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TOMPSETT Percy Research by Gordon Freegard Percy Tompsett, born on the 8th January 1879 in Wadhurst, Sussex. He worked as a farmer on the family property "Wendans" in Wadhurst, Sussex, with his brother Newton. It is believed the property was later used by the ill-fated future monarch Edward VIII for romantic liaisons with married American divorcee Wallis Simpson. The estate was owned by the Tompsetts until 1923. But when the Marquess of Cholmondeley took possession of it, he gave access to his friend Edward, the playboy Prince of Wales, who entertained a string of older, married women. London's Daily Telegraph newspaper revealed in 2001 that the Prince had dug and planted a secret heart-shaped garden, possibly for Wallis Simpson. A local told the paper that few knew of Edward's trysts until one foggy night when he drove into a ditch and was helped out. Edward's connection with Wenbans ended when he married for love and lost his throne.
PERCY TOMPSETT #1 |
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"WENBANS" WADHURST, SUSSEX THE TOMPSETT FAMILY HOME #2 |
"WENBANS" WADHURST, SUSSEX 2008 #3 |
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With World War I approaching, Percy disliked the uncertain political climate in Europe and sold his share in the dairy farm to his brother Newton. In early 1914, sensing that all was still not well in Europe, Percy decided to emigrate from England. Although Australia was to be the Family's destination, Percy's wife Annie (nee Paul) - up until embarkation - believed that the family were migrating to Canada! However, the family, including eight children. They Were: Mary Elizabeth (May) born 13th June 1902 Wadhurst, Sussex. Kathleen Emma (Kate) born 15th August 1903 Wadhurst, Sussex. Charles Owen (Charlie) born 31st March 1905 Wadhurst, Sussex. Harold Percy born 22nd July 1907 Wadhurst, Sussex. William Dennis (Bill) born ? ? 1909 Wadhurst, Sussex. Richard Newton (Dick) born 1st November 1910 Ticehurst, Sussex. Lewis Frank (Frank) born 3rd January 1912 John Henry (Jack) born 30th July 1913 Wadhurst, Sussex. They arrived in Fremantle aboard the SS Demosthenes on 12th February 1914. |
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"SS DEMOSTHENES" PASSENGER LIST #4
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He rented a small house in Fremantle for the family but, having only 50 pounds ($100) remaining after having paid for passage from England, securing employment was a priority. He noticed a job advertised in Albany, and not having any idea of the distance involved (Albany is about 400km (250 Miles) from Fremantle ), purchased a train ticket and set off to apply. Unfortunately, by the time he arrived, the position was no longer available. Having no money, Percy was forced to return to Fremantle on foot. Walking and obtaining some assistance from other travelers, the journey took him a week. He finally secured employment as a engine driver for the motor that powered the cool room at Illawarra Orchard at Karragullen, about 35km (23 miles) from Perth. He was given the job on the basis that he had enough children to keep the local school open! An additional two children were born while the family were at Karragullen. They were: Edith Ellen (Ede) born 3rd March 1915 Pert, Western Australia. Gordon Thomas born ? ? 1918 |
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KARRAGULLEN SCHOOL 1914 Teacher: Miss MAGGIE FERGUSON
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THE PERCY TOMPSETT FAMILY AT KARRAGULLEN (c1918) #6 |
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When the job in the orchard came to a end, Percy found a position as a teamster at a vineyard at Armadale, about 32km (20 miles) south of Perth. The family moved to Armadale for about six months before Percy found his next opportunity. In 1922, Percy became one of the first group settlers in the south west of Western Australia. Under Premier Sir James Mitchell's Group Settlement Scheme, settlers worked in small groups to develop dairy farms to address the colony's dependence on imported dairy products. Each group comprised about 20 families. Each family was placed on a block of approximately 160 acres (65 hectares) and was paid 10/- ($1) a day while clearing the block and was given a 10 pound ($20) loan to purchase household necessities. The families were housed in temporary ironclad dwelling measuring 24 by 12 feet (7.3m x 3.7m). After the initial clearing of 25 acres (10 hectares) on each block, a ballot was conducted to allocate the blocks and each farm was allocated six or eight cows. Percy was allocated a block at Tutunup (Group 14), about 220km (150 miles) south of Perth. (24km (15 miles) from the then-port of Busselton). With one horse and dray (shared by all of the settlers), he set about carving out a property and erecting sufficient shelter to bring the rest of the family from Armadale. This he did in early 1923. Because of the hardships and isolation, and the poor earning capacity of the new farms, many settlers abandoned their farms. Eventually, Percy acquired additional farms, totaling about 1000 acres (405 hectares). He later sold 213 acres (86 hectares) to his son, Frank for 3000 pounds ($6000) and operated the home farm with son Harold until Harold went to war at the end of 1939.
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TOMPSETT FAMILY GROUP #7
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THE POST OFFICE AND TELEPHONE EXCHANGE GORDON MAYLAM, WILL MAYLAM, MAY MAYLAM(nee Tompsett), MARGARET MAYLAM, FRANK TOMPSETT AND BOB WILSON OUTSIDE THE POST OFFICE , LOCATED ON THE VERANDAH OF THE TOMPSETT FAMILY HOME AT TUTUNUP c1952 #8 |
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Jack joined his father on the home property, and remained there after Harold returned from the war. He purchased the home property from his father for 6000 pounds ($12000). The home farm also became the local Post office and Telephone Exchange, both being operated by Percy until his death in 1962. |
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TOMPSETT FAMILY GROUP. EDE, JACK, GRAND-DAD, DAD & KATE #9 |
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When none of his sons - Colin, Rowley or Greg - expressed any interest in farming, Frank sold his property in 1968. After the death of his father in 1962, Jack continued to operate the home farm, finally selling in 1968. In 2007, Frank and Ede were the only surviving children; both continuing to live in Western Australia: Frank in Perth and Ede in Northam (about 100 km (60 miles) east of Perth). After Ede's death on 23rd January 2010, Frank was the sole surviving sibling. Frank died in Hollywood Private Hospital on 10th July 2011. The next generation has spread throughout Australia; from Western Australia through Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. However the Tompsett name remains in the Tutunup area with the road passing the old home property being named "Tompsett Road". |
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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. References: Article: Rowley Tompsett Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 Rowlley Tompsett
Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2008 - 2022
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