Family Histories

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WRIGHT Ernest "Ernie" Henry

Ernest known as Ernie was born at South End, England c1889.
He enlisted on 10 August 1916 and trained at Blackboy Hill.
Ernie was a labourer who gave his address as ‘Katanning’ and his next of kin being his wife Mrs Esther Elsie Wright of 68 Aberdeen Street, Perth.
He departed aboard the Argyllshire from Fremantle on 9 November 1916.
Ernie returned to Australia on 12 July 1919.
Like his good friend Tommy Stewart 2409 he was a signaller.

After the war he was granted land at a reduced cost at the Pallinup Soldier Settlement.
Ernie was also friendly with Tom Taylor of Beeginup who also worked for Ernie and Arthur White, another Pallinup Soldier Settler.

ERNIE WRIGHT              #1
 

ERNIE WRIGHT  & MATE TOMMY STEWART             #2

ERNIE WRIGHT  & MATE TOMMY STEWART             #3

Ernie’s house was close to the Pallinup School, and about 1930 Ernie gave the school the land on which to build a tennis court and sports grounds. The tennis court was completed in 1933 and was used by the local community as well as the school children.

 MARY WRIGHT, "TRUDIE" BARNARD & "NELLIE" DENNY            #4
 

 The school children often went up to Mr and Mrs Wright’s house which was only about 300 metres away to listen to the latest in technology - the ‘radio’ or ‘wireless’.
One such memorable occasion was the 1937 coronation of King George and Queen Mary.
The children also received a commemorative coin and a small souvenir booklet.
The children often received First Aid and/or medical attention from Mrs Wright at her home if they were ill during the school day.
Teachers such as Daphne Davis boarded at Wright's.
Another teacher Mr Honey boarded at Pallinup Station but had his evening meal with the Wright's. He would walk down every evening dressed in suit and tie, as was the custom back in the day for those who still observed British 'decorum'.
Ernie and Elsie had two daughters – Val and Audrey.

 
 
When Elsie died Ernie married Mary (Family name?). They were a very kind couple and provided lunch for the teachers. They had donated land for the school and the added tennis court to be built. If the children were sick at school Mrs Wright would care for them. Although the families struggled to make a living off the small blocks one benefit was that they had another woman within walking distance in an emergency.
Their two children were Maureen and Harry. Ernie would say “We’ve got royalty in the family – Mary!” Mary was known to be always ‘right and proper’ wearing corsets and long sleeves even in summer.
Ernie was a member of the Volunteer Defence Corps in Gnowangerup during WWII and training others in signalling in Gnowangerup and at the Pallinup School rooms.
Ernie was also a Gnowangerup Brass Band member, and as such participated in the military marching parades that were part of the training undertaken by the VDC.
A story about Ernie: When Lord and Lady Hartingdon visited the Pallinup School Ernie was asked to make the tea.
But he didn’t boil the water, the tea leaves floated on top!
As they had no more tea leaves on hand they had to strain the tea through a tea towel! An occasion Ernie was reminded of for many years later!
Ernie died on 17 October 1951 aged 61.
Another Soldier Settler - Dick Chambers from nearby 'Trekenna' bought the farm.

 MAUREEN & HARRY WRIGHT          #5

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:   Research by Merilyn Stewart

                                  Image:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5

 

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024