The Australian Stock Saddle
and the Saddlers that made them
ROBERT THURLOW 1880 - 1962
Bob Thurlow with a saddle being sent to Canada
Bob Thurlow had a wonderful foundation in learning saddlery. Born at Scone in 1880, at fifteen years of age he apprenticed with Alex Dodds, a saddler in Scone. Then in 1904 he moved over to work under another local saddler, Francis Thrift. Frank Thrift himself had learnt his trade from a very renowned saddler Edward Solomons (locally called The Prince of Saddlers, Scone), so Bob’s thorough education with all things saddlery and harness, was assured.
From 1904 Thurlow worked as a saddle liner and repairer, then became a "saddle hand", (another name for a qualified saddle/harness maker). He travelled around the district for Frank Thrift, making repairs for the local farmers/residents.
In 1915, Mr. F. H. Thrift had accepted a position with the Expeditionary Forces, and sold out to Mr. M. J. Schneider of Singleton. Schneider kept on Thrift's manager but no mention was made of Bob Thurlow. One month later, after Schneider's purchase of the business, the Scone Advocate ran an ad on the 30th November, stating that Bob Thurlow had commenced business in Kelly Street (down the road from Thrift’s) on his own.
March 1917, saw Bob Thurlow in the prize pool for his saddlery at the Upper Hunter Show. The article mentioned his performances as follows: 'In saddlery and harness, R. Thurlow, of Scone, obtained the prize for a set of buggy harness, and second prize for set of spring cart harness and light town saddle, and stock saddle.'
Later that year in September, it appears that Mr. Schneider was not as successful as he would have hoped in Scone, and under the Local and General News of the Advocate it was reported as such. 'Notice of Removal - Mr. Robt. Thurlow, Saddler and Harness Maker desires it to be known that he has removed his place of business to those premises in Kelly Street until recently occupied by Mr. M. J. Schneider, whose business he has purchased. Mr Schneider, who has been in the trade for close on two years, intends, we understand, going to the city.'
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.
In the Scone Advocate, in January 1922. The advertisement read:
A Business Notice: HAVING taken over the SADDLERY and HARNESS Business carried on for a number of years under the firm name of 'Thrift and Thurlow,' I desire to intimate to the Public at large that it is my intention to carry on as hitherto, giving the same Strict Attention to all Orders left for execution, together with an assurance that the Workmanship I will retain the same high standard of efficiency by which the old firm built up its reputation. A continuance of the patronage of old Customers will be esteemed. ROBERT THURLOW.
What was to follow six years later gives a glimpse that Thurlow was having trouble keeping afloat and more importantly he had been in partnership with Thrift possibly from 1917 until 1922. It also indicates that Robert Thurlow was now a sole trader again.
A fire raised Thurlow's saddlery business to the ground and losses were suffered by both Thurlow and Thrift (who owned the building and was living in Woy Woy), in 1924. This event could also have been a catalyst to the events that would occur later in the late 1920's. The saddlery continued on trading with one or two notices in 1924 and early 1928 stating that Robert Thurlow would like all his debts cleared.
By June 1928 the press ran the following report:
In the Bankruptcy Court, the case Robert Thurlow, saddler, was called in connection with which a meeting of creditors was listed. Mr. Gaden, who intimated that he appeared for the largest creditor, Mr. A. G. White, said it was most unfortunate that a number of creditors had not been given sufficient time to furnish proof of debts. The time allowed had been quite insufficient. He attributed the cause of his bankruptcy to sickness, bad management, and following racehorses. He had an overdraft of £600 at that time. Had not been in partnership with anyone during the past eight years, and at the time of his bankruptcy had nothing in hand. Gave notice to his creditors about 12 months ago that he would be unable to carry on. Wrote to some, and informed others verbally. Had never called a meeting of his creditors. Became aware that he could not pay his debts when they fell due some twelve months ago. Had not contracted any debts since becoming aware that he could not carry on. Had lost money going to the races during the past two years, but could not give any particulars of his losses. Could not say what his income had been for the last three years. Neither could he say what his expenditure had been. Bankrupt continuing, repeated that he could not say what his income or expenditure had been. He had kept books. He owed unsecured creditors £1147.6.6, and a preferential creditor £43.10.0, or £1514.16.6 all told. The public examination was declared closed.
The above advertisement appeared in the Gloucester Advocate in November 1928. "M. Thurlow" was the name of his wife as Bob Thurlow would not have been able to trade in his name having being declared bankrupt.
Pic Credit: Northern Daily Leader, Walcha. Seckold Saddlery in the snow in 1908
Bob Thurlow and family arrived in Walcha by way of Gloucester in March 1936, and purchased both the saddlery business from Worrad Brothers as well as the premises occupied by the Seckold family, which, after a break of three years, was once again a combined saddlery and residence.
Bob Thurlow embraced the advent of motor vehicles, (as early as his Gloucester days) by taking on the manufacture and repair of canvas hoods and roll-up curtains for all types of motorcars. He had been in the saddlery business for 67 years and had not long retired when he died at Walcha, in December 1962.