English, Scottish and Australian (ESA) Bank, Albion Park

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NameEnglish, Scottish and Australian (ESA) Bank, Albion ParkTypeBuildingBankGeolocation^[1] Last edited by: Will Chittick

DescriptionThe English, Scottish and Australian Bank Ltd began operating in Albion Park on 12 June 1884, with J.R. Bradley as its agent (a forerunner of ANZ Banking Group).

The coming of the railway to Albion Park Rail caused a decline in shipping to Shellharbour and subsequently a relocation of civic focus to Albion Park. The Council Chamber was moved from Shellharbour to Albion Park and its banking changed from the Commercial at Shellharbour to the ES&A at Albion Park.

The premises were leased for a number of years from W Hazelton who sold to Charles Pope in April, 1889, with James Wilson (Bank Manager) as Occupier and the ES&A Bank as lessee on Portion 6, Lot pt 30.

The Agency was converted to a branch in 1890, and the building extended in 1896 to provide residential quarters for a married manager, Mr. Caldwell.

Mr. Caldwell's son, Clive, went on to become the renowned World War Two fighter pilot, known as 'Killer' Caldwell, a nickname he always hated.

Clive developed a method by which he would fire in the line of the shadow of the plane, rather than the plane itself, and by this methos achieved a record number of hits.

Clive rode his tricycle up and down the footpath in front of the bank when he was a child.

External LinkBanking Albion Park 1884Albion Park Long 1907Albion Park Caldwell 1914Albion Park Caldwell 1917Bank Manager Caldwell Retires 1930

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