Robert McMullan

(1865-1947)

Robert McMullan, a local Fremantle plumber became a well known Inventor, contributing his invention ‘the Boomerang’ to the growth of the fledgling aviation industry of the early 20th century. He also patented innovations and tools for many other industries, including a rotating sprinkler used for irrigation, and improvements to pneumatically cushioned tyres. 

Robert A. McMullan was born in 1866 in Eaglehawk, Victoria on 28 December 1865. His father, John McMullan (1936/8 - 1893), was born in Ballynanny, Rathfriland, County Down, Ireland and may have arrived on the Echo in 1855, aged 19, with his siblings Henry (18), Mary (16) and Peter (12), and spent time in NZ before settling in Eaglehawk near Bendigo. Robert’s mother, Mary Anne Shannon (1835-1917), born in Humphreytown, County Wicklow, Ireland. Mary Anne immigrated to Australia as an assisted migrant on the Tornado in 1855. She could read and write and was indentured to work for Mr Harwood of Lonsdale St, Melbourne at a wage of 20 shillings per month. Mary Anne and Robert married in September 1863 and settled in Kerang, Gunbower, Victoria, in 1874 where they had children: John Patrick (1864-1950), Robert, Joseph (1867-1943), James Shannon (1868- 1939), Maryanne Therese (1870-1952), Isabella Margaret (1873-1948) and Eliza (1875-1964) Robert’s father John was a quartz miner who worked around Bendigo, eventually buying a shop, a boarding house and the Swan Hill Road Hotel. John McMullan died 7 March 1893 after being kicked by a horse.

By 1894 Robert McMullan had patented an ‘Improved Spark Arrester for Locomotive and other Boilers’ with the Victorian Patents Office. It was sometime after this he moved to Western Australia. By 1902 he was the Honorary Secretary of the Fremantle Master Plumbers Association. (reference) In 1904 Robert also served as a Fireman with the local Fremantle Fire Brigade. (reference)

In 1908, Robert married Mary Magdalen ‘Minnie’ Allen (1884-1964) who was born in Cossack, WA. Her parents William Hamilton Allen (1851-1905) and Mary Agnes ‘Annie’ Bartley (1865-1934) lived in Howard St, South Fremantle.

Robert and Mary McMullan had nine children; 6 sons and 3 daughters: Robert Joseph (1909-1969), Gavan Gerard (1910-1993), John Redmond (1911-1996), Gerald Francis (1912-1988), Sheila Terese (1915-1999), Eileen Margaret (1917-2011), William Redmond (1918-2005 Albany), Patrick Cyril Mannix (1920-2011), and  Rita Kathleen (1922-2008). 

In 1909, Robert was a plumber at 99 South Terrace, Fremantle and lived with Mary and possibly his sister Elizabeth McMullan at 18 (now 10) Little Howard Street, South Fremantle. Their first first child, Robert Joseph, was born 1 April 1909 at Nurse Watson's Private Hospital, Victoria Road, in Fremantle. (reference) In 1910, the family moved to 45 Alexander Road, South Fremantle. All their children were born in Fremantle. 

In 1909, six years after the Wright Brothers' flights in America, the Commonwealth Government offered a £5,000 prize for the first Australian 'Flying Machine... suitable for Military purposes.' (reference) 

In 1910, Robert, while operating his plumbing business, also worked on a new monoplane invention, called the ‘Boomerang’. The main cause of many fatalities in early flying machines was instability. The problem of ensuring equilibrium for the machines under almost any weather conditions was addressed by the Boomerang's ‘star’ feature, her balancing gear; special wing attachments that allowed the monoplane to be able to right herself automatically after a strong gust of wind. (reference). Made of aluminium the plane also promised to be lighter than others.

The 'Boomerang' or the’ Automatic Balancing Aeroplane’ was granted a worldwide patent in Great Britain in September 1910, and France in 1912. (reference) See image here. However many other inventors were also working on the problem of stability and claimed similar inventions. (Edgar Henderson 1909 reference) 

In 1911 a visiting well known aviator, Joseph Hammond, a representative of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, who came to make flights over Perth, inspected the model of Robert McMullen's monoplane in Fremantle and stated that “it was going to revolutionise the aviation of the world”. (reference) 

Robert entered the Boomerang in the Commonwealth Government Aviation competition, claiming the invention would increase the speed of monoplanes to 100 miles per hour and that it would be as safe to manipulate as a motor car. (reference) 

15 Jan 1911 Robert promised Western Australians that his invention would take its first trial within 12 weeks with the help of investors Jack Fell, and the Farrell Bros. (Jim and Will), from the  Hotel Leopold, Canning-road, Bicton. (reference) 

“This is essentially a Westralian invention, and therefore local labour will be employed in its construction” (reference).

This was despite him having previously expressed the concern that the motor needed could not be readily made in Australia. reference) McMullan and others were eager to contribute to Defence capabilities:

“Just imagine, if you can, a monoplane, capable of travelling 100 miles an hour, laden with a hundredweight of gelignite bombs, susceptible to every movement of her pilot, and capable of being brought to a standstill in about 30ft. What a splendid factor in the defence of the country. What chance would, say, a Russian ironclad have against a 'Boomerang' ? The battles of the future will be battles in the sky.” (reference).

In 1912, Robert received a letter from Navy officers impressed with the Boomerang and the WA District Inventions Board recommended further examination and assistance to properly test the model by experts at headquarters. (reference) In 1914, Robert was asked by the Commonwealth Defence Department to submit a copy of his plans and specifications, as well as a model of his machine, to the authorities in Melbourne. The machine was favourably commented upon by experts, including Major Asmore, a member of the British Imperial Flying Corps. (reference). 

Despite his keenness for the Defence Department to adopt the boomerang in 1914, it seems the project never really materialised. (reference) Despite this disappointment Roberts passion for inventing things continued for the rest of his life.

The State Engineering and Implement Works at Rocky Bay operated from 1914 and Robert was employed there as Foreman Plumber. His younger brother-in-law George Hamilton Allen (1891-1922), was also working there and “hit upon an improvement in connection with gas producers” and took out an Australian patent in 1914. (reference) Perhaps Robert mentored the younger inventor, because both he and the manager John C. Davies invested in this patent and produced them at the Works (reference). The patent for the ‘Allen Gas Producer was also approved in 1916 in Great Britain, and the US in 1918. (reference) (reference). In 1922 George died of pneumonia in Collie, and at the time of his death “was engaged upon the construction of an engine that had it been completed, would have revolutionised the engineering world.” (reference)

Robert was also plagued by other people using his ideas.

In August 1913 Robert introduced a new invention- also called the Boomerang Sprinkler- this was a Rotary Irrigation Sprinkler that was an improvement on others because it more equally distributed water. (reference) The US patent was granted in October 1915 (reference) and expired in 1933. (reference) 

In October 1915, Robert appealed to the WA High Court against a judgment made in the State Supreme Court that was in favour of Stewarts and Lloyds, merchants, who had been alleged to have copied an irrigation sprinkler patent owned by Robert. (reference).

In 1913 he designed an improved Windmill which was patented in the US (1915) (reference) In August 1916 Robert invented an Automatic Cistern Valve (reference) and a Gas Purifier (with S. A. Beeson), which was patented in 1919. (reference) 

In the 1920s Robert moved to live in Perth, first to 35 Third Avenue in Maylands, in 1925 and ten years later to 149 Walcott Street in North Perth, where he lived until his death. The family were staunch Roman Catholics.

Robert, working as an Engineer, continued to patent inventions: A Cramp in 1924, and a Timber Cramp in 1930. In 1934 he invented a new kind of wood borer, which he demonstrated to Forestry Department Officials by blasting down an old gum tree in the North Perth Monastery grounds. (reference)

In 1926, Robert’s new patent was accepted for an improvement to pneumatically cushioned tyres, which made tyres immune from punctures and blow outs, and increased their lifespan. (reference). In 1932, another patent was accepted; an improvement for cramping floor boards prior to nailing, (reference).

In February 1938, Robert demonstrated an improved Barrel, for use in drawing Lotteries, to the chairman of the Lotteries Commission, Mr. J. J. Kenneally. McMullan considered that his method of automatic ejection was preferable to the system used by the Lotteries Commission at the time, whereby a small door in the barrel was opened and marbles withdrawn by the insertion of a long spoon. He claimed that his invention mixed the marbles better. (reference)(reference) When this improved barrel was not taken up by Lotteries he wrote an acerbic letter to the paper in 1939. (reference)

In 1938, his son John Redmond married Vera Beatrice Willey (1912-1984). JR McMullan became a Master Builder. They lived at 138 Joel Tce, East Perth and had their first son John Redmond in March 1939, and Roberts first grandchild. (reference) In January 1941 John aged 21 months died, causing great sadness. (reference)

In 1940, son Gavan Gerard, a shop assistant, was in the news when his truck was stripped of its tyres and motor by thieves. (reference). It was in that same year that G.G. McMullan stood as a Labour candidate for Perth in the Federal elections. (reference) A staunch Labour party member he stood for selection again, for Victoria Park in 1945 (as a soldier). (reference) After the war he also became a builder and once again stood for election in North Perth in 1951. (reference)

Robert's eldest son Robert Joseph became a barman and hotel manager. In 1941 he applied for a Publican's Licence for the Railway Hotel, Barrack St, Perth, where from 1941 - 1942 he welcomed returning troops. (reference) In 1941 he also married Veronica ‘Ron’ May Waters (1914-2001). (reference) During World War II, Robert Joseph joined the Australian Army and served with the Australian Army Canteens Service unit and Veronica lived at 9 Baker Avenue, North Perth. Their son Robert Joseph was born in 1942.

During WWll, five of Robert and Minnies sons enlisted to fight: 

In March 1941 Gavan Gerard (aged 31, W7533, Served 1941- Dec 1945), in May 1942 Robert Joseph (aged 35, WX41773, Served with the Catering Corp until 1945, William Redmond, (82004, Served in the RAAF), in Sept 1942 Gerald Francis (aged 28, WX34700, Served until 1943) and in Dec 1942 Patrick Mannix, (aged 22, WX36231, Served from 1942-1946 in New Guinea.) All returned from active service during WWll.

During this time, Robert continued to invent all kinds of objects- especially those that could help with the war effort; in 1942 he designed  a new method of dealing with incendiary bombs, and their fires, which he demonstrated at the Perth Central Fire Station. (reference) He also applied for patents for a Double Action Mine and a Marine Propeller and in 1943 he applied for patents for an Automatically Opening Parachute for dropping supplies, a Barnacle Sweeper, a Locomotive Spark Arrester and a Floor Cramp, Broom Attachment and Tension Reel for Guy Ropes.

During the war Robert wrote some amusing ‘opinion piece’ letters to the Daily News; In 1942 he wrote ironically about Music (reference), Crooning (reference) and the scrapping of the Henderson Naval Base. (reference) In 1943 he bemoaned the use of the word ‘guts’ to describe a person showing courage, particularly a woman; “one of our nice young things in uniform” (reference) and advised readers on how best to strike a match. (reference)

The three McMullan daughters also played their part during the war. Sheila McMullan trained as a nurse and worked in Government Hospitals from 1943 until 1949, when she graduated as a midwife. (reference). Eileen married James Healy in 1941.

On 22 May 1947, Robert died in Mt Lawley, and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

“McMULLAN, peacefully at his residence 149 Walcott street, Mt. Lawley, Robert, dearly beloved husband of Mary Magdalen, loving father of Robert, Gavan, John, Gerald, Sheila, Eileen, Bryan, Patrick and Rita, father-in-law of Ron, Vera and Jim, loving grandfather of Elizabeth, Robert, Keith, Malcolm, John, Paul and June: aged 78 years. Requiescat in pace.” (reference).

Sadly Robert missed seeing his daughters begin their own innovative and bold adventure; In January 1950 the three McMullan sisters Sheila, Eileen (Healy) and Rita leased Lucknow Hospital in Claremont, so that they could work together and where Sheila was Matron.

“Three Sisters In Charge- Last month the Lucknow Hospital was taken over by Misses S. and R. McMullan and Mrs. E. Healy, three sisters, all of whom are qualified nursing sisters who trained in Western Australia. Miss S. McMullan, the matron of the hospital, said yesterday that she and her sisters had decided that taking over the hospital would give them an opportunity to work together. She did her training at the Wooroloo Hospital, Northam Hospital and Kalgoorlie and her sisters trained at the Royal Perth Hospital. Miss R. McMullan is the theatre sister and Mrs. Healy is in charge of the wards” (reference).

The sisters leased the hospital from the proprietor Mrs Scott in 1949. Mrs Scott sold it in 1954 to the government. The three sisters ran the hospital until they retired in 1980. The hospital, which was next to the town hall was then sold by the government and the building was demolished and the site redeveloped. (reference).

In 1949 Gavan, Gerald and Patrick were still living at home 149 Walcott St, Mt Lawley with their mother. In the 1950s they married; Gavin to Joyce A. Shepherdson in 1950, Gerald to Margaret Halliday in 1953, Patrick to Evelyn Mary Stuckey in 1955.

In 1954 William Redmond was working as an assayer in the big Bell Mine in Kalgoorlie. He worked as an assayer in Wollongong from 1958 -1963.  From 1972-1980, working as a metallurgist he lived at 22 Jarrett st, Woodlands, with wife June Margaret- and  in 1980 with son Michael. He died in Albany in 2005.

Rita married William Wallwork in Perth in 1959.

Mary Magdalen ‘Minnie’ died on 21 September 1964.

Sheila lived at 2 Mary St, Claremont. She died in 1999 aged 84.

Research and written by Milorad Mihajlovic and Jo Darbyshire 2023

Thank you for added indepth research work on Robert’s family history in Ireland, in correspondence (2023) from john mcmullan australia <jdmcmep@iinet.net.au>. Please contact him if you want to know more about this history.

If you have any further information on this family please don’t hesitate to contact us at jo@museumofperth.com.au