Miss Hilda Richardson

(1890 – 1972)

Hilda Richardson was a florist in Fremantle for more than 33 years. She started with her sister in 1918 as Richardson and Horner and from 1926 until 1932, as Miss Richardson Florist at the Bank of Adelaide, 60-64 High St (was 74) and lastly, from 1933 until 1953, as Richardson’s Florists based at 94 High St (was 116).

Hilda Gertrude Richardson was born in Saddleworth, South Australia on 29 July 1890. Her father Frederick Richardson (1849-1946) married her mother Marion Munns (1855-1931) in South Australia in 1864. Hilda was one of 9 children: Edith (1878-1883), Frederick George (1880-1971), Alfred Ernest (1882-1939), Ethel Rose (1884-1887), Alice Maria (1889-1979), Ruby Elizabeth (1892-1980) (1917), Stanley Charles (1893-1962), and Edward ‘Ted’ James.

In 1901 the family relocated to Fremantle. Her father Frederick was employed with the Stores Department at the Midland Junction Railway Workshops for many years. From 1926-1932 the family lived at 34 Moss St, East Fremantle.

In 1918 Hilda and her sister Alice Maria Horner opened a florists shop in High St Fremantle called Richardson and Horner Florists. In 1913 Alice had married Ernest ’Ernie’ William Horner. He died in 1917 in France during WW1 and it was probably necessary to work to support herself. However, in 1921, Alice remarried:

13 Jan 1921 Married quietly on Thursday were Mrs. Horner, the well known and popular florist,and Mr. F. C. Sales, of High street, Fremantle. (reference)

After her marriage Alice left the partnership and Hilda carried on as Miss Richardson:

1921 MISS RICHARDSON. 72 High Street, Fremantle. Florist and Seed Merchant. Best stocks in season can always be obtained. Wreaths, Bouquets, etc. at shortest notice (reference)

1921 The very handsome bouquets carried on the occasion were made by Miss Richardson, florist, of High street, Fremantle. (reference)

Hilda seemed to have some undefined illness. She underwent a serious operation in Jan 1920 at St. Omer's Hospital, Perth… (reference) and again in 1929:

Thanks to the wonderful surgical ability of Dr. Hadley, Miss Hilda Richardson, of the High street florists, is out and about again. (reference)
1930 A motor lorry loaded with bales of jute came into collision with a verandah post at Richardson's florist's shop in High-street, Fremantle, this afternoon. The post and signboard crashed to the footpath. No one was hurt, but two young women had a narrow escape. (reference)

1931 Hildas mother died at ther home at 210 Canning Highway.

1932 RICHARDSONS FLORISTS, 116 High-street, Fremantle, specialise in cut flowers, bridal suites and flowers for mail steamers. Richardsons also supply plants, shrubs, flower and vegetable seeds. Town and country orders are given prompt attention. Tel. FM2784. (reference)
Oct 1932 FLOWER SHOW The initial spring show of the Fremantle Horticultural Society was held in the Town Hall on Friday last. Trophies were presented by the Mayoress of Fremantle (Mrs. F. E. Gibson). The exhibits, which were many and varied, were very highly commented upon and reached a standard reflecting great credit on the competitors. Miss Richardson, the High-street florist, had a splendid display of her blooms in evidence, and her effort was much appreciated by all. (reference)

Hilda changed the name of her shop to Richardson’s Florists and from 1933-1953 it was based at 116 High St (now no 94).

1932 “When you're feeling blue and your eyes cannot penetrate the gloom, when all in life seems dull and vapid, take the hint from me and go and see Miss Richardson, the High-street florist. She is simply cheerfulness personified. Her speech, manner, personality, all are in the superlative degree. And she radiates and creates an atmosphere of peace and contentment. Speaking to her the other day, I was forced to open up my intuitive reservoir so to keep pace with her rapid discourse. Being in a shop with the beauties of nature all around you, and with a lady of such attractiveness, one would be excused for being bewildered.” (reference)
1933 Last week a friend of mine left for the Eastern States for a holiday, lucky giri! She was inundated with floral offerings and Miss Richardson, who is a leading florist at Fremantle, and specially caters for mailboat orders, was responsible for some of the beautiful bouquets. (reference)

In 1934 Hilda married at the age of 44 years old to William Joshua Beisley (1874- 1961), aged 50.

5 March 1934 A quiet wedding took place in East Fremantle this morning, when Miss Hilda Richardson was married to Mr. W. J. Beisley. Both are well, known in Fremantle, Mr. Beisley being a former member of the City Council and a prominent bowler. Some years ago he conducted a tobacconist and florist business at the Port, his wife is the proprietress of a florist's shop in Fremantle. Mr. and Mrs. Beisley will leave on a honeymoon trip to Colombo in the Moldavia late today. (reference)

William Beisley was known as a tobacconist, nurseryman, seedsman & florist. He had a few shops in the West End; In 1893 in Henry St; at the Central Chambers, 85 High St ( now known as no 67) from 1899-1908; at 89 High st in 1909; at 106 High st (now 86 High St) from 1910- 1913: finally at Highams Buildings 129 ( now 107) High St from 1913- 1945 in a shop known as Beisley’s corner’.

Beisley was a very good amateur photographer and his photos were published regularly in the Western Mail c 1897-1899 (reference) He was also a member of the Fremantle Municipal Council in 1918.

Beisley was born in Portsmouth, Britain and came to WA as a small child. He had been previously married to Maria ‘Mollie’ Handcock and had one daughter Lorna Williamine, born in 1911. They lived at 14 Holland St, Fremantle, where the family had a plant nursery, and at then ‘Windemere’, High St, Fremantle. In 1931 Mollie Beisley died, aged 62.

November 1931- Mr William J. (Bill) Beisley will be entering active business again shortly. One of the veterans of business life of the Port- he hung out his sign on a shop in Henry-street in 1887-he completed 40 years in the business in 1927 when he decided to retire temporarily. Born at Portsmouth in 1874, he left the following year with his parents for Western Australia on the ship Lady Elizabeth- wrecked a few years later on Rottnest Island when bound for Shanghai with sandalwood- and spent his earliest boyhood in Perth and on Rottnest, where, his father guarded over the natives in the penal settlement. At the age of 10 years W.J.B, received his introduction to the hair cutting business through "Charlie the Barber" whose name, singularly enough, was Charles Barber. Three years later Mr Beisley became his own master and his sign was displayed in several shop windows before he acquired, 21 years ago, the valuable property still known as Beisley's corner. During a boom period at Fremantle, many years ago, he was established where the Union Stores stand and his saloon was reputed to have been the largest and smartest in the West, netting him over £30 weekly on threepenny shaves and sixpenny hair-cuts. Was a good amateur photographer, and has a much prized collection of pictures. He was always prominent in sports, chiefly rowing, cricket, and in later years, bowls. Is a member of the East Fremantle Bowling Club, and has won numerous trophies. He is still a "young" man for his years. (reference)
1936 Mr. and Mrs. Beisley returned to their home in Canning-road, East Fremantle, last week, after a very enjoyable holiday trip to Bombay. (reference)

During the war Hilda and William Beisley lived at her family home 201 Canning Highway, East Fremantle.