James Ewart (Weidenhofer) Malcolm

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1 James Ewart (Weidenhofer) Malcolm Ewart changed his name to James Ewart Malcolm in 1920 Born 29 Jun 1900 Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia Died 15 Dec 1951 Hollywood, Western Australia, Australia Cremated 18 Dec 1951 Karrakatta, Western Australia, Australia Married 18 Apr 1935 West Perth, Western Australia, Australia Ottilie Ellen Exell Born 5 Jul 1907 Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Australia Died 18 Jun 1986 Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia Cremated 21 Jun 1986 Karrakatta, Western Australia, Australia James Ewart Weidenhofer was the second child of Wilhelm Weidenhofer and Minnie Malcolm. He was christened James Ewart but was known to his friends and family, as Ewie. About 1904 Wilhelm, Minnie, and their two children (Elsa and Ewie) moved to Albany in Western Australia. The Albany Advertiser newspaper reported the annual Government School prizes where Ewie was awarded the Attendance Prize for Standard 2 in 1909 and the Boys Vegetable Plot for Standard 3 in Ewie was active in local sport, during 1919 and 1920, as there are several articles referring to Ewart Weidenhofer playing in both the cricket and football teams. During the First World War, Ewie served in the Naval Reserve as a signalman at Albany. Messages were sent and received from ships using heliographs positioned on the top of Mount Clarence. For departing convoys that were observing radio silence, the flashing light from the signal station at Albany was their last point of contact with Australia. At this time most shipping visited or passed close to Albany. On Thursday 15 July 1919, the Albany Advertiser reported on a special Naval welcome home function held in the Town Hall. The function was to suitably entertain members of His Majesty s Navy who may be passing through Albany. The article mentions Ewart Weidenhofer among the members of the Naval Reserve who were present. The article goes on to describe the function. The first part of the program commenced at 6.30, and those present sat down to an excellently served and sumptuous repass, from tables very prettily and lavishly ornamented with flowers, mainly almond blossoms. The meal was followed by speeches and At 11.o clock a short adjournment was made for supper, laid in the lower hall, - the whole evening was one where the happiest relationships existed. The singing of the National Anthem terminated the proceedings.

2 Despite being a high profile family and second generation Australians, Ewie s family was badly affected by the very strong anti-german prejudice that existed in Albany, after the First World War. The impact on the family was traumatic. They left Albany and moved to Perth and, on 12 November 1920 changed their name to Malcolm, which was Minnie s maiden name. The 1920s were kind to Ewie. He established a successful indent agency and was financially secure. Socially, Ewie was very popular and was the best man at several of his friends weddings. During this time, he purchased a property at Ada Street in Waterman s Bay that he named Yallambie. Waterman s Bay, was a small coastal settlement about twenty kilometres north of Perth, that provided an ideal location for a weekend retreat. His trusted motorcycle provided the transport for him and his friends. The good times were not to last. The depression of the 1930s ended his business success and his carefree bachelor lifestyle. Ewie s business failed and he took a position of travelling representative with Boans Ltd., a large department store in Perth. At this time, Ottilie Exell was also working at Boans as a shop assistant. A friendship developed between Ewie and Ottilie and on 18 April 1935, they were married at the Ross Memorial Church in West Perth. The Waterman s Bay property now became the permanent residence for Ewie and Ottilie. Here he was able to maintain his interest in growing vegetables, and an extensive garden was soon established. Ewie and Ottilie happily settled into married life and in 1938 Graham John was born, followed by Barry Desmond in 1940 and then Keith Ewart in The beaches and reefs at Waterman s Bay were good fishing spots. Ewie was a very keen angler and when the tide was low, and the reefs exposed, he would fish for herring from the edge of the reef. Fishing from the edge of the reef was quite dangerous, but a steel post had been driven into the reef to prevent anglers being washed off by the waves. Many good size fish were also caught from the beach at night. Beach fishing, in those days, required a sturdy cord line and a very heavy sinker. The line was carefully laid out on the beach and the sinker was swung around and around until finally being launched in the general direction of the ocean with the hooks, bait and line following. On 29 December 1941 Ewie enlisted in the army and was posted to Rottnest Island about twenty kilometres west of Fremantle. The island was an important part of the coastal defences of Perth and Fremantle. Ewie was a Sergeant in the Quartermaster store at Kingstown Barracks. His army records describe him as Height: 5 ft 7 inches, Weight: 140 lbs., Chest: 37 inches, Complexion: healthy, Eyes: blue, Hair: greyish, Religion: Christian Scientist.

3 Although there are stories of a submarine being sunk off the south end of Rottnest, the coastal defences were never officially fired in anger. Ewie was able to use his free time making furniture and toys in the woodwork workshop. The troops also enjoyed the excellent fishing, for which Rottnest is still very popular. When Ewie was discharged from the army, it was noted that his health had started to deteriorate. Despite his health problems, he resumed his employment with Boans Ltd. But things had changed. During his absence in the army, he had been overlooked for promotion to a manager s position. Ewie was unable to accept this decision and he resigned. In 1947, Ewie and Ottilie rented a Corner Shop at the corner of Gloster and View Streets in Subiaco. The shop was small, with only enough room to serve two or three people at one time. There were two display windows, one on each side of the double front door. One window displayed the fresh fruit and vegetables, while the other had a display of tinned fruit, jam and the other grocery lines that were sold. Customers stood in front of a refrigerated counter and waited to be served. If the shop was busy, some regular customers would come behind the counter and help themselves to a loaf of bread, or some other items. A lot of the purchases were recorded in docket books and customers paid their account on payday, or whenever they had some money. Shelf space was limited in the shop, so there was a separate storage room, where the bulk stock was kept. Potatoes to be packed in paper bags, wheat and pollard for chook food, a 44 gallon drum of kerosene on a stand, plus additional stocks of tinned food, soap, detergents, and other products. J E Malcolm Grocer and Greengrocer was proudly displayed on a large sign across the front of the shop. Corner stores were the local shop before the modern supermarkets and shopping centres. Customers would order their groceries, fruit and vegetables and Ewie would deliver them on a bicycle with a large basket on the front. The shop was open seven days a week, but there were also customers coming to the back door after hours. Life revolved around the opening times of the shop making family outings very rare and family holidays impossible. Attached to the shop was a small two-bedroom house. The front half of the building was brick, but the back and one side were clad in asbestos, with a tin roof. Very hot in summer and cold in winter. The accommodation was adequate but maximum use was made of all the space.

Ewie s health continued to deteriorate until in 1950 he was diagnosed with cancer. As the disease slowly progressed, Ewie became unable to run the shop.

4 Ewie s health continued to deteriorate until in 1950 he was diagnosed with cancer. As the disease slowly progressed, Ewie became unable to run the shop. It was left to Ottilie to nurse her sick husband and run the shop. Finally, Ewie was admitted to Hollywood Repatriation Hospital where he died on 15 December Written by Barry Malcolm. A History of the Weidenhofer Families in Australia Written by Wyn Allen (née Weidenhofer) Reproduced with permission of Stewart Allen, Barry Malcolm and Carlien Melrose. James and Ottilie Malcolm Wedding Party 18 April 1935 Brides Maid Olive Exell, Ottilie s sister The name of the Best Man is not known

5 Yallambie Ada Street, Waterman s Bay 1942

Booklet Number 178. SAMUEL McGREGOR. This booklet remains the property of Saint Andrew s Uniting Church. Please see a Guide if you would like a copy.

Booklet Number 178. SAMUEL McGREGOR. This booklet remains the property of Saint Andrew s Uniting Church. Please see a Guide if you would like a copy. Booklet Number 178 SAMUEL McGREGOR 1884 1953 This booklet remains the property of Saint Andrew s Uniting Church. Please see a Guide if you would like a copy. 2 Saint Andrew s Uniting Church Corner Ann