Norman Frederick Bent
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Updated 26 June 2023
Norman Frederick Bent - known as Fred - was my great-grandfather.
Born on 19 March 1886 in Kennington in London, Norman was the fifth of nine children born to Norman Faulkner Bent and his wife Emily (nee Custance). Norman Faulkner Bent was an architect-turned-actor and it is likely that Emily was also an actress before their marriage [1].
At the time or Norman's birth, Kennington was a sub-district of the London borough of Lambeth in south London.
The 1891 census has Fred living with his family at 10 Kempshott Road in Camberwell in London but by 1901 the family had moved to 74 Whitford Road, Birkenhead in Cheshire, where 15-year-old Fred was apprenticed to an upholsterer.
As an adult he was known as Fred. This probably dates from his childhood when it would have been a way to distinguish him from his father who was also called Norman.
Norman Frederick Bent - known as Fred - was my great-grandfather.
Born on 19 March 1886 in Kennington in London, Norman was the fifth of nine children born to Norman Faulkner Bent and his wife Emily (nee Custance). Norman Faulkner Bent was an architect-turned-actor and it is likely that Emily was also an actress before their marriage [1].
At the time or Norman's birth, Kennington was a sub-district of the London borough of Lambeth in south London.
The 1891 census has Fred living with his family at 10 Kempshott Road in Camberwell in London but by 1901 the family had moved to 74 Whitford Road, Birkenhead in Cheshire, where 15-year-old Fred was apprenticed to an upholsterer.
As an adult he was known as Fred. This probably dates from his childhood when it would have been a way to distinguish him from his father who was also called Norman.
Marriage and Children
On 16 January 1910, Fred married Rosalie Clement Martin in Birkenhead. At the time of their marriage, Rosalie was pregnant with their first son, Norman Hector.
Norman Hector Bent was born on 28 June 1910.
Norman Hector Bent was born on 28 June 1910.
Moving to Australia
Not long after the marriage, Fred decided to emigrate to Sydney, Australia to start a new life for his small family. We know from their daughter, Esme, that Rosalie's family was a close one and that she and her family were not happy about the plan. Nevertheless, Fred left London in March 1910 aboard the Essex to set things up for the arrival of his wife and child.
Fred arrived in Sydney on 18 April 1910. He is listed on the passenger list as a crew member, with the notation "Asst Std" which probably means "assistant steward". I guess this means he had very little money and saw working his passage as an economical way to come to Sydney.
Fred arrived in Sydney on 18 April 1910. He is listed on the passenger list as a crew member, with the notation "Asst Std" which probably means "assistant steward". I guess this means he had very little money and saw working his passage as an economical way to come to Sydney.
It's unclear exactly when Rosalie and young Norman first came to Australia however we do know that they arrived in Sydney for good on 2 January 1916.
The family story - passed down to us by Esme and Norman - was that Rosalie and her son first came to Sydney in about 1911, not long after Fred had arrived. They then travelled back to England to care for Fred's mother, Emily, who was ill and subsequently died. Norman and Rosalie were then delayed in England by the outbreak of World War I and only came back to Australia in 1916.
This story would have been told to Esme and young Norman by their parents but I don't think it's true. To begin with, the family didn't have much money and travelling back to England was an expensive and lengthy business. Second, although the story was that Emily didn't want anyone else to nurse her, preferring Rosalie to do it, Emily did have five daughters of her own who could have nursed her. Third, I could find no record of any other trips between England and Australia for Rosalie and Norman: the only one is their arrival in January 1916. I therefore believe that the story was made up to cover the fact that Fred spent over five years in Sydney on his own before meeting his son for the first time and being reunited with his wife.
The family story - passed down to us by Esme and Norman - was that Rosalie and her son first came to Sydney in about 1911, not long after Fred had arrived. They then travelled back to England to care for Fred's mother, Emily, who was ill and subsequently died. Norman and Rosalie were then delayed in England by the outbreak of World War I and only came back to Australia in 1916.
This story would have been told to Esme and young Norman by their parents but I don't think it's true. To begin with, the family didn't have much money and travelling back to England was an expensive and lengthy business. Second, although the story was that Emily didn't want anyone else to nurse her, preferring Rosalie to do it, Emily did have five daughters of her own who could have nursed her. Third, I could find no record of any other trips between England and Australia for Rosalie and Norman: the only one is their arrival in January 1916. I therefore believe that the story was made up to cover the fact that Fred spent over five years in Sydney on his own before meeting his son for the first time and being reunited with his wife.
Life in Sydney
In 1914, Fred was living in Spring Garden Street, Granville, most likely on his own but possibly with his wife and son. By 1915, Fred (still most likely on his own) was living in Guildford Road, Guildford [2].
By 1917, Rosalie and young Norman had arrived in Sydney for good and the family was living together in Cambridge Street, Lidcombe [2].
In 1918, Fred and Rosalie welcomed a daughter, Rosalie Esme (known as Esme) and on 21 January 1921 a son, Henry Arthur Reginald, who was known as Arthur.
By 1920, the family was living in Francis Street and they were still there in 1923 [2].
By 1917, Rosalie and young Norman had arrived in Sydney for good and the family was living together in Cambridge Street, Lidcombe [2].
In 1918, Fred and Rosalie welcomed a daughter, Rosalie Esme (known as Esme) and on 21 January 1921 a son, Henry Arthur Reginald, who was known as Arthur.
By 1920, the family was living in Francis Street and they were still there in 1923 [2].
The Farm in Canley Vale
According to Norman Hector Bent, he was 11 when the family moved from Lidcombe to Canley Vale which means they would have moved in 1922 or 1923. We know that they were living there by 1924 because an inscription in one of Esme's books indicates that she was attending school in Canley Vale in 1924
Canley Vale was once a woodland area and was originally part of the Male Orphan School Estate. In the 1800s, Sir Henry Parkes (1815–96) settled in the district in a mansion which he built near the railway line between Fairfield and Cabramatta. He named his home Canley Grange after his birthplace in Warwickshire, England. He named the railway station Canley Moat House and had his own private landing beside the line.
In the 1880s, land previously owned by Nathaniel Bull was subdivided for the first time, creating St John's Park. Each lot in the St John's Park estate was 5-10 acres.
Cabramatta was named 'Moonshine Run' in 1795 by an early settler named Hatfield. The name came from the fact that the area was so heavily timbered that moonshine could not penetrate.
The name 'Cabramatta' first came into use in the area in the early 19th century, when the Bull family named a property that they had purchased Cabramatta Park. When a small village formed nearby in 1814, it took its name from that property.
A township grew from the village and a railway was built through Cabramatta in the 1850s. It was initially used for loading and unloading freight and livestock; the railway station wasn't open for public transport until 1856. A school was established in 1882 and a post office in 1886. During these years, Cabramatta remained a predominantly agricultural township, developing close ties with nearby Canley Vale.
In the 1880s, land previously owned by Nathaniel Bull was subdivided for the first time, creating St John's Park. Each lot in the St John's Park estate was 5-10 acres.
Cabramatta was named 'Moonshine Run' in 1795 by an early settler named Hatfield. The name came from the fact that the area was so heavily timbered that moonshine could not penetrate.
The name 'Cabramatta' first came into use in the area in the early 19th century, when the Bull family named a property that they had purchased Cabramatta Park. When a small village formed nearby in 1814, it took its name from that property.
A township grew from the village and a railway was built through Cabramatta in the 1850s. It was initially used for loading and unloading freight and livestock; the railway station wasn't open for public transport until 1856. A school was established in 1882 and a post office in 1886. During these years, Cabramatta remained a predominantly agricultural township, developing close ties with nearby Canley Vale.
The Municipality of Cabramatta & Canley Vale was established in 1892 and the two suburbs were regarded as a single community.
Canley Vale is now a suburb of Sydney but in the 1920s it was made up of bushland and small farms. The Bents had a small property in Bull's Road, St John's Park where they grew vegetables and stone fruit for sale and also kept several cows. During the Great Depression of 1929-1933, Esme recalls her father loading up his horse and cart and going off to sell his produce to "the rich people in Strathfield" [3].
The photo above is of Esme, Arthur and Norman playing in a home-made canoe on Orphan School Creek in Canley Vale. It's not dated but I'm guessing it was taken in about 1924, when Arthur would have been about 4, Esme about 5 and Norman about 13.
Life on the farm must have been fairly tough for Rosalie, Fred and their children. We know that Fred was very much in love with his wife and that all three children adored their mother, but Rosalie was ill for most of her short life and we know that Fred was a hard man. His daughter, Esme, said that his children never saw a soft side to Fred until his grandchildren arrived and, in the few photos we have of her, Rosalie is unsmiling and looks care-worn [4].
Sadly, Rosalie, who had suffered from ill health all her life, died on 31 August 1929. That day, her husband was away in the city selling his fruit and vegetables and Rosalie was at home with Arthur and Esme [3]. Her death devastated the family, particularly given that Esme was only about 10 and Arthur 8 at the time. Norman was 19.
After Rosalie died, Arthur and Esme were sent to live for a time with various acquaintances of Fred. All their family were in England so this was Fred's only option but it was a miserable time for the two young children who barely knew the people they were staying with [3].
The 1930 Electoral Roll has Fred still living at Bull's Road, St John's Park in Canley Vale, with his occupation listed as "farmer".
Canley Vale is now a suburb of Sydney but in the 1920s it was made up of bushland and small farms. The Bents had a small property in Bull's Road, St John's Park where they grew vegetables and stone fruit for sale and also kept several cows. During the Great Depression of 1929-1933, Esme recalls her father loading up his horse and cart and going off to sell his produce to "the rich people in Strathfield" [3].
The photo above is of Esme, Arthur and Norman playing in a home-made canoe on Orphan School Creek in Canley Vale. It's not dated but I'm guessing it was taken in about 1924, when Arthur would have been about 4, Esme about 5 and Norman about 13.
Life on the farm must have been fairly tough for Rosalie, Fred and their children. We know that Fred was very much in love with his wife and that all three children adored their mother, but Rosalie was ill for most of her short life and we know that Fred was a hard man. His daughter, Esme, said that his children never saw a soft side to Fred until his grandchildren arrived and, in the few photos we have of her, Rosalie is unsmiling and looks care-worn [4].
Sadly, Rosalie, who had suffered from ill health all her life, died on 31 August 1929. That day, her husband was away in the city selling his fruit and vegetables and Rosalie was at home with Arthur and Esme [3]. Her death devastated the family, particularly given that Esme was only about 10 and Arthur 8 at the time. Norman was 19.
After Rosalie died, Arthur and Esme were sent to live for a time with various acquaintances of Fred. All their family were in England so this was Fred's only option but it was a miserable time for the two young children who barely knew the people they were staying with [3].
The 1930 Electoral Roll has Fred still living at Bull's Road, St John's Park in Canley Vale, with his occupation listed as "farmer".
1933-1973
The 1933 Electoral Roll has Fred - and presumably Esme and Arthur - living on The Great North Road, Drummoyne and working again as an upholsterer.
In 1933, Fred married Mary Margaret Victoria Earley in Sydney. There were no children of this marriage.
Mary was a lovely, caring woman who was known to the extended family as "Aunty Mary". She was very much loved by her step-children and by the rest of Norman's family. In a 1939 letter to her step-daughter-in-law, Noreen (my grandmother), she mentions her family's objection to her marriage to Fred, a widower with three children.
The 1936 Electoral Roll shows Fred and Mary Bent living at 437 Lyons Road, Five Dock, with Fred still working as an upholsterer.
Fred and Mary lived in the house at 437 Lyons Road until Fred's death in 1973. The house was a small Federation-era semi-detached house, opposite a lovely, big park. Unfortunately it's no longer there, having been demolished in recent years to make way for a row of townhouses.
Esme told her daughter, Rosalie Busch, that Fred was a hard man and that she never saw a soft side to him until his grandchildren, Rosalie and Ross, arrived. Norman told his daughter, Rosalie Ben, that his father used to beat him as a child. Rosalie Busch recalls that Norman became quite frail is his later years and that he once broke down in tears and told her she had a very special name because it belonged to a very special lady [3].
Fred's Residence (from Electoral Rolls)
why no record between 1910 (arrival) and 1930?
Parramatta 1930
Martin 1932-1954
Evans 1958-1963
Parkes 1968
Evans 1972
In 1933, Fred married Mary Margaret Victoria Earley in Sydney. There were no children of this marriage.
Mary was a lovely, caring woman who was known to the extended family as "Aunty Mary". She was very much loved by her step-children and by the rest of Norman's family. In a 1939 letter to her step-daughter-in-law, Noreen (my grandmother), she mentions her family's objection to her marriage to Fred, a widower with three children.
The 1936 Electoral Roll shows Fred and Mary Bent living at 437 Lyons Road, Five Dock, with Fred still working as an upholsterer.
Fred and Mary lived in the house at 437 Lyons Road until Fred's death in 1973. The house was a small Federation-era semi-detached house, opposite a lovely, big park. Unfortunately it's no longer there, having been demolished in recent years to make way for a row of townhouses.
Esme told her daughter, Rosalie Busch, that Fred was a hard man and that she never saw a soft side to him until his grandchildren, Rosalie and Ross, arrived. Norman told his daughter, Rosalie Ben, that his father used to beat him as a child. Rosalie Busch recalls that Norman became quite frail is his later years and that he once broke down in tears and told her she had a very special name because it belonged to a very special lady [3].
Fred's Residence (from Electoral Rolls)
why no record between 1910 (arrival) and 1930?
Parramatta 1930
Martin 1932-1954
Evans 1958-1963
Parkes 1968
Evans 1972
Death
Fred died on 18 February 1973 in Sydney, aged 86 [5]. He was cremated and I don't know what became of his ashes. As far as I know, there is no memorial or grave.
References
[1] TBC
[2] Sands Directories, 1858-1933;
[3] Email dated 28/7/10 from Rosalie Busch;
[4] Email dated 21/10/10 from Rosalie Busch;
[5] thank you card from Fred's wife, Mary Bent, to Noreen Bent;
[2] Sands Directories, 1858-1933;
[3] Email dated 28/7/10 from Rosalie Busch;
[4] Email dated 21/10/10 from Rosalie Busch;
[5] thank you card from Fred's wife, Mary Bent, to Noreen Bent;