52 East Street — Streets of East Freo

ARCHITECTURE

Early Federation / Gabled Domestic Carpenter

No. 52 (previously was no. 80) East street is a single storey house constructed in timber framing and weatherboard cladding with a gabled decramastic roof. It is a simple expression of the Federation Bungalow style. The front elevation is asymmetrically planned with a door to the south side and a window to the north. The facade features a full width skillion roofed verandah supported on Tuscan columns set over concrete piers and a masonry balustrade.

HISTORY

AIF 1916, Norman Leslie Allan (Regimental number 6289) Occupation Driver, 52 East Street, East Fremantle, Western Australia, Single, Age at embarkation 23. Next of kin Mother, Mrs Violet Allan

1924 Death on August 24, at her late residence, 80 East-street, Fremantle, Violet Angela Allen, dearly beloved sister of Lucy, Boswell, Fremantle, and Clara Roberts, Ringwood, Victoria. So dearly loved. (reference)
1928 Registration. 2340: From Miss M. Maison to Lorna P. L. Stratton, 80 East-street, East Fremantle, Studebaker. (reference)
1941 Killed In Action. News Of Local Men. Fremantle Private Killed in Action. Yesterday Mrs. Elibby Burrell, of 52 East-street, Fremantle, received advice from Military Headquarters that her husband, Private Erwin James (Bill) Burrell, had been killed in action on December 24. He leaves three children. (reference)
1941 Soldier Dies For Family. Sapper Erwin James (Bill) Burrell, of 52 East-street, Fremantle, who has been officially reported killed in action, was most anxious to enlist. Although 35 years of age, married and with three children, he declared to Mrs. Burrell: "No single man will fight for my kids." Her predominant thoughts today, she said, were of the supreme sacrifice made by her husband, the thoughtful gesture of his workmates from the Fremantle Harbour Trust (who provided comforts for the family at Christmas) and the shock she received yesterday. "A telegraph boy arrived," she said. "I opened the wire, my thoughts sensing that Bill had been wounded. But it was the worst, and, not being prepared, I simply collapsed... (reference)
1941 War Widow’s Thanks. Mrs. Elibby Burrell, of 52 East street, Fremantle, whose husband, Private E. J. 'Bill' Burrell, formerly of the goldfields, was the first West Australian soldier killed in action in the Libyan campaign, writes expressing her thanks to all those goldfields friends who sent her telegrams, cards and letters of condolence. 'Poor Bill has gone,' Mrs. Burrell says in her letter, 'but has left an excellent record behind him for his children to be proud of.' (reference)