Esther Lenanton

(1889-1980)

Mrs Esther Lenanton started the first kindergarten in East Fremantle, from her home at 95 Canning Highway, East Fremantle in 1931 and until 1943. The private kindergarten took in children from Fremantle and the local district.

Esther Elizabeth Rule was born 7 March 1889 in Plumstead, Kent, England. She had one brother George John Rule (1888-1949) who came to Western Australia with her.

Around 1907 Esther married Arthur George ‘Len’ Lenanton (1883- 1931). He had been born in Bermondsey, England and came to Western Australia in 1895 with his parents Elizabeth (1853-1926) and John Lenanton (1854-1911). Elizabeth was a midwife and worked from her home in Cottesloe (1901-1905) (reference)

Arthur served an engineering apprenticeship in the West Australian Government Railways loco shop, at Fremantle.  He was a witness to a tragedy when he saw James Hastings run over by a train in 1901. (reference) Arthur then worked as an engineer with the State Shipping Service (working on the ‘Kwinana’) and the Goldfields Water Supply. (reference)

On 15 June 1908- Esther’s first daughter Edna ‘Nell’ (1908-1991) was born on Stirling Highway Cottesloe (now the Red Rooster site) at Elizabeth’s Maternity hospital.

On the 15th inst. at her mother's (in-laws) residence, Perth-Fremantle-road, the wife of A. G. Lenanton-a daughter. Both well. (reference)

In 1910 their son Charles Arthur John (1910-1991) was born and from 1910- 1912 Esther and Arthur lived with Arthur’s parents at Greenbushes, where Arthur worked as a fitter for the Timber Corporation- and his father John Lenanton worked as an engine driver. John died tragically in 1911 as a result of an accident- run over by the wheel of a timber dray. He was buried in Greenbushes. (reference)

In 1912 their second daughter Doris Marion Jean (1912-1961) was born and a third daughter Evelyn ‘Eve’ May (1915-2001), in 1915.

In 1916 and 1917 the family moved to live and work at the No 5 Pump, Yerbillon, on the Yilgarn goldfields, near Kalgoorlie.

In 1919 the family moved back to Perth and lived at 63 Francis St, North Perth. From 1921-1923 they lived at 35 Silas St (demolished-now park), East Fremantle, and Arthur worked as an engineer.

In 1924 they moved 95 Canning Road, where the family stayed until the house was resumed and demolished to build Stirling Bridge and Highway extension in 1974. The house may have been constructed in the 1890s, supposedly by George Silas.

From this address Arthur began a new business as a taxi proprietor. During the 1920s Arthur or “Len” ran a ‘Garage’ with a concrete floor and a low pit, and installed a Neptune petrol pump out the front of the house (see photo). He also ran a car hire business, especially popular for weddings.

1925 Arthur G Lenanton was charged, under the Traffic Act, with having driven, a motor car negligently, and in a manner dangerous to the public. He was defended by Mr. F. G. Unmack. The case was dismissed. (reference)

 In 1931 Arthur George, passed away, aged 48, from a heart attack.

23 April 1931 The Friends of the late Mr Arthur George Lenanton (Len), Taxi Proprietor, of East Fremantle, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the Fremantle Cemetery. The Funeral will leave his late residence, 'Lamberhurst' -95 Canning-road, East Fremantle… (reference) 

In 1931 and at the beginning of the Depression, being a widow with four children- Edna (23 and working as a shop assistant), Charles (21), Doris (19) and Evelyn (16), still living at home Esther had to make a living. She took boarders into the front room of the house- these included the Chegwidden family (Fremantle taxi proprietors)) and the ‘Loudon girls’. The cottage at the rear of the property was also rented, and tenants included Mrs Timbrell, and the Murdochs.

As Esther had been teaching since she was 13, she decided to start a private Kindergarten at the house which had a large back yard. Pupils over the years included an East Fremantle town clerk (Cowan) and Sir William Heseltine, Sir Robert Menzies’ private secretary, and later the Queen’s private secretary.

1932 The private kindergarten, Canning Road, East Fremantle, held a successful breaking-up party on Wednesday afternoon. The children, accompanied by their parents, were received by the principal, Mrs Lenanton. After an excellent programme, which included marching, rhythm action and Xmas songs… (reference)

1933 Last Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Lenanton of Canning-road, East Fremantle, held a Christmas tree party for the pupils of her kindergarten. There was a good attendance, of parents and friends, who listened to a programme of songs, games, etc., by the children, and received presents made by the young people. Afternoon tea was served and gifts from the Christmas tree were distributed... (reference)

1935 An enjoyable time was spent at the Presbyterian Hall, King-street, East Fremantle, on Wednesday afternoon, when Mrs Lenanton entertained her kindergarten pupils and their parents… Gifts made by the children were presented to the parents, and Father Christmas distributed toys from the tree. Mrs. Lenanton was presented with flowers and some crystal ware. (reference)

1939 The Presbyterian Hall, East Fremantle, was the scene of a happy gathering when Mrs. Lenanton held her annual Christmas party and Christmas tree last Wednesday. (reference)

By 1938, State-run, free, kindergartens, gaining popularity, had been established in North and South Fremantle and other metropolitan suburbs, and were being promoted as a positive influence on children’s education. (reference) Calls were being made to provide one in East Fremantle.

1943 A move has been made to have a free kindergarten established at East Fremantle. A public meeting will be held at the clinic at the East Fremantle Town Hall next Wednesday. Efforts are now being made to obtain the use of a suitable hall which will meet with the approval of the Kindergarten Union. (reference)

Esther didn’t continue after 1943 and the first free kindergarten soon opened on the corner of Glyde and George St.

In 1938 Edna Nell married Donald Jack Loudon (1907-1947).They lived in Wannamal, near Gingin, and in Sept 1939 Esther’s first grandchild Jeff was born:

On September 30, at St. Helen's Hospital to Mr and Mrs D. J. Loudon of Wannamal- a son. Both well. (reference)

Daughter Kaye was born in 1944: On May 9. at St Helen’s Hospital, East Fremantle. to Nell and Jack-a daughter. Both well.(reference)

Donald Jack Loudon served with the Royal Australian Artillery during WW2. When he was away Nell and Jeff moved into 95 Canning Highway, from March 1941 until March 1945. Donald died soon after the war ended in Oct 1947, aged only 39. His funeral was held at Perth War Cemetery. (reference)

1940 Charles Arthur Lenanton married Emma ‘Rotha’ McInnes Anderson (1915-2003) at the Scots Church, Fremantle. (reference) and in 1944 they had a son, Rodney:

At Kennington Nursing Home, on June 25 to Rotha and Charles (Lteut, AIF)- a son. (reference)

and in 1947- On July 30 at Parkview Hospital to Rotha and Charles a daughter (Roslyn). (reference)

Charles served in WW2, graduated from UWA and became a teacher at Claremont Teachers College.

From 1935 to 36 Doris Marion Jean worked as a clerk and in 1937, married Ernest Nicholas Shurman (1913- 1992)

1942- On June 30, 1942, at King Edward Memorial Hospital (private ward), to Mr and Mrs E. N. Shurman of 9 Croydon-street, Shenton Park - son (Peter Wayne) (reference)

And in 1944 -On December 7, at KEM Hospital, to Dorrie and Ern – a daughter (Helen Margaret). (reference)

In 1936 Evelyn achieved a credit in a Dress Cutting course at Fremantle Technical School  (reference)

Feb 1936 Miss Evelyn Lenanton, daughter of Mrs. E. E. Lenanton, of Canning-road, East Fremantle, was the guest of honour at East Fremantle Masonic Hall on Tuesday evening, when a large number of her friends gave her a surprise party to mark her twenty-first birthday. Dancing provided entertainment and during the evening, items were contributed by Misses Jean Edgar and May Hart at supper time, Mr L Kernick, an old family friend, expressed good wishes, and presented Miss Lenanton with the traditional key. (reference) 

In January 1943 Evelyn married Ian Grieve in South Australia. (reference) He served with the 6th Battalion in Egypt and Syria.

1945 On June 11, at KEMH, to Evelyn and Ian—twin sons (Graeme Ross and Bruce Neil). All well. (reference)

Evelyn and Ian divorced in 1948, he returned to South Australia and Eve and the twins lived at the house with Esther, from 1945 until 1970.

The House: The name of the house was “Lamberhurst”, and this name was mounted on a board on the front of the house along with another which said “Kindergarten” in the 1930s. The wooden verandah was replaced in the 1950s with concrete but the front verandah posts and the associated wood corner pieces were retained right up until the house was demolished. At the base of the stairs at the back of the house, was a locked room that contained all the kindergarten material.

The house had a large backyard with a tall pine tree, which was removed in the 1950s. In 1965 the cottage was re-clad following a white ant problem and was used thereafter as a teenage ‘hangout’, known simply as ‘The Shack’. A photo shows the teenagers and the cottage behind: l-r Anne Richardson, John Eve, Bruce Grieve and Vivian Spencer c.1963.

An Ivy covered Limestone wall is still found at the site today.

1949 Death On January 25, 1949 at Perth, George RULE dearly loved only brother of Esther (Mrs E Lenanton). 95 Canning-highway. East Fremantle. (reference) 

In 1955 Esther and her daughter Nell Loudon sailed on the Southern Cross, to stay for 7 months in England. This was Esther’s first and only trip back to the UK.

In 1980 Esther Elizabeth Lenanton at died in Braemar hospital, aged 91.

Photograph 1. showing children only- names recognised: Back row Marjory Warren-Smith and Jean McBean are second and third from the left. In the third row: first and second are Lyn Robinson and Shirley Potts and fifth is Fay Robinson (not related to Lyn Robinson). In the second row Gwen Gartrell is at the extreme left.

Photograph 2. showing Mrs Lenanton with some of her pupils: Second row down from left Adelaide Crow, ? , Phillip Giles. Third row down from left: Dr Baker's son, John Burtenshaw, Mary Ingles, Fourth row down from left: Dr Gibson's son, David Gibson, John White (Dr Percy White's son), back row on right: Peter Hill, Front Roma Giles.

“where I lived from 1945 until 1970”. Graeme Grieve 2021

Thanks to Graeme Grieve for contributing so much material (information and photographs) to this story on his grandmother. His contact is Email: ggrieve@netspace.net.au

Thanks also to Ruth and Jeff Loudon jrloudon@iinet.net.au