This wonderful photograph was taken at the rear of the ‘Fancy Goods Depot’ at 65 Bayley Street, Coolgardie. In the photograph are Annie Cecil, William James ‘Jim’ Cecil, and their two sons Clyde and Les Cecil. The photograph was taken in 1906 by Jack Bayley who was Annie’s Brother-in-law. The family ran this store for many years in Coolgardie. Annie also had a newsstand on the Coolgardie Railway platform. This photo was kindly shared by Maureen Herring who is the Great niece of Annie Cecil.
William James CECIL, always know as Jim, was born in 1869 at Upper Dargo Grant, Victoria to Henry CECIL and Eliza nee BOX. He was married twice, first to Emily Harris BICKELL in Dargo VIC in 1890. The couples first child was Leslie James Richard CECIL (standing in above photograph far right) born in Bendigo VIC in 1891 and their second child was Olive Hilda CECIL who was born in 1892 also in Bendigo VIC, but she died the following year.
Sadly Emily was also to pass away the year after her daughter in 1894 at the young age of 23yrs. This left Jim Cecil with a young child. On the 21st Jan 1897 in Bendigo VIC, Jim re married to Annie STEPHENS. They only had one child, Clyde CECIL born 1898 in Walhalla VIC (standing next to his father in above photograph).
Jim Cecil was to become a councilor in Coolgardie and played a large part in many civic activities in the town. His occupation was given as a miner but he also was the first person to run a local taxi service. James was also the Coolgardie Agent for ‘The Sun’ newspaper from Kalgoorlie. The family seem to have arrived in Coolgardie Western Australia in about 1898 when they first appear in the Post Office Directories living in Hunt Street, Coolgardie.
Kalgoorlie Miner2 September 1920, page 1
FUNERALS – THE LATE JAMES CECIL
On Saturday, August 21, a very old and esteemed resident of Coolgardie, Mr. James Cecil, passed away after a painful illness extending over four years. Mr. Cecil, who was born in Gippsland, Victoria, was for many years underground manager of the Long Tunnel Mine, Walhalla, Victoria.
After some years mining in South Africa, he came to Coolgardie in 1898, and was for some time manager of the Redemption Mine and afterwards of the Lady Robinson mine. Of lateryears he had carried on the business of newsagent, tobacconist, and general stationer, and was the first to own a public motor car in the town. In public life, Mr. Cecil was a councilor for many years, and took a deep interest in all matters connected with the welfare of the town. Mr. Cecil was also a member of the Golden Thistle Lodge of Freemasons, and was treasurer of the lodge for many years.
In spite of the inclement weather, the funeral, which was held on Sunday, was one of the largest which this town has witnessed for many years, testifying to the esteem in which he was held by all classes of the community. The hearse was preceded by about 40 Freemasons, belonging mainly to the Golden Thistle and Coolgardie lodges. The pallbearers were Messrs. A. Gibson (S.W. Golden Thistle). W. Dunham (S.W., Coolgardie), L. Pascoe (J.W. Golden Thistle), and H. H.. Terrel (J.W. Coolgardie). Immediately following the chief mourners were the members of the Coolgardie branch of the R.S.L. and the Boy Scouts. Among others following were the Mayor and Councilors, members of the clergy, and the heads of the Commonwealth and State departments of the town, and about 200 people on foot and 20 vehicles, after the funeral service was read by the Rev. R. Sullivan, J.W.M. Fry conducted the Masonic service, with full Masonic rites. A large number of floral tributes were sent.
Grave of William James ‘Jim’ CECIL – Coolgardie Cemetery – Photo Find a Grave
James had died at the young age of 54yrs on the 21st August 1920 in his home at 65 Bayley Street Coolgardie and is buried in the Coolgardie Cemetery. After his death his wife moved to Perth WA where she died in 1936.
Annie Cecil’s Grave in Karrakatta Cemetery Perth WA
Moya Sharp
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All True stories end in death—Earnest Hemingway