Frederick Neave LANCHESTER (c. 1900-1987)

Frederick Neave LANCHESTER, son of Horace LANCHESTER (1872-1954) and Eliza Jane SHELDRAKE (1870-1953), was born c. 1900 in Palgrave, Suffolk. He appeared in the census in 1901 at Bury Road in Palgrave - 11 mos, living with parents Horace (29, horseman on farm) and Eliza (29), and brother Horace G (5).¹ He appeared in the census in 1911 at Chase's Farm Bury Road in Palgrave - 10, scholar, living with parents Horace (38, working farm bailiff) and Eliza (38), and sister May (5).² On 18 Oct 1924 he left London. home address given as Church Road, Brome, Norfolk, a farm labourer, bound for Melbourne, Australia, on board the "Ormuz" (3rd class), a ship of the Orient Shipping Line, the voyage taking 35 days.³ On 18 Jul 1929 Frederick arrived at London. on board the "Baradine", proposed home address Church Road, Brome, Suffolk.⁴ On 18 Jan 1930 Frederick left London. home address given as Church Road, Brome, Norfolk, a farm workerer, bound for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on board the "Orford" (3rd class), a ship of the Orient Shipping Line.³ On 5 Sep 1932 Frederick. Frededrick from Toolamba, Victoria was assaulted by an itinerant labourer William Barrett in Shepparton, Victoria, Australia. Newspaper reported it on 08.09.1932.⁵ On 8 Sep 1932 there was a newspaper report: Shepparton [Victoria, Australia] Advertiser, Thursday, 8th September 1932. Page 3

SALUTARY PENALTY

Six Months’ Imprisonment

ON TWO CHARGES

STEALING AND ASSAULT

Before the Police Magistrate (Mr. E. R. Stafford), and Messrs G. V. Furphy and W. McMillan and Mrs. O. A. Hicken, at Shcp- parton court on Monday afternoon last, William Barrett, a laborer of no fixed place of abode, appeared on two distinct charges - the theft of five bags of oranges, the property of Louis James Michel, of Benalla Road, Shepparton, orchardist, and of as saulting Frederick Lanchester, a farm laborer of Toolamba.

Inspector A. H. Grove conducted the police prosecution.

Defendant, who was undefended, pleaded guilty to the first charge and not guilty to the second.

Mr. L. J. Michel said he identified the oranges produced as his property, which he valued at £2/10/.

Questioned by Mr. Stafford, defendant admitted- having arranged for the disposal of the fruit before he had taken it.

Consideration of a penalty was deferred, pending the hearing of the second charge of assault, to which defendant pleaded not guilty.

Frederick Lanchester, of Toolamba, farm laborer, employed by Mr. Alexander, who entered the witness box bearing facial injuries, deposed that defendant asked permission to re move certain wood from his employer's property. Witness refused and defendant made use of abusive language; threw down the axe he was carrying and made a dive at witness, who fell to the ground. He was hit on the nose and right eye and sustained other facial injuries.

By Defendant: I cannot say whether you wore a coat, but I identify you by your face.

Senior Constable J. H. Tysoe, of Mooroopna, said Lanchester-had re ported the assault. He appeared to be in a dazed condition and his left eye was swollen.

Plainclothes Constable Robt. Lickley, of Shepparton, said Lanchester had positively identified defendant as the man who bad assaulted him. Defendant said that Lanchester was making a mistake of identity.

Defendant gave sworn evidence that Sam Scott and he went to see a cob ber at Mooroopna hospital.

Mr. Stafford: What sort of thing in a cobber—a snake ?

Defendant: No; a friend. We went a mile and a half the other side of Mooroopna along the Toolamba road, and cut some wood, but we never saw Lanchester and I did not assault him. He is making a mistake.

Mr. Stafford: You are convicted of a dastardly assault. What have you to say that the maximum penalty should not be imposed on you?

Defendant; I have a job ready to go to - woodchopping. I have been out for a month and have been trying to go straight.

Mr. Stafford said the bench would take a serious view of both cases. Defendant had assaulted a man do ing his duty and protecting his employer’s property, while in the other he had stolen oranges from an orchardist. Fruitgrowers had much to contend with and it was the court's duty to protect them from theft at a time when they were expecting some return.

Defendant would be fined £10 in default three months' imprisonment on each charge.

Defendant applied for time to pay. Mr. Stafford: How long do you require ?

Defendant: I might be able to pay it if I’m given three months.

The police opposed time to pay.

Mr. Stafford: Your application is refused. You will be given no time to pay, but the police will afford you every assistance. If you can’t find the £20 you will have to go to gaol.⁵

Frederick married Elizabeth Ann DAWS c. 1935 in Victoria, Australia.⁶ In 1946 the Electoral Register showed him living at 217 Cardigan Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - occupation cleaner. In 1963 the Electoral Register showed him living at 151 Barry Street, Melbourne, Australia - occupation cleaner.⁷ In 1967 the Electoral Register showed him living at 59 Derby Street Newmarket, Melbourne, Australia - occupation labourer.⁸ Frederick died on 13 Jul 1987 in Kensington, Victoria, Australia.⁹ He was buried on 16 Jul 1987 in Fawkner, Victoria, Australia. - Fawkner Memorial Park (Church of England), Moreland City, Victoria, Grave 1175. Frederick had his estate probated on 11 Aug 1987 in Kensington - occupation given as 'gentleman', a good living man.

Elizabeth Ann DAWS, daughter of William Robert DAWS ( - ) and Emily Mildred WATTS ( - ), was born c. 1909 in Tarnagulla, Victoria, Australia. In 1946 the Electoral Register showed her living at 217 Cardigan Street - occupation home duties. In 1963 the Electoral Register showed her living at 151 Barry Street, Melbourne, Australia - occupation home duties.⁷ Elizabeth died c. 1965 in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia - aged 55 years.¹⁰ She was cremated on 25 Jan 1965 in Fawkner. - Fawkner Memorial Park, Church of England S, Garden Of Remembrance 3 Wall Niches, Section 4, Wall K, Niche 194.¹⁰ She and Frederick Neave LANCHESTER had the following children: