"Charlie" Charles Alfred METTAM
Born 17 April 1896 in Hornsby Junction, New South Wales, Australia [32] [39: 7-Oct-1910]
Son of Frank William METTAM and Catherine REID [32]
His father commenced work with the Working Railways Department in Western Australia on 30 January 1897 [389]
Resided with his parents in Fremantle, where his father worked as a Railway Ganger and Plate-layer [39: 9-Mar-1899] [389]
His mother passed away at the age of 29 years in 1899 and in 1905 his father married Frances Alice HUTCHINSON [15]
By his father's second marriage he had seven half-siblings Ken, Sydney, Belle, Reg, Jean, Ray and Owen [15] [39: 5-Sep-1899]
When he died in 1949 his stepmother placed a notice in The West Australian referring to him as her "loved step-son" [39: 5-Sep-1949]
Resided with his father and stepmother in Fremantle, Beverley and Northam [50] [389]
He was a student at the Northam State School in 1910 [39: 7-Oct-1910]
Bank Clerk in Narrogin, Western Australia in 1915 [18]
Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Narrogin on 13 February 1915 [30: item 8012536]
Upon enlistment he was being 5 feet 6½ inches tall, weighed 130 pounds and had blue eyes, light hair and a fair complexion [30]
After training at Blackboy Hill was appointed to the 5th Reinforcements of the 11th Battalion on 24 April 1915 [30]
Embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia for active service abroad on the H.M.A.T. A20 Hororata on 26 April 1915 [94]
Private and later 2nd Corporal 1980 in the Australian Imperial Force's 11th Battalion during the First World War [30]
Served in Gallipoli, at Mudros on the Island of Lemnos and Egypt before being hospitalised in September 1916 [30]
After being hospitalised he was transferred to the Egyptian section of the Australian Army Pay Corps [30]
Returned to Australia on the H.T. Tofua, arriving in Albany, Western Australia on 24 January 1918 [30]
Discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 8 February 1918; received the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals [30]
His name appears on the Narrogin-Williams Electorate Roll of Honour [437: 13-Nov-1915]
Married "Dorothy" Dorothea Maude Cudmore ANDREWS on 13 February 1923 at Church of the Resurrection in Narrogin [354: 23-Feb-1923]
Resided at 7 Robin Street in 1925 and 1926 and at 6 Robin Street in 1927 and 1928 in the Perth suburb of Mount Lawley [6]
He was in Moora during January 1927 as Relieving Manager of the Moora branch of the Bank of Australasia [9: 28-Jan-1927]
Manager of the Bank of Australasia in Dowerin 1929-1932 [6]
Following his transfer left Dowerin and arrived in Carnamah with his wife and children in the last week of August 1932 [5: 2-Sep-1932]
He was the second manager of the Bank of Australasia in Carnamah, taking over from inaugural manager Geoffrey K. RYDER [5]
Manager of the Bank of Australasia at 8 Macpherson Street in Carnamah 1932-1937 [5: 2-Sep-1932, 23-Jul-1937] [6]
Resided with his wife and children in the residence adjoining the bank with its frontage on Caron Street [3]
During his time in Carnamah he was a "good, hard worker, a keen sportsman and a great worker for the R.S.L" [5: 30-Jul-1937]
He was said to have been a good organiser, "a true sport and instinctively a gentleman" [5: 30-Jul-1937]
Member of the Carnamah Sub-Branch of the Returned Soldiers League - was Vice President in 1932 and Auditor 1934-1936 [5] [52]
Elected President of the Sub-Branch on Friday 8 May 1936 and served as such until July 1937 [5: 15-May-1936, 23-Jul-1937]
He was elected President on a narrow margin having competed against Harold F. DUNNING and George A. BRADSHAW [5]
The membership of the Sub-Branch went from 18 to about 50 due to his "personal exertion and appeal" [5: 30-Jul-1937]
Credited to have also "cleared up the little dissension that had occurred between the public and the returned men" [5: 30-Jul-1937]
Member of the Carnamah Literary and Debating Society in 1932 [5: 16-Sep-1932]
Vice President of the Carnamah Tennis Club in 1932-33 and 1934-35 [5: 21-Oct-1932, 10-Aug-1934]
He was one of 77 ex-servicemen who attended the Sailors & Soldiers Reunion Dinner in Carnamah on 22 October 1932 [86: 29-Oct-1932]
Member of the Carnamah Cricket Club from 1932-33 to 1936-37 [5: 21-Oct-1932, 1-Dec-1933, 4-Oct-1935, 2-Oct-1936]
He was the Carnamah Cricket Club's Secretary in 1933-34, Treasurer in 1935-36 and Secretary-Treasurer in 1936-37 [5]
Following the creation of two teams within the Carnamah Cricket Club he played for "Carnamah Reds" in 1935-36 [5: 11-Oct-1935]
Impartially umpired the cricket match between Carnamah and Arrino in Carnamah on Sunday 22 November 1936 [5: 27-Nov-1936]
He was "an efficient secretary... had great influence in the field, and... had done much to foster cricket in the district" [5: 30-Jul-1937]
Member of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society - was Treasurer for some of 1933 [5: 9-Dec-1932] [13]
On 9 February 1933 attended the meeting in Carnamah at which Federal Member A. E. GREEN, M.H.R. was entertained [5: 17-Feb-1933]
Attended the Valedictory Dinner tendered to Alexander B. GLOSTER at the Coorow Hotel on Monday 3 July 1933 [5: 7-Jul-1933]
Attended the Official Opening of the Carnamah Golf Course at Centenary Park in Carnamah on Sunday 23 July 1933 [5: 28-Jul-1933]
Along with his wife and children departed Carnamah on Friday 18 August 1933 to spend his annual holiday in Perth [5: 25-Aug-1933]
He was among those from Carnamah who attended the R.S.L. Reunion Dinner held in Morawa on 28 October 1933 [5: 3-Nov-1933]
Became a member of the Carnamah Masonic Lodge No.150 WAC on 10 November 1933[96]
Member of the Carnamah Parents & Citizens Association - was Treasurer in 1933 and 1935 [5: 17-Mar-1933, 5-Jul-1935]
Member of the Carnamah Golf Club 1933-1936 [5: 5-May-1933] [4: 30-Jun-1936]
Committee Member in 1933 and 1935 and at an unknown date served as Vice Captain [5: 5-May-1933, 8-Mar-1935, 30-Jul-1937]
He "was an example for any young golfer to follow as he played the game as it should be played" [5: 30-Jul-1937]
Himself and his family were among those from Carnamah who spent the Christmas holiday in 1933 at Dongara [5: 18-Aug-1933]
Attended the Annual R.S.L. General Meeting and Smoke Social in Carnamah on Thursday 8 March 1934 [5: 16-Mar-1934]
Attended the Carnamah Football Club's Smoke Social held in Carnamah on Thursday 26 April 1934 [5: 4-May-1934]
Attended the funeral of Mrs Christina B. D. FORRESTER of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 31 August 1934 [4: 8-Sep-1934]
Attended Charlie OLSON's Surprise 70th Birthday at Lou JOHANSEN's farm on Thursday 17 January 1935 [5: 25-Jan-1935]
Supplier of music at the Burns Night Celebrations held at the Carnamah Hall on Friday 25 January 1935 [5: 1-Feb-1935]
Departed Carnamah on 6 February 1935 for his annual holidays, during which he was relieved at the bank by Mr FIRMAN [5: 8-Feb-1935]
Attended the R.S.L. Annual General Meeting and Smoke Social at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 6 April 1935 [5: 12 & 19-Apr-1935]
Attended the Official Opening of the Coorow Golf Club's golf course in Coorow on Sunday 23 June 1935 [5: 28-Jun-1935]
Helped transport children of the Carnamah State School to Three Springs for inter-school sports on 27 September 1935 [5: 4-Oct-1935]
Collected donations for the Carnamah Parents & Citizens Association's Inter-School Sports Shield in 1935 [5: 11-Oct-1935]
Attended the Fourth Annual North Midlands R.S.L. Reunion Dinner held in Three Springs on Saturday 19 October 1935 [5: 25-Oct-1935]
Attended the entertainment for the Commonwealth Grants Commission at the Coorow Hotel on 21 November 1935 [5: 29-Nov-1935]
Attended the funeral of Miss "May" Mary L. LANG of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 26 November 1935 [5: 29-Nov-1935]
Attended the Wedding Social & Dance for Stuart and May FORD at Koolabba Farm in Carnamah on 25 January 1936 [5: 31-Jan-1936]
Attended the funeral of Carnamah agent William B. SHERIDAN at the Winchester Cemetery on 27 January 1936 [5: 31-Jan-1936]
Through his annual leave during the second half of March 1936 he was relieved at the bank by V. C. MURRAY of Perth [5: 13-Mar-1936]
Attended the R.S.L. Social to farewell "Chitter" George F. BROWN at the Carnamah Hostel on Friday 24 April 1936 [5: 1-May-1936]
Attended the reception for the R.S.L. State President and State Secretary at the Carnamah Hotel on Friday 8 May 1936 [5: 15-May-1936]
Vice President of the Carnamah Football Club in 1936 and 1937 [5: 17-Apr-1936, 16-Apr-1937]
Committee Member of the Carnamah Ratepayers & Citizens Association in 1936 [5: 12-Jun-1936]
Convened a meeting for Saturday 13 June 1936 at the Carnamah Hotel to revive the in recess Carnamah Athletic Club [5: 12 & 19-Jun-1936]
The Club was revived "for the advancement of the younger generation in gymnastic and sport" with himself as President [5]
Member of the Carnamah Athletic Club - was President in 1936 [5: 19-Jun-1936]
Judge of the Carnamah Athletic Club's Inaugural Bike Races at Centenary Park in Carnamah on Sunday 12 July 1936 [5: 10-Jul-1936]
In November 1936 he was appointed as a Judge for the weekly bike races conducted by the Carnamah Athletic Club [5: 20-Nov-1936]
Attended the Carnamah Repertory Club's Social Evening & Play Presentation at the Carnamah Hall on 17 June 1936 [5: 19-Jun-1936]
Played in the Carnamah Masonic Lodge's Inaugural Annual Golf Meeting in Carnamah on Saturday 1 August 1936 [5: 7-Aug-1936]
Attended the funeral of Mrs Florence PRICE of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on Tuesday 1 September 1936 [5: 4-Sep-1936]
Attended the birthday party for hotel licensee Malcolm LESLIE at the Carnamah Hotel on Saturday 5 September 1936 [5: 11-Sep-1936]
Attended the Carnamah Repertory Club's Social including three plays at the Carnamah Hall on Friday 2 October 1936 [5: 9-Oct-1936]
Speaker at the Farewell Social for departing postmaster R. Arthur LINDSAY at the Carnamah Hotel on 23 October 1936 [5: 30-Oct-1936]
Attended the Fifth Annual North Midlands R.S.L. Reunion Dinner in Dongara on Saturday evening 24 October 1936 [5: 30-Oct-1936]
Captained one of the mixed club teams of the North Midlands Cricket Association in Three Springs on 3 January 1937 [5: 8-Jan-1937]
Despite the hot weather things were lively at his home behind Bank of New South Wales on Saturday afternoon 6 February 1937 [5]
The cause was a two foot six inch long sand snake inside the house, which was speedily dispatched with a golf club [5]
An old golf club was selected as the previous year a good one had been broken in similar circumstances [5: 12-Feb-1937]
Caught the train to Perth at the commencement of his annual leave on Tuesday 9 February 1937 [5: 12-Feb-1937]
Speaker at the Farewell Social & Dance for Andrew G. FITZGERALD at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 6 March 1937 [5: 5-Mar-1937]
Speaker at the North Midlands Cricket Association's dinner at the Commercial Hotel in Three Springs on 21 March 1937 [5: 25-Mar-1937]
On behalf of the Carnamah Cricket Club accepted the silver premiership cup, and paid thanks to the officials of the association [5]
Won the R.S.L. Handicap Race of 50 yards at the Easter Athletic Sports Meeting in Carnamah on 29 March 1937 [5: 2-Apr-1937]
During April 1937 he was forced to take sick leave and was a patient at the Carnamah Private Hospital [5: 16-Apr-1937]
He again took ill in May 1937, had to take further time off work and was still unwell in mid June 1937 [5: 21-May-1937, 11-Jun-1937]
Left Carnamah with his family on Thursday 22 July 1937 after being transferred to the Perth branch [5: 23-Jul-1937]
He was succeeded as manager of the Bank of Australia in Carnamah by George F. O. BRISTOL [5: 23-Jul-1937] [6]
Returned to Carnamah on Wednesday evening 28 July 1937 for a R.S.L. Valedictory at the lounge of the Carnamah Hotel [5: 30-Jul-1937]
He "was held in the highest esteem... and had always taken a... interest in all sport and committees for the welfare of the district" [5]
Numerous speeches were made paying tribute to his fine qualities and public service and expressing regret at his departure [5]
He was presented with a travelling rug from the R.S.L., a pipe from the Golf Club and a fountain pen from the Cricket Club [5]
Attended the funeral of Coorow stationmaster William C. Cox at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth on 4 November 1937 [5: 12-Nov-1937]
Resided at 33 Hawkstone Street in the Perth suburb of Cottesloe in 1938 and 1939 [6]
Resided at 31 Hawkstone Street in the Perth suburb of Cottesloe from 1940 until his death in 1949 [6]
In 1949 he was working as a Security Officer at the Bank of Australasia in Perth [39: 3-Sep-1949]
Father of Peter, Robin and Donald [39: 3-Sep-1949]
Died 2 September 1949; ashes interred at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth (Crematorium Rose Gardens, 10B, 13) [2]
He'd presumably become good friends with Carnamah chemist Douglas WALDBY during his time in Carnamah [39: 5-Sep-1949]
Doug placed a death notice in The West Australian newspaper "A love tribute to a very sincere friend. Treasured Memories." [39]
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Charles Alfred Mettam' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 18 April 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/charles-alfred-mettam [reference list] |
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