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TOMMY ROADS Last updated August 2019 William Roads was born at Yankalilla, South Australia on the 23rd July 1863. On the 19th May 1884 he married Mary Ann Mills also from Yankalilla. Mary Ann was born on the 25th April 1864. William was a typical Roads - only about five feet six inches tall, of stocky build and with brown eyes. Before he was very old, another typical family similarity developed; he became hard of hearing. In his later years he had to carry "a little black box" into which his children had to speak (or shout) to make him hear. Thomas Roads was the first son for William and Mary Ann Roads. He was born on 18th February 1889 and baptised on the 25th July 1889 in Christ Church, Yankalilla on the same day as his sister Fanny. With the discovery of gold in Western Australia they were tempted to move to the glamour State. So in 1903 they pulled up roots and took their young family of then, six young children to Western Australia. Thomas, then a strong boy of fourteen when his parents went to Western Australia.
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FAMILY OF WILLIAM ROADS, SON OF RICHARD AND JANE, IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. c1920. |
His father bought eightysix acres of land at Walliston, about twelve miles east of Perth, which he named "Wissanger". The property was on the left hand side of Canning Road, near the intersection of Grove Road, just past Lesmurdie. On this land Tommy shared with his father the initial hard work of clearing and establishing an orchard. They planted apples, apricots and plums, and also developed an extensive poultry run and goat herd, and the inevitable pen of pigs. In this way the family was basically self supporting until the trees began to bear fruit. The orchard and farm prospered. Fruit and eggs were gathered and packed to be sent by rail to the markets in Perth. It was a real family enterprise with everyone playing some part in the production or packing. William died on the 30th August 1936 and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetary, Perth, Western Australia. His wife Mary Ann died 9 years earlier on the 20th September 1927. |
ROADS FAMILY GROUP IN FRONT OF WALLISTON HOUSE #2 |
WILLIAM ROADS AND FAMILY IN FRONT OF WALLISTON HOUSE #3 |
Tommy's second eldest sister Fanny, married Sydney Rootes in Perth in 1907. Syd spent all his working life with the Darling Range District Council. In 1909 he was appointed Foreman and held the position for twentytwo years. When he retired in September 1931 he received a gold medal for his work and service to the District. Richard, the first born of twins, was born on the 16th November 1906 at Walliston. As the older brothers and sisters married and left home, Richard gradually took over more of the responsibility for the farm and orchard, and by the time his mother died, Richard was his father's "right hand man". On the 29th December 1929 he married Vera Caldow at Walliston. He bought a home and settled not far from "Wissanger". After his father sold the orchard, Richard worked for a few years with the District Council, and in the Second World War enlisted in the R.A.A.F. At the end of the war he was for two and a half years manager of the Swan Brewery and later, Supervisor for the York District Council until he retired.. |
ROADS ORIGINAL FAMILY HOME AT WALLISTON #4
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THOMAS "TOMMY" ROADS #5 |
On 5th September 1914 Thomas married sixteen year old Mabel Maude March Truran in Perth. Mabel was born in Geraldton on the 30th October 1898, daughter of Emily Annie Truran. Conditions were harsh and Thomas and Mabel worked hard and long to establish themselves and provide for a family of twelve children. They settle at Pickering Brook in a small corrugated iron clad cottage, on the Weston property, that had no running water or electricity. Tommy was a always a keen gardener and soon established a large vegetable and flower garden as seen in the picture below. Mabel was an expert dressmaker and made all the children's clothes. They were immaculately dressed but as times got harder and the family increased, it was more difficult to maintain that standard. |
MABEL MAUDE MARCH TRURAN #6 |
MABEL MAUDE MARCH TRURAN 11 DAYS OLD #7 Thomas began working for Frank Weston, cutting and carting firewood for the city dwellers - who at that time, all had to depend upon wood fires for cooking and heat. Felling and cutting timber was strenuous work; they only had the most primitive tools, axe, mall and cross cut saw. When the timber was cut it was hand loaded on to drays and taken to the railyards at Pickering Brook and transferred into rail trucks, again by hand. Frank Weston eventually had enough, so Tommy Roads carried on the business himself, and in the end he was forced to retire with a strained heart. |
MABEL MAUDE MARCH TRURAN WITH HER GRANDPARENTS #8 MABEL MAUDE MARCH TRURAN 11 YEARS OLD #9
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ORIGINAL ROADS' HOUSE ON THE WESTON PROPERTY #10
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ORIGINAL ROADS' HOUSE ON THE WESTON PROPERTY #11
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TOMMY ROADS AND DORIS JONES IN HIS GARDEN #12 |
MABEL ROADS (Wife of Tommy) & SYLVIA c1917 #13
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TOMMY ROADS CHILDREN c1924 |
Pickering Brook School 1923 #15 |
Back Row 1. CLEM FULGRAPE |
Next 1. MOYNA BEVAN |
Next Row 1. KATHY WESTON |
Front Row 1. PHYLIS WESTON |
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ROADS CHILDREN IN FANCY DRESS READY FOR CARILLA HALL OPENING c1926-27 SMAILES AND WESTON'S MILL NEXT TO RAILWAY STATION
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EARLY PHOTO OF YOUNG TOMMY ROADS #17 About 1927 when Marchettis took over the Weston property Tommy and Mabel Roads with their seven children, moved to a small wooden
cottage on Pickering Brook Road just past the original Pickering Brook Store
and across the road from the Pickering Brook Station.
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IRISH STRAWBERRY TREE PLANTED BY TOMMY ROADS #19
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PLAQUE COMMEMORATING TREE PLANTED BY TOMMY ROADS #20
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MABEL ROADS AND BABY DOUG c1936 Note: PICKERING BROOK RAILWAY STATION IN THE BACKGROUND |
TOMMY ROADS WITH DAUGHTER MYRTLE c1935 #22
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Tommy did not find life very kind - apart from the physical struggle to survive, he had greater sorrow when Mabel died on the 5th January 1939, only forty-one years old. She had twelve children in twenty-three years, the last only two months before she died. Mabel was another victim of the early years which were so devastating for women. The very harsh and primitive conditions broke many a mother's heart. Mabel's eldest daughter Sylvia, said "she died worn out both in body and spirit. Tommy was a regular visitor to the Kalamunda
Hotel and was well known by the local Locomotive Drivers and staff on the
railway to Pickering Brook. The story is told that they would blow the whistle
just prior the leaving Kalamunda thus giving Tommy time to stop drinking,
gather his weeks supplies from the Hotel and jump on the train.
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Pickering Brook State School 1939 #23
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SYLVIA'S CHILDREN, RAY AND TOM KELLY AT BARTON'S MILL #24
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RAY KELLY, DAVID McCORKILL and TOM KELLY AT McCORKILLS #25
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Pickering Brook School 1950 Standards 5, 6, 7 & 8 #26
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ROAD'S OLD HOUSE ON PICKERING BROOK ROAD #27 |
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ROAD'S OLD HOUSE ON PICKERING BROOK ROAD #28 |
TOMMY ROADS RESTING #29 |
FAMILY OF THOMAS AND MABEL ROADS c 1960 |
90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PICKERING BROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL 2006 . Their family consisted of 12 children; |
SYLVIA 1930s #32
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Sylvia born 6th August 1916 at Nurse Beadon's Private Hospital, 10 Smith Street, East Perth. At eighteen years old she married Charles Kelly from Barton's Mill on 5th December 1934. Four children from this marriage; Raymond Charles (Died June 2019), Thomas William (Died 15th March 2008), Leslie Colin (Died 12th October 2000) and Colleen Margaret. Second marriage was to John Chandler Smith on the 2nd November 1962. John, who was born in Glasgow Scotland on the 19th November 1910, was a past member of the 28th Battalion and the 24th Anti/Tank Company died on the 2nd July 1974. Slyvia reminisces of the times she would walk to the Pickering Brook Store to make a small purchase, only to find the owner, Alice Beard, merrily playing the piano in a room in the house that adjoined the shop. They had to wait for her to finish before attracting her attention to be served. Sylvia longed to have her own piano and to be able to learn to play like Alice because she was such a good player. Sylvia lives alone in Victoria Park at 95 years old (2011) and is quite a music buff. She has a huge well used record collection and she gives the old gramophone a real workout. Twice weekly she walks to the shops and the local music shop owner drives her home. |
RAY KELLY and Wife HELEN #33 |
SYLVIA AND HER CHILDREN: RAY, TOM, COLLEEN & LESLIE #34 |
MYRTLE 1940s #35
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Myrtle born 2nd September 1917 in East Perth, died 4th February 1988 in Pickering Brook. Married William John Edward McCorkill 3rd July 1937 who was kindly known by the family as "Ompa". Two children from this marriage; David and Kathleen Maude. Myrtle and her husband worked an orchard property that was immediately behind the school. McCorkill Road was named after the family. The Pickering Brook Sports Club paid tribute to her upon her death describing her as a fine lady, Life Member and a dedicated worker of the club. MYRTLE ROADS c1934-35 (17 0r 18 years old) #36
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BILL & MYRTLE McCORKILL 1959 #37 |
MAVIS 1960s #39
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Mavis born 17th August 1919 at Nurse Beadon's Private Hospital, 10 Smith Street, East Perth, died 7th December 1964. Married Walter Edward Heydon (Ted) Davey 8th July 1944. Ted was born on the 10th May 1916. Three children from this marriage; Graeme, Patricia Maude and Frederick. They had a small orchard
property on Pickering Brook Road, just past the school. She operated the local
Telephone Exchange and a school Tuckshop from the front room of their house.
Mavis was a foundation member of the Pickering Brook R.S.L. Sub-branch and Women's Auxiliary. Was Captain and Associate of the Pickering Brook Sports Club Golf Association. At the time of her unfortunate death she was Vice President of the Pickering Brook Sports Club and member of the Pickering Brook Ladies Night Tennis Club. She was described as a tireless worker for the club. Mavis was murdered in 1964 by a young orchard worker employed by them. Tommy Trantom
was charged and convicted of her murder. |
TED & MAVIS DAVEY 1959 #40
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WALTER THOMAS WIILIAM 1940s #41
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Walter Thomas William born 9th December 1920 in Pickering Brook, died 21st January 1963. Married Winifred Hope Stirk 10th September 1941. Winifred was born on the 11th January 1924, died on the 25th November 1992 in Royal Perth Hospital. Four children from this marriage; Michael Walter, Terrance Ernest, Jennifer Jayne and Jane Maree. |
WINIFRED HOPE STIRK #42
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KALAMUNDA FRUI BOWL RAN BY WALTER (THOMAS) & WINNIE #43 |
WALTER THOMAS WIILIAM #44 |
WINNIE ROADS #45
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WINNIE ROADS #46
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WALTER (THOMAS) & WINNIE ROADS #47
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John Richard Douglas born November 1922 in Pickering Brook, died 17th March 1923 in Belmont only four months old.
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MABEL 1948c #48
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Mabel born 25th August 1924 in Pickering Brook. Married Alfred Lloyd Neck on the 16th November 1948. Alfred was born on the 1st June 1910 and died on the 31st July 1986 in Carlisle. One child from this marriage; Ross. Alfred died July 1976.
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RICHARD SYDNEY 1950s #49 |
Richard Sydney Arthur born 4th January 1927 in Pickering Brook, nicknamed "Dusty" died 23rd February 1994 in Royal Perth Hospital. Married Thelma Jean Wilkinson 19th September 1946. Thelma was born on the 14th May 1928. Four children from this marriage; Kenneth George, Ronald Frank, Dennis Sydney and Shelley Elizabeth. Kenneth was killed in 1978. |
RICHARD SYDNEY ROADS #50 |
COLIN #51
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Colin born 3rd August 1930 in Pickering Brook, died 3rd January 1980 in Royal Perth Hospital. Married Thelma Doreen Smith 23rd January 1953. Thelma was born on the 14th May 1932. Four children from this marriage; Merralyn, Colleen, Jeffrey and Vicki.
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KENNETH & FLORENCE #52
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Kenneth (Twin) born 10th September 1932 in Pickering Brook. Married Jeanette Anne Walters 1951. Anne was born on the 21st March 1934. Five children from this marriage; Judy, Alan, Raymond, Steven and Michael. Florence (Florrie) (Twin) born 10th September 1932 in Pickering Brook. Married Alan James Chapman 12th September 1953 in Victoria Park. Two children from this marriage; Brian John,and Paul Thomas. |
FLO $ JAMES CHAPMAN 1959 #53
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FLORENCE (FLORRIE) ROADS WEDDING 12th SEPTEMBER 1953. |
DOUGLAS BERNARD #55
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Douglas Bernard born 27th September 1935 in Pickering Brook. Married Gail Patricia Anderson 30th July 1960 in Victoria Park. Gail was born on the 29th April 1941. Four children from this marriage; Karen Debbie, Tammy Gay, Nola Patricia and Trevor Douglas. Died aged 75 years old at St. John of Gods Hospital, Subiaco on 24th November 2010.
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LAUREL #56
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Laurel
born 28th November 1938 in Pickering Brook. Married Bruno Gava 12th September 1959. Bruno was born on the 19th May 1934. Two children from this marriage; John Frederick and Walter Thomas. After leaving school Laurel (nicknamed "chook") operated the
Telephone Exchange at her sister Mavis' house, for eight years until she
married Bruno Gava. |
LAUREL ROADS ON HER WEDDING DAY |
TOMMY ROADS WITH DAUGHTER LAUREL, ON HER WEDDING DAY |
LAUREL ROADS ON HER WEDDING DAY
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LAUREL ROADS ON HER WEDDING DAY
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THE ELDEST AND THE YOUNGEST OF TOMMY AND MABEL ROAD'S CHILDREN;
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Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area. Reference: Article: Gordon Freegard Images: 1, 2, 3, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 27, 28, 30, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 Kalamunda & Districts Historical Society
Copyright : Gordon Freegard. 2008 - 2020
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