O is for Oil Colourman

Ernest Nichols was my great grandfather. Born in London in 1875, he migrated to Australia after his marriage in 1910.

As a young man, he was recorded in 1891 the Census. It records the Nichols family as living at 5 Hutton Grove, in Finchley. The family were recorded as William aged 42, Sgt Metropolitan Police; Jane aged 47; William aged 20 and John aged 19 both single and employed as clerks. Ellen aged 17, Ernest aged 16 employed as a Colour Oilman's Assistant, Jane aged 14 and Wilfred aged 11 a scholar and obviously still at school.  

1891 Census [PRO RG12/1057]

From what I can find, an Oil Colour Man was someone who manufactured paint, mixing the required colours. 

Not long after the Census, Ern went into the Bakery trade, and by the next census in 1901, he is listed a baker and bread maker. You can read more about that here.

M is for Mechanic

The letter M was easy. M stands for mechanic. Both my father and grandfather, plus my uncle, were mechanics.

William Robert Nichols was born in London in 1903 and migrated to Australia with his parents, as a young boy, eventually settling in Richmond NSW. Known as 'Bill' - he was apprenticed to Wally Heap who was an Auto Mechanic in Richmond, after he left school. When he finished his apprenticeship, he continued his studies, by completing correspondence courses.

Bill's certificate for Petrol Motors, 1921

Bill became interested in the potential of Riverstone and leased an old stable building opposite present Post Office in Garfield  Road and established a motor repair shop. In about 1927 he moved to a workshop partly occupied by Harry Williams a blacksmith, corner of Garfield Road and Carlton Streets besides Riverstone Park. He worked long hours and built his business and established the first purpose built garage, Nichols Service Station in Garfield Street in Riverstone, opening in 1935 the moved the business further up Garfield Road, opposite the Uniting Church. Read more about the Service Station here. Early on, Bill also drove hire cars, but that is another story. 

Bill’s eldest son, Geoff (born 1930) started work at the garage and then commenced his apprenticeship in 1946. As part of his training he attended Ultimo Tech. Geoff later worked at the Hunt Bros Ford Dealership in Parramatta.  

My father Ern (born 1932) named after his Grandfather, commenced in the workshop in 1947 with a pay of £1 per week. The following year he began his apprenticeship and attended Granville Tech, a mechanic’s apprentice at this time was over a period of 5 years. His apprentice pay increased to £1-7-6 per week. Working conditions were fairly basic in those days and Ern remembered having to do repairs under cars on shale and ash covered yards. 

L to R: Bill with Geoff, his father Ern and son Ern

Bill's father Ern, was a Baker by trade. When Bill had to serve World War 2, he managed the business, selling petrol and doing small jobs, to keep the business afloat for his son. The above image shows three generations working in the late 1940s.

Following the passing of Bill in 1958, Ern managed the service station. Geoff returned in the 1960s and the business expanded and continued in the family until 1986, when it was sold and the two brothers retired.

Nichols Service Station expanded opening larger premises in 1974

This is my contribution to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (#AtoZChallenge)

E is for ENGINEER

William Henry Nichols was the first born of William and Eliza Nichols, born in 1870 and my Great Grandfather, Ernest Nichols, brother.  When William was 21 he was listed as a clerk in the 1891 Census but by the time of the 1901 Census he was recorded as an Engineer.

In 1897 William married Pricilla Baltus and they had two sons. By 1899 they were living on Jersey but his 10 month old son, William Baltus, died in 1899 and wife Pricilla died in 1907.

In the 1911 and 1921 Census William was listed as an Engineer. He married a second time in 1909 to Mary Mabel Maud Single and another six children were born.  

Family stories state he worked on laying the underground cable across the channel. In 2010 I located information about William Thomas Henley's Telegraph works which provided details of William's employment with the Cable Manufacturer. Henley was also a pioneer of manufacturing telegraph and telephone cables. Henley died in 1882 before William worked at the company but the business continued for some years.

He was employed as a junior at the Telegraph Works Company Ltd in 1892. By 1895 he was transferred to the Estimating Department at North Woolwich and became the Department Head in 1900. He transferred to  the Contract estimating and appointed department Head. He was appointed with a silver rose bowl by the company in 1927, after being employed for 35 years. The high-profile company began making submarine cable in the 1850s. They also produced underground cables for the London United tramways. There is more about the company here  

W. T. Henley’s Telegraph Works Company Ltd, 1880-1932 scrapbook compiled by B. N. Purdie

Held at Porthcurno Telegraph Museum

William died 1 October 1934. His estate was worth £13,424.

This is my contribution to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (#AtoZChallenge)

B is for BAKER

My Great-Grandfather was a baker, he baked breads and cooked cakes. 

Ernest Nichols was born in 1875 in Islington, London the son of William Nichols and Jane nee Tucker. By the time he was 16, he was recorded as a Colour Oilmans Assistant. Shortly after, he became apprenticed as a baker.

In 1902, Ern married Annie Richardson, in Dalston. Annie was almost 20 years old, while Ern was seven years her senior. At the time of the marriage, Ern was listed as a baker, and they lived at “Lucerne” in Dale Grove, North Finchley. The year after the marriage, Ernest and Annie had their one and only child, William Robert.

Ern Nichols on the Bakery cart

From the late 1890s, Ern worked as a baker. He was employed by Henry Purvis who ran the North Finchley Hygenic Bakery at 81 High Street.  Purvis was a “high class cook and confectioner” although Purvis died in 1908, Ernest stayed on and worked for the executors. After a decade of marriage Ern and Annie made the decision that changed their lives irrevocably. They resolved to migrate to Australia, tickets were purchased and trunks packed. It would have been a difficult decision, leaving all that was familiar and travelled half way around the world. 

The Purvis Company supplied Ern with an excellent reference stating he was “leaving entirely of his own accord, to try his fortune in a new country.” He was considered “absolutely trustworthy and hard working” who had “an intelligent interest in anything he had in hand.”  

Reference for Ernest Nichols

Ern’s Recipe Book has survived and in it is recorded seven varieties of yeast, recipes for Queen cakes, Madeira Cake, Cornflour Cream Buns, Coconut Mac’s, Cheese Curd etc, all with large quantities suited for a bakery store. 

Ern and Annie originally settled at Tilba on the South Coast, they moved north, where Ern did a bakery run between Tweed Heads and Coolangatta, then eventually settling in Richmond, where he ran the Nichols Bakery and General Store located in Windsor Street, towards the end of WW1. 

Nichols Bakery & General Store, Richmond NSW

The family left Richmond in the 1920s and tried their luck at poultry farming in Schofields and then moved to Riverstone and lived at 20 Castlereagh Street. For some years, Ern was employed in the bakery business working for Charlie Fisher, doing the night shift. During the day he often worked for his son Bill who had established a Service Station in Riverstone. 

When Ern gave up work his asthma disappeared. He had suffered dreadfully throughout his life with the disease, often wheezing for hours on end. Not working with the flour dust in the bakeries must have helped. Son Bill passed away suddenly in March 1958 aged only 54 then Annie died of a broken heart in the December, they had been married for 56 years. 

After a long and fulfilling life. Ern died on the 26 July 1967, aged 92 years old. 

This is my contribution to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (#AtoZChallenge)

William Robert Nichols 1903-1958

Sixty years ago on March 9, our Grandfather William Robert Nichols passed away. Sadly he did not get much time to spend with his youngest daughter and grandchildren but his memory lives on. What was his story?

Born on 2 July 1903 in London, he was the much much-loved only child of Ernest Nichols & Annie nee Richardson. William (who was known as “Bill”) travelled with his mother, Annie to Sydney onboard the Scharnhorst, arriving on 7 February 1913. As his father had arrived earlier, in December 1912 on the Zicten they would have been met at the ship. 

Bill and Annie on the Scharnhorst

The family lived at Tilba Tilba for a while and you can read more about their time here. Bill’s cousins Ern and John Nichols joined them at the end of 1913. Bill attended school at Central Tilba and was still at school in November 1916. 

Annie, Bill and Ern at Tilba Tilba

The family moved north to Tweed Heads but eventually they settled in Richmond. Bill’s father Ern ran the Nichols Bakery and General Store which was located in Windsor Street, Richmond. Following his leaving school, Bill was apprenticed to Wally Heap who was an Auto Mechanic also in Richmond. He eventually learnt to drive and also drove hire cars for Wally Heap. During the 1920s Bill commenced a Hire Car Service in Richmond.

Around this time Bill met Florence Lucy Jennings, known as “Flo”. She was the eldest daughter of Charles Robert Jennings and Helena Bridget nee Smith.  Florence was born on the 16 September 1905 at Wyong. Her family had moved to Richmond from Wyong on the Central Coast in August 1921. Her father was sent to Richmond to assist with the establishment of the Sawmill near Richmond Railway Station. 

Bill's certificate for completing studies on petrol motors in 1921

Bill and Flo started keeping company and often went to dances together. Flo’s family moved to a property in Hamilton Road in Riverstone in June 1926 and established a poultry farm. Whilst visiting Flo and her family, Bill became interested in the potential of Riverstone and eventually moved there, leasing an old stable building opposite present Post Office in Garfield  Road. This was the first motor repair shop opened in Riverstone. 

Bill’s also owned an eight-seat Studebaker which was often in demand. Taking passengers to their destinations and also transporting car loads (in excess of his eight seats) to sporting events as well as to dances all over the district. In about 1927 Bill moved to workshop partly occupied by Harry Williams, Blacksmith, corner of Garfield Road and Carlton Streets besides Riverstone Park. He worked long hours from 8am to 8pm (often later) and closed only for a short period on Sundays but sometimes working all day Sunday when work demanded. 

Bill and Flo posing in their wedding finery 1929

On the 2 February 1929 Bill married Flo at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Riverstone. Cousin John Nichols was a witness and he also drove the wedding car. Flo’s sister Eileen Jennings was the other witness. Many photographs were taken at the wedding but unfortunately a young family member managed to pull the film out the camera and they were all lost. The couple dressed in their finery and travelled toa professional studio in Parramatta, and the above image was taken. Following their marriage they moved into 20 Castlereagh Street, Riverstone living with Bill’s parents Ern and Annie while saving for their own home. They lived together until 1939. The couple had four children:

• Geoffrey Alan 1930-2012
• Ernest Charles 1932-2004
• Warren Ellis 1935-1977 
• Janice Ann 

Bill progressed with his business and established the first purpose built garage, Nichols Service Station in Garfield Street in Riverstone, opening in 1935. Read more about the Service Station here. 

Bill, Geoff, Ern and Ernie at Nichols Service Station, in Riverstone early 1950s

Bill was able to build a new “all electric” home for his young family. Hostilities of the World War II commenced on the 3 September 1939 and the Nichols family moved into their new home in Pitt Street, Riverstone on the 12 September 1939. It was around this time that Bill was approached and joined the Masonic Lodge.

Bill in uniform.

Things became difficult as the war developed, with Bill joining the VDC (Volunteer Defence Corp) in Riverstone. Early in 1942 he enlisted in the A.I.F. and was a mechanic/fitter in the Australian Armoured Division, and served his time in the north-west including places such as Alice Springs and Marble Bar. He was always disappointed not to have been in action. 

Towards the end of the war, he applied for a discharge as he was very concerned with his father’s health. His father, affectionately known around the town as “Pop” was now seventy years of age and had looked after the business single-handed, whilst Bill was away. 

Bill planned to relocate his business and other venues were investigated  and with foresight he eventually purchased the block next to Tozer's old house, opposite Oxford Street. In the mid-1950s he obtained the Chrysler Peugeot agency and also sold second hand cars. Bill enjoyed his family life and would take the family on annual holidays mainly by the beach, to places such as the Central Coast, The Entrance, and south at Sussex Inlet. He loved fishing as well. He also liked to draw and attended some classes by correspondence.

Both Bill and Flo became very ill in the late 1950s with flu, as a result Bill developed heart trouble and the relocation plan was set aside. Following a short illness, William Robert Nichols passed away suddenly on the 9 March 1958, as a result of myocarditis, heart disease. He was only 54 years of age at the time of his death. He was cremated and his ashes are at Rookwood. 

I never had the opportunity to meet my Grandfather, as he died a few years before I was born. As I look into his eyes in old photographs, I feel a strong connection. His stories have been shared with family and his story lives on. A quiet and thoughtful man, he was well-loved and his memory is still treasured by his family.

TROVE TUESDAY - THE NICHOLS FAMILY IN TILBA

I have often searched for information about my Great Grandparents in Australian newspapers without a lot of success. Recently I was able to discover several pieces of information about Ern and Annie Nichols that I wasn't aware of. 

Following a decade of marriage Ern and Annie and their son William Robert, resolved to migrate to Australia. With the decision made, Ern resigned from his job in Finchley. As a baker with the Purvis Company, the manager supplied Ern with an excellent Reference. It stated that Ern was leaving entirely of his own accord, to try his fortune in a new country. The reference stated, "we are very sorry and very reluctant to lose his services and we have no hesitation in recommending him for any position suited to his abilities and capacity. We consider him absolutely trustworthy and hard working and have always found him to take an intelligent interest in anything he had in hand."

The couple were unable to travel on the same ship so Ern travelled on the "Zicten" in December 1912 to make preparations while Annie and young Will arrived a few months later, February 1913, on the "Scharnhorst."  

Ern and Annie settled at Central Tilba, the small timber town situated on the South Coast of NSW, and where their young son Will attended school. 

Will's class at Central Tilba. He is identifiable on the right - nicely marked with blue pen by his mother, Annie.
Photo: Nichols Archive

Several newspapers articles recently located online in Trove Digitised Newspapers provide some more insight into their first few years in Australia.

Ern established a bakery and it was reported that he produced exceptional loaves of bread.  In October 1914 it was reported that local baker Mr. Nichols, had established a small-goods in connection with his bakery.

The Cobargo Chronicle 16 October 1914 p. 2

On Saturday 12 June 1915 Mr Juleff conducted a clearance sale at Central Tilba, on behalf of Ern. The sale included household items, furniture and effects. One wonders what was sold in the sale and whether these were items that family had brought from England? A list of the effects is in the advertisement below.

Advertising from The Cobargo Chronicle 28 May 1915, p. 2 

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It appears the family moved to Cobargo with Ern giving up the Bakery. However just a few weeks later (mid-July) he returned to Central Tilba and re-opened his business.

The family settled into the small village getting involved in community life. They attended an Allies Day event in November 1915 and Ern was recorded as donating five shillings. Over £70 was collected by residents.Will attended a fancy dress in June 1914 and dressed as an Indian and participated in a number of school events including a concert in September 1915 where he sang 'Advance Australia Fair'. In August 1915 more money was raised, almost £200, in Tilba with Ern donating four shillings.

Annie, Will and Ern, thought to be taken at Tilba.

Photo: Nichols Archive

Afterwards the family moved north to Tweed Heads where Ern did a bakery run between Tweed Heads and Coolangatta. Later the family moved to Richmond, but that's another story.

Bate Street, Central Tilba by William Henry Corkhill
Courtesy National Library of Australia

Postscript: The Bate family was one of the pioneering families of Tilba. The local MP, Jeff Bate more than likely attended school with Will. He married Dame Zara Holt in 1969. She was the widow of Prime Minister Harold Holt, who went missing in 1967 presumed drowned, although his body was never recovered.

After the Nichols family left, little changed in Central Tilba, so much so that in 1974 the whole town was classified by the National Trust.

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Sources
(1915, September 17). The Cobargo Chronicle, p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109723957
(1914, October 16). The Cobargo Chronicle, p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109722934
(1915, November 26). The Cobargo Chronicle, p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109724202

(1915, June 11). The Cobargo Chronicle, p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109723616
(1915, August 13). The Cobargo Chronicle, p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109723825
(1915, July 16). South Coast Times & Wollongong Argus, p. 26. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141644123
(1915, May 28). The Cobargo Chronicle, p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109723569

Annie Nichols nee Richardson (1882-1958)

Annie, young Bill and Ern at Tilba, Nichols family archives

My great-grandmother, Annie Richardson was born on the 25 October 1882 at Avenue Road Acton in Middlesex. She was the daughter of William and Mary Richardson. Annie's mother, Mary nee Potts died in 1888 aged 46. The cause of death was Uterine cancer. Annie was only five years old. She was recorded in the 1891 census living with Robert Faircloth (1833-1917) who along with wife Helena (1832-1909) reared Annie. In the 1901 Census Annie is listed as their adopted daughter. Family stories allege they were her Aunt and Uncle but to date no family connection has been found. 

Annie Richardson's birth certificate, Nichols Family archives

By the early 1900s Annie was living in Finchley with her Aunt and Uncle whilst working as a waitress. Around this time Annie met Ernest Nichols and after seeing each other for a while, they decided to marry. Ern was a baker and was born on 28 February 1875 at 7 Hornsey Street Islington, the son of William Nichols (1848-1926) a Police Sergeant and Jane Eliza nee Tucker (1843-1914). At the time of their marriage Annie was almost 20 years old whilst Ern was seven years her senior at 27. The couple married 22 September 1902 at St. Phillip's, Dalston MDX. The witnesses of the marriage were Robert N. F. Richardson and Amy Richardson. Amy was Annie's sister. Robert apparently reared Annie. 

It is not known where Ern and Annie resided immediately after their marriage but eventually they lived at "Lucerne" in Dale Grove, North Finchley. (Ern’s parents William and Jane Nichols also lived in North Finchley). From the 1890s, Ern was employed as a baker by Henry Purvis who ran the “North Finchley Hygienic Bakery” at 81 High Street. Purvis was a high class cook and confectioner although he died on the 18 February 1908 aged 71 years, Ernest stayed on and worked for the Executors of the Purvis' estate. 

The only surviving child of Ernest and Annie was William Robert, born 2 July 1903 in London. Sadly for the couple they were destined to only have one child although Annie apparently suffered numerous miscarriages. They appeared to have a close bond. Once Annie and son Bill went on a trip to Brighton and in a postcard, Annie wrote: ......shall be so glad to be back with you dear! Love and kisses from Sonny and myself, your loving wife, Annie.

Annie's postcard to her husband, Nichols Family archives 

Following a decade of marriage Ern and Annie made the decision that would change both of their lives irrevocably. They resolved to migrate to Australia. There are several family stories passed down giving the reason behind this choice; firstly to put as much distance as possible between Ern and his interfering mother; secondly the warmer climate would better suit Ern's asthma. Whether there is any truth behind these rumours, is not known, but tickets were purchased and trunks packed. It would have been a difficult decision, to leave all that was familiar, friends, family, birthplace to travel half way around the world to the strange and exotic destination of Australia. The Manager of the Purvis Company supplied Ern with an excellent Reference. The Manager stated that Ern was leaving us entirely of his own accord, to try his fortune in a new country and they were very sorry and very reluctant to lose his services. They had no hesitation in recommending him for any position suited to his abilities and capacity. They considered him absolutely trustworthy and hard working and found him to take an intelligent interest in anything he had in hand.   

Ern's handwritten Recipe Book has survived and in it is recorded seven varieties of Yeast, recipes for Queen cakes, Madeira cake, Cornflour Cream Buns, Coconut Mac's, Cheese curd etc.

Apparently Ern could not purchase tickets for the family on the same ship, so he went on his own, the plan being for him to establish a starting place. He departed on the 27 October 1912 from London on the Zicten. The ticket cost £17 and was for an Open berth, for males only.  Ern was listed on the Passenger List as Ernest Nicholos (sic) and his occupation was 'butcher' to the clerk recording these details, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, probably did not concern him a great deal. Never realising that years later people would be researching family history and be sent into a quandary about conflicting information! Ern possibly did not know anyone when he arrived in Sydney and would have been most definitely missing his family, particular as it was the festive season of Christmas. It must have come as a shock celebrating Christmas in the heat of summer rather than the cold winter season he was used to.

Bill with Annie on the Scharnhorst which arrived in Sydney in 1913, Nichols family archives

Annie and young William travelled later on the Scharnhorst. They left England on the 22 December 1912 and 47 days later arrived in Sydney, on the 7 February 1913. The Scharnhorst carried a total 211 crew and 478 passengers on the journey they travelled with the Reverend Ellis and family. Annie was very appreciative of the family's concern and always spoke very kindly of the Ellis family. Annie's grandson Warren Ellis was named after the Reverend and other family throughout the years have also been given the name.

On arrival the family spent time looking for a suitable climate for Ern's asthma, they travelled north to Coolangatta before spending time in Tilba and so began their life in Australia.

Sources:

• Reference for Ernest Nichols from H. Purvis business, North Finchley 22 Oct 1912
• Inwards Passengers List  28 Jan-15 Mar 1913,  SR Reel 2070
• Recipe Book, compiled by Ern Nichols, Nichols family archives
• 1891 Census, 1901 Census