Herbert John Locke (1865–1944)

[Image courtesy of City of Fremantle History Centre – Reference number LH000125]

Herbert John Locke was born on 9 October 1865 in London, England, the son of John Locke and Mary Ann Searle. As the document notes, “Born in London to John and Mary A. Locke. By 1871, Herbert was five years old and living with his family in Lambeth.”

Shortly after his birth, Herbert was baptised on 19 November 1865 at St Mary’s Parish Church, Newington, Surrey, recorded as the son of John and Mary Ann Locke.

Early Life in London

The 1871 England Census places five‑year‑old Herbert at 89 Bramah Road, Lambeth, living with his family. The census entry lists him as “Herbert J Locke – Age: 5 – Relation: Son – Where born: London, Surrey, England.”

By 1881, Herbert—then aged fifteen—was living at 1 Merrow Cottage, Avondale Road, Camberwell with his mother, Mary Ann Locke. He was employed as a Messenger in a Wholesale House, and the census records his birthplace as Lambeth, Surrey.

Migration to Australia

In 1888, at the age of twenty‑three, Herbert left England. According to family notes, “Bert (H.J. Locke) sailed from England on the SS Liguria on 19 August 1888.”

He arrived in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney on 28 September 1888, listed as an English, single male, aged 23.

By 1892, Herbert was living in Melbourne, Victoria, at 54 Wright’s Terrace, Prahran, as recorded in the Sands Directory.

Marriage and Family

On 24 June 1893, Herbert married Ann Rachel White at Wesley Church, Fremantle, Western Australia. Newspaper notices confirm the date.

Together they had four children:

  • Doris Vera Locke
  • Herbert William Locke
  • Gladys Rosalie Locke
  • William Bertram Locke

Life in Western Australia

Herbert settled in East Fremantle, appearing in electoral rolls and directories from 1903, 1906, and 1925, and again in 1943. His long‑term residence was Woodlawn, 208 Canning Road, East Fremantle, a home referenced repeatedly in probate and will records.

International Travel

Herbert undertook several international journeys during his lifetime:

  • 1920: Departed Sydney on 14 January; arrived in San Francisco on 2 February aboard the Ventura, accompanied by C.J. Locke. The manifest describes him as “Male… Married… Age: 55… Height: 5 feet 11 inches… Fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair.”
  • 1920: Arrived in Southampton, England on 24 March aboard the Philadelphia, having departed New York.
  • 1920: Departed England on 21 August aboard the Ormonde and arrived back in Fremantle on 24 September.
  • 1936: Travelled from Auckland, New Zealand (29 April) to Vancouver, Canada (15 May).
  • Additional border crossings are recorded in Washington, USA, and New York.

Later Years and Death

Herbert executed his will on 1 August 1942, while living at Woodlawn, East Fremantle. Probate was granted in Perth in 1944.

He died on 23 August 1944 in Fremantle, Western Australia, and was buried at Palmyra, Melville City, Western Australia.

TIMELINE OF HERBERT JOHN LOCKE (1865–1944)

1865

  • 9 Oct – Born in London, England
  • 19 Nov – Baptised at St Mary’s, Newington, Surrey

1871

  • 2 Apr – Living at 89 Bramah Road, Lambeth“Herbert J Locke – Age: 5 – Relation: Son.”

1881

  • 3 Apr – Living at 1 Merrow Cottage, Avondale Road, Camberwell“Occupation: Messenger In Wholesale House.”

1888

  • 19 Aug – Departed England on SS Liguria
  • 28 Sep – Arrived in Adelaide, Melbourne & Sydney“Arrival Age: 23… Ship: Liguria.”

1892

  • Residence: 54 Wright’s Terrace, Prahran, Melbourne

1893

  • 24 Jun – Married Ann Rachel White, Wesley Church, Fremantle

1903–1906

  • Residence: Canning Road, East Fremantle

1920

  • 14 Jan – Departed Sydney
  • 2 Feb – Arrived San Francisco“Height: 5 Feet 11 Inches… Accompanied by: C. J. Locke.”
  • 24 Mar – Arrived Southampton from New York
  • 21 Aug – Departed England on Ormonde
  • 24 Sep – Arrived Fremantle

1925

  • Residence: East Fremantle

1936

  • 29 Apr – Departed Auckland
  • 15 May – Arrived Vancouver

1942

  • 1 Aug – Executed will at Woodlawn, 208 Canning Road

1944

  • Probate granted in Perth
  • 23 Aug – Died in Fremantle
  • Burial: Palmyra Cemetery

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