"Frank" Francis William LONG

Born 1890 in Almondsbury, Gloucestershire, England ^{[20] [21] [435: 22-Sep-1949]}
Son of Edward LONG and Mary Ann MOXHAM ^{[20] [21]}
Grew up with his parents and siblings in Almondsbury, where his father worked as a labourer and woodman ^[20]
Departed from London, England on the steamship Omrah and arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia on 5 August 1915 ^[338]
Married Edith POOLE in Perth in 1916 ^{[7: page 164] [66]}
Worked as a Painter and resided in the Perth suburb of Victoria Park 1916-1925 ^[50]
In 1925 purchased 1,590 acres in Winchester in partnership with his father-in-law George and brothers-in-law Frank and Tom ^[27]
The 1,590 acres was Lot M1580 of Victoria Location 2023 and came at a cost of £994, payable by instalments over 15 years ^[27]
Farmer of Elberton Farm in Billeroo, East Winchester 1925-1933 ^{[19] [27]}
Farmed the property in partnership with his father-in-law and brothers-in-law as "Poole, Sons & Long" 1925-1933 ^{[3] [27]}
They built a seven-room clay-brick house with ten-inch thick walls, which they plastered both inside and outside ^{[39: 9-Nov-1926]}
A traveller who passed by their farm in 1926 remarked that their home was the best house in the district ^{[39: 9-Nov-1926]}
After the house they also built from clay-bricks a kitchen and sheds for their horse and motor truck ^{[39: 9-Nov-1926]}
Once they'd finished building they began clearing the farm and by April 1926 had cleared almost 200 acres ^{[39: 9-Nov-1926]}
With the first winter rains in 1926 they commenced using a tractor and ten-furrow plough and seeded their first crop ^{[39: 9-Nov-1926]}
Initially they made all their own bread, ate kangaroo and wild turkey and had other meat and vegetables sent from Perth ^{[39: 9-Nov-1926]}
By November 1926 they had a half-acre vegetable garden with cabbages, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, lettuces and fruit trees ^[39]
Attended the Euchre Party held at Billeroo, East Winchester on Saturday 2 July 1932 and won one of the booby prizes ^{[5: 15-Jul-1932]}
He left the partnership with his father-in-law and brothers-in-law on 1 April 1933 with the three of the continuing with the farm ^[39]
Following the change in partnership with the farm at Winchester was transferred into the name of "Poole & Sons" on 17 June 1933 ^[27]
After leaving Winchester he spent two years in Lowden, where he worked as a Painter ^{[50] [435: 22-Sep-1949]}
In about 1935 he and his wife shifted to Donnybrook, where he worked as a Builder & Contractor ^{[50] [435: 22-Sep-1949]}
After a brief and enjoyable holiday in Flinders Bay, he and his wife returned to Donnybrook in early October 1938 ^{[435: 11-Oct-1938]}
He was the successful tenderer to modify the property Kiera to become the Donnybrook Hospital in 1947 ^{[435: 20-Feb-1947]}
Contractor to build six new houses for the State Housing Commission on Steere Street in Donnybook in 1949 ^{[435: 7-Jul-1949]}
Died 25 August 1949; buried at the Donnybrook Cemetery in Donnybrook, Western Australia (Anglican, A, 94) ^[228]


From The South Western Times newspaper, Thursday 22 September 1949:
Death of Mr Francis William Long
"In the passing of Mr Francis William Long, on August 25, Donnybrook lost one of its most respected citizens. He was only 59 years of age, and was well known throughout the district as a builder and contractor. Born in Almondsbury, Gloucestershire, England, the late Mr Long came to Australia in 1915. In 1916 he married Edith Poole whom he had known in his home town. He lived and worked at Victoria Park and South Perth and later moved to Winchester on the Midland line where he helped establish a wheat and sheep property with Mrs Long's father and brother. Before coming to Donnybrook to take up residence, 14 years ago, he spent two years at Lowden. The late Mr Long was a prominent member of the Masonic Lodge. The funeral took place on August 26, and was attended by a large concourse of friends. Prior to the funeral a service was conducted in All Saints Church by the Rev. Lawson of Greenbushes who also officiated at the grave-side. The chief mourners were deceased's widow, sister-in-law Mrs T. McKeown, brother-in-law Mr F. Poole, nephew Mr B. C. Boulter and Mr C. Nineham. Pall bearers were Messrs M. Fitzgerald, T. V. Finch, L. J. B. Miller, K. R. Cherry, J. Adams (Coorow), R. Moore, W. Wormald, B. Fowler, M. Trigwell and J. Richards."

Use the below form or email history@carnamah.com.au Name:   Email:   Comment, memory or story about this person Suggested correction or additional information Question or general feedback