Frank Henry Winfield – pioneer profile

Frank Henry Winfield was born on 27 Dec 1881 in Gregory, South Australia. He was the son of Edmund James Blackeby WINFIELD (1849-1941) and Amelia Catherine TILLY (1846-1926). Frank was to marry Valitie Mary WIVELL on the 22nd Sep 1913 in Adelaide South Australia at the age of 32 yrs.

Wedding photograph of Frank Henry Winfield and Valetie “Lettie’ Mary WIVELL in SA 1923 – Photo SLWA

Prior to his return to South Australia to marry Valetie, Frank spent some years in Western Australia searching for tin in  Greenbushes between 1903 and 1905. He is shown in the following photograph in a football team in Greebbushes.

Greenbushes Australian football team portrait, Winfield in the front row, far left hand side, c 1905 – Photo SLWA

Four O’Clock Shift East Murchison Gold Mine, Frank Winfield in centre holding dog 1905. Photo SLWA

He later moved to the Murchison were he started working for the East Murchison Gold Mine. He is shown in the following photograph in the front centre holding a dog.

Finding out that it was more profitable to supply miners than to be one, he then opened two general stores in the twin towns of Sandstone and Black Range near Leinster.

Winfield & Co. store, Black Range, ca. 1906 – Photo taken by Frank Winfield

Winfield & Co., Sandstone, W.A., ca. 1906 – Photo taken by Frank Winfield.

To say that these stores had multiple of uses can be seen in the advertidsing on the front of the awnings. Some are, Auctioneers, Financier, Beer, Newsagent, Habidashery, fruit, cool drink, drapery, medicines and even a library. You will see that both stores are of the timber and hesian variety and easily dismantled and moved to a new location.

After his marriage Frank never returned to Western Australia, his three sons, Raymond born 1920, Frank Henry born 1923 and David Bruce born 1927 were all born in his home town where Frank himself died in 1953.

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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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