Thrift, Francis H

FRANCIS HENRY THRIFT 1870 - 1959

Francis Henry Thrift was born at Branxton (south of Scone) in 1870. How he became interested in all things leather, we will possibly never know, but Australia was very fortunate that Frank found himself under the tutelage of the "Prince of Saddlers", Edward Solomons, Scone. Edward Solomons owned a saddler and harness making business in Scone from 1876-1899. His premises were on the south-east corner of Kelly and Liverpool Streets. Solomons was killed on the 23 April 1899, when his buggy was hit by a falling tree. He was only 48 years of age. After his death, Thrift took over Solomons' Saddlery and harness business.

Many people may have considered that Frank Thrift would have purchased the business, however a theft incident at the saddle shop in 1903 had Thrift declaring in court that "I am manager, in the estate of the late E. Solomons". At some stage, up to 1906, Thrift must have purchased the business so as to allow him to sell in later years.

Later that year in August, Frank Thrift had the terrible misfortune to witness the accidental shooting of his younger brother in a firing range incident. He spoke at the Coroner's enquiry stating that "I have known Segt.-Major Lindsell about 18 months, as drill instructor to the Australian Horse, and have been frequently on the range with him. He has always been very, very careful. I mean by that that he is more than ordinarily careful, and has often impressed upon us to be careful; he has given me personal instructions in that respect, and I have heard him impress on others the necessity for care." Therefore as sad as it would have been to Thrift, he realised the death of his brother was just an unfortunate and dreadful accident.

Pic Credit:

Scone Historical Society

F H Thrift, Kelly Street, Scone in c1906

An article in the Scone Advocate in 1914 gave an indication that Thrift was returning to his former regiment of which he used to be the Commanding Officer of the 6th Light Horse. It stated: Lieutenant and Adjutant A. A. White, of Wingen, accompanies the Expeditionary Force, which will be in charge of Colonel Meredith. The Colonel's place in charge of his regiment, the 6th L.H., will be taken by Major F. H. Thrift, of Scone.

A year later Thrift had settled on the idea of returning to war so announced in the Scone Advocate in 1915:

Change of Business.— After being in Scone as a saddle and harness maker, for in the vicinity of a quarter of a century, Mr. F. H. Thrift who, as is well-known, has accepted a position with the Expeditionary Forces, has sold out to Mr. M. J. Schneider of Singleton. During his long business association locally, by his straight forwardness, combined with his integrity and deserved popularity, Mr. Thrift was instrumental in working up a big connection, which he fully retained right up to the time of his present retirement from same. With but brief respites during his long residence, it must be said of him that he was ever 'in harness'. With the sea trip he is shortly looking for, it is our heartfelt wish, as we are sure it also is of an army of friends, that he will return safely, feeling greatly rejuvenated as the result of his extended absence. His successor, Mr. M. J. Schneider, hails from the Singleton district, where for the past seven or eight years he has been a well-known citizen identifying himself with local bodies, particularly those pertaining to sport, with rifle shooting giving priority.

Outdoor portrait of thirteen members of the 6th Light Horse Regiment, Citizens Military Forces

In October 1917 an advertisement was ran in the Freeman's Journal announcing a partnership of Frank Thrift and Bob Thurlow (Bob being a former employee of Thrift's). This was the first notification found, since the obvious safe return from war of Thrift, so the actual partnership could have occurred earlier.

The partnership continued along until c1922, and this date was only discovered during the reporting of Bob Thurlow's bankruptcy, when in June 1928, the local newspaper printed the story on that event. An advertisement, approximately three months later, in September 1928, confirmed that Francis Thrift was a sole trader. The previous partnership had advertised that they made Kemp pattern saddles, so this ad reflects that Thrift had taken on the Kemp saddles being his speciality.

The saddlery trade continued on successfully for Thrift in Scone, and an interesting report was printed in the Scone Advocate in 1936 demonstrating the versatility of Thrift as a saddler. In those days it would have been no mean feat to please the overseas cowboys with regards to a saddle, as what they were used to was so different to what the Australians used. Picture below shows Herman Linder in Francis Thrift's saddle.

Three years later in 1939, the Scone residents were informed that their long term saddler was selling up and moving from the district. However Thrift wasn't quite finished yet. Three months later he was still advertising his saddles through a former employee who was situated at Gloucester.

Sixteen years later in 1945 another report on a saddle made by Francis Thrift read:

PRESENTATION SADDLE.

Mr. A. E. Moore, recently retired Inspector of Stock from Gloucester P.P. District, has received a fully mounted saddle which Mr. F. H. Thrift, the well-known, saddler, has just completed to his order. The maker has put his best work into the saddle and Mr. Moore is highly pleased with it. It will be remembered that upon his retirement six months ago Mr. Moore was entertained by a number of his friends and presented with a sum of money sufficient, to purchase a good saddle, bridle and decent saddle horse. Mr. Moore has left the saddle with the Secretary at the P.P. Board's office for a few weeks and would like all who cares to call and inspect same, especially, those who subscribed towards its purchase. The Secretary will be pleased to exhibit the saddle at any time convenient to callers.

Francis Henry Thrift continued to make saddles until he died in September, 1959. An article on Robert Henry, who won the Mary Durack Crafts Award for a saddle in 1990, confirms this fact. The article noted: "Mr Henry is one of a diminishing breed of traditional saddle makers. He was taught by the late Frank Thrift of Newcastle, who enjoyed a widespread reputation as one of Australia's greatest saddle makers. Henry, in fact, had the task of completing the saddles Thrift had in progress, at the time of his death. Mr Henry later spent many years in Gloucester where he ran his own business, then retired to Wingham about 10 years ago."

In 2014, famous saddler, the late Warren Newcombe said in an interview: "When I first started, I was copying Bob Thurlow and Frank Thrift's styles."

Mr. Francis Thrift can easily be considered to be one of a handful, of the most influential saddlers, in Australia.