| Sources |
- [S799] Australia, WWI Service Records, 1914-1920, National Archives of Australia; Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920.
- [S707] Lost Dalwallinu, https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=694682513944104&story_fbid=790626371016384.
Charles Ernest Hyde was born in Dalwallinu Hospital on the 4th August 1936. He was the first of the two sons of William Hill Hyde and Jean Agnes Hyde (nee Wingrove). His younger brother Peter Norman Hyde was born on the 19th June 1940.
The other third generation of the Dalwallinu Hyde family are: John & Robert, sons of James & Nancy Hyde; Graham (dec.) & Colin sons of Norman & Ruby Hyde, (Graham & Colin were raised at Waddi Forest).
Charles Ernest Hyde is descended from a long line of agriculturists. Furthermore, Hyde folk are usually active in local government, and these two endeavours led to the prominence of the family in the Dalwallinu district.
In 1851 Charles’ great grandparents (Mr.& Mrs. Henry Robert Hyde) emigrated from England to Raywood in Victoria, where they established a general store, invested in gold mining and raised their family.
Charles’ grandfather, Charles Edward Hyde, was born in Victoria on 17th June 1857. His marriage to Eliza Hill resulted in eleven children, one of whom was William Hill Hyde born 30th November 1889. In order to accommodate the next generation, the family looked to expand their land holdings interstate, eventually deciding on Western Australia.
In January 1910 Charles Edward and son William Hyde joined a party of Victorians including William (W.J.) Clement, James (Jim) Rayner and C.H. (Charlie) McNeill and traveled by ship (the S.S. Kanowna) to the West. Conditional purchase blocks were being offered in Dalwallinu, and the party made their way by train from Perth, then by horse and cart from the Gunyidi rail siding.
The Hyde’s selected a total of 3,000 acres on the west boundaries of Dalwallinu town, and later set up camp at the government well. William was joined by brothers, Jim and Charles Ernest and commenced work on the land while their father Charles Edward returned to Raywood to organize the relocation of his family.
Even though Charles senior was 53 years of age when he and Eliza left their established property and business in Victoria, he was enthusiastic about change, and his aitude prompted many fellow Victorians to do likewise.
The laer-day Charles Ernest Hyde (nephew of the original) tells: “The family had quite a spread of knowledge between them: our grandfather had gained many years of Local Government experience in Raywood, my father managed a hardware business and Jim was a wheelwright in Melbourne. Grandmother left her comfortable home to start again in a prey basic dwelling – it was constructed of corrugated iron with an earth floor.”
For all local people, farm supplies including seed, horse feed and superphosphate fertilizer had to be transported long distances (often through heavy sand) from the rail station at Moora or Watheroo.
Early days in Dalwallinu were tough: The Hyde’s first crop in 1911 yielded only 26 bags of wheat from 170 acres, and the 1914 drought meant the yield was only 200 bags from 1,000 acres. The dire conditions proved too hard for many would-be selers, and they left the land. But the Hyde’s were not discouraged and gradually bought more blocks: Their original holding was enlarged considerably to 10,700 acres at Dalwallinu and 7,000 acres at Waddi Forest part of the Waddi Waddi Estate, and uniformly good seasons followed from 1914
The outbreak of World War I saw four of the Hyde sons enlist. The following four years were traumatic for Charles and Eliza as they received reports of each of the boys being wounded and then one son – Charles Ernest – died.
During and then after the War, those who recognized the potential of the district as an excellent wheat-growing area were determined to build a strong self-governed community.
Charles Edward Hyde was an inaugural member of the Dalwallinu Progress Association. When the Dalwallinu Road Board was formed in 1916 he was elected Chairman and remained active in that position for the next decade.
Charles Ernest Hyde relates: “Initially they rented a room in Miss Sharpe’s tearooms to hold meetings and it grew from there. Other rooms were hired in town and the station master’s house was also used and over the years the Hyde family continued their involvement in local government: My uncle, Arthur Hyde, was elected chair of the Road Board in 1947; cousin John Hyde was later a member and John’s son Harry was a councilor, as well as Peter’s son Ian currently on the local council.
Grandfather became a Justice of the Peace in Raywood, continuing in Dalwallinu and for a time he also undertook the role of Agricultural Bank Inspector. This work often took him as far as Ballidu – Aunty Hilda would sometimes go with him.”
In 1920 the family moved from the iron and dirt floor dwelling into a large brick and tile home. The bricks were transported by rail from Perth and the approximate cost of the building was 2,000 pounds. The homestead garden was well supplied with water and the family eventually grew fresh vegetables and fruit including varieties of citrus, stone fruit and nuts.
In 1933 both Charles and Eliza died and were laid to rest in the Dalwallinu cemetery.
The Great Depression saw an influx of itinerant workers to the area. Money was scarce and the men were glad to work for a lile pay and food. They obtained employment where they could such as seeding, harvesting and clearing tasks. The years of World War II (1939-45) also took its toll both on the population and the businesses in town. The National Bank closed its doors as did two of the three barbers.
Charles Ernest Hyde (the present family spokesperson) now recounts his personal memories, beginning with his primary education. He aended the second Dalwallinu School and rode his bike the two miles each way from home. He states: “The junior classes were taught by a female teacher and the headmaster instructed years 4, 5, 6 and correspondence grades to Junior Certificate level. In those days the teachers could certainly use the cane and you didn’t make spelling mistakes! My father was a good deal older than me and he always joked,” Did you get the cane today?” He was surprised one day when I answered yes!
During the war years slit trenches appeared in the yard – they were always full of water in the winter time – it was just as well as the Japanese didn’t come!
One boy in his sports whites slipped in – he emerged completely mud covered.”
Charles is a fount of knowledge about Dalwallinu lifestyle and development. For example perishable food was stored in a Coolgardie safe, and later an ice chest was used. He says: “There was an iceworks in town and the ice was set in big moulds. They would saw a block in half and my father and I would carry it home in a wet wheat bag in the back of the ute. Dad would cool boles in a wash trough full of ice or suspend a bole on a rope in the underground tank.”
Abraham’s saddlery was another place frequented by the Hyde’s: “He worked on harness (bridles, collars and saddles) and I would sometimes go in with my father.”
Charles also recalls an interesting aspect of the newsagency: “Bill Eaton sold comics and large knobs of polony but not the West – that was sold at Owen’s Store!
He continues: “The town hall was where the original picture shows were held and once a year all the proceeds went to the hospital (Hospital Picture Night) After World War II the Rural & Industries Bank took over the National Bank premises.”
Charles even remembers during World War II when one of the shops staffed by the Red Cross ladies provided healthy Oslo lunches for school children.
Charles reflects that sport was a very important part of community life: “In the early days cricket and football teams were fielded from all the surrounding communities – anyone would have a go. Now the standard is higher but participation is less.”
Charles – like many country children was sent to the city for upper school – “By the time I left for secondary college in Perth, there were approximately 120 pupils enrolled at the school. Some students stayed in the district and aained the Junior Certificate by correspondence classes.”
Charles acknowledges that mechanization has reduced the need for so much manpower on the properties, and he observes: “The younger ones have their jobs and the older people have a great contribution to make to the stability to the community.”
He says: “I farmed with brother Peter until 1998, along with my sons Craig & Bruce and Peter’s sons Ainslie and Ian.”
Peter’s sons Ainslie & Ian and John’s son Harry continue farming at Dalwallinu. Robert’s son Mark farms at Wongan Hills and Colin’s son Richard at Waddi Forest. Until recently Graham’s son Garry farmed at Cascades.
The Hyde’s maintain extensive farming interests in the area and the original blocks are still owned by the family.
Pictures
1.The Hyde Family Fleet
2. Hyde family fleet with wives 1, Hilda,?, Win,Ruby, ?,
3. The Hyde Brothers
4. Jim & Bill Hyde
5. Back yard of first home
6. Hyde new home 1920's
7.Tennis days John Locke, Cuthbert Hyde, Jim Hyde, Frank
Locke, Hilda Hyde
8. Mrs Hyde in her garden
9. Hyde Golden wedding
- [S890] Hyde Family Tree, Charles Edward Hyde.
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1857 - 1933 (75 years)
