Joseph R Crack

(1868-1928)

Joseph was able to mix with all classes of people- he spent 21 years in the British Army (including serving in India) and when he arrived in Fremantle in 1911- started as a chimney-sweep in the Fremantle area. When he died, just before he was 60 he was living as the caretaker of the Victoria Hall, Fremantle.

Joseph R. was born in 1868 in Lambeth, Middlesex, Surrey. His father was also called Joseph Crack and his grandfather William Crack was a barge builder (in Lower-fore Road Lambeth). His mother was Maria Smith  and her father was called Joseph Smith.

Joseph married Maria Florence Julia in Suffolk in 1890 and they lived in Surrey, England until they came to Fremantle on the Orontes (departed London 24 Nov 1911). Joseph Crack, named as a Labourer arrived with his two sons Joseph (born August 1900) and Victor John (born Sept 1901).

In 1911 Joseph R Crack established a licensed business as a chimney sweeps and in 1913-1914 was living at 43 Sewell St (now no. 13), East Fremantle. (reference)

1914 The following were the lowest of the tenders for public works which closed at noon today: Perth- Fremantle- Government chimney sweeping contract J. Crack, East Perth. (reference)

Joseph R Crack died on 28 September 1928. He was living as the caretaker of the Victoria Hall at the time and was working as the verger for St Johns Church. (The parish Hall for St Johns Church was built between 1896 and 1897. It was renamed Victoria Hall as part of Queen Victoria's 1897 diamond jubilee celebrations.) 

Death: CRACK. On September 16, 1928, at Fremantle, Joseph, beloved husband of Florence Crack, of the Victoria Hall, High-street, Fremantle, father of Joseph and Victor Crack, father-in-law of Bride, and grandfather of Mavis and Thelma; aged 59 years. (reference)

His obituaries held him in high esteem but were careful not to mention his chimney sweep past:

1928- THE LATE MR. JOSEPH CRACK In the death of Mr. Joseph Crack, Fremantle has lost a most highly esteemed resident. The sad event took place on Monday last week after a long and painful illness during which, regardless of the terrible suffering he must have borne, his indomitable spirit kept him at his duties until a few weeks before the end. The deceased had been verger at the St. John's church for about nine years, and his kind and genial personality has endeared him not only to all the members of the church, but also to the townspeople generally. It was mainly due to his untiring efforts and interest on behalf of the church that the grounds were transformed from a bare and ugly patch to the thing of beauty they are at present… He had a varied career until joining the army in the Lincolnshire foot regiment. His army career covered a period of 20 years and he was well and favourably known in the West mainly to his position as a drill instructor at the Blackboy Camp. The funeral was largely attended by members of all classes of the community, amongst whom his large hearted and kindly disposition had left a lasting impression. A large number of members of the Buffalo Lodge were present at the graveside, the late Bro. being a highly esteemed member of that Order. He was mourned by his widow and two sons, to whom the deepest sympathy goes out by all in the loss of a kind and loving husband and father. (reference)

1928 THOSE who went through Blackboy camp will learn with regret of the death of Sergeant-Major Joseph Crack, who was in charge of the clothes-issuing store of the quarter master's department throughout the war period. S.M. Crack had had a long experience in military affairs, having been Q.M.S. of his regiment in England and also in India. Kindly  as he was, woe betide anyone who tried to secure even a pair of bootlaces to which he was not entitled. He was a fine rifle shot and was for long Instructor to the Midland Rifle Club. After the war he took up duties as verger to St. John's Church of England at Fremantle and caretaker to the Victoria Hall, Fremantle. (reference)

1928 Covered with the flag under which he had served for a quarter of a century, the body of Mr. Joseph Crack was carried to Its last resting place in the Fremantle cemetery last Tuesday. A troop of Boy Scouts stood around the grave, and a surpliced choir from St. John's Church, where he had been verger for nine years, did honor to his work and worth. Mr. Crack was one of Nature's gentlemen. He graced a position in life usually regarded as humble; but a high sense of duty impelled him to do the humblest work in a cheerful spirit, thus lightening his own task and giving pleasure to others. Was born in London, and died within a few days of his 60th birthday. Served for 21 years in the British Army, and did good work for four years as sergeant-instructor at the Blackboy military camp during the war. Was a member of the Buffalo Order, representatives of which were present at the funeral. A loyal Britisher, a faithful servant, 'happy in domestic life, brave and cheerful when facing his end, he was every inch a man, and many will miss him. (reference)

His son Victor continued with his fathers Chimney sweep business:

1928 Prompt Attention and No Fancy Charges VIC CRACK (Successor to J. Crack, Sr ) LICENSED CHIMNEY SWEEP. Established 1911. (reference)

In 1939 Victor enlisted at the age of 39, at Claremont in the RAAF, and he was overseas in 1941.

In 1949 Victor lived at 38 George St, East Fremantle and worked as a leatherworker. Victor Crack died 30 Sept 1968 aged 66 and is buried in Pingelly Cemetery. 

His other son Joseph W Crack Jnr married Bridget Katherine Crowley in 1920 and they had three daughters Mavis Audrey (1920-2006), Thelma (1923-2009) and Lesley (born 1934). 

Joseph W and his family moved to live and work as a sawyer at Mornington Mill in the Darling Ranges near Perth, with Bridget's sister’s husband- William Golding.

1923 On November 19 at Nurse Sheedy's Ocean View Maternity Hospital, Solomon street, Fremantle, to Mr. and Mrs. J. Crack, Mornington Mills- a daughter. (reference)

1926 PRIZE RECIPE has been awarded to Mrs. J. Crack, Mornington Mills, for the following recipe: A FAVORITE CHRISTMAS PUDDING ( reference)

1928 Recipe First Prize- awarded to Mrs. J. Crack, Mornington Mills for TASTY MEATLESS DISHES FOR LENT-Egg -Savoury- Take as many rounds of bread as required, fry in a little butter… (reference)

1930 Dear Auntie Kitty, I want to become one of your nieces. We are living on a timber mill, but as I will be staying at Fremantle for Christmas, I am putting my grandma's address on it. My sister Thelma is also doing the same. I will be at Fremantle for about six weeks, and I will have a nice swim at South Beach. I am in Fourth Standard at school, and I like it very much. Next time I write I will tell you more news, so will close now. With love from your would-be niece, MAVIS CRACK, Mornington Mills. (reference)

1930 In loving memory of my dear sister Eileen Gates, who passed away on January 28, 1927. Inserted by her loving sister and brother-in-law Bridie and Joe, nieces Mavis and Thelma Crack, Mornington Mills. (reference)

1935 Mrs J Crack won a consolation prize in a Fulcreem Custard competition from Mornington Mills. (reference)

Sometime between 1934-36 Joseph sent his wife and children back to Perth for the education of his daughters. They lived at 73 King St (was no. 143), East Fremantle. 

Florence Crack lived at 66 King St (was 132) East Fremantle  from 1929 until her death in 1939.

1939 Death On August 25, at Fremantle Hospital, Florence Crack of 66 King-street, East Fremantle, widow of the late Sergeant-Major Joseph Crack, loved mother of Joseph (Mornington Mills) and Victor (Subiaco), fond mother-in-law of Bridie and fond grandma of Mavis, Thelma and Lesley; aged 65 years. (reference)

1941 SUDDEN DEATH A report by the Harvey Police disclosed the fact that Heinrich Christiaan Ostwald, aged 60 years, had passed away suddenly at Mornington Mills. Deceased, who was a sawyer in the employ of Messrs. Millars' Timber and Trading Ltd., had complained earlier in the morning to a Mr. Crack, of pains in the chest and shortness of breath...(reference)

It was after this- in 1941 Joseph moved back with his family in Subiaco.

June 1951 A Divorce Order in the Supreme Court yesterday Mr. Justice Wolff granted Joseph William Redvers Crack an order nisi for dissolution of his marriage to Bridget Catherine Crack on the ground of five years' separation...(reference)

The sordid details were published in the Mirror: CRACK NEVER HELD WHIP-HAND AT HOME

The Crack marriage- in which were co-starred Joseph William Redvers Crack and spouse Bridget Catherine cracked up when Crack had a "crack" for an order nisi based on 5-year separation and cracked the jackpot per courtesy of Mr. Justice Wolff sitting in divorce…He told the court that he lived in perfect harmony with his wife and 3 daughters up to that stage. Eager to give the girls the best possible education, Crack said he sent them with their mother from Mornington Mills to live in Perth. In December, 1941, when the Nip was consigning a sizeable slab of the US fleet to the salvage yards, Crack joined his family in Subiaco. Then the Japs invaded the Far East and the Yanks invaded Perth, concentrating according to Crack, a heavy "naval barrage" on the Suby domicile. Bye and bye his daughters joined up with the American Red Cross and Phyllis Dean Hostel, and soon began bringing home some of the Yankee servicemen they met, he said. Crack greeted the Yanks cordially and with open arms until one day he heard that one of the daughter's suitors was not the single swain everyone had thought. "I told my daughters they weren't to bring any more American servicemen to the house," he said. "But they still did. My wife sided with the girls and this caused arguments." It got that bad, he added, that his wife was at him everyday to "get out of the place." She wouldn't cook his food for him, he claimed, and he was without meals cooked by her for 18 months. Still the Americans came in spite of his opposition. Marital relations with his wife had long since ceased through the constant ill-feeling between them, he said.Then came the showdown... (reference)

Thelma Irene married Claude Harold Gimbey and died in 2009 at the age of 86.  She had one daughter Thelma Irene.

1953 CROWLEY: On Nov. 6, at Subiaco, Bridget, widow of the late James Crowley, loved mother of Jim (deceased), Mary (Mrs.White), Winnie (Mrs. Golding), Eileen (Mrs. Gates, deceased), Bride (Mrs. Crack), grandmother of 13, great-grand-mother of 30. (reference)

1954 Engagement- Mrs. Crack, of 30 Whitfield street, Floreat Park, has pleasure in announcing the engagement of her youngest daughter, Lesley to Len, youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. R. Hunt, of Menzles. (reference)

Joseph William Crack lived at 34 Coronation St, North Perth in 1972 and died in November 1976.

Bridget Catherine Crack lived in Subiaco with Mavis and Victor in 1943 where Victor worked at the Home of Peace in Subiaco, with Mavis in 1953 in Mt Lawley in 1980, and she died in January 1992 in Inglewood.