Charles and Louisa Cracknell (Row O)
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Charles (1828-1901) married Louisa Stock (1825-1885) in 1851 in Essex England. They arrived in Sydney in 1855 with their son James and baby daughter Sarah. While he was an agricultural labourer on his arrival, he soon became a railway ganger. The next three sons, Edward, Joseph and William were born around Granville, then John and Eliza were born at Liverpool. The last move was to Picton by 1867 where the last two children Charles and Frederick were born. (The railway had reached Picton in 1863, and continued, slowly, further south-west in the following decades).
Despite being illiterate, in Charles’ will he described himself as a gentleman, and left his estate of £550 to his youngest son Frederick. At the time of his death Charles and Frederick were living in Upper Picton.
Charles junior and wife Emily married in 1889 had ten children, and their fourth son, Leslie Charles Cracknell enlisted in 1916 for service on the Western Front, and was killed in 1918. The family had left Picton in the early 1900s, for Woonona, and then moved to Thirlmere where Charles died in 1927.
James Stock Cracknell (1852-1931) the eldest son of Charles and Louisa, married Eliza Jane Whitfield (1853-1895) in 1876 in Sydney. His obituary appeared in the Picton Post November 11th, 1931:
“As briefly reported in the Post last issue, the death occurred on Sunday evening, the 25th ult. of Mr. James Cracknell, at his residence Menangle Street Picton. Deceased, who was 80 years of age, was a highly esteemed and respected resident of the community, and had seen Picton grow to what it is today.
The late Mr. Cracknell was born in Essex, England coming to Australia with his parents at the age of 5 years. Deceased went in for the butchering business, having a shop where the present Post Office now stands, later moving to premises near the railway.
The late Mr. Cracknell was predeceased by his wife, who was Miss Eliza Fieldhouse, the issue of the marriage being a family of seven, all of whom are living, with the exception of William who died some time ago. The family is: Mesdames T.E. Walton, Picton, H. Gillett, Epping, and Messrs James, Edward, Joseph and John.
Although not in the best of health for some time, he had been much improved during the previous week, and when Mr. and Mrs. Walton, who had devotedly attended to his every want in his declining years, went across to him previous to retiring, he was found to have passed peacefully away a short time before.
Mr. Cracknell was one of the old school, and could give many interesting reminisces of the early days. In his later years, when his health was failing, he was devotedly nursed and cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Walton, who was ever at his side.
The interment took place on Tuesday afternoon, and there was a large and representative attendance at St. Mark’s cemetery, where the Rev. J.P. Owen officiated, the remains being laid to rest beside his late wife. The pall bearers were Messrs. T.E. Walton sn., T. Walton (grandson), C.S. Newland and S.J. Waters [sic]. It is worthy of note that the late Mr. Cracknell and Sgt. Newland’s father were very firm friends in the early days.
We offer our sympathy to Mrs. Walton and other members of the family in their sad bereavement and to the brothers and sister who survive, viz. William, John and Frederick, and Mrs. Wardrobe.“
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Joseph Cracknell (Row A)
Joseph Cracknell (1859-1918) was the fourth son of Charles and Louisa, and married Hannah Ray in 1894. He had joined the railway in 1881, was a fireman in Picton by 1890, then a driver in Junee from 1899, and returned to Picton in 1913. In 1917 there was a big railway strike, and Joseph was one of those sacked in August. It is interesting that though many people in Picton and elsewhere were very critical of this strike, in wartime, many of the local strikers spent their time cleaning up both the St. Mark’s graveyard and the Upper Picton general cemetery. The strike was over in September and Joseph returned to his job as and engine driver. He died in October 1918 and the Picton Post of October 9, 1918 included his obituary:
“It is with regret that we have to record the death of a well known resident of Picton, in the person of Mr. Joseph Cracknell which occurred at his residence on Friday last at the age of 58 years. The news of his death was a great shock to the residents of the town as it was not generally known that he was ill. He contracted influenza several weeks ago which necessitated him relinquishing work, but after a few days off he resumed work again. While at work he again became ill and on his return home had to take to his bed suffering a relapse. Double pneumonia supervened and despite all that medical skill and constant attention could do he passed away as above stated. The deceased was employed at the railway department as an engine driver, and was very popular amongst his fellow employees at Picton and elsewhere. He was also a prominent member of the Masonic Lodge, Orange Lodge, and Grand United Order of Oddfellows and was held in the highest esteem by the members of these lodges. He leaves a widow and family of six sons and three daughters to mourn their loss.
The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon the interment being made in the
Church of England cemetery, Mr. H.R. Hawkins officiating. The cortege was one of the largest ever seen in Picton. Members of the three lodges above mentioned, and railway employees, marched in the funeral. A Masonic funeral service was solemnized by the local lodge.”
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Hannah Cracknell survived her husband by thirty years, as reported in the Picton Post of September 29, 1949:
“A highly respected resident of Picton, in the person of Mrs. H. Cracknell passed away at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Muller of Cabramatta, on Wednesday, 21st September, after a lengthy illness which she bore with fortitude
The deceased was born at Junee 83 years ago, and with her parents came to Picton in her early girlhood. Later she married Joseph Cracknell … Through continued indifferent health the deceased did not take a keen interest in the social life of Picton but gave generously to any deserving case. She was of a kindly nature and a home lover, who took an interest in the upbringing of her large family, of which nine survive her, 6 sons and 3 daughters, viz: Arch, Sydney, Arthur (manager of the Commercial Bank, Sydney), George, Picton, Sid, Sydney, (Walter) Frank Picton, Alf Artarmon; Florence Mrs C. Smith Cabramatta, Vera and Lydia (Mrs. Muller) of Cabramatta.
The remains were laid to rest in St. Mark’s Church of England cemetery following a service in St. Mark’s, the Rev. F.A.S. shaw conducted both services.
Many beautiful floral tributes testified to the esteem in which the deceased was held.”
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Some of the children are buried nearby: Alfred C. (1911-1988), Arthur John (1896-1955), Sidney Claude(1900-1967) – he was a successful jockey on the local and Sydney race tracks; and Vera (1905-1970).
The death of Sidney Claude Cracknell was noted in the Picton Post, July 20, 1967, with the heading Former Jockey Dies:
“A former well-known Sydney jockey, Sidney Claude Cracknell died suddenly at Randwick on Tuesday last week, at the age of 67. He is a brother of Mr. Frank Cracknell, who conducts the barber’s shop in Menangle-street, Picton.
The late Sidney Cracknell was one of the most successful jockeys of his time, particularly during the years 1923 to 1936 when he rode winners of many important races, including the A.J.C. and V.R.C. Derbies and the Epsom.
His wife Christine, and three sons, Sid, Edwina and Max survive.“
The funeral was held last Saturday morning and after a service at St. Mark’s Church of England, burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.”
[Sid would have had a much bigger obituary in the Sydney papers.]
