WHYATT Gladstone James Clarence UPDATED  

Compiled by Gordon Freegard based on research by Merilyn Stewart

Article written by Stephen Newbey

G. J. C. Whyatt was born on 1st February 1910 at “Two Gullies” farm (Ko. Loc.’s 4440 & 5760) at Soldiers Road, Gnowangerup, W.A.
His father, Allan Whyatt, was forced to move from Two Gullies farm after the death of his wife in 1912. He owed his father-in-law, Charles Richard, a considerable sum of money and Charles took the farm to settle the debt. Allan had not treated his wife well and his mother-in-law cursed him when her daughter died saying ”she hoped he died like a dog for the way he treated his wife”.
Allan then took up a property at Cambellup, south east of Gnowangerup (Ko. Loc.’s 4042 & 4043).
During their time there I recall uncle telling me that rabbits arrived and his father told him they were Hares. Lots of aboriginals died, I presume after the 1919 influenza epidemic. They were buried sitting up in the sand dunes along the river and when the river flooded their bodies bobbed up and down as they floated down the river. Kangaroo shooting was popular and there are photos of the family on their horses with guns and greyhounds. Gladstone also boxed a bit and was a jockey.

GLADSTONE JAMES CLARENCE WHYATT            #1
 

  GLADSTONE WHYATT & JESSIE DOOHAN ON THEIR WEDDING DAY          #2
 

Gladstone, as he was known until he moved to Kojonup, had limited schooling and worked as a labourer on various labouring jobs before he was married. His father, Allan, sought contracts and sent his sons to work on the contracts. Allan liked to drink and his sons were expected to support him and the family. One of the contracts was constructing roads in the Ongerup area in the 1920’s.
He married on 5th September 1934 to Jessie Ellen Louisa Doohan at Beverley, W.A  Jessie was born on 3rd April 1907.
After he married Gladstone & Nell purchased a farm at Kwoberup, north of Gnowangerup. Over the years the farm was added to with the purchase of the O’Toole brothers’ property, Charlie Wood’s farm and Allan Whyatt’s fourth and final farm.

Access to the farm was through a swamp and during the winter, and other wet conditions, bog chains had to be put on the tyres of vehicle so they had traction on the slippery clay.

Gladstone was a member of the Kent Roads Board 1945-1950. Whyatt Road is named to recognise his contribution to the shire, the road was largely construct by him to access his property after WW2.

Gladstone retired from farming at Kwobrup at the end of 1950 due to ill health and sold his farm of 3,563 acres to Vin McDonald. He had a bad bout of pneumonia which came on after dipping sheep on a very hot day. Aunty Nell told me they had 7,000 acres at Kwobrup, so they may have also had some Condition Purchase land that was not cleared as well.

Gladstone & Nell raised their niece, Shirley, from aged 2 to 8. Shirley’s parents were living with Gladstone & Nell when Shirley was born in 1936 and they took a shine to Shirley being unable to have children of their own. When Shirley’s parents moved to Kukerin in 1938 Shirley remained with Gladstone & Nell.
n 1942 Shirley returned to live with her parents during the week, while at school at Moort Vale, spending weekends with Gladstone & Nell. Her parents moved to a farm at Woodanilling in 1945 and Shirley went with them.
After “retiring” from Kwoberup, Jim as he was now known, and Nell purchased a property called “Ongerup” just east of Kojonup. Here Jim started a cattle stud, but he leased the property in 1952 and took up business as the butcher in Kojonup. He owned the farm until he sold it to his niece, Betty Godfrey (nee Whyatt), and her husband in 1958-9. Jim & Nell purchased the “doctors house” and moved into Kojonup in 1959.
They did “retire” again to Busselton for a couple of years about 1960, but retuned to Kojonup about 1962 and built a new house in town.
During their time at Busselton, they lived in town and Jim had a small farm at the Vasse where he kept horses. Jim played lawn bowls and spent a lot of time fishing from the jetty.
Jim & Nell continued to run the butchers shop in Kojonup until 1969 when they sold it to Mike Roznocznyj and retired to Perth. Mike had served his apprenticeship with Jim.
During his time at Kojonup, Jim served on the Kojonup Shire Council, played lots of golf and lawn bowls. They also travelled a lot going over east frequently to visit relatives.
I think the change of name from Gladstone to Jim/James had to do with politics. Jim & Nell were staunch Labour supporters, Jim even ran unsuccessfully for parliament once.
Jim was a Freemason and attended meetings in Kojonup.
After retiring to Redcliffe, Jim hurt his back and they had to move again to house in Belmont with no steps. Jim recovered slowly and took up lawn bowls again at Maylands. Not happy with the condition of the bowling greens he also took on the job of greenkeeper. He also renewed his interest in horse racing and frequented Ascot over the summer months. When his friend, Tom Prior, retired to Perth Tom purchased a couple of race horses and Jim & Tom followed the horses at country races as well.
Jim was advised by his bank manager not to buy Poseidon shares in 1969 @ $0.20 and always regretted taking that advice. He dabbled in the share market but never made as much money as he would have made on Poseidon shares. I lived with Jim & Nell while I completed my secondary education and my parents also lived with them while the other one was in hospital in 1972. Dad & Mum both had extensive stays in Perth hospitals during 1972.
Jim & Nell took their retirement cruise in 1971, cruising to New Guinea, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong & Taipei. Their Nieces daughter, Margaret and her husband and child moved into their house while they were away on the extended holiday.
Jim and Nell played a lot of lawn bowls and cards.
About 1973 Jim & Nell purchased a duplex with Jim’s sister, Florence. The idea being that Jim could keep an eye on Florence, who was older, but it didn’t work out and they moved again to Bentley about 1974. Aunty told me that they moved 23 times during their married life.
My youngest brother, Garry, spent the first three years of his secondary education living with Jim & Nell. My father was also a frequent visitor as he was gaining a master’s degree at Murdoch Uni.
After Garry left to start 4th year at Katanning, Jim & Nell moved to a retirement unit.
When Jim suspected he had cancer they moved back to Katanning to be closer to Shirley. Jim had an operation for oesophageal cancer, but the cancer returned and he gradually deteriorated. Although not a religious man, he had been raised by his step-mother as a strict catholic. While dying he kept looking at the door, where “the devil was waiting for him”.
He died on 04th June 1989 at Katanning Hospital from Cancer.
He was cremated in June 1989 at Fremantle Cemetery and his ashes spread at the pioneer cemetery, Gnowangerup. His mother was buried there in 1912 and he wanted his ashes spread over his mother’s grave.
Nell lived until 22nd June 2002 and died at her nursing home aged 95 years. She also had her ashes scattered at the old Gnowangerup Cemetery.

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