People Australia

Caswell Crannaford, n.d.

Albert Caswell (Bert) Crannaford, (1881-1949) miner, dealer, council labourer and trade union official

Birth: 17 April 1881 at Therbarton, South Australia, son of English-born parents, William John Crannaford (1848-1949), a servant from Buckfastleigh, Devon, later a carpenter, and Lydia Ann, née Whittington (1849-1928), from Portsea Island, Hampshire. Marriage: 1902 at Broken Hill, New South Wales, to native-born Louisa Florence Lovett (1886-1972). They had two daughters and two sons. Death: 28 January 1949 in hospital at Broken Hill; usual residence Nicholls Street, Railway Town. Religion: Salvation Army/Methodist. 

• His mother reached Port Adelaide, South Australia, aboard the Caroline on 25 April 1855. His father, described as a farmer, aged 22, had arrived at Port Phillip, Victoria, as an unassisted immigrant aboard the Kirkham on 20 October 1869.
• Bert moved to Broken Hill, NSW, about 1901. Worked as a miner. Member of the Federated Engine-Drivers and Firemens Association for many years.
• By 1913 was working as a dealer. President of the Carters' Union about 1913.
• An active member of the Town Employees' Union from 1921, president 1923 to 1926. Represented Town Employees' Union on Trades Hall Trust for 3 years.
• Member of the United Ancient Order of Druids Railway Town Lodge and superintendent of the Barry Juvenile Druids Lodge. He was also a member of the Adelaide branch of the Rechabite Lodge.
• Was employed by the City Council until he retired in failing health about 1946.
• His obituaries described him as “a man of staunch Labor principles and took a deep interest in the movement.” “The BDA ALP [Barrier District Assembly of the Australian Labor Party will miss [his] assistance”. For many years he “was to be seen at Nicholls Street polling booth at every election where Labor was concerned”.
• Cause of death: cardiac failure.

Sources
Barrier Daily Truth, 17 December 1926.