Crew

DESCRIPTION

NameCrewDescriptionFrancis Henry Crew was born 1877, Islington, London to Charles and Emily Crew (nee Smith).

He and Alice Elizabeth Ann Anderson (nee Luchford) had four children together. They married 27 July 1927.

Charles Frederick b.1915 (married Sarah Travers)
Albert George b.1916 (married Leila Brain)
Kathleen Alice b.1919 (married Henry Young)
Emily Grace b.1923 (married David Barry)

Alice had two children from marriage to William Anderson

Betty Grace Anderson b.1909
Francis Alfred Anderson b.1913

Frank Crew originally worked as an engineer at Minnamurra Quarry. When he left that position the Crew's and their five children Frank (Jim), Charles (Chilla), George, Kathleen and Grace moved to Shellharbour where, after a time Frank decided to start his own business.

In the 1920s he leased a garage (corner of Mary and Addison Streets) from Ted Thomas. Frank Crew operated the garage and mechanical business, while his wife drove Ford cars carrying passengers to and from town, the railway station and Lake Illawarra and she also delivered bread, mail etc.

While Frank ran the garage, his wife drove passengers in their Ford cars, to and from the town, the railway station, and Lake Illawarra.

In those early years petrol for the garage was bought in four gallon tins which were packed in a wooden case. A hand operated pump was eventually installed before two pumps were placed at the footpath.

Mrs Crew also ran a refreshment room in the 1930's, known as Collette's Cafe. The cafe was built by eccentric Shellharbour builder, Edwin Klein.

The family lived at 'Roseneath' in Mary Street near the Methodist Church, and as well as running the garage, Frank also operated a bus run that took passengers to and from Shellharbour Station and Lake Illawarra. The buses also took workers to and from the blue metal quarries.

Frank later sold the garage to his brother Alfred Crew.

The family lived for a time at Avondale before moving back to Shellharbour. Mrs Crew opened a refreshments shop in the town and they lived at the old Police station 'Woodbine'. Mrs Crew was one of the first female motor car drivers in the area.

Alfred Crew was an Alderman on Shellharbour Council 1944 - 1947. Sadly, he was killed at the Oak Flats rail crossing in 1947 when returning from a Council meeting at the Council Chambers at Albion Park.

External LinkInstallation of Petrol PumpLevel Crossing Smash, Two Aldermen Killed 1947Saw Two Friends in Truck Run Down By Train 1948Scene of Fatality 1947

Photograph

Shellharbour Public School

Alfred John Crew 1896-1947

Shellharbour Ladies Hockey Team 1936

Shellharbour Municipal Council 1944-1947

Shellharbour Ladies Hockey Team 1936

Frank Crew and family in their Buick car

Frank and Alf Crew

Collette's Cafe, Shellharbour

Shell Garage, Shellharbour

Buick car outside 'Roseneath', Shellharbour

Shellharbour garage 1986

Shellharbour garage, Addison Street

Crew's Garage, Shellharbour

Demolition of old St Vincent de Paul building, Shellharbour 1987

Former St Vincent de Paul building, Shellharbour 1986

Shellharbour Municipal Council Aldermen 1944-1947

Place

Shellharbour Service Centre

The Sheiling

Crew Park

Document

Monster Day's Sports Programme

The Crew family's Buick car outside their home 'Roseneath', Mary Street, Shellharbour, c.1935.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionFamiliesLocalityShellharbour VillagePersonKlein, EdwinThomas, Edward HaslemPlacegarageRelated ItemAlf and Flo Crew with their daughter, GladysShellharbour garage 1986Crew's Garage, ShellharbourShellharbour garage, Addison StreetBuick car outside 'Roseneath', ShellharbourFrank Crew and family in their Buick carFrank and Alf CrewCrew ParkShell Garage, ShellharbourAlfred John Crew 1896-1947Collette's Cafe, Shellharbour

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Crew