A Vet in the House –

We have identified another Kalgoorlie House. This is the residence of Austen Harry Bradley, Veterinary Surgeon, 17 Brookman Street, Kalgoorlie. Sadly the house on this block today, although old, is not the original building in the photograph. Mr Bradley had an area at the rear of the building where he was able to hold animals for treatment. He was the official vet for the local council and took care of all the police horses. After 1913, Mr Bradley moved his practice to Perth near the West Perth Subway.

A H Bradley, Veterinary Surgeon –  5 Brookman St, Kalgoorlie – 14 Apr 1902

In 1907 he was the first to import a special operating table that could be used for large animals. In the following photographs, Mr Bradley, centre, shows how a police horse could be positioned for an operation.

Kalgoorlie Miner 16 October 1899, page 6

Horse Crush – Photo SLWA

Mr Bradley was to be the appointed vet for the WATC (West Australian Trotting Club) and was very involved in the racing community as the official vet. However, he was never know to place a bet on a horse.

A H Bradley in 1947 -Western Mail 1 August 1946, page 29

A Long Time Ago

Sunday Times 13 December 1903, page 12

Call and Bauley’s Weekly Jul 1941 – Just think, 45 long years. That’s how long ago it is since veterinary surgeon Mr. A. H. Bradley first hit Kalgoorlie, he then ‘humped his bluey’ to Nannine. He was to establish a veterinarian practice in Kalgoorlie until 1913, when he saw ‘Somnambulist’ win the Kalgoorlie Cup. He then moved to Perth where he set up in practice in Loftus Street where he had one of the first fully heated facilities for cats and dogs.

Naturally, he always promised himself he’d go back to the old town, but he never did until four years ago. Dr. Arkle happened to be making the trip by car (no petrol rationing then),so the vet went with him. That was the year ‘Favourite Son’ won the cup, and as Mr Bradley observed, what a failure that good sort turned out to be! Thirty years since he left the Goldfields and he’s not hankering to go back again.

Austen Harry Bradley was to die in West Perth on the 11th Sep 1960 at the age of 87 yrs and was cremated, his ashes are in the Garden of Remembrance in the Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth. It is believed that Mr Bradley never married. He was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England in 1874 to Reuben and Mary Bradley. he was their eldest child.

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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