42 Sewell Street — Streets of East Freo

ARCHITECTURE

Late Victorian / Early Federation, Gable Cottage w Georgian Influences

No. 42 (previously was no. 98) Sewell street is a single story cottage constructed in timber framing and weatherboard cladding with a gable corrugated iron roof. It is a simple expression of the Federation Bungalow style. The front elevation is symmetrically planned with a central door flanked by double hung sash windows. The facade features a full width bull-nosed roofed verandah supported on timber posts. Lacework has recently been applied between the posts.

HISTORY

1914 Funeral. The Friends of Mr. B. Comben, of No. 98 Sewell-street, East Fremantle, are respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late dearly-beloved infant son, Ernest Leslie, to the place of interment, the Church of England portion of the Fremantle Cemetery. The Funeral is appointed to leave his residence, No 98 Sewell-street, East Fremantle… (reference)
1922 Lost and Found. Strayed, from Fremantle Bay, Gelding, branded AE3 near shoulder; reward. Witheridge, 98 Sewell-street, East Fremantle. (reference)
1928 Mrs. Mary Catherine Witheridge, wife of Mr. William Henry Witheridge, of the Melbourne Steamship Co., Ltd., Fremantle, passed away on July 27, at a private hospital in Fremantle, at the age of 36 years. Mrs. Witheridge, who leaves a husband and a family of three sons and one daughter, had resided at Fremantle for the last 33 years. During that period, owing to her kindly disposition, she made a large circle of friends. The funeral cortege moved from her late residence, 98 Sewell-street, East Fremantle... (reference)
1946 Funeral. The friends of the late Mrs. Evelyn Lillian Lewis of 42 Sewell Street, East Fremantle, widow of the late John Francis Lewis, are respectfully informed that her remains will be interred in the Church of England portion of the Fremantle Cemetery... The funeral will leave her late residence, 42 Sewell Street, East Fremantle… (reference)
See photos of the house in 1966 before it was renovated:
“I lived there with my parents from 1966 to 1971, and attended East
Fremantle and John Curtin schools while living there.
The house was in an unfit state and the council were threatening to
demolish it. No front or back doors, holes in the floors.
My father bought it for 1500 pounds/$3,000 (from memory); and renovated
it. Back then it wasn't ”a craze"; it was a necessity, as we were broke.
Dad drove a small grocery delivery truck for D&J Fowlers.
We left the area in 1971 and moved away to Forrestdale.”
Ken Hockey ( correspondence 25.7.2021)
1971: We rented 42 Sewell Street from the Hockey's when they moved out. I went to school with the daughter, I think her name was Noelene. We moved in in 1971 when we had to move out of 16 Duke Street because it was to be demolished for the highway/Bridge. We left in November 1972 when we built a house in Gosnells. We were 10 pound poms from the UK. My parents are John and Brenda Ball. I remember we paid $25/week rent.
Ginnetta Boliver ( correspondence 31.10.2021)