RIDLEY, Bernard Walford

(1864-16/8/1944).

Bernard was the son of W. Walford, timber merchant of England. Bernard was born in England and arrived on 12/04/1886 on the Yeoman from London. In 1892 he married Jeanette Rogers (1864-1939), daughter of Ishmael. Jeanette was a relative of May Gibbs, the artist, and was a competent artist herself. Bernard and Jeanette's children were Eric, Darby Walford (1907-1969), Harold, Marjorie and Geoffrey. Bernard was a licensed surveyor and came to Western Australia to work on the Great Southern Railway project. He was assistant to civil engineer May in surveying the Bunbury Railway. Bernard formed the Grosvenor Prospecting Co. in 1888 and participated in the early prospecting of the Eastern Goldfields with Gillies MacPherson. Ill health caused him to resume survey work and became a draughtsman in P.W.D. He surveyed Avon, Armadale, Albany and Southern Cross. Bernard became the founder of the Institute of Licensed Surveyors in Western Australia and Western Australia Cricket Association. His residence was in Stirling Street, Perth.

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