This document is a page from The West Australian, a major daily newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia, dated Wednesday, August 13, 1947. The specific excerpt analyzed is an obituary detailing the life, career, and family of Charles James Locke, a prominent local businessman. Obituaries from this era are invaluable genealogical resources, as they often provide comprehensive biographical summaries, including birthplaces, career timelines, civic involvement, and lists of surviving family members. This record highlights the social status of the deceased, noting his transition from an apprentice to the founder of a large manufacturing company with multiple branches across Western Australia.
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1947.
[Excerpt: Relevant Obituary]
BUSINESS FOUNDER DIES Late Mr. C. J. Locke’s Career
Mr. Charles James Locke, founder and chairman of directors of Locke’s Ltd., furniture warehousemen, died at his home in Leake-street, Peppermint Grove, yesterday morning at the age of 80. He left a widow and a son, Mr. Alton Locke, and three married daughters, Mesdames J. C. Clark, C. H. Robinson and H. H. Anson. The late Mr. Locke had undergone a major operation some time ago and had been in indifferent health for the past six weeks.
The late Mr. Locke was born in London and educated at Shoreham Grammar School. In 1881 he was apprenticed to the cabinet making trade and eight years later came to Australia to start work as a furniture manufacturer. He arrived in Western Australia from the Eastern States in 1891 and opened his first business in a stable at Fremantle. Two years later his brother joined him and the first factory was set up alongside his home in South Fremantle, the site of the present large manufacturing premises. Several shops were opened in Fremantle during the next 20 years and branches were formed at Perth, Bunbury, Collie, Northam, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie. In 1920 the partnership between the brothers was dissolved and the late Mr. Locke took over ownership of the firm until it was made a limited company in 1940.
The late Mr. Locke was president of the W.A. Chamber of Manufactures for some years and was a member of the W.A. Club and the Rotary Club. He was secretary and treasurer of the Fremantle Wesley Church Trust for over 20 years.
The remains of the late Mr. Locke will be cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery at 11 a.m. today.
[Photo Caption] The Late Mr. C. J. Locke.
Principal Individual
- Charles James Locke
- Role in Document: Subject of Obituary
- Birth: Circa 1867 (calculated from age 80), London, England.
- Education: Shoreham Grammar School.
- Death: August 12, 1947 (stated as “yesterday morning” in the August 13 paper), at his home in Leake-street, Peppermint Grove, Western Australia.
- Age at Death: 80 years old.
- Occupation: Founder and chairman of directors of Locke’s Ltd. (furniture warehousemen). Apprenticed to cabinet making in 1881. Arrived in Australia in 1889 and Western Australia in 1891.
- Civic/Social Roles: President of the W.A. Chamber of Manufactures, member of the W.A. Club and Rotary Club, secretary and treasurer of the Fremantle Wesley Church Trust for over 20 years.
- Relationships: Left a widow, one son (Alton Locke), three married daughters (Mrs. J. C. Clark, Mrs. C. H. Robinson, Mrs. H. H. Anson), and had a brother who was a former business partner.
Associated Individuals
- Alton Locke
- Role: Survivor
- Relationship: Son of Charles James Locke.
- Mrs. J. C. Clark
- Role: Survivor
- Relationship: Married daughter of Charles James Locke.
- Mrs. C. H. Robinson
- Role: Survivor
- Relationship: Married daughter of Charles James Locke.
- Mrs. H. H. Anson
- Role: Survivor
- Relationship: Married daughter of Charles James Locke.
- Unnamed Widow
- Role: Survivor
- Relationship: Wife of Charles James Locke.
- Unnamed Brother
- Role: Former business partner
- Relationship: Brother of Charles James Locke. Joined him in business two years after 1891.
Wayne and Sandra's Family History 