In 1996, (yes, I really do keep my mail from that long ago ♥), I was in correspondence (by mail of course), with a lady called Helen Saunders from Figtree in NSW. She was asking if I could look into her Grandparent’s time in Kalgoorlie to see what I could find about them. She very kindly enclosed the following wonderful photograph of the family taken in Kalgoorlie c 1915.
John Edwin KAYE with wife Isabella nee MAIN and two of their children Isabella Jean Cameron and Jack Douglas, taken c 1915 – Photo Helen Saunders.
Unfortunately, my reply to her has been lost, but it seems that I did reply as I received a second letter, so I thought it best to start again from scratch with what she told me which was:
Helen’s Grandfather, John Edwin Kaye, was born in Sale, VIC in 1883. John travelled to Western Australia with his parents and he was aged just 17yrs when his father, Edwin Kaye, died in Fremantle WA in 1899 leaving his wife Annie to bring up their two children, John Edwin and Annie Margaret. John was to study hard and first became an accountant for the Swan Breweries and then Manager and part owner of the Union Brewery in Kalgoorlie. He was living at 36 Hanbury Street, Kalgoorlie when he married Isabella Sommerville-Hay MAIN in Perth WA in 1909. She was from Dubbo in NSW and was a nurse at the Fremantle Hospital.
Union Brewery Kalgoorlie – Photo SLWA
Helen said that the family story was that John was an ‘aide-de-camp’ to Sir Benjamin Franklin. At John and Isabella’s wedding, Isabella was given away by a Mr Franklin and the wedding reception was held at the Franklin home in Perth so there may be some truth in this, but I have not been able to confirm it.
The couple’s first child, Isabella was born in Fremantle WA before Isabella joined John in Kalgoorlie and moved briefly into the house at 36 Hanbury Street, Kalgoorlie. When Isabella moved to Kalgoorlie, for some reason, the entire contents of the house at 36 Hanbury Street were sold including everything from furniture to crockery. The family then moved to 54 Lewis Street, Lamington. This house is still there at this address although much altered.
As well as his managerial work with the Union Brewery, John also was involved in gold mining and had part ownership of a lease in Broad Arrow called the Territoria Gold Mine.
Union Brewery Kalgoorlie Advertisement – Photo SLWA
The Kaye Children:
Isabella Jean Cameron KAYE born 6 Jun 1910 in Fremantle WA
Jack Douglas KAYE born 26 Jun 1913 Kalgoorlie WA
Gordon Peter KAYE born 1916 Kalgoorlie WA
While on a visit to Perth in 1916, John Kaye was staying at the ‘Weld Club’ when he fell from the second-story balcony while walking in his sleep. He sustained severe injuries after a fall of 30 feet and was removed to a private hospital where he made a favourable recovery. He was to return to Kalgoorlie in time for the birth of his third and last child. The injuries he received were to trouble him for the rest of his life.
The family lived at 54 Lewis street until 1919 when they returned to live in NSW. Sadly John and Isabella divorced in 1933. John passed away in 1939 aged 56 yrs, and Isabella died aged 89 in 1973 both in NSW.
Moya Sharp
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Dear Moya, it’s amazing what an influence the Kalgoorlie- Boulder area has had on the history of WA. I remember learning about the 1890’s goldrushes, at school, but at the time, had no idea that some of my ancestors had lived in those regions: Rohlk’s fruit and vegetable; Oates ( Herbert ) bootmaker and Kal-B fire brigade member, and Appelt ( George ). I believe there was also Union Brewery in Newcastle St , West Perth. Would be very interested to learn more about these family members if you have the time or come across their names. Regards, June Roe.