Frank G. Unmack (1873-1943)
Frank Gustav Unmack, who became Fremantle’s most famous lawyer, was born in Charters Towers, Queensland 19 July 1873.
His father, Theodore Oscar, born in Hamburg Germany, became a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and Postmaster-General of Queensland (reference). His mother, Robina Bryce (nee Glassford), was also an immigrant to Australia; born 27 January 1835 in Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland. Both parents arrived in arrived in Australia in 1853 (reference) and married 4th August 1858, in Melbourne (reference).
Frank was the youngest child. His siblings were Herbert Theodore (1860-1869), Alfred Glassford Unmack (1863-1943), Annie Maud Unmack (1865-1866) and Charles Julius Unmack (b. 1866).
Frank Unmack married Honorah Mary Caroline O'Neill on 24th October 1900. Sister O’Neill was a well-known nurse in the Charters Towers Hospital. (reference).
“Mrs Unmack was to leave on Monday (11th September 1905) for Townsville, where she was to stay at the Queen's Hotel until Thursday, when Mr. Unmack was to join her, and they were to journey to Brisbane, en route for Perth, their future home.”(reference)
Frank practiced as a barrister and solicitor in Charters Towers before following his brother Alfred to Perth in 1905, where he started as a clerk in his solicitor brother’s firm (reference). Alfred, with his two sons, Claude and Wallace, formed the Law firm known as Unmack and Unmack. Frank preferred to work alone. Admitted to the WA Bar in 1906- he first worked in firms in which Messrs F. Thomas, M. L. Moss and J. P. Dwyer were associated, but then went on to practiced alone for the next 33 years. (reference)
Frank Unmack was registered as working at a variety of offices in Fremantle:
The first from July 1907- Fothergill's Chambers, High and Henry streets, Fremantle. (reference)
In 1925 in Partnership in the legal firm of Dwyer, Unmack, and Thomas (reference) who were located at 21 Henry-street (now 3), from 1926-1929. He later set up his own business and stayed at this address from 1930-1943. (see photo)
In 1955 - Unmack’s firm was found in the Imperial Chambers, 45 Market Street (reference) see Photo
Currently Frank Unmack & Cullen, established in the 1940’s, with Neville Cullen, operates from 38 Adelaide St, Fremantle WA 6160.
Frank worked mainly in the area of Fremantle (reference) and resided at 3 Surbiton Road, East Fremantle from 1913 - 1921. He handled many Commonwealth Government matters and had a large practice connected with overseas shipping. His favourite hobby was sailing and he was well known in yachting circles. (reference).
1935 Mr. Geoffrey Unmack (son of Frank) married Leela Robinson (see photo) and Geoff and Leela made their home at Mullewa (reference).
1936 “To the Licensing Court for the Fremantle District. I, Charles Strue being the holder of a Packet Licence for the vessel known as steam ship Zephyr, do hereby make application for Transfer of the Rights and Privileges of the Packet Licence to Claude Benjamen Dunkley of 25 Bedford street, East Fremantle... Signature of proposed Transferee- Frank Unmack Solicitor for Applicant.’’ (reference)
1939 “There was a pleasant little dinner party at Raffles on Monday night. Mr. F. G. Unmack, of Fremantle, gave it to celebrate the coming-of-age of his daughter, Miss Pearl Unmack. Miss Unmack came over from Melbourne for the occasion. She arrived on Saturday and will be here for three weeks, staying with her brother and sister-in-law, Mr and Mrs Geoffrey Unmack, of McNeil-street, Peppermint Grove. At last night's party Mr. Unmack presented his daughter with the traditional key, and provided a really lovely birthday cake, which the guest of honour cut with all due ceremony.” (reference)
Frank G Unmack died on 20th April 1943 at Fremantle, aged 69. He was survived by a Norah, three sons and a daughter; Theo, Geoff, Oscar and Pearl (reference). His remains were interred in the Church of England portion of the Fremantle Cemetery (reference). Frank’s brother Alfred Unmack died two weeks later (reference) and Nora died in Perth in 1964 aged 90.
1946 “Pearl Gets Jewel Of A Job! Pearl Unmack, one of Perth's best known and prettiest socialites, leaves on August 13 to become private secretary to Lord Kamell, British High Commissioner's Office, Singapore.' 'I just can't believe it's true. I keep pinching myself to make sure I'm awake,'' said Pearl ''A friend of mine returned to her job in Singapore and I casually said that I'd like to go too. Then I received a cable asking if I would accept a position at 300 dollars a month! Would I! On August 13 I'm flying there. All expenses are paid, accommodation found, but I believe living expenses are terrific, and I'll need all my 300 dollars a month, which works out at about £11 a week to live on!'' (reference)
Frank Unmack’s Children:
1.Theodore (Alfred)
Born 18 Mar 1905 in Charters Towers QLD
Place of enlistment: Claremont WA
Married: Kyoko
Died: 8 August 1982
2. (Frank) Geoff
Born 12 Oct 1907 in East Fremantle WA
Married Leela Robinson on 3 January 1935 (at St. Mary's Church, Colin-street)
Place of enlistment: Melbourne Vic
3. (Cyril) Oscar (youngest son)
Born 22 Nov 1909 in East Fremantle WA
Married Lucy Rex on 7 July 1937 (at the Perth College Chapel)
Place of enlistment: Mullewa WA
4. Pearl (Nita) Edwards (born Unmack)
Born 1919, Fremantle
Married to Fred (Eric Charles "Freddie") Edwards in Singapore (in 1946-47, probably 1947)
Died: 11th February 2015 aged 96 at Berrington's Jolimont
Mother of Frederica "Ricki" and Anita; grandmother of Heidi and her husband Alistair Mackinlay
Obituary-Edwards (Pearl Nita Unmack), Late of Johnson Parade Mosman Park, passed away peacefully on 11th February 2015 aged 96. Loved wife of Eric Charles ‘Freddie’ (dec), mother of Frederica ‘Ricki’ and Anita and grandmother of Heidi ‘Emery’ and her husband Alistair Mackinlay. (reference)
