144 George Street — Streets of East Freo

ARCHITECTURE

Late Federation / Inter-War / Georgian Bungalow

No 144 George Street is a single-storey residence constructed in timber framing, weatherboard and fibro cladding with a hipped corrugated iron roof. It is a good example of a Federation Bungalow style house. The front elevation is symmetrically planned with a centrally located front door and hopper light flanked by single pane double hung sash windows. The facade features a full-width skillion roof verandah supported on timber posts.

HISTORY

1919 Fremantle Butcher’s Infidelity. Doris Carline Burge granted a dissolution of her marriage to Cyril Joseph Burge after overwhelming evidence of the latter’s adultery with a Mrs. Ada Wood was presented to the Supreme Court. (reference)
1919 Meat And Morals. “A Standing Arrangement”- A fuller report of the Burge divorce/dissolution case subtitled ‘Butcher Burge and Wood’s Wanton Wife’. This presents a detailed report of all the evidence, including re-assembling discarded letters, and salacious details of secret meetings. Mr Burge presented no defence to the allegations. (reference)
1922 Police Court. Cyril Joseph Burge imprisoned for one month for theft of £8 0s.7d and £12 7s.4d from his employers: Charles Robert Herbert and others… (reference)
1941 Petition For Dissolution Of Marriage. Mary Enterkin Ward-Massey of 144 George-street East Fremantle petitioned the Supreme Court to dissolve her marriage to Eric Eugene Ward-Massey. (reference)
1948 50th Anniversary. Sons and Daughters of Mr. and Mrs. J. Carroll announce their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Original wedding celebrated in Kilsythe, Scotland 3 June 1898. (reference)

James Carroll’s wife Janet, described as a “grand old lady”, died suddenly in May 1950, aged 76. The death notice placed by her family in The West Australian of 23 May 1950 explains she died "at her residence, 144 George Street, East Fremantle". Their oldest daughter, Janet, married William Arthur Roberts in 1927. William served in WWII, around which time Janet moved home with her aging parents. William returned from the war and Mrs Carroll died not long after. Janet and William Roberts are in the electoral roll - at 144 George Street - all the way through to 1980; they raised their family and remained at 144 George Street, with James Carroll, until he died in 1957.