The Sun Christmas Edition 1902.
William Boxall operated as a Surgeon Dentist in the Goldfields for 14 years before moving his practice to Perth WA in 1909 due to his wife’s failing health. May Josephine Boxall (nee O’Brien) passed away on the 15 May 1920 at the age of 65 years. She was born in Victoria and came to WA with his husband 25 years prior. William died aged 85 years in 1947 and his buried with his wife in Karrakatta Cemetery Perth. They had three sons and two daughters.
The business premises above was located at the top end of Hannan Street, number 80, next door to what is now Monty’s Restaurant. The private residence is now the St Mary’s Catholic Church Presbytery on the corner of Porter and Brookman Street Kalgoorlie. William bought the house from the estate of the late Dr Maxwell in 1902.
The Sun Kalgoorlie Sunday 28 December 1902, page 3
The above advertisement states:-
Mr William Boxall, whose private home, workshop and shop are here portrayed, learned his profession in McGregors, Collins Street, Melbourne Victoria. He spent in all eleven years which included his apprenticeship and the time he worked as an assistant. Severing his connections with Melbourne he traveled to Sydney NSW and there worked for Dr Arthur Cox of Macquarie St and Dr A Bennett of George Street.
Feeling that he could now go out on his own, he turned his face to the west and came to this state in 1897. His first place of business in Kalgoorlie was in Lindell’s Chambers, a small office which served as shop and surgery. They they (as Mrs Boxall was with him in all his moves) went across the road to a small iron shop where the WA Bank now stands. Success followed closely and soon they were able to build the comfortable and commodious premises they now occupy.
The location of the surgery in 1902 – Photo 2019
Four competent workmen are kept busily engaged in the mechanical department – one special gold worker, and the others all qualified mechanics. Showing their faith in the district, Mr and Mrs Boxall have now taken a long lease with the option to purchase, the residence of the late Dr Maxwell in Porter st, Kalgoorlie. It is only fair to mention that much of Mr Boxall’s success is due to the popularity of Mrs Boxall, who is never tired of well doing. She is in the forefront of every charitable movement, and does a lot of good work outside as well as assisting her husband in his business.
William Boxall
From the Cyclopedia of Western Australia:
William Boxall, dental surgeon of Barrack Street Perth, is the son of the late Mr Alfred Boxall, brewer of Lithgow, NSW and comes from an old English family. Born in Invercargill, New Zealand on Nov 18th 1861. He received his education in various schools in the Victorian capital and in his early teens he became apprenticed to the well know Collins Street dentist, Mr D McGregor. Having assiduously applied himself to the practice of dentistry under this gentleman, he continued with him for eleven years and then a subsequent three years in Sydney NSW with Drs Arthur Cox and Bennett.
In 1897 he came to Western Australia and, on proceeding to Kalgoorlie, he set up an extensive practice for fourteen years. At the end of that period he left the Goldfields and established himself at 134 Barrack St, Perth where he has since practiced his profession.
Mr Boxall is an honorary life member of the Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society, he belongs to the Celtic Club and is Vice president of the Perth Rifle Club. However, he favorite occupation is motoring and he is an active member of the Automobile Club.
In 1893 he married May Josephine, daughter of the late Mr James O’Brien of Daylesford Victoria. The couple have three sons and two daughters.
Moya Sharp
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