Family Histories

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HOPE William Robert

William Robert Hope was born at Apsley, Victoria on 2nd September 1882 and his wife, Grace Amelia Marr at Edenhope, Victoria on 17th April 1887. They were married at Edenhope in about 1912 and travelled to Western Australia shortly afterwards and settled in Gnowangerup.
Their first one, Ian Robert Hope, was born about 1914, but he only lived for four years. Although they lived in the town for the first fourteen years, they actually commenced farming during that period on the property owned by Maurice Watterson.
In addition to clearing, fencing, dam sinking, etc, on the farm, he had a team of clearers working for him doing contract work throughout the district.
Douglas Hope was born at Gnowangerup on 15th April 1921 and Ethel Mary (Molly) on 10th March 1923, and Stuart James was born there on 30th September 1925. It was when Stuart was about four (1920) that the house was ready on the farm, and the family moved out there to live.

Due mainly to the Depression years that followed, the venture was not a great success, and Hope was forced to sell out in 1936. The farm was sold to Maurice Watterson's father.
William worked for the Gnowangerup Road Board from then until he retired in 1947 and moved to Mandurah. The family lived in a house in McDonald Street after leaving the farm.
Doug, Molly and Stuart all joined the R.A.A.F. as they became old enough and served until the end of the war.
Stuart is the only surviving member of the family (1993) as the others passed away as follows:-
William (Father) 1960 - aged 78
Grace (Mother) 1965 - aged 78
Doug 1969 - aged 48
Molly 1969 - aged 46
Stuart retired from Westrail in 1983 from position of Station Master, Bunbury after 41 years of service and now lives in Bunbury. (1993)

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:      "Gnowangerup The Town" by Pearl Marshall

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024