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NEAVE Edgar Leslie (LES) Research by Gordon Freegard Les Neave was an unassuming man who went quietly about his missions, giving gentle words of advice, never voicing a cross word, helping others in a hundred ways. He was an active member of various organisations in the Shire of Kalamunda - it was rarely necessary to ask a favour - he would see the need and act before the asking. No wonder that when he died on 9th November 1973, aged 66, so many felt they had lost a dear friend and expressed a desire to perpetuate his memory in the form of a practical memorial. Les came from a pioneer family, his grandfather, who was born in Fordingbridge on 28th March 1907, had flour mills at Fordingbridge and Southampton, and was associated with the well-known Neave brand of baby foods
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LES NEAVE #1
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Josiah Reynolds Neave and his brother Digby H. Neave owned the Neave Baby Food Company. About 1850 Josiah built the family home called Highfield House on Bowerwood Road, Fordingbridge. It was a fine example of a late Victorian residence. The Neave family were well known and respected in the area as they also owned the large milling business in the town which gave much needed employment to the community. In addition to their milling interest they were pioneers of baby products whose patron included the Russian Royal Family. Shortly after the Managing Director, Walter James Lucas died in 1946, the business seems to have "folded" and |
THE NEAVE & C0
STEAM ROLLER FLOUR MILL IN SOUTHAMPTON #2 |
NEAVE’S BABY FOOD
ADVERT #3 |
NEAVE’S BABY FOOD
ADVERT JULY 1900 #4 |
NEAVE’S BABY FOOD ADVERT 1902 #26
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NEAVE’S BABY FOOD ADVERT 1905 #27
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NEAVE’S BABY FOOD ADVERT #28
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NEAVE’S BABY FOOD ADVERT MAY 1931 #29
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NEAVE’S BABY FOOD ADVERT IN THE HOBART MERCURY JUNE 1912 #30
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Les's father, Charles Neave and his mother Elise Mary with their
family, left England for Western Australia in 1914 when Les was only 7; his
elder brothers joined the forces while he went to school in North Perth. After
the war his brothers and father took War Settlement land blocks in Pickering
Brook which they cleared by hand. |
ON THE NEAVE PROPERTY AT PICKERING
BROOK |
Charles
and Elise had 12 children:
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CECIL
NEAVE’S HOUSE AT PICKERING BROOK #6 |
LES NEAVE #7 |
Les was relief driving of the delivery truck for Bert and Alice
Beard's General Store at Pickering Brook, whilst Bert was sick in hospital and
was introduced to Mary Francis “Molly” Lancaster, from Fremantle, by
Alice. Molly was the first daughter of George and Margaret Lancaster, of 35 Canning Road, East Fremantle. They had eight children: Harry, Mollie, Clara, Nance, Ada, Fred, Ron, Neville. She was born on 26th August 1908 and was housekeeping for a
family in the district at the time and regularly came into the shop. Romance
blossomed and he married Molly and settled down to married life in Pickering
Brook, running a poultry farm with his brother Godfrey.
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MARY FRANCIS
("MOLLY") LANCASTER #8 |
During the Second World War he served in the 7th Army Engineers
afterwards returning to the old homestead as an orchardist. The family later
moved to Kalamunda so that they could be near to a school for their children. |
“NEAVEDALE” POULTRY FARM ADVERT 1927 #9
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“NEAVEDALE”
POULTRY FARM ADVERT 1928 #10 |
NEAVE FAMILY
PHOTO: LEON, MOLLY, BEVAN & LES #11 |
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Their three children were: Leon
Neave born 13th June 1931 at Fremantle. Worked as a wharf
labourer. On the 20th July 1956 he married Louise Goodall in Darwin.
Louise was born 24th October 1932 at Newcastle Waters, Northern Territory
to parents John Goodall and Dianah Candrooni. Bevan
Douglas Neave born 8th June 1939 at North Fremantle. Worked as a
motor mechanic. On the 30th July 1960 he married Pamela Irene
Croswell in Bassendean. Pamela was born 28th October 1940 at
Cottesloe to parents Ernest Croswell and Hilda Mogg.
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BRUCE MAUGER NEAVE IN UNIFORM #31 |
BRUCE & LYNETTE NEAVE ON THEIR 5th ANNIVERSARY #32 |
In 1924 there was a plague of rats. They were everywhere. This
photo shows the result of a “rat hunt” at the Neave’s property which resulted in
25 being exterminated.
Left to
Right: FRED GROSVENOR (Brother-in-law),
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In 1948 Les joined the Department of Agriculture as a Fruit Fly
Inspector. His knowledge and experience resulted in him later being appointed
Horticultural Advisor until his retirement in 1971. |
INSPECTING NAREMBEEN
PLUMS FOR EXPORT
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HUMOROUS “MEDAL” AWARDED TO
LES NEAVE #14 |
HUMOROUS “MEDAL” AWARDED TO
LES NEAVE #15 |
HUMOROUS “MEDAL” AWARDED TO
LES NEAVE #16 |
He wrote various publications for the Department. Here is a article he wrote in 1961 on "Walnut Growing in the Bickley Valley".
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ARTICLE WRITTEN BY
LES NEAVE ON “WALNUT GROWING IN THE BICKLEY VALLEY” #17 |
He was made a member of the Rotary Club, Kalamunda branch and of the
Central Darling Range Fruit Growers Association. As an ex-soldier he was an
active member of the Returned Soldiers League, was a foundation member of the
Pickering Brook Sports Club and was associated with the P. & C. movement at
the Kalamunda Primary School
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LES NEAVE
ENTERTAINS A COMMUNITY GATHERING DRESSED AS A CLOWN WEARING A TINY HAT #19 |
As if this were not enough Les, for many years was judge of grapes at the Annual Swan Districts Grape Show and in 1969 became a foundation member of the Kalamunda Historical Society. When the Society's Museum opened in William Road he was a leading worker on restoration of exhibits and his advice was greatly appreciated by other members. LES NEAVE HELPING WITH BUGGY REPAIRS AT KALAMUNDA HISTORY VILLAGE #20
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Relatives of the family are now scattered in many parts of the
world of the world and in 1972 Les travelled to Canada to meet several of
them. One of his last acts was to help in the completion of the timber
arch at the Kalamunda Museum and as he admired the finished structure with Bill
Shaw and Alan Anderson, he said "I'd love to see a pair of really fine
gates there" - so the community for whom he did so much have now contributed
generously to bring his wish to fruition - with the gates made and erected to
his memory. On Sunday 20th October 1974 a dedication service was
performed by Mr. George Spriggs, Shire President. The gates were named in
memory of Les Neave who passed away on 9th November 1973. GEORGE SPRIGGS OPENS THE
“SAW-PIT”
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DEDICATION OF THE
MEMORIAL GATES TO LES NEAVE |
LES NEAVE MEMORIAL
GATES #23 |
LES NEAVE MEMORIAL
GATES #24 |
Memorial Fund Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. Geo.
Melville, of the Rotary Club, gratefully acknowledges the contributions from members
of the following organisations; Rotary Club of Kalamunda Pickering Brook Fruit Growers Association Returned Soldiers League, Kalamunda Branch Kalamunda Primary School Parents & Citizens Association Central Darling Range Fruit Growers Association Pickering Brook Sports Club (founding member) Kalamunda Agricultural Society Kalamunda & Districts Historical Society (founding member
1969) and also from relatives and friends in Western Australia, Eastern
Australia and Canada, from the very successful Social and Raffle, Mr. Brian
Down's design and work on the gates and the Shire of Kalamunda Council's
co-operation in their erection all of which helped to make possible this
memorial to our departed friend.
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RUINS OF THE NEAVE'S HOUSE AT PICKERING BROOK #25 |
Les’ father Charles passed away after a long illness on 9th
June 1928 aged 68 years.
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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: The Kalamunda News Images: 1, 2, 7, 8 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 31, 32 Mike Neave
Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2008 - 2020
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