18 Cliff Street
In 1950 the Italian community in Fremantle, under Father P. Abramo from St. Patrick’s Church, organised the first festa della Madonna dei Martiri. The first committee formed in 1946 included President Nicolo Cantatore, Secretary; Michaele Servillo and Ignazio de Bari. Lucrezia Servillo also served on the Women’s committee alongside her sister Susanne de Bari.
Sept 1950 More than 5,000 persons witnessed at Fremantle yesterday a colourful ceremony, held in Australia for the first time. It was the occasion of the festa della Madonna del Martiri--the fisherman's day of the year, when the fishing fleet receives a special blessing. This was the culminating ceremony of nine days of special preparations and prayers by Fremantle fishermen. Expense was not spared to ensure that their first festavil day in Australia would be a success…(reference)
1950 The committee men and women for 1950 of Our Lady of Martyrs, wish to extend their grateful thanks to: the commissioner of police and members of the force who assisted with the marshalling of the crowd to the Brothers and Members of the Clontarf Band, to the Sisters who trained the Children’s choir and to all who donated flowers and candles during the week. M Servillo, Secretary, 18 Cliff Street, Fremantle. (reference)
1952 Death: On Aug, 30 at the residence of his son-in-law, 18 Cliff-street, Fremantle, Leonardo Turtur, dearly loved husband of Benedetta Turtur, of 17 Attfeld-street, Fremantle, loved father of Lucrezia (Mrs. M. Servillo), Carlo, Susanna (Mrs. I. De Barie) and the late Luigi, father-in-law of Michele, Isabella, Ignazio and Antonette, fond grandfather of Gennaro, Leo, Luigi, Benedetta, Angela, Johnny, Angelo, Leo, Michele, Benedetta, Angela, Leo and Lucy, and great-grandfather of Vincey and Antonette; aged 81 years.(reference)
OCCUPANTS
Originaly Lot 20 was owned by R Maydwell (1829-1837), transferred to Stockley (1855-1859), transferred to R King & Son (1876-1878)
During the 1880s merchant William S. Loton (from 1885 was known as Padbury, Loton and Co) was listed in the rate books as the owner of Lot 20 Cliff Street.
During WWII the premises were used by the US Navy.
1949 [18] Servillo, Mick / [18a] and brother in law De Bari, Ignazio
The current building appears to have been constructed in 1952 and owner/occupants were Michelle Servillo (No. 18) and Ignazio De Bari. The residences remained in these names until 1964-1968 when Ignazio died and Susanna De Bari inherited his half.
18 Cliff Street remained in the Servillo family until 2006.
