We would like to acknowledge the help of Jenny (http://www.lintywhite.com/thomas2.html) in helping us to uncover Arthur’s life in Australia
Arthur William Fry was the sixth child of Albert Edward Fry & Harriett Annie Grove born Jan-March, 1889 at Hartfield, Sussex.
In 1889 the family moved to Chartners farm, Hartfield but within a year Arthur’s father had died.
In 1891 Arthur was living with his widowed mother Harriett & brothers & sisters at Chartners Farm, Hartfield.
Tragically Arthur’s mother died in November 1893 leaving 7 orphaned children.
Arthur William (5) & his younger brother Percy Grove Fry are both recorded as passengers aboard the Austral which sailed from London on September 7th, 1894, arriving in Sydney, Australia on October 22nd,1894. [Thanks to Lynne & Richard Horton for discovering that the boys went to Australia.] The brothers travelled with 40 year old Louisa Donald, a charwoman, who was recorded on arrival as being unmarried. Louisa Donald was in fact Louisa Mary Grove [g.6.6], sister of Arthur’s mother Harriett Annie. Louisa had married George Donald in Sydney, Australia in 1886, having emigrated to Australia with her parents & siblings in 1874. Presumably Louisa had returned to England after the death of her sister and took Arthur & his brother Percy back to Australia with her. The reason for Louisa being recorded as unmarried could be that she arrived with the 2 children but no accompanying husband.
Arthur’s early years in Australia are as yet unknown.
Arthur married Agnes Lewin in Sydney in 1911.
Arthur enlisted in December 1915 in the Australian Imperial Force & served as a driver with the 14th Field Company Engineers during WW1. He gave his occupation at this time as traveller & his address as 346 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst, Sydney.
In 1917 a letter from Agnes to military personnel concerning Arthur’s health whilst he was serving in France shows her address to be ‘Heatherbell’, Albion St, Waverley, Sydney. Arthur was discharged from service in 1918 on health grounds.
In 1930 Arthur was working as a grocer & living at 57 Consett St, Concord, Sydney with wife Agnes & son Arthur William jnr was also recorded as a grocer at the same address. The last time Agnes appears on the electoral register is in 1937 when she is listed with husband Arthur & son Arthur William, both grocers.
Arthur & Agnes’ daughter Jean May married Henry William Noyes, an electric fitter, in Sydney in 1940. They lived initially in Werribee, Victoria & by 1963 they had moved to Sunshine, Victoria. The electoral registers of 1967/68 show Henry working as a railway employee & living with Jean in Ararat, Victoria. Henry became a supervisor by 1972 & until 1980 they lived in Ararat.
Son Arthur was still living with his father in Consett St in 1943 & is described as a fitter in the RAAF. He had married Nancy Kathleen Madden in 1940 in Victoria & she was also listed with the family in 1943. Agnes was not listed with the family.
Arthur was still living at 57 Consett St, Concord West in 1949 & described as a manager. With him were son Arthur, still a fitter,& his wife Nancy, and son Allan Frederick, a mechanic.
Agnes died before July 1945 since she was described as deceased when her mother's death was announced. In March 1952 when Arthur was granted administration of Agnes' estate as she died intestate.
Son Allan Frederick married Phyllis Elizabeth Yule (born 1929) in 1951 at Burwood, Sydney. Electoral registers reveal that they lived initially at 15 Victoria St, Lismore, Richmond, NSW in 1954 & Allan was an electrical mechanic. By 1958 they were living at Ballina Rd, Gundurimba, Richmond. From 1963-1980 they lived at 21 O’Flynn St, Lismore, Richmond.
Arthur continued to live at 57 Consett St & in 1958 son Arthur & wife Nancy were still with him. Also listed was Roger John Fry, an electroplater. 10 years later in 1968 Arthur & son Arthur & Nancy were still at the same address.
Arthur died, aged 81, on July 12th, 1970 at the Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, Burwood, Sydney & was cremated on July 15th, 1970 at the Rookwood Crematorium. The death certificate gives his occupation as business manager & his parents were Albert Edward Fry & Harriett Annie Grove. Arthur’s address was given as 57 Consett St, Concord.
By 1977 son Arthur, no oocupation given, & wife Nancy had moved to Bayside Avenue, Kendall, NSW. They were still at the same address in 1980.
The children of Arthur William Fry & Agnes Lewin were:
f.2.6.8.6.1 Arthur William Fry born July 7th, 1912 in Sydney; died 1982 & buried at Laurieton General Cemetery, Mulwaree, NSW
f.2.6.8.6.2 Jean May Fry born c1919
f.2.6.8.6.3 Allan Frederick Fry born 1927