgoorlie until his untimely death in 1913 (the first Federal cabinet member to fly in an airplane).
Andrew Faulds (and his brother John) appear to have arrived in WA sometime around late 1894 or early 1895- in response to the gold rush. There is mention of Andrew in “Ninety Mile Notes”, an article in the Coolgardie Miner in May 1895 and he was the Secretary of the Goongarrie Progressive Society in 1895. Ninety Mile became Goongarrie. Andrew returned briefly to Ballarat in 1896, where he married Alice.
Alice and Andrew Faulds were pioneers in the Western Australian goldfields- returning to Goongarrie in 1897 where Andrew was listed in the WA Directory, as a miner, butcher and baker in 1897 & 1898. Alice apparently relished the early days in WA when they were living in a tent. However she have travelled back to Ballarat to be with her mother for the birth of her first child Alice Thelma in 1898. She returned with Thelma and the family lived first at Menzies, then at Mount Morgans, out past Leonora from 1901-1910. Seven of their nine children were born and grew up on the goldfields.
Mount Morgans was only gazetted on 29 December 1899. A police station was established in 1899 when the population was 500. By 1903 the population had reached 1,250 with over 500 buildings. In its hey-day the town boasted six hotels, a hospital, a miners' union hall, two general stores and two chemists. The police station closed in 1928 and the town was abandoned by 1937.
Andrew, also known as ‘Dick’, first managed the Menzies Café (1899-1900) (see Advertisement) before starting a restaurant and boarding house- the Fauld’s Dining Rooms/ Coffee Palace in Mount Morgan’s in 1901. (reference)
An article detailing the story of how ‘Dick’ turned his Coffee Palace around to face the Westralia Mine is written in an article in 1906. (reference) This then became the Mount Morgans Coffee Palace in 1908 (reference)
Andrew Faulds was civic minded and popular, a practical decent man. He was a member of the Mount Morgans Hospital committee in 1901, when he was involved in a hospital committee meeting debate about an increase in pay for the Matron and nurses. Some committee members felt that nurses should be paid the same rate as the local barmaids. Andrew Faulds stance was that as professionals they should be paid above the average wage earners rates. He was also a member of the Druids (a group who had helped erect the Workers Hall in Mt Morgans in 1901 (reference) and a Local Councillor in 1902. He ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Mount Morgans in 1904 and 1906 and finally became Mayor in Dec 1907. (reference)
In March 1908 Faulds was in the forefront of progressive ideas for Mount Morgans:
A deputation from the Morgans district, consisting of the Mayor of Morgans (Mr Faulds) and Messrs. C. Arnott and G. McOmish, was introduced to the Minister for Mines and Railways by Mr. G. Taylor, M.L.A., yesterday. The deputation asked for a daily railway service between Malcolm and Laverton, and urged that the present service was insufficient to cope with the traffic, and was a serious inconvenience to business people. Secondly, they asked that a diamond drill should be sent to the district. They pointed out that in view of recent developments on the western lode of the Westralia, Mt. Morgans mine, there were good prospects for successful boring operations. The local residents were willing to form a syndicate of 20 and pay £2 per month each towards the expense of the working and upkeep of the drill. West Australian, Friday 6 March 1908, page 9 (reference)
In 1908 and 1909 Faulds was Chairman of the local Diamond Drilling Syndicate. (reference)
In August 1908 a strong committee of Goldfields men formed to support his unsuccessful bid to stand in the WA parliament. (reference)
Alice as the Lady Mayoress was fully involved in the Council social functions:
After the Continental Concert on Wednesday night the Mayor and Mayoress of Morgans (Mr and Mrs A. J. Faulds) issued invitations to the performers to journey to the Council Chambers and there partake of some light refreshment (solid and liquid) The table was piled with eatables flanked by sundry bottles and blocks of ice. There were many of the townspeople present and full justice was done to the good things provided and served by the ladies committee. Mount Morgans Mercury, Wednesday 9 December 1908, p 2 (reference)
Read about the 1908 Rabbit problem (reference)
Despite instability on the Goldfields in 1909 Andrew kept his seat as Mayor and was photographed with other delegates at a Municipal Conference at the 1909 Northam Show (Photographer C. M Nixon). (reference)
TELEGRAMS TO MINISTERS. The Mayor of Mt. Morgans (Mr A. J. Faulds) today telegraphed to the Minister for Mines (Mr Gregory) as follows: “All men on mines ceased work on arbitration award, which considered very unjust; everything paralysed here.” A similar telegram was received by the Premier, and he was asked “to do his utmost to bring about a settlement.” Kalgoorlie Miner, Tuesday 26 January 1909, p 6 (reference)
4 Jan 1910
The annual distribution of prizes and medals of the local State school took place on Thursday afternoon. The mayor (Mr. A. J. Faulds), who is also chairman of the school board, presided. Prizes: Standard VI. Thelma Faulds, dux of school, medal and highest results prize, Standard IV; Ronald Faulds; medal and highest results prize… (reference)
15 Jan 1910 Andrew resigned as Mayor, on a matter of principal regarding the action of the new council in increasing the Town Clerk’s salary. (reference) He was soon asked to reconsider and was quickly reinstated and then presided over a public address by the Minister for Mines Mr Gregory, who arrived in Mt Morgans in March 1910 to refute the idea the Government was neglecting the mining districts. (reference)
May 1910 The Empire Day celebrations this year took the form of a picnic at Hawk's Nest by the combined schools of Morgans and Laverton. The latter place was well represented by nearly 100 children and adults, whilst the Morgans contingent exceeded, all expectations, for the business people closed their establishments and went merry-making, together with all who could possibly get away, and consequently nearly 200 all told journeyed to the picnic ground, which is situated about halfway between the two places. Upon arrival several energetic committees were formed, under the leadership of Mr A. J. Faulds to carry out the various programmes for the amusement of the children and their elders. Previous to the commencement of the sports the children were amply regaled with the innumerable 'good things' which had been provided by the ladies of both places, while the adults were to be found enjoying their hampers in the spots which offered the best protection from the boisterous wind prevailing. Kalgoorlie Miner, Saturday 28 May 1910, p 2 (reference)
August 1910
A large number of residents of Morgans assembled at the council chambers on Thursday evening to say goodbye to the mayor, Mr A. Faulds, who, after a number of years' residence, has left for Lancefield. He heartily thanked them on behalf of Mrs Faulds and himself for their many kind wishes. He sincerely regretted leaving Morgans, but business compelled him to do so… (reference)
Lancefield Mine opened up near Laverton and the family moved there in 1911.
1911 Though Wednesday last was a ‘scorcher’ there was a large attendance at the children's sports at Lancefield, and keen contests and close finishes evoked the greatest enthusiasm, and made youngsters and spectators forget that it was 112 deg. in the shade. The following are the results: Girls' Championship- Thelma Faulds, 1. The Lancefield girls then challenged the Laverton boys to a tug-of-war, and the excitement of the day was when the girls were declared easy victors. (reference)
In June 1913 Andrew and Alice moved to East Fremantle were they were partners in Faulds and Regan Bakery (at 80 Sewell St). Andrew’s family lived nearby, possibly in Dorothy Street (Fremantle).
In March 1914, at the age of 40, Andrew, who had been managing the Hotel Commonwealth Dining Rooms in Meekatharra for about six months, suddenly died of natural causes. (reference)
After 1915 M.C. Regan ran Regans Bakery at 59 Sewell St East Fremantle (now 32) (reference)
In 1915, newly widowed, Alice Mabel Faulds moved to 169 Sewell Street (which became No 83 in 1939) with her 9 children. She lived there until her death in 1956.
Alice’s children were:
Alice Thelma (b 1898 in Victoria- d 1976, Applecross aged 78), married John J Mahon (b 1899- d 1990 Hilton) in 1928.
Ronald (b 1899 Menzies d Fremantle 1945),
Alison ‘Algy’ James (1901 b Mt Morgan- married Mary E Roberts in 1923 in Fremantle, d 1951),
John F G ‘Jack’ (1908 b. Mt Margaret, married Gwendoline M Rees (1913-1944) in 1927.
Oriana May (1903 b Mt Morgan, married Arthur W Mofflin 1926 Fremantle),
Constance (1904 b Mt Morgan, married Frederick Gregson in 1929 in Fremantle), Nurse?
Florence (b Mt Margaret 1906)
Jessie A (1910 b Mt Margaret) married JC Davies in 1937.
Cecil ‘Dick’ Andrew (b 1914 Fremantle d 1972 Melville) married in 1940.
Across the road from number 83 lived Peter Mahon and his family: wife Mary Ann Mahon, sons John, Maurice and William lived there. He ran a cash store at what was No 166 (now 82). He lived there from around 1900 until he died in 1923. The boys attended Christian Brothers College, Fremantle. Maurice played at a high level for South Fremantle Football Club and William played for Subiaco Football Club.
“Although their house/store not longer stands I have attached a photo of my great grandfather Peter Mahon standing outside the store at 82 Sewell St. My grandfather John Mahon married the girl from across the road in Sewell Street -my grandmother Thelma Faulds. They married across the religious divide- Catholic and Protestant- which in the 1920s, caused a great deal of angst.”
Correspondence from Marianne Underwood 10 Nov 2019
1921 The funeral of the late Mrs Ann Wilson, relict of the late Joseph Wilson, who died at the age of 83, took place on Wednesday, April 20, the funeral cortege leaving the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Alice Faulds, 169 Sewell-street, East Fremantle…. The chief mourners were: Mrs. A. J. Faulds (daughter), Ronald, Alison, Jack, Thelma, Oriel, Connie, and Florrie Faulds (grand-children)… (reference)
Alice Thelma Faulds, the eldest child, worked as a clerk for many years at Detmold’s Stationary and Printing firm in Fremantle (opposite where the markets are now.) See Photograph of the longest serving members of William Detmold's staff in 1926: all had served ten years: Front row: H Carey (foreman); Winifred Sheedy; Mr Hazeldeane (Manager); Miss Faulds; Mr Duffield. Back row: from left: F Newton; Dick Hatchett; Miss Irwin (Secretary); Mr Comley; C Rummer.
In 1928 Thelma married John J Mahon.
1927 Mr .F Major, son Frank, and daughter Nita (Mrs N Chandler), of corner George and Bedford streets, East Fremantle, wish to THANK all kind friends for personal expressions of sympathy in their recent bereavement. Particularly do they wish to thank Dr. Parker and Miss Connie Faulds for their untiring attention. (reference)
Cecil (Dick) Faulds lived at No 83 for many years. He was a founding member of the Fremantle Hockey Club in 1933, went on to be a State player, state hockey selector for a number of years, was the Club President at one stage and still has an annual club award named after him.
1936 Swan Suburban Lawn Tennis Association. Applications for affiliation with the above association will close with the Hon. Secretary, C A Faulds, 169 Sewell street, East Fremantle... (reference)
1940 Birth on April 15, at St. Helen's Hospital, to Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Davies (nee Jessie Faulds), of 83 Sewell-street, East Fremantle—a son (Ronald John). (reference)
1943 During the War years Alice Mabel, Alison James (tramway employee), Ronald (civil servant), Winifred Maud (home duties) and Florence Mary (clerk), were all listed as living at 83 Sewell. However Florence, John and Alison were all involved with military service during WWII and Alison (Algy) was at Tobruk.
1945 The Friends of the late Mr. Ronald Faulds, of the State Audit Department, Perth, and of 83 Sewell Street, East Fremantle, are respectfully informed that his remains will be interred in the Methodist portion of the Fremantle Cemetery… (reference)
1951 Death on Nov. 6, at Fremantle Hospital, of Alison James, loved son of Mrs A M and the late A J Faulds… aged 50 years. (reference) 1952 Notice to Creditors and Claimants. Alison James Faulds, formerly a member (No. WX1412) of the Australian Imperial Forces but late of 83 Sewell-street, East Fremantle. Truck Driver. (reference)
1954 Alice Mabel was still living at 83 Sewell St. She died in 1956 in Fremantle aged 81 and was buried at Fremantle Cemetery.
Thank you to Marianne Underwood for her correspondence and photographs 10 Nov 2019.
Marianne Underwood <benderm@westnet.com.au>
