MILLS Albert Henry "Bert"  

Compiled by Gordon Freegard based on research by Merilyn Stewart

Albert Henry “Bert” Mills was born in Essex, England, in 1904 to Lydia Charmaine and William Frederick Mills. He had two brothers: Frederick George - born in England in 1901 - and Tod who was born in Ongerup in 1914.

In August 1914 the family travelled by train, via Tambellup, and arrived in Ongerup. Bert was seven years old. Bert Foster met them with a horse and wagon to cart their belongings.

Their farm was east of Ongerup on Needilup Road. They lived in a big tent until their house was built. Later their father bought a prefabricated house which was delivered to the site by truck.

The family worked together to clear the land and build the house. Fred didn’t attend school for two years as he was needed to help his father. Bert rode a horse to school every day to the East Ongerup State School; he later attended Needilup School then went to North Ongerup.
 The family was bitterly disappointed in April 1919 when the creek flooded after about eight inches of rain over two nights. It destroyed the orchard that they had planted and by that time was a mature fruit bearing orchard.

Later their father set up a shop in Ongerup while his sons ran the farm. Fred commuted daily from the farm into Ongerup for his business.

A harvester was in use by 1915.

Bert recalled the town beginning to grow after 1927 and again in 1945.

In 1926 Bert inspired local residents to raise funds to build a hall on the footy field. W. F. Mills built it in early 1927. That same year the family applied for more land.

Bert bought a tractor in 1928. During petrol rationing he was forced to adapt it to use a gas producer; only two in Ongerup had them (Sam Murphy and Bert).

Bert recalled the Depression as being “very hard”.

Wheat sold for just 1/6 and wool was also at a rock bottom price - the slump lasted about three years.

Entertainment in Ongerup was limited; dances were held about once a month.

Dances were held, the music being supplied by a gramophone or some of the local talent, notably the two Mills boys, Fred and Bert.

Sporting activities like cricket and football sometimes required having to engage ‘girls’ to make up the teams.

Bert’s mother Lydia died early in 1939. By then Fred Jnr had already bought the farm.

Their father joined up in World War 2 and Tod decided to join up too.

Bert bought another farm in 1938.

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.