Francis Arthur
Given Names: Francis Arthur Date of Birth: 8 Mar 1887 Died: 29 Sep 1953 Birth Residence: Morchard
Parents: William & Elizabeth McBride Known As: Frank
As a boy in Eurelia, Frank often featured in the community activities, especially running and bike races as described in the attached news article from the Chornicle, Sat 4 June 1902
FESTIVAL AT EURELIA.
Eurelia, December 28.1902
On Christmas Day the Bible Christians held their annual festival under the most favorable conditions, and it was a great success. L. C. Hall won the Sheffield and hurdles, Franck McBride the boys' Sheffield, and II. Harslett won both bicycle races. Many minor events were satisfactorily contested. Tea was excellently laid by the ladies of Eurelia in the goods shed, and about 300 sat down. At the concert in the evening the Rev. B. J. Martin presided over a full house. An excellent programme was submitted. The receipts for the day totalled £42.
This article mentions J. McBride who would have been John Jack, 1st born of William and Elizabeth, as well as Frank
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Sat 6 Apr 1907 Page 40 THE HOLIDAYS IN THE COUNTRY.
Frank also wrote letters to publications, as did many people in those days. This letter to the Chronicle was written when Frank was 13:
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Sat 6 Oct 1900 Page 47 DISPATCH BAG.
IN THE ARMY Serial number 2854, 12th Battalion.
Frank joined the Army in 1916, and after initial training was sent to England to be transported to the battle in France. Frank had a chequered military history, going AWOL a couple of times, although once, while AWOL from training in Australia, he did send a telegram to the command advising he would be late back because of business! At that time, all Australians were British subjects with British passports, so all infantry were sent to England first and then to Europe, Africa or other places overseas. Frank went from Southampton in England to France and fought at Armiennes. He was also taken from Infantry and sent to Signal School where he would have learnt the various technical communication methods of the time. He arrived back in Australia in September 1919. Frank was 27 years old, listed as a Grocer from Pekina, and suffered bronchitis on several occasions while enlisted.
If you click on the link below it will take you to the online copy of Frank’s full military history https:/recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1938063
LIFE IN BARMERA - SHOPKEEPER, ADMINISTRATOR, SOCIAL ORGANISER, BLOCK OWNER
Frank followed the McBride family to Berri and then Barmera and set up the first grocer shop in the newly established town. He eventually took advantage of the returned soldiers scheme and bought a block over the railway line on the road to Berri. Within a couple of years he had purchased two more blocks, one which his brother John James worked, and the other worked by his niece Madge Danvers and her husband Jack Richards. Frank’s home block was developed over the years, and included tennis courts which hosted many tennis parties. Frank was incredibly enterprising, and amongst all his interests, he still ran his shop. The photo below is of Frank’s shop in Barwell Avenue, Barmera around 1922 and looks up Barwell Avenue from Lake Bonney.
Frank was often asked to be a groomsman at friends and family members weddings circa 1930
Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark, SA : 1913 - 1942) Thu 9 Jul 1942 Page 8 Mr Redvers James Jackett was a cousin of the McBride’s, his mother being Francis, William Thomas’ sister
1927
Frank, left, then Walter Reed, husband of Lucy McBride, Henry Danvers, husband of Winifred McBride and Bill McBride. circa 1940
Doris McBride top left, Len McBride front left
Doris McBride standing in dark dress on the right, next to woman in pale dress Kathleen McBride (now Warnock) the young girl sitting on the end of the front row, to the right
FRANK’S BLOCKS Frank’s main business was the Blocks he purchased and managed. These were originally written up as leases to the Minister of Irrigation, and in Frank’s case, he converted them all to mortgages after a couple of years. The leases came with several encumbrances requiring cattle proof fencing to be erected within the first year, subdivision of the blocks and land allocated to different crops, and maintenance of the irrigation channels, among other requirements. The first blocks he bought were nos. 286 and 287 on the Sturt Highway, on the road to Berri. Following his death, these were transferred to his niece Magdalene Teresa Danvers (Madge) and her husband John Edward Richards (Jack). The transfer took place on 11 August 1954, and gifted Madge and Jack the block they had worked and managed for several years.
Block no 588 also located on the road to Berri, was purchased by Frank from the original owner, Mr Patrick Kerin, on 25 June 1925. This was Frank’s main residence and block and after his death, was sold to Mr Sam Stringer and his wife Winifred, and was eventually bought by Mr Clive Menhennett in 1961.
Block 336 in Cobdogla was leased to Frank on 16 August 1932 and comprised 17 acres. This was later converted to a mortgage to the Minister of Irrigation in December 1932. This was transferred to Len McBride as executor of Frank’s will on the 14th of April, 1954, a week after the mortgage had been discharged. The block was sold not long after to Mr Norman Heppner.
OTHER INTERESTS, SP BOOKMAKING
While being an upstanding and valuable member of the community, Frank also liked the fun side of life. He was granted a license to run an SP Bookie agency in 1934, he was on the Management Committee for the Trotting Club, and was on the organisation committees for the annual Bachelor Balls. Frank ran in with the law over SP Bookmaking a few times, however, never seemed to have too much trouble. Brian and Kathleen tell the story of Frank and his run in with SGT Paddy Kelliher, who was stationed at Barmera at the time. Apparently SGT Kelliher went to see Frank and told him that he had been reported to the local authorities. He told Frank if he paid a 5 pound fine upfront, the matter would be forgotten. However, if he didn’t, SGT Kelliher would have to report it to Adelaide and the authorities there would charge him 50 pound. Frank paid the 5 pound promptly. While he had a license, it was limited and Frank seemed to enjoy stretching the boundaries!
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Thu 1 Mar 1934 Page 44 38 BETTING SHOPS IN COUNTRY
Murray Pioneer (Renmark, SA : 1942 - 1950) Thu 11 Aug 1949 Page 5 Barmera Trotting Club Meeting
Frank was known within the family and through the community for his involvement in the RSL, The Lodge, The Catholic Church and for many charitable ventures. Frank never married, devoting his life to the community of Barmera and the Riverland. Frank was an active member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) and on 27 September 1932 was promoted to the Fourth Degree, which was the Roll of Honour. The RAOB existed to identify and support individuals and communities needing support, and vowed to support their own members and their dependents, through their lives.
Frank died without a will - the family said he was conflicted on how his estate could be equitably divided and in the end, he just never addressed this. Apart from his businesses, and blocks, he held shares and cash. His youngest brother, Len, was appointed executor of the estate and sold most of the items in the estate. The block which was given to Madge and Jack Richards was a decision arrived at with the blessing of the family. All other proceeds were distributed to the brothers and sisters.
frank in 1950