Strathfield Station c.1915

Strathfield Station c.1915. Photo by Arthur G. Foster. Courtesy National Library of Australia

It is difficult to recognise Strathfield’s modern, bustling railway station in this photo from more than a century ago. It was taken by Arthur G. Foster and is now in the collection of the National Library of Australia. No exact date is given but based on the carriages, fashions and the presence of soldiers, it most likely dates from World War I. It looks like a peaceful day with people going about their business, families with children and cabmen chatting, as they wait for a fare.

The approach to the station was a steep hill known locally as ‘the hump.’ Passengers would have preferred to access the platforms via the subway, but this would have required extra staff to sell or inspect tickets, so for many years ‘the hump’ remained – much to the dismay of local residents. Many complaints were made. James Inglis wrote indignantly to The Daily Telegraph in May 1907 to complain about the hill, which was also known as ‘Oliver’s Hump’[1] after Railways Commissioner, Charles Oliver.[2]

Strathfield Station was always an important link to the city for local businessmen as well as shopping trips for families. On their return after a busy day, a long line of hansom cabs waited to transport them home. A number of early residents mentioned the cabs in their reminiscences of the district. Elizabeth Ward, recalling Strathfield between the years of 1892 and 1904, said that there were often up to 50 hansom cabs stationed there and that anyone who lived some distance from the station took one home. As a child she loved to ride in them, remembering the comfortable seats, the white sheepskin mat on the floor and the sound of the horses’ hooves.[3]

In June 1917 Mrs Galton left a Russian leather-pleated handbag in one of those cabs as she was being driven from Strathfield Station to her home, Surrey in Homebush Crescent. She later advertised for the return of the bag and its contents which included a gold horseshoe brooch set with diamonds and sapphires, two jewel cases, visiting cards and about £21.[4] A year earlier in April 1916 William John Gunning of Huntingtower [5], Homebush Road left a 12-bore, hammerless, double-barrelled breech-loading Remington shotgun in a leather, leg-of-mutton case inside his cab home from Strathfield Station.[6] It is unknown whether these items were ever recovered but suggests that the cabman’s life was not necessarily dull.

Sydney Morning Herald 11 June 1936 p.12 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/1107927

Strathfield’s last hansom cab was driven by Tom Hales and his white horse who traversed the streets around the station for 24 years. They were featured in The Sydney Morning Herald on 11 and 15 June 1936. [7] [8] Tom apparently had a regular clientele who appreciated his personal, friendly service. But his days were numbered and he must have retired soon after that. One of Sydney’s last hansom cab drivers, Mr J. Connor, donated – and personally delivered – his cab to the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences (Powerhouse Museum) in 1937.[9]

Tom Hales died in June 1953, aged 79, late of 11 Ravenna Street, Strathfield.[10]

The end of an era.

 

by J.J. MacRitchie

Local Studies Advisor

 

References

[1] Daily Telegraph 15 May 1907 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/238049190

 

[2] Biography – Charles Nicholson Jewel Oliver – Australian Dictionary of Biography (anu.edu.au)

 

[3] Elizabeth Ward Recollections – Strathfield Heritage

 

[4] New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime 27 June 1917 p.280 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/251744330

 

[5] Jones, Cathy ‘Huntingtower’ 33-35 Homebush Road Strathfield – Strathfield Heritage

 

[6] New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime 17 May 1916 p.267 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/251742915

 

[7] Sydney Morning Herald 11 June 1936 p.12 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/1107927

 

[8] Sydney Morning Herald 15 June 1936 p.3 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27990402

 

[9] Australian hansom cab – MAAS Collection

 

[10] Sydney Morning Herald 29 June 1953 p.12 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18375770

 

Further Reading

Jones, Cathy Strathfield and Homebush Rail History – Strathfield Heritage