Walter John Hill Bryant (1884 - 1967)

Born 24 Aug 1884 in Paddington, Colony of New South Wales

Ancestors

Husband of Elsie Sarah Baker — married 27 Jan 1912 in Newtown, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 11 Nov 1967 at age 83 in Ryde, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Walter John Hill Bryant was born the son of Octavius and Fanny Ellen Bryant, on 24th Aug 1884, at 1 Lence Terrace, Liverpool Street, Paddington. He attended school at Fort Street Boys School, Fort Street Sydney, from 1892. Lived with parents and siblings in Paddington, until 1897, when the family moved to a new house in Princes Street (now Thompson Street), Gladesville.

In 1897-98, travelled to school by ferry, from Tarban Creek Wharf, Hunters Hill. Started work C.1900, working for Reeves Produce Merchants, Monash Road, Gladesville, as an Office Clerk. During the Gold Rush, in 1906, Walter sailed, with brother Herbert, to Western Australia, to work in the Kalgoorlie Gold Mines.

On 8th Oct 1907, the Kalgoorlie Western Argus Newspaper reported an accident at the "Golden Horseshoe Mine". Herbert (listed as Harry) Bryant had fallen down a mine shaft (about 5 metres) and severely injured his back. After the accident, Herbert and Walter ceased mining, and Herbert went to live in Maylands, Perth, Western Australia.

Walter returned to Sydney (around 1910), with some gold, which he used to purchase 2 acres of land in Princes Street ( now Thompson Street), where he built a house at 48 Thompson Street, in 1912.

Walter (aged 27) married Elsie Sarah Baker (aged 18) on January 27, 1912 in Newtown, New South Wales. Lived with father Octavius for 12 months until the house at No.48 was completed.

Elsie gave birth to 5 children, four at this address and one (Kenneth) in Hospital. Their children were-

Walter William Bryant (1913–1988), Albert John Bryant (1915–1971) Gwenneth Bryant (1917 - 2016) Ronald George Bryant (1922–2004) Kenneth Maurice Bryant (1929-2011).

Walter became a Builder by trade, and purchased large amounts of land in Gladesville area, in 1920's and 30's, subdividing it and built many houses which he sold "only to reputable persons". He built the Boronia Park Shopping centre, some 10 shops and collected rent on them in 1960's. Very proud of his "Strait Eight Pontiac", which he purchased in 1938. Built houses along Ryde Road, Pittwater Road and Thompson Street, and gifted five brick houses to his 5 children in 1940's and 50's.

He owned most of the land on which Boronia Park School now stands. His uncle Job also lived on land where the school now stands. Wife Elsie died in 1940, and in old age Walter would walk down to his son Ronalds house, each Sunday for dinner. Well known in the Gladesville area as "The Old Goldminer", much loved by all who new him. Walter died on November 11, 1967 in Ryde, New South Wales, Australia, aged 83.

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Sources

1. ↑ NSW Death Registration 37611/1967