"Fred" Norman Wilfred REYNOLDS
Born 27 July 1891 in Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia [P136]
Son of Charles Thomas REYNOLDS and Mary Ann CHIN [P136]
Shifted with his parents from New South Wales to Western Australia in 1896 [P99]
His father was a builder and did quite a lot of work up north building government buildings, including the Cossack Police Station [P99]
Resided with his parents in the Perth suburbs of Fremantle and Swanbourne [P99]
Married (1) Edith WHALLY in Fremantle on 19 April 1913 [P136]
Resided in Capel 1913-1927 where he worked briefly as a sleeper cutter and then managing a store for 13 years [P99]
In July 1927 purchased A. Leslie TROTTER's storekeeping business in Yarra Street, Carnamah [9: 5-Aug-1927]
Along with his wife and children shifted to Carnamah, and took over the store on Monday 8 August 1927 [4: 13-Aug-1927]
Storekeeper and Commission Agent on Yarra Street in Carnamah 1927-1972 [P99] [4: 4-Feb-1928]
On buying the general store it already had the telephone connected and was telephone number Carnamah-14 [60]
Leased the store's premises from A. Leslie TROTTER fro 24 years until buying them during the 1950-51 financial year [3]
Seller of groceries, drapery, boots and shoes in addition to being a commission agent for various firms [9: 19-Aug-1927]
In 1927 was an agent for Paterson and Co Ltd (cornsacks, chaff-bags, pickling machines etc), [9: 5-Aug-1927]
General Farm Requisites, Morris Motors (cars and trucks), Goodrich Tyres and Westinghouse Batteries [9: 5-Aug-1927]
He was also a depot for Neptune Oil - obtained the petrol per 165 cases by train, each case containing two four gallon tins [P99]
Purchased a Morris 4 truck for £106.18.8 and used it to transport the cases of petrol to his general store, where he sold them [P99]
Later the petrol came in drums, still arriving in Carnamah by train, and he had a ramp for them in the backyard of his shop [P99]
In 1928 was an agent for Paterson and Co Ltd, John Deere tractors, [4: 4-Feb-1928]
Millers Timber & Trading Company, Baty Knight Lighting System, Phonenix Assurance Co, and Morris cars and trucks [4]
Agent for all 84 models of the Studebaker "Director" 6 cars in 1929 and 1930 [4: 14-Dec-1929, 1-Mar-1930]
Advertised his business in the Schedule of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society's Annual Show in 1933 [13]
"Attend Your District Show and Shop with N. W. Reynolds where all your requirement are procurable" [13]
"Groceries, Drapery, Hardware, Footwear, Fruit, Vegetables, Bran, Ollard, Flour and Chaff" [13]
"Agencies: Paterson's Ltd - General Farm Requisites; Sun Assurance Co - All Classes of Insurance; E. Symonds - Seeds; [13]
His Master's Voice Dealership; All Brands Motor Tyres; Union Wheat Pool; Neptune Oil Depot" [13]
In the Carnamah 1933 Show Schedule there was also an advertisement for Symonds' Seeds for whom he was agent [13]
"Seeds are the Foundation of Good Crops. Therefore it pays to buy the best. Symonds' Seeds are the best! [13]
"Fruit Trees, Vines and Rose Supplied from June to August. Grasses, Covers, Agricultural, Flower and Vegetable Seeds for [13]
Spring and Summer Sowing now available. Artificial Manures and Insecticides supplied in large or small quantities. Catalogue [13]
Post Free. E. Eymonds, Seed and Plant Merchant, 200-202 William Street, Perth; Local Agent - N. W. Reynolds. [13]
As was the normal practise local farmers had accounts with him, which they paid after their harvest proceeds had come through [P99]
As he didn't get a lot of his income until after harvest he paid a lot of his accounts with merchants after the farmers paid him [P99]
With the depression and dramatic drop in wheat prices many farmers couldn't afford to pay their accounts [P99]
The Farmers' Debt Adjustment Act was introduced, whereby farmers only had to pay a certain portion of their debts [P99]
As a result he was left with an enormous debt - one which he didn't fully recover from until 1956 [P99]
Obtained flour to sell in his shop from the Victoria District Co-operative Flour Milling Company in Dongara [P99]
In the 1920s he is said to have delivered goods and supplies to farmers east of Carnamah [P399]
He was referred to as "Carnamah's oldest storekeeper and a good citizen" in 1933 [120: 5-Oct-1933]
In March 1935 became the local wheat agent for the firm John Darling & Son (previously held by Stanley L. HIDDEN) [5: 5-Apr-1935]
He had a blackboard out the front of the shop on which he wrote the day's price per bushel for wheat [P99]
His store was advertised as "The Store" with the "Best General Stocks Outside of Perth" in 1935 [120: 17-Oct-1935]
Attended the funeral of Miss "May" Mary L. LANG of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 26 November 1935 [5: 29-Nov-1935]
In 1937 took over from Oswald S. SOWERBY the agency for H. V. McKay (Massey Harris and Sunshine farm machinery) [P99]
Around the same time took up the agency for the stock firm Goldbrough Mort & Co[P99]
Conducted sales from stock yards on the north east corner of Macpherson and Bowman Street in Carnamah [P99]
Livestock to be transported was loaded onto trains using loading yards towards the southerly end of the railway station [P99]
In 1937 he was he local agent for L.U.R. Rheumatic Remedy which was sold with a money-back guarantee certificate [5: 17-Sep-1937]
He purchased a new Chevrolet sedan car through Carnamah agent D. Standish O'GRADY in December 1937 [5: 8-Jan-1937]
His wife Edith passed away at the age of 55 years on 29 August 1942 and was buried at the Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth WA [2]
Married (2) Stella May WILLIAMS in Geraldton in 1943 [P136]
Advertised his business annually in the schedules of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society's annual shows, in 1949: [13]
"The Store! N. W. Reynolds, Carnamah. P.O. Box 61 Telephone 14. Where All Your Requirements are Procurable" [13]
"Groceries, Hardware, Fruit, Vegetables and Batteries - Best General Stores Outside of Perth" [13]
"Agents:- Golsbrough Mort & Co. Limited - Stock; H. V. McKay-Massey Harris - Farming Implements; Western Assurance - [13]
All Classes of Insurance; Prudential Assurance Co.; Batyphone Radio Sets; Neptune Oil Depot; All Brands of Motor Tyres" [13]
Had an account with Carnamah blacksmith, wheelwright and motor mechanics Henry Parkin & Son from 1927 to 1929 [53]
Attended Charles ROBERTSON and Winifred LANG's wedding dance on 27 March 1928 at the Carnamah Hall [4: 31-Mar-1928]
In 1928 he was one of the local shareholders of the Carnamah Brickworks Company [4: 8-Sep-1928]
The company had produced about 17,000 bricks of excellent quality from local clay by September 1928 [4: 8-Sep-1928]
Made a donation to the Carnamah Football Club to aid them in raising funds to send a team to Geraldton in 1928 [4: 22-Sep-1928]
In August 1929 purchased a Chev Six truck from local dealer L. Scott WYLIE [4: 31-Aug-1929]
Through his own new agency purchased a new Director Six Studebaker car in December 1929 [4: 14-Dec-1929]
Vice President of the Carnamah Golf Club in 1930 [4: 16-Aug-1930]
Founding Member of the Carnamah Masonic Lodge No.150 WAC on 21 March 1930 [96]
Member of the Carnamah Traders Association in 1930 [4: 27-Sep-1930]
Came 2nd in the Traders Handicap race at the Sports Day & Picnic at Centenary Park, Carnamah on 9 October 1930 [4: 18-Oct-1930]
Member of the Carnamah Football Club - was Vice President in 1930 and 1935-1937 [4: 15-Mar-1930] [5: 19-Apr-1935, 17-Apr-1936, 16-Apr-1937]
Timekeeper for the Carnamah Football Club in 1935 and 1936 [5: 19-Apr-1935, 17-Apr-1936]
Represented the Carnamah Football Club at meetings of the North Midlands Football Association in 1936 [5: 17-Apr-1936]
Attended the funeral of "Father of Carnamah" Donald MACPHERSON at the Winchester Cemetery on 14 August 1931 [4: 22-Aug-1931]
Vice President of the Carnamah Tennis Club in 1932-33 and 1934-35 [5: 21-Oct-1932, 10-Aug-1934]
Financial Member of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society 1932-1958 [13]
Executive Committee Member of the Carnamah Parents & Citizens Association in 1932 [4: 9-Jul-1932]
Helped transport the children of the Carnamah School to Three Springs to partake in interschool sports on 16 July 1932 [5: 22-Jul-1932]
Assisted by way of donation or help with the Carnamah Boy Scouts camp held in Carnamah in early September 1932 [5: 9-Sep-1932]
Committee Member of Carnamah's Ratepayers & Citizens Association 1932-1934 [4: 16-Jul-1932, 13-Jan-1934]
Member of the Carnamah Cricket Club - was Vice President in 1933-34 [4: 2-Dec-1933] [4: 16-Dec-1933]
Appointed a Vice President of the Carnamah Race Club at their Annual Meeting on 21 November 1933 [5: 24-Nov-1933]
The local paper reported on 15 December 1933 that he was "much improved in health after an illness of some months" [5: 15-Dec-1933]
Vice President of the Carnamah Rifle Club in 1933 and 1934 [5: 30-Jun-1933] [4: 1-Sep-1934]
Attended the funeral of Mrs Christina B. D. FORRESTER of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 31 August 1934 [4: 8-Sep-1934]
Member of the Carnamah Committee of Timberlands Woodpulp Company bondholders in 1934 [5: 5-Oct-1934]
Paid £4/10/- in Vermin Bonuses by the Carnamah District Road Board during the 1933-34 financial year for killing nine foxes [300]
By 1935 had been made a Justice of the Peace for the Victoria Magisterial District of Western Australia [22] [88]
As a Justice of the Peace served as Magistrate on criminal and traffic cases that went before the Carnamah Police Court [22]
The Carnamah Police Court dealt with cases involving Carnamah, Winchester, Waddy Forest, Coorow, Marchagee and Gunyidi [22]
Between the years 1935 and 1963 he presided as Magistrate at over an incredible 288 cases [22]
Attended a meeting about Wireless Interference in Carnamah on Wednesday 23 October 1935 [5: 1-Nov-1935]
The main purpose of the meeting was about offsetting the cost of engine suppressors installed to combat local radio interference [5]
Attended the Ratepayers Meeting of the Carnamah District Road Board in Carnamah on Wednesday 23 October 1935 [5: 25-Oct-1935]
Suffered a slight illness necessitating medical attention during the last week of February 1936 [5: 6-Mar-1936]
Attended the public meeting on the question of Saturday Afternoon Closing in Carnamah on Thursday 19 March 1936 [5: 27-Mar-1936]
The proposition was to replace the half-day holiday on Thursday afternoons with a half-day holiday on Saturday afternoons [5]
The driving force was some of the local sporting bodies, who wished to play their organised sport on Saturday instead of Sunday [5]
He was against the proposal as it would inconvenience the farmers, who came in Saturday afternoon for the mail and shopping [5]
In 1936 he was an agent for R.U.R. Rheumatism Remedy, which came with a money-bank guarantee [5: 15-May-1936, 18-Sep-1936]
Motored from Carnamah to Perth on Tuesday 20 October 1936 [5: 23-Oct-1936]
In November 1936 he was appointed an Umpire for the weekly bike races conducted by the Carnamah Athletic Club [5: 20-Nov-1936]
Attended the Annual General Meeting of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society on Saturday 16 January 1937 [5: 22-Jan-1937]
After a holiday in Perth he, his wife and their younger sons returned to Carnamah on Friday 12 February 1937 [5: 19-Feb-1937]
Member of the Carnamah Cycle Club - was Inaugural Vice President and Referee in 1937 [5: 21 & 28-May-1937]
He was especially thanked by the husband, sons and daughters of Mrs Emily SLOPER of Dongara who died in 1938 [4: 20-Aug-1938]
Served on the Board of the North Midlands District Hospital in Three Springs in 1942-43 [109]
Received electricity at from local firm Henry Parkin & Son; in 1952 electricity for the month of July cost him £2/14/3 [53]
From 1927 to 1951 he leased the premises of his general store from A. Leslie TROTTER [3]
In 1951 purchased from A. L. TROTTER his shop's premises at 7 Yarra Street, Carnamah (Lot 11 of Victoria Location 1936) [3]
During the 1954-55 financial year purchased from Mrs Eva COWDEROY the block next door - 6 Yarra Street, Carnamah [3]
In 1952 purchased from Alan T. BLACK the Inering School Bus, which transported children into Carnamah for school [P99]
The bus run was a round trip of 51 miles north east of Carnamah and at its peak they bused 56 children to school [P99]
In 1956, at which time he still had the agency for the Neptune Agency Company, he established a Neptune Oil Depot [P99]
Had a ramp behind the shop for the petrol drums and purchased a fuel truck capable of delivering 30 full drums of petrol [P99]
Secured 75% of the local fuel trade, with people buying petrol from their depot, and through delivering drums to farmers [P99]
In addition also delivered petrol by truck to Latham, Perenjori, Bowgada, Morawa, Mingenew, Three Springs and Coorow [P99]
Entered into partnership with his sons Don and Bill, trading under the name of "N. W. & S. Reynolds & Sons" [P99]
Resided in Carnamah until his death in 1972 [2]
He passed away at the age of 80 years at the North Midlands District Hospital in Three Springs [P136]
Father of Vivian, Norm, Don, Bill, David and Gemma [P136]
Died 1 January 1972; buried at Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth, Western Australia (Roman Catholic, Lawn 5, 347) [P136]
Following his death his sons Don and Bill continued to run the general store in Carnamah until retiring in 1996 [P99]
From The Midlands Advertiser newspaper, Friday 5 August 1927:
Change of Business
"Mr N. W. Reynolds, late of Capel, has purchased the prosperous general store business from Mr. A. L. Trotter, who is retaining the extensive bakery business. Mr Reynolds is a thoroughly capable businessman and customers may rely upon the best of service. He is one, too, who interests himself in anything for the welfare of the district; thus Carnamah has gained another good citizen."
From The Midlands Advertiser newspaper, Friday 19 August 1927:
An Up-to-Date Storekeeper
"Mr N. W. Reynolds, who recently purchased Mr. A. L. Trotter's general storekeeping business at Carnamah intends giving the public the best possible service in all departments at reasonable prices. He carries splendid stocks of highest quality groceries, drapery, boots and shoes. Customers will be well satisfied with his store."
From The North Midland Times newspaper, Friday 8 September 1933:
Around the Shops - Goods Which Can Be Bought Locally - Reynolds' Store
"A special line of working trousers is displayed at Reynolds' store where goods of every description are obtainable. This line is as cheap as could be wished for. There are also men's working boots and many drapery lines. Mr. Reynolds also supplies all standard grocery and hardware lines."
From The North Midland Times newspaper, Friday 13 October 1933:
Personal
"The death occurred at Swanbourne at the age of 75 on October 6, of Mary Anne Reynolds, wife of Mr. C. T. Reynolds, and mother of Mr. N. W. Reynolds, Carnamah."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Norman Wilfred Reynolds' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 19 April 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/norman-wilfred-reynolds [reference list] |
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