"Fred" Frederick Edward Senior JAMES
Born 1872 in Perth, Western Australia [15]
Son of Edward Senior JAMES and Lucy FRANCISCO [15]
Married Maude Florence WALDECK in Greenough in 1905 [66]
Farmer of Aldinga Farm in Narrogin 1910-1912 [50]
Farmer of Coodawa Farm in Three Springs 1913-1931 [4: 25-Mar-1944]
He was the Three Springs correspondent for The Moora Herald and Midland Districts Advocate newspaper 1914-1917 [10: 24-Oct-1916]
Wrote and sent in news and notes on Three Springs, sometimes as often as twice weekly, which were published in the paper [10]
He was an anonymous correspondent until the edition of the paper on 24 October 1916, when he signed off with his name [10]
In July 1914 there were a few thousand cockatoos feeding on his crop, however legally he could do nothing against them [10: 17-Jul-1914]
He was fortunate to receive 60 points of rain on 6 May 1915, another farm just a mile away receiving very little [10: 14-May-1915]
During July 1915 borrowed Charles C. MALEY's kangaroo dogs, and in return gave him half the kangaroos they obtained [10: 30-Jul-1915]
In early September 1915 had his horse Noble in training in preparation for the races at the upcoming Three Springs Day [10: 10-Sep-1915]
At the annual "Three Springs Day" he ended up withdrawing Huon Noble in the absence of its expected competition [10: 24-Sep-1915]
On request he gave an exhibition of Huon Noble - who while dragging an ordinary sulking covered nine furlongs in 2.30 [10]
Attended the Surprise Party at the home of Patrick and Susan DURACK in Arrino one evening in late September 1915 [10: 1-Oct-1915]
Foundation Committee Member of the Three Springs Rifle Club in 1915 [10: 29-Oct-1915]
Member of the Three Springs Hunt Club in 1915 [10: 7-Dec-1915]
Purchased a "lorry" or motor truck from a Perth firm during March 1916 [10: 24-Mar-1916]
A number of locals turned up at his home on Coodawa Farm one evening in early May 1916 and tendered him a surprise party [10]
When the unexpected guests arrived he was in bed asleep "in the roses red ploughing the deep" and had to be woken [10: 16-May-1916]
Attended the Ball conducted by the local branch of the Red Cross at the Agricultural Hall in Three Springs on 2 June 1916 [10: 6-Jun-1916]
Attended as a "Robin Redbreast" the Plain & Fancy Dress Ball in Three Springs on 19 July 1916 in aid of the Red Cross [39: 31-Jul-1916]
Attended the talk and debate on the issue of conscription held in Three Springs on Tuesday 17 October 1916 [10: 24-Oct-1916]
Served as a Member on the Upper Irwin Road Board in 1916 and 1917 [101]
Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 6 March 1917 in Geraldton [30: item 7374074]
On enlistment was noted as 5 feet 10½ inches tall, weighing 160 lbs. with light brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion [30]
Stated that he had previously served one and a half years with the Western Australian Mounted Infantry [30]
He and Edmund K. BYRNE returned to Three Springs on pre-embarkation leave in June 1917 [10: 15-Jun-1917]
They were presented with a watch, wished a successful career and safe return at a social in Three Springs on 12 June 1917 [10]
Embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia for active service abroad on the H.M.A.T. Borda on 29 June 1917 [30]
Disembarked in Plymouth, England and after further training proceeded to France on 1 January 1918 [30]
Private 7377 in the Australian Imperial Force's 11th Battalion in France for a portion of the First World War [30]
Evacuated to England on 17 March 1918 to be treated for cellulitis to his right foot / septic feet and for chronic rheumatism [30]
Returned to Australia on the H.T. Carpentaria in August 1918 [30]
Discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 13 October 1918; received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal [30]
His name appears on the Three Springs Honour Board, which was unveiled on Tuesday 3 June 1919 [9: 6-Jun-1919] [10: 13-Jun-1919]
During his time in the A.I.F. his farm had been run by his wife [6]; in 1917 she grew 300 acres of wheat crop on the farm [10: 19-Jun-1917]
Following his return to Three Springs he was tendered a Welcome Home Social on Monday evening 7 October 1918 [10: 18-Oct-1918]
Five local farmers spoke very highly of him, after which dancing was indulged in until the early hours of the morning [10]
He resumed being the local correspondent for The Moora Herald and Midland Districts Advocate paper [10: 18-Oct-1918, 15-Nov-1918]
Sang "I want to go Home" at the Returned Soldiers Reunion held in Three Springs on Wednesday 13 November 1918 [10: 22-Nov-1918]
He sang the song in such a style that local farmer Don BAXTER remarked "If you feel like that then for heaven's sake go" [10]
Steward at the Three Springs Race Club's Race Meeting held in Three Springs on Thursday 6 March 1919 [10: 21-Mar-1919]
Attended May BERRIGAN's 21st Birthday held at the Agricultural Hall in Three Springs on Friday 12 September 1919 [9: 19-Sep-1919]
Served as a Member on the Mingenew Road Board 1919-1921 [101]
Vice President of the Three Springs Saint Patrick's Day Committee's Sports Meetings on 17 March 1919 and 17 March 1920 [124]
Official witness of the marriage of local farmer Gilford HAINES and Mary A. L. HENNELL in Three Springs on 3 March 1920 [P389]
Member of the Three Springs Race Club - was President in 1921 [9: 25-Feb-1921]
Requested permission from the Mingenew Road Board to erect two gates across the road near his home in August 1921 [9]
The Mingenew Road Board granted him permission providing those who used the road had no objections [9: 2-Sep-1921]
Sold five bales of wool for 15¾d. per pound through Elder Smith & Co at the first sale of the season in November 1921 [10: 11-Nov-1921]
One of the speakers at the social evening tendered to Thomas J. BERRIGAN in Three Springs on Friday 13 October 1922 [9: 20-Oct-1922]
Judge of the Picnic Race Meetings held in Three Springs to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in 1922 and 1924 [9: 24-Mar-1922] [123]
He had been appointed Judge for 1923, but in his absence the role was filled by James J. STARLING [9: 13-Apr-1923]
With a poor harvest he was busy over the 1922-23 harvest as he "could not waste any wheat, nor waste any time" [9: 9-Feb-1923]
Founding Member of the Carnamah District Road Board in 1923 [7: page 111]
Served on the Carnamah District Road Board representing the Three Springs ward 1923-1929 [7: pages 111-3]
He was elected Chairman of the Road Board at a meeting on Tuesday 21 April 1925 [9: 1-May-1925]
Served as Chairman of the Board throughout the 1925-26 year - he was the Board's second Chairman [7: pages 111-3]
Delegate for Carnamah on the Midlands Mullewa & Wongan Hills Local Government Association in 1925 [9: 26-Jun-1925]
Attended his last meeting as a member of the Carnamah District Road Board in January 1929 [4: 26-Jan-1929]
Judge of the Carnamah Race Club's Picnic Race Meetings in 1924, 1927 and 1928 [9: 8-Apr-1927] [4: 6-Oct-1928] [86: 27-Sep-1924]
Attended and spoke at the farewell to railway stationmaster James J. STARLING in Three Springs on Friday 17 July 1925 [9: 24-Jul-1925]
Attended a dinner tendered to visiting city pressmen at the Commercial Hotel in Three Springs in October 1926 [9: 22-Oct-1926]
Purchased a new Ford truck in April 1927 [4: 30-Apr-1927]
Attended the wedding of Kathleen HÄUSSLER and Harry ZUEGG of Winchester in Carnamah on 7 February 1928 [4: 11-Feb-1928]
Attended the wedding dance for Charles ROBERTSON and Winifred M. LANG at the Carnamah Hall on 27 March 1928 [4: 31-Mar-1928]
Among those who travelled to Mingenew in July 1928 to welcome the Prime Minister of Australia, Stanley BRUCE [4: 14-Jul-1928]
Inaugural Vice President of the Three Springs Agricultural Society in 1928 [4: 29-Sep-1928]
In October 1928 purchased a new McCormick-Deering tractor from Carnamah agent Charles ROBERTSON [4: 20-Oct-1928]
Organised a number of kangaroo hunts in November 1928 to help thin the numbers of wheat eating kangaroos [4: 17-Nov-1928]
Nominee for the Womarden Ward Member on the new Three Springs District Road Board in February 1929 [4: 16-Feb-1929]
He and his wife attended the Carnamah Anglican Church's Freak Ball at the Carnamah Hall on 3 October 1929 [4: 12-Oct-1929]
Attended the Armistice Day ceremony held at the Three Springs State School on Monday 11 November 1929 [4: 16-Nov-1929]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Mingenew pioneer Mrs Ellen OLIVER at the Mingenew Cemetery on 18 December 1929 [86: 21-Dec-1929]
Presented the Three Springs Anglican Church with fruit and veg at its Harvest Thanksgiving service on 23 March 1930 [4: 29-Mar-1930]
His wife Maude passed away at a hospital in Geraldton on 21 August 1930 and was buried in Greenough [4: 23-Aug-1930] [29]
On 30 October 1930 he delivered the first load of wheat in Three Springs for the 1930 harvest [4: 1-Nov-1930]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Harry ZUEGG formerly of Carnamah on 11 November 1941 at the Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth [5: 14-Nov-1941]
He was living in the outer Perth suburb of Roleystone in 1936 [5: 8-Jan-1937]
Attended the wedding and reception of his son and "Rae" Rachel M. A. WALLACE in Three Springs on 5 January 1936 [5: 8-Jan-1937]
By 1944 he was once again living in Three Springs [24]
Father of Richard [95]
Died 12 March 1944 in Three Springs; buried at the Three Springs General Cemetery in Three Springs (Anglican, Plot 56) [24]
From The Irwin Index newspaper, Saturday 25 March 1944:
Obituary - Mr Frederick Edward James - Death at Three Springs
"At the North Midlands District Hospital at Three Springs the death occurred on the 12th inst. of Mr Frederick Edward James, one of the early settlers of the Three Springs district, the deceased gentleman having owned the property known as Coodawa from 1913 to 1931. The late Mr James was a former member of the Mingenew and Carnamah Road Boards, and he was also a member of the expedition which paved the Canning Stock Route from the North-West to Wiluna. He was also a veteran of two wars, having fought in South Africa during the Boer War and also the last World War. The late Mr James was predeceased by his wife in 1930, but is survived by one son in Private "Dick" James, at present serving in a forward area with the A.I.F., and also a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren residing at Three Springs."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Frederick Edward Senior James' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 20 April 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/frederick-edward-senior-james [reference list] |
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