33 Moss Street — Streets of East Freo

ARCHITECTURE

Currently run as a the Moss Street Home (a mental heath facility- see article under images) the old mansion is a very fine expression of the Federation Queen Anne style.

The Lodge, 33 Moss Street was originally called Sydenham and was built in 1909 for Mary Bateman (wife of J. W. Bateman) by prominent Fremantle architect John McNeece, and contractor Mr. F. W. Spurr. This house is the finest surviving example of John McNeece’s work. It has been a hospital on and off for 50 years and empty for about 10 years. (correspondence from Rod Smith 2019)

For an obituary of Mrs. J. W. Bateman (Daisy Kate Augusta), who died 1940 see: (reference)

From 1929 until 1949 it was known as St. Helen’s Private Hospital. Read more about the amazing woman who ran it—Sister Lila Kidston-Hunter under our Notable People section.

The major portion of the original building is substantially intact. Of interest are the verandahs, bay windows and the stables at the rear, whilst internally the hallways have magnificent loft paperwork and trimming with glass and tiled floor. The plaster work includes archways with columns, cornices, ceiling rosettes and matching moulded timber skirtings and architraves. There are several decorated mantels, distinctive examples of the era, with tessellated tile hearths matching the hallway. There is also a very old Norfolk Pine at the rear of the property.

HISTORY

AIF 1915, BATEMAN Herbert Pearson (Regimental number 564) Occupation Barrister/solicitor, Moss Street, East Fremantle, WA, Single, Age at embarkation 30. Next of kin Mrs Mary Bateman

1911 Marriage at Johnston Memorial Congregational Church, Fremantle, by the Rev. Joseph Parker, Henry Kennedy Maley, fifth son of the late J. S. Maley, Greenough, to Mabel Louisa, only daughter of Mrs. J. W. Bateman, East Fremantle. "At home" Saturday, June 17, at Sydenham, Moss-street, East Fremantle. (reference)
1911 Marriage. Fremantle seemed en fete on Wednesday afternoon week last when the marriage of Mr. John Wesley Bateman, principal of the firm of J. and W. Bateman, and eldest son of Mrs. J. W. Bateman, of "Sydenham," Moss-street, East Fremantle, to Miss Daisy Kate Augusta Sendey, second daughter of Mrs. Edgar Sendey, and granddaughter of Mrs. Alex Francisco of Quarry Cottage, Victoria-road, was solemnised. The ceremony took place at St. John's Church… (reference)
1920 Public Auction Wednesday, Oct 20. At Fremantle Town Hall. That splendid Brick Bungalow Residence, in Moss-street, East Fremantle, known as Sydenham, containing hall 40 x 9, drawing room 18 x 18, dining room 24 x 16, library 14 x 9, billiard room 22 x 13, bedrooms..., kitchen 15 x 15, scullery 15 x 10, maid's room, storeroom, pantry, servery, linen room, bathroom, etc...Outbuildings comprise substantially-built brick two-storey garage and stables. There is a well and windmill, and the town water supply is also laid on. Electric light is installed, and the property is sewered. The House is surrounded by beautiful buffalo grass lawns, with high hedges on the boundaries of the land, making the premises absolutely private. This is undoubtedly the best-built and most charming residence in Fremantle or suburbs, and is planned to give the maximum of comfort with the minimum of labour. For a high-class school or private hospital nothing better could be devised, with the fine wide verandah and spacious grounds... (reference)
1923 Birth on June 24, at Illawarra Private Hospital, Fremantle, to Mr. and Mrs. R. Slater, of Fremantle—a daughter. Both well. (reference)
1940 Birth on June 21, at St. Helens, Moss street, to Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Gibbs, of Dandallo, Kulikup—a son (John Leonard). (reference)
1953 “In Moss street there was a small mid & general Hospital at the intersection of Fletcher and Moss Street named St Helens with a vacant block on the east side which had a Jersey Cow grazing there, to provide fresh milk to the staff and patient’s, this was still active when Margaret was working there as a “Tray” girl in 1953.” Correspondence from John & Margaret Gorham 2023.

I am restoring another house of the same period also by John McNeece and would dearly like some interior photos of 33 Moss Street. (correspondence from Rod Smith 2019-<smithroderick@me.com>)