53 Sewell Street — Streets of East Freo

ARCHITECTURE

Federation / Rustic Gable w Carpenter Gothic Influences

No. 53 (previously was no. 113) Sewell street is a pair of single story cottages constructed in limestone and brickwork with a pair of gabled corrugated iron roofs. The gables are highly decorative. It is a fine expression of a duplex in the Federation Cottage Ornée Bungalow style. The pair is asymmetrically planned. A full width skillion roofed verandah is located at No 51. The verandah is supported by the party wall and steel posts. No 53 has no verandah. Entry doors are equally offset from the party wall and are flanked by pairs of double hung sash windows. All openings have brick quoins.

HISTORY

1907 Norman Coughlin born. Married Berth Howe in 1930, died 1963.

1920 Death on April 1, at Fremantle Hospital, Emily Catherine Coughlin, dearly beloved youngest daughter of Mary Ann Coughlin of Bruce-street, North Fremantle and sister of Mrs. G. Bryan and Michael, John, Norman, and George Coughlin. Aged 16 years. (reference)
1934 Don’t Play Wolf! Drowning Narrowly Escaped. An eight-year-old boy, George Smith of 89 Silas-street, East Fremantle, had a narrow escape from drowning in the Swan River near the old Castlemaine Brewery, East Fremantle, yesterday afternoon, when two other lads hesitated before going to his rescue, because swimmers in the locality are in the habit of pretending to drown. A combination of two plucky youngsters and a resourceful man saved his life. Smith was rescued in the last stages of exhaustion, but effective resuscitation measures by Lionel Bulliard, a lumper and former league footballer, saved his life. The boy's rescuers were Ralph Sydney Delaney (13), of 113 Sewell street, and Evan Smith (14), of 86 Sewell-street (now no. 36), East Fremantle. The boy, who was unconscious as he was lifted out of the punt, was attended to by his mother, but she was not expert in the method of life-saving. Bulliard arrived on the scene, turned the boy on his stomach and pumped the water out of his lungs. (reference)
1941 Betting Offences. For having used premises at John-street, North Fremantle, South-terrace, Fremantle, and Mandurah-road, South Fremantle, respectively, Norman William Coughlin (34), labourer, Kenneth McKenzie (49), rigger, and Patrick Joseph Walsh (58), labourer, were each fined £5. (reference)
1942 Norman William Coughlin (35) tramway employee, was charged with having between March 13 and March 27 last, being then the servant of T. Clarke, carrier, stolen £8/15/10 the property of Clarke. (reference) Norman William Coughlin, who was also charged with stealing, was released on a £30 bond to be of good behaviour for six months. Magistrate Wallwork said that he had treated this case leniently in view of the fact that Coughlin was a returned soldier from this war. (reference)
1944 Death on October 17 at Fremantle, Mick, beloved son of Mary Ann Coughlin, of East Fremantle; fond brother of Mary (Mrs Styles), Fanny (Mrs Bryan) and Norman (East Fremantle), the late John, Nellie, Emily and Sandy. Peacefully sleeping. R.I.P. (reference)
1949 Man Gaoled To Protect Girl. In the Criminal Court today Norman William Coughlin (43), of Melville Camp, was sentenced to five years' gaol to protect an eight-year-old girl. Coughlin was charged with having had unlawful carnal knowledge of a young girl. “This is an unforgivable offence,” the Chief Justice told him. “You must be kept away from the girl” (reference)
1953 Divorce Bertha Annie Coughlin v. Norman William Coughlin and Zeta Edith Joan Coughlin (sic-possibly Hill). Ground: Adultery. (reference)