Albert Oakes

Albert Oakes Born 21st February 1873 Married Margaret Twigden Born 4th December 1870.

They married on 7th March 1892 at the register office, Lewis hen, London. It is said they had 21 children, but only 7 are known to us, they are Albert, Maggie, Cyril, Rosina, Harold, Hilda and Ruby. Albert joined his father (Henry Benjamin Oakes) as a Lamplighter; Margaret was in Service when they were wed.

In 1920 Albert accepted a Contract from the Peruvian Government to go out to Peru to grow cotton; Albert and Margaret took 5 children with them, Maggie, Rosina, Harold, Hilda and young Ruby. Albert Jnr and Cyril where in the Army. It is well documented the harrowing time this family had in Peru, sure 3 records were broken, imagine the sight of 84 mules crossing the Peruvian Mountains, 1 poor mule carrying 17 stone Margaret (poor mule), and the youngest child Ruby, there the miracle stops as the Peruvian Government forgot the brave English family, prayers were offered up in England as the Oakes Family were lost to the outside world, a search was mounted and the Family was found.

While their Maggie must have fallen on love and married Syd Murray after the Government said sorry and help was given to return the family to Britain. Maggie remained in Peru with her Husband, once home things were grim, no work. I know Rosina and Hilda got jobs a W H and D Wills making cigars. Albert and Margaret then signed up to try their luck in Western Australia; they arrived upon the S.S. Barribool 16th January 1926 and took up holdings at Group 38 McLeads Creek Karradale S/W WA. With them came Rosina, Harold, Hilda and 10 year old Ruby; Albert jnr with Nell and young Micky, Cyril and Agnes followed later and joined the Family at Karradale.

Once again things did not go right for Albert and Margaret. Rosina married Guy New, Hilda wed Ronald Freidrricks.

Albert’s wife Margaret became ill at the age of 61and died at Margaret River Hospital, 13th June 1931.

Albert like a lot of Settlers walked off his land. He then took up holdings at Gosnels, no doubt Ruby took over the job of carring for her Father. As his Granddaughter Ethel, my parents Rosina and Guy New went their way, so we only saw Granddad when on holidays. My next memory of him was during World War Two. By then Granddad worked for one of Perth’s biggest Garden shops, later he was Caretaker of the YMCA in Hay Street, this man was the Founder of this very large Family that we are today, always dogged by bad luck in whatever he did. As his 72 year old Granddaughter Ethel I have fond memories of what once must have been a proud man. Sadly he died 31st July 1955 Perth Western Australia.