HARRY AND JEAN WATSON KOORDA & PERTH

[gilian rowland]

A few years ago I posted a thread "Henry/Harry Watson give up?"
Well the answer to that is I have had to give up as no trace of his death can
be found as he was last known to have been in Wiluna c1948 when possibly
working at a station. He had separated from his wife Jean possibly c1936.

However now since I have Jean's diary of her "26 Years in WA" I am trying to
compile a timeline. They arrived in Fremantle, Perth in 1911 so that takes us to c1937.

I'd be very grateful if anyone can help me with the following:

1) I was told that when Jean retired
she went to work for a Mrs Cohen Glendower street North Perth up to the latter's death.

When would Jean have retired? She was born in Scotland in 1871
(died Perth 1961) I think this would have been mid 1930s.

I have done some googling and found an entry for a son of Mrs Cohen Glendower street
but he died a long time ago.

Is there any way ie from electoral rolls it can be found when Jean worked for her;
what number street and more importantly date of death for a Mrs Cohen, initials
I believe M.L. I know I am pathetic but I'm not too good at web sites and can't
find an obituary for Mrs Cohen despite battling with Trove.

2) Harry helped build the Pioneer Hall in Koorda in 1917 (N.E. of Perth) and I understand
the hall was extended and a Grand Ball held on 4th October 1924. Again, Trove has defeated
me but could anyone find an article about that with, hopefully, a photo in case they are in it.

I am trying to compile a document for a relative who will be 95 at the beginning of July!
with thanks
Jill

[Dundee10]

I was told that when Jean retired she went to work for a Mrs Cohen ....

Jill

That doesn't make sense. Do you mean she retired from a particular occupation to do something else? Women were eligible for the aged pension at 60.

Morris and Sarah (real name Cipra/Ciprah) COHEN lived at Glendower Street from the early 1920s. Sarah died in 1965 aged 101. As far as I can see they were the only COHENs living in that street. There was no Jean WATSON or variations enrolled to vote in that street.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52946242

Have you seen that when Henry's brother died, Henry is referred to as W. H. WATSON?

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37624583
(Top of third highlighted column)

[essbee]

Hi Gillian,

Glendower St is in Highgate, just next door to North Perth. This is from the West Australian, 21 November 1934:

COHEN.— The Friends of Mr.. Israel Cohen; of
Northam,- W.A.are respectfully informed
that the remains of his late dearly beloved wife,
Lily, will be interred in the Jewish portion of
the Karrakatta Cemetery, at 4 o'clock THIS
(Wednesday) AFTERNOON. The Cortege, will
move from the residence of Mr. M. . Cohen, ' 5
Glendower-street, Highgate, at 3.30 o'clock.
Friends wishing to attend the .Funeral may pro
ceed by the 3.45 o'clock train from Perth.

[essbee]

Here's another from the West Australian on Nov 22 1934:

DEATHS.
COHEN.— On November 20, 1934, at Mt. Law
ley, Lily, beloved, wife of Israel Cohen, of
Northam and devoted mother of Avon and
Billie; aged 43 years. Minyan at 7.30 every
evening at 5 Glendower-street, Perth.
COHEN. — On November 20, Lily, dear beloved
wife- of I. Cohen, Northam, and darling mother
of Avon and Billie; devoted twin-sister of
Vill; sister-in-law of Rose, and' aunt of
Jack.
Sadly missed by all (532 Beaufort-street.
Perth).

[essbee]

And here's a possible ball in Koorda, reported in the West on 9 Nov 1924:

The up-to-date Koorda Hall pre-
sented, a festive scene recently when a
bazaar-the first, of its kind held in the
district took place. The proceeds,
amounting to £80, are to be devoted
to the Anglican Church building fund..
Archbishop Riley opened the bazaar
and congratulated the district in hav-
ing a church erected in the township.
Delightful decorations added to the
already attractive appearance of the
hall, and- reflected credit upon Mrs.
Robson,' secretary, and Wr. A. Knight.
Mr. -C. G. EJliot ran a successful baby
competition, the prize being won by
Baby Heine. Mrs. Boyne added much
to the pleasure of the afternoon by her
musical items. The stall holders were:
Refreshment, Mesdames Marriott, Nob -
lill, : Franklin, and Coxon. Produce:
Mrs. Hayter. Jumble: Mrs. Reeves
and Mr. ,F. Brooks. Fancy: Misses
Skewes and Best Sweets: Misses
Roberts and Carter. Fortune Telling:
Mrs. Naon Nighall: ""Fish Pond: Mrs.
Gibbs; Hoop-la, Mr. Jackson. The
function was concluded by a dance.

But this might be the ball you meant (The West Australian, p 34, 12 Oct 1924):

Great Interest was evinced in the
opening last Saturday week of the
new hall at Koorda, which took place
in the presence of over 400 people, the
function taking the form of a grand
ball. It fell to Mr. R. A. Gamble
(chairman of the Wyalkatchem Road
Board) the pleasing duty of declaring
the hall opened as the member for the
district ( Mr. Lindsay, M.L.A. ) was un-
able to be present. The hall commit
tee, with Mr. Skewes, jun., as the
enthusiastic secretary, were heartily
congratulated by Mr. Gamble, for the
excellent accommodation the hall is
provided with. The up to date ar
rangements of the hall have placed it
in the position ot being one of the best
public halls in the State. The supper
was a beautiful one and reflected credit
upon the ladies responsible. Dancing
was heartily entered into, the new
piano being, in use. Mr. Cecil Martin
officiated as master of ceremonies.
Special care had been taken in the pre-
paration of the floor, which added
much to the pleasure of the dancers.
Visitors were present from all sur-
rounding districts, and were loud in
their praise of the equipment of the
spacious new building.

[essbee]

Is this your Jean? Maybe her getaway car
(from the Daily Telegraph and North Murchison Gazette, 23 Feb 1927, p4)

Mrs. H. Watson of Koorda has
purchased a Mode! 503 Fiat with
Italian de luxe body; This is the
second Fiat owned by Mrs.
Watson, her previous being a
Model 501.

[gilian rowland]

DUNDEE 10
Very many thanks for your reply.

Sorry if my comment re Jean and retirement didn't make sense! I have referred back to
the letter I was sent from someone who knew Jean and she wrote:

"When she came of age to receive a pension, she retired and came to live in Perth."

With regard to the entry re Henry referred to as W.H. WATSON, that is an error on the part of the paper.
Apparently there was a W.H. WATSON in Carnamah around the same time and he made trips to England.
This has been checked but thanks for pointing it out.

Shame there is no mention of Jean in the electoral rolls.

ESSBEE Thrilled with the articles you sent through, thanks so much, much appreciated. Interesting to read
of the Cohens which I note gives their address as Number 5 Glendower Street. So pleased with the article
about the Koorda Grand Ball but pity my relatives aren't mentioned - guess there's no photo. I hadn't
seen that article about Jean's second car!
with thanks
Jill

[gilian rowland]

PASSPORT APPLICATION MADE IN AUSTRALIA FOR MRS JEAN WATSON -

My relative Harry Watson married Jean Hislop and I would dearly love to find a photo of her. All I can think of
in the absence of being unable to trace any of her relatives is to see if her passport application can be found which might contain a photo.

They married in 1910 in the UK and both sailed to Fremantle, Perth in 1911. I was told that at that time they would not
have needed a passport. However she sailed from Fremantle to the Uk returning to Oz a couple of years later and I was told a
few years ago by Australia that passport applications were destroyed. I believe I noticed from a posting elsewhere here
that some records are now available.

She sailed on the Oronsay arriving UK 29.7.1937 I don't have date she left Fremantle Oz but think the voyage takes six weeks
Gives her birth as 1878 but she was in fact born 1871 and died in Perth in 1961.
with thanks
Jill

[Dundee10]

You would have to put in a request with the NAA as they would need to check a number of record series to see if any of her records been retained - the form is here:

https://reftracker.naa.gov.au/reft100.aspx?key=02PassDep

They will let you know if they find anything and will give a quote for digitising.

[gilian rowland]

DUNDEE 10

Very many thanks for the link to the Australian National Archives. It seems to be a request for "Passenger Records Inquiry"
ie Passenger lists/sailings? However I have those; it is the actual passport details, hopefully with a photo, that I seek.
However it gives an email address so I will contact them.
Jill