This collection contains sample letters written by Herbert John Locke, held at the State Library of Western Australia.
The sample is referenced as ACC 10305A/1 – 1930, and includes letters from Herbert to William Bertram Locke and Marjorie Locke. The topics range from everyday family and farm life to banking matters and Christmas plans.
Most of the letters were written by Herbert John Locke (1865–1944) to his son William Bertram Locke (1904–1987) and occasionally to his daughter‑in‑law Marjorie Locke (née Leishman), who were farming at Bruce Rock. Herbert’s letters span the years 1931–1944. There are also a few letters from Herbert’s daughter, Gladys Rosalie Locke MBE (1898–1990), addressed to William and Marjorie. These are undated, but based on their content, they were likely written during the 1930s and 1940s.
Herbert was born in London and migrated to Melbourne in 1887, later settling in Fremantle in 1892. That same year he married Ann Rachael White (1873–1951). They had four children:
- Doris Vera Franklin (née Locke), born 1894
- Herbert John, born and died in 1896
- Gladys, born 1898
- William, born 1904
A transcript of the attached letters is provided below.
“E. Fremantle 6th Nov 30. Dear Bill, As I suppose you will be back at Bruce Rock soon I thought I would write to you this week as well as to Tom, If I get word that you have returned by Wednesday next I propose to come up on Friday as the following week I will have the election in and after that we will be close on to Christmas, We all hope that you and Marjory have had a very happy time, and from Marjorys letters I judge that you have done so, I have arranged to call at Mr Zeismans to bring up as many of the presents as I can in the car, Whitton must have been advised that his claim was a dud as I have had no further word from him Love to Marjory from us all H Locke”
“East Fremantle Nov 14th 30 Dear Bill I am sorry that I am writing too late for you to get on Saturday, but I have been very busy this week. as I suppose you are, I am enclosing a cheque for wages to this Saturday, also the furniture account which I would like you to pay promptly, as it is only fair to take short credit where the prices are cut, I also enclose a statement, with regards to my portion of the furniture &c also the board for the two men to date. you will see that I have deducted the £25 sent to Adelaide also Brans a/c which I paid, the balance £25. 12. 10 I am paying into your Fremantle account, I think that I have”
“made it clear, Re bags I can get them at present @ 8/- I got an order from Mr Parker for Sainsbury and I am to have them at that figure if they have stocks when we want them. so if you have decided anything about it you can let me know. During the week we have had news that Alan and Vera have become engaged, so you will be able to hang Allans curtains soon, there is very little news here, I am not sure yet if I am to be opposed for the position of Mayor. the other side are counting up their chances I do not think that it will make the election harder for me for it to be a double one, I suppose Marjory is quite expert now in house management Hoping that everything is OK and with love to Marjory from Mother and your aff Father H Locke”
“East Fremantle 20th Nov – 30 Dear Bill Your letter to hand. sorry to hear the sad news that the Bank could not go on paying out more than you put in, I have seen the manager this morning he said that your credit balance was £38 not £52 as you state in your letter and there may be some more cheques that you have lost count of – Well I have arranged with him to pay the cheque for the furniture the account not then to be operated upon by drawing out until the fixed deposit becomes due. Of course anything can be paid in The Bank will forward”
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