Norman Herbert Crump

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks (Jan 8-14): Favourite Photo

My favourite photos are those that on close inspection reveal more about people and their lives.  Below is a photograph from my grandmother's collection.

Photographer Unknown, The house that Norman Crump built, Circa 1941, Brucknell [B160] on the far left is Judy Todman with brother Warwick Todman sharing the same horse.

         

My mother Judith Todman moved with her widowed mother and older brother to live on Norman Crump’s farm in Brucknell, Victoria, they lived for 5 years from 1939 until 1943. Norm first occupied the land in 1931 initially with a permit for occupation and then with a conditional purchase of land. I don’t much about “Uncle” Norm (everyone referred to him as Uncle Norm).  The background of the photo hints at the work that was being undertaken to clear the land and build the house. Researching the details of the land particularly when my mother was living there revealed some very interesting stories about Norman Herbert Crump [who had been born Herbert Norman Crump]

Details of Norm Crump’s Background gleaned from the files

1931 – Application for Land

VPRS-5714-P0000-242-269-12 Letter of Reference from David Charles for N.H. Crump, 18 March 1931 [Part of the Applicant for Conditional Purchase of Farm Allotment or Agricultural Labourer's Allotment.

Transcription: "N.H. Crump, Mr. D Charles called today and stated that he has known Crump for last 14 years when he took the latter in to his employ & had him for 6 years without a break & again recently has employed him.  Mr Charles has 1200 acres in Pamandera district N.S.W. & carries on mixed farming, wheat, sheep & a few cows.  Mr Charles states he can thoroughly recommend Crump in every way & had give complete satisfaction. Crump was recommended to Mr Charles by the later’s father in law for whom he had also worked.  The capital owned by Crump represents amount saved from wages." [signed] "This is correct David Charles Glwelyon Grong Grong"

VPRS 5714/P/0000 / 242 269/12 Excerpt from the “Declaration by Applicant for Conditional Purchase of Farm Allotment or Agricultural Labourer's Allotment. submitted by Norman H. Crump, 1931

Transcription: “I was brought up on a small farm near Eaglehawk & when 13 years of age went to Riverina & worked on various farms for about 5 years & after driving & motor delivery wagon in Melbourne worked 6 years for Mr Charles [of] Grong Grong N S.W, and will provide a reference from him.  I am particularly anxious to obtain allot 74, I intend to get married when I obtain a block.” [signed in Melbourne on the 16 March 1931 by N.H. Crump]

1933 – Trouble with Rabbits

Some of the challenges faced by the local farmers including to Norm Crump included controlling the controlling the local population of rabbits.

VPRS 5714/P/0000 Unit 247 Letter to Lands Department, 8 July 1933

1937 – Application for Funding for funds to build a new house

VPRS 5714/P/0000 Unit 247 Norman Herbert Crump [Application for wire netting]  Letter from JL Christies & N Robilliard to The Chief Inspector, “With reference to Mr Crumps application for a house" (the application was approved after special consideration and an advance of £320 was made)

Transcription: “Whilst making a revaluation of the area, Crump did not give us the impression that he intended getting married, and we considered that the two rooms now occupied by him would be suitable for a single man until the block became fully self-supporting.  We would point out that the two rooms now occupied by him would be suitable for a single man until the block became fully self-supporting. 

We would point out that the two rooms mentioned is actually portion of his machinery shed, and also adjoins the cow shed etc. 

We agree that this two rooms would be very suitable as a chaff house and store-room, and although serving as quarters for a single man would be quite unsuitable for a woman.”

Titbits were gleaned from the following sources

1. ·         The land files for Norm Crump concerning Allot 74, in the parish of Brucknell, in the County of Heytesbury, in the state of Victoria, Australia.[VPRS-5714-P0000-242-269-12 Norman Herbert Crump - concerns the lease, purchase details of the allotment]
2. ·         The Wire netting Advance File for Norman Crump, in the Parish of Brucknell, in the District of Geelong. [VPRS 5714/P/0000 Unit 247 Norman Herbert Crump concerns the borrowings of money to build rabbit proof fencing on the property un Wire netting grant scheme
3. ·         Photograph of the house that Norman Crump built, Circa 1941, the collection of Myrtle Sharp currently held by Sandra Williamson
4. ·         Personal conversation and interviews by Sandra Williamson with Judith Williamson, 2017 & Myrtle Sharp 1980s.

WikiTree Link for Norman Herbert Crump's family tree on WikiTree (@WikiTreeOfficial).

Image created from Norm Herbert Crump's WikiTree profile on 19 January 2018