Howard Brydon SMITH
Born 22 October 1976 in Fords, South Australia [55]
Son of James Neilson SMITH and Isabella GRAHAM [55]
Worked on Sidney KIDMAN's Victoria River Station on the Victoria River in the north of Western Australia [4: 20-Dec-1957]
Bookkeeper and Supervisor for John F. HEARN on Gabyon Station in the Murchison district of Western Australia [P2]
Shifted with John F. HEARN and continued to work for him as bookkeeper when he moved to Woopenatty Station in Arrino [P2]
Following the tragic and accidental death of John F. HEARN in 1910 he managed the station for Mrs Elizabeth Jane HEARN [P2]
Manager of Woopenatty Station in Arrino 1910-1947 [6] [19]
Member of the Arrino and Dudawa Farmers Progress Association in 1911 [9: 14-Apr-1911]
Attended the Basket Social & Dance at the Agricultural Hall in Three Springs in aid of the Red Cross on 30 July 1915 [10: 6 & 13-Aug-1915]
During Social purchased for 21/- small Australian flags that had been made and donated, the proceeds going to the Red Cross [10]
In 1918 donated a horse to be raffled to increase the funds being raised in Three Springs for the Red Cross Society [10: 21-Jun-1918]
Donated £1/1/- to the Three Springs Saint Patrick's Day Committee in 1919, and 10/6 in 1925 [124]
Vice President of the Picnic Race Meetings held in Three Springs on Saint Patrick's Day on 17 March 1925 and 17 March 1928 [124]
Described by Herbert B. FAWCETT in 1927 as "such a reliable obliging man" [144]
Married Elizabeth Jane HEARN nee FREEMAN on 7 October 1927 at the Archbishop's residence in Adelaide, South Australia [55]
Farmer of Earra Farm in Arrino 1928-1957 [144]
Attended the conference in Three Springs on 2 March 1928 to discuss the formation of a Road Board in Three Springs [4: 10-Mar-1928]
Following the Arrino Race Club's race meeting attended the evening Ball in the Arrino Hall on Thursday 4 April 1929 [4: 13-Apr-1929]
Committee Member of the Yandanooka branch of the Primary Producers' Association in 1930 [4: 3-May-1930]
A spark from his truck started a fire on his property that destroyed all of his wheat crop on Thursday 17 November 1932 [5: 25-Nov-1932]
Despite over 80 people trying to beat the flame it spread and destroyed crops, livestock, buildings and fences on nearby farms [5]
The truck that caused the fire almost caught alight as himself and others were beating the flames however was saved just in time [5]
Locals battled the blaze through the remainder of the day and night, finally bringing it under control except for burning logs [5]
Won 1st prizes for Three Fat Shorn Merino Wethers and for Potatoes at the Three Springs Agricultural Show in 1935 [5: 27-Sep-1935]
In October 1935 sold two cows for £10/7/6, four steers for £9/12/6, one heifer for £3/2/6, and two bullocks for £12/17/6 [5: 25-Oct-1935]
During September 1936 the Three Springs Road Board formed and gravelled the railway crossing to his property [5: 4-Sep-1936]
Won 2nd prize for Three Fat Shorn Merino Wethers at the Three Springs Agricultural Show on 17 September 1936 [5: 25-Sep-1936]
Vice President of the Three Springs Agricultural Society in 1937 [5: 25-Mar-1937]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Arrino resident Mrs Isabella ANGEL at the Three Springs Cemetery on 5 January 1943 [4: 9-Jan-1943]
Passed away at the age of 81 years at the North Midlands District Hospital in Three Springs [24]
Died December 1957; buried Three Springs General Cemetery, Three Springs (Methodist, Plot 28) [24]
From The Irwin Index newspaper, Friday 20 December 1957:
Late Howard Smith Held an Undimmed Faith in the State
"In the North Midlands District Hospital at Three Springs on Friday last there passed away after a comparatively brief illness a man who was directly connected with a stage of development of this State whish is very rapidly assuming the shadowy form of history known as the "Pioneering Days". Eighty one years ago Howard Brydon Smith was born in Kapunda, a small town in South Australia, where he was a friend and contemporary - albeit much younger - of Sidney Kidman, later to become knighted and famous as the "Cattle King" of Australia. The Smith family owned a fine and very valuable property near Kapunda, which however did not contain sufficient scope for a large family of six boys, some of whom were thus prompted to follow their fortunes in other states. The grandfather and founder of the family was still living when Howard was born in 1876, he being one of that courageous band of pioneer adventurers who played an important part in the founding of the infant colony of South Australia. As a young man Howard Smith entered the service of Elder, Smith and Company Limited, but was induced by Kidman to abandon that career for a life on the open plains of the far north. Kidman found for him a position on the Victoria River Station, a cattle property in the north of Western Australia and situated - as the name implies - on the Victoria River some distance from Wyndham. The experience on this property, which had but recently been purchased by Kidman, made an indelible impression on the mind of a young man who ever afterwards regarded that northern area as the most fertile land in Australia.
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Howard Brydon Smith' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 26 December 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/howard-brydon-smith [reference list] |
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