FALKINGHAM, Robert
| Service Number: | 6760 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 June 1916, Served France |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 11th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Leeds, England, 1883 |
| Home Town: | Busselton, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Bricklayer |
| Died: | Stroke, Busselton General Hospital, Western Australia, 23 November 1952 |
| Cemetery: |
Busselton Cemetery, Western Australia |
| Memorials: | Busselton Cenotaph Victoria Square, Busselton Rotary Park of Remembrance Memorial Walk |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Jun 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6760, 11th Infantry Battalion, Served France | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1916: | Involvement Private, 6760, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Nov 1916: | Embarked Private, 6760, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Argyllshire, Fremantle | |
| 23 Mar 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 6760, 11th Infantry Battalion, GSW to Right arm in Belgium | |
| 1 Jun 1919: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 6760, 11th Infantry Battalion, Embarked from London Per "Somali" disembarking Fremantle 8 July 1919 | |
| 8 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 6760, 11th Infantry Battalion, Discharged in Perth |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Joy Dalgleish
The South-Western News (Busselton, WA: 1903-1954
Thu 27 Nov 1952 Page 1
BUSSELTON LOSES PROMINENT CITIZEN - DEATH OF MR ROBERT FALKINGHAM
With the passing on Sunday morning last of Mr. Robert Falkingham, Busselton lost one of it most valued citizens who had taken a leading part in the public life of the town for over thirty years. The late Mr Falkingham suffered a partial stroke about twelve months ago which necessitated his retirement from public affairs, but it was not until a short time ago that his condition became really serious, necessitating his removal to the Busselton hospital where he passed away after lingering for almost a week.
The eldest son of the late W William and Elizabeth Falkingham, he was born at Bramley, Yorkshire, England, in 1882. As a young man he served his apprenticeship as a stonemason and in 1910 emigrated to Western Australia, arriving in Busselton in 1911, his wife following him out the following year.
On arrival at Busselton he became associated with the late Mr. H. C. Prinsep of "Little Holland House" in farming, this association continuing until his enlistment in 1915 in the 22/11th Bn. A.I.F. He served overseas for 4 years and on returning to Busselton engaged in building and undertaking. His first building project was a stone house in Kent Street for Mr. J. Henley, and he assisted in the erection of the war memorial on Victoria Square as a stonemason. Since then he has built hundreds of houses in Busselton and other Centre’s, as well as many public buildings, such as additions and alterations to the Busselton Junior High School, Agricultural Bank and Busselton and Margaret River Hospitals, which remain as memorials to his name.
In 1922 Mr. Falkingham was elected a councillor of the Municipal Council, thus commencing approximately thirty years public service in that capacity, nine years of which he was Mayor. It was during his term as the town's leading citzen that the centenary of Busselton was celebrated, in 1932. This celebration was an outstanding success and was largely due to his efforts.
When the Municipal Council and Sussex Road Board were amalgamated in 1951, he was appointed a member of the new Board, being elected its first chairman following the special general election held three months after the union of the two bodies. He continued to hold that office with distinction until April of this year when he resigned owing to ill-health.
Besides taking a prominent part in local government, Mr. Falkingham was president of the Busselton Waterside Workers' Union from 1911 to 1915, and for a time was president of the R.S.L., secretary of the Busselton Congregational Church, president of the Busselton P. & C. Association, as well as being a member of the former Chamber of Commerce, Agricultural Society and numerous other organisations which had as their object the advancement of the town and district. He was also a Justice of the Peace and held the King George V. Jubilee Medal. During the depression years, forced to give up their holdings, Mr. Falkingham was untiring in his efforts to assist them, and was instrumental in having some soldier settlers placed on the land Ambergate area. In many other ways, he quietly assisted others less fortunate than himself, often as a result of a personal sacrifice.
He leaves a widow and four sons, Alf (of the Weather Bureau, Perth), William Busselton), Robert (of the Bank of N.S.W., Perth), and Harold (Busselton), and three grand-daughters.
The funeral took place on Tuesday morning at the Busselton General Cemetery following a service in the Congregational Church.