The Smell of Leather and Dubbin'

This is  a photo of the J McGrath Saddlery in Fitzmorris Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW.

When this photo was taken it was owned by my grandfather, Charles Harry Rake and Silvio Palazzi.

I never knew my grandparents on either side of the family,  but it is great to have such photos of my ancients.

Below are the names of the people in the photo. They are the saddlery employees and owners. This information from Reginald Brown as of June 1991 living at 6 Turner Street, Turvey Park, Wagga Wagga. Reg Brown (dec) was an employee for the Rake & Palazzi saddlery but was made redundant in July 1924. Reg Brown is included in the saddlery photo. I spoke to Reg Brown in company with Michael Starr, historian of Wagga Wagga, on 13 June 1991.

Back row: L to R
1. Unknown
2. Bill Jones
3. Harry Fordham (Dixie)
4. Alfred ‘Bosey” Pulver
5. J Hopkins
6. Fred Gordon
7. Robert Peel-Miller (Bookkeeper)
8. Charles Harry Rake (Owner)
9. Silvio Alfieri Palazzi (Owner)

Front row L to R
1. Bill Arndt
2. William John Rake
3. Percy John Arnold Rake
4. Charles Harry Rake (Jnr Chip)
5. Leslie ‘Brum” Clarke
6. Reginald Brown
7. Ernest Leslie Lionel Rake (My Dad)

History:

Charles Harry Rake worked for John Joseph (Jack) McGrath the previous owner and first owner of this establishment. Charles Rake purchased the saddlery from McGrath in conjunction with E H Ferguson, who subsequently sold out his share to Silvio Palazzi. Silvio Palazzi was a Sergeant Saddler in the Boer war.

The saddlery building was built by Charles Hardy & Co. and designed by the architect W. J. Monks in c 1893. J. J. McGrath moved into the new building in 1893 and employed up to 16 tradesmen.

The land Allotment 2 Section 45A at Fitzmorris Street was given by government grant to J. J. McGrath on 25 February 1892.

The McGrath or Wagga saddle became famous in Australia and a Mr Price took one of the saddles to Chicago US to the World’s Columbian Exposition where it received a bronze medal in 1893.

Rake & Palazzi continued to make the Wagga Saddle under the McGrath saddle brand name. (I have in my possession a shield from one of these saddles with the name J. J. McGrath clearly embossed).

Three saddlers continued in Wagga Wagga up to at least 1926 at Rake & Palazzi’s Riverina Saddlery Establishment. Hiscock & Co (est c1904) Rabbets & co of Bayliss Street.

By the ages of those in the photo it is estimated that the photo was taken about 1924.

Rake people in  the photo:

William John Rake was a son of Charles Harry Rake moved to Sydney and made jockey saddles that were exported to the US.

Percy John Arnold Rake was the brother of Charles Harry Rake and the only other surviving male of the Rake family from William Rake and Sarah Rake (nee Barber) of Albury and Yackandandah Vic. Although family members have claimed that Percy John Arnold Rake was a part owner of the saddlery there is nothing in the records to indicate that he was any more than an employee of Rake & Palazzi.

Charles Harry Rake, also know as Chip (Chip off the old block). His family later moved to Western Australia. Chip married Alma Healy.

Ernest Leslie Lionel Rake was the author’s father. Les Rake was a harness maker at his father's business (Les is buried in Wagga). He married Agnes Estelle Tod, sister of J. G. Tod the well-known stock transport operator and owner, of Wagga.

Les Rake carried the names of his deceased uncles that had died at an early age in the rigors of the goldfields in North West Victoria, and was buried at the Yackandandah cemetery.