ARCHITECTURE
Inter-War California Bungalow
No. 19 Allen Street is a single-storey house constructed in brickwork and rendered brick with a hipped and gabled tiled roof. It is a fine expression of the Inter-War California Bungalow style. The front elevation is asymmetrically planned with a full-width skillion roofed verandah set on tapered rendered piers. It has an offset front door with a hopper light. The facade features lead lighted casement and bay windows together with a lunette window. The roofscape is an important feature of the house with sweeping half-timbered gables and rough-cast rendered chimneys.
HISTORY
AIF WWll Service - Robert Douglas Strachan: Service Number 21811: Date of birth 25 Sep 1919: Place of birth -Katanning WA: Place of enlistment - Fremantle: Next of Kin - Turnbull Alfred. (NAA Record)
1936 Jewellery Theft At Fremantle Jewellery valued at £20 was stolen from the residence of Alfred Main Strachan, in Allen-street, East Fremantle, on Saturday night during the temporary absence of the occupant. Entrance was effected by forcing a rear door. The property, which was stolen from a bedroom, comprised a lady's gold wristlet watch, a gold engagement ring, gold dress ring and a plain gold bar brooch. Detective Kendall is making inquiries. (references)
1942 WA Gunner’s Sea Adventures. Commando raids on Norway, torpedoing by a U-boat in the Atlantic and a peaceful voyage home are among the experiences of 23-year-old seaman gunner Robert D. Strachan, of Allen Street, East Fremantle. He returned recently for his first furlough since the outbreak of war. Strachan was the only Australian to take part in the daring commando raids. The British Ministry of Transport sent him a personal letter of appreciation for the fine work carried out during the commando raids. Strachan said that the commandos were perfect specimens of manhood, aged about 24, and went ashore at Vaagso last January armed to the teeth with tommy-guns, Bren guns, explosives and knives, while each man had a knuckle-duster. ''We landed them at 7.15 a.m. and they came home at 3.30 p.m., bringing Norwegian Quislings, some German ratings and two or three Nazi airmen,'' Strachan said. The commandos suffered only light casualties. While we were waiting for them we could see clouds of smoke and hear big explosions. The raid was regarded as very successful.''… Strachan, who spoke of his experiences with reluctance, will return to the sea after a holiday with his parents. (reference)
1945 Wedding at St. Andrew's Church of England Church, Esperance, a wedding of interest, took place on Wednesday, July 18, when Patricia Sylvia, only child of Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Hartley, of Esperance, formerly of Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand, was married to Captain Robert D. Strachan, of the United States Transport Services, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Strachan, of East Fremantle... (reference)
1965-1969- Eric and Louise Collis, immigrants from London, first came out to Australia as ‘'10 pound poms’’ in 1947. Eric had been in the British Marines and had been the personal body guard to Lord Mountbatten. They returned to England but came back to Fremantle as ‘‘50 pound poms’’ in 1957. They were first housed at the Point Walter camp before sharing a house on Canning Highway with another family then living briefly in Holland St, Fremantle 1961-1965. The family moved to 19 Allen st in 1965. Eric became a successful businessman and ran Collis and Tollerfield- a painting and sandblasting company, which won contracts to paint the storage silos at Port Beach and the Fremantle Bridge etc. They had a office in Essex st Fremantle and a Plant in Kwinana.
There were six children: John ( Dr) , Susan ( theatre nurse), Stephen (dec), Mark (creative director) and Erica ( receptionist medical area), Janet Mary (dec) and Teresa (carer).
The family later moved to Risely st, Booragoon and built a two story house. Eric Collis died 1993 aged 69.
RESIDENTS
1929 - 1947: Strachan, Alfred M. T.
1949: Bray, Henry W. & McPharlin, Walter R.
1965 - 1969: Eric and Louise Collis
