Sidney Crawford
Sidney Crawford | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | May 14, 1968 (aged 82) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | Early 20th century – mid 20th century |
| Known for | Motor vehicle dealership and business in South Australia |
Sidney Crawford (4 November 1885 – 14 May 1968) was a businessman originating from Victoria who made his career in South Australia.
History
Edward James Frederick Crawford (circa 1808 – 15 May 1880), once a successful brewer associated with the Hindmarsh Brewery, also engaged in property dealings but faced bankruptcy during the economic downturn between 1864 and 1867. To escape his creditors, he moved with his family to Victoria in 1868.
His eldest son, James John Crawford (7 February 1848 – 17 October 1926), attended St. Peter's College and trained as an accountant. He lived and worked in New Zealand and Victoria before settling in Koroit, Victoria. There, he fulfilled various roles such as secretary of the Racing Club, part-owner of the Koroit Sentinel, and Commonwealth Electoral Registrar. From 1914, he also served as a Justice of the Peace.
Sidney Crawford, the fourth son of James John, was born in Warrnambool, Victoria and attended Koroit School. He earned a scholarship to Surrey College near Melbourne. Beginning his career at E S & A bank, he rose to branch manager at Elsternwick, Victoria, and by 1914 lived in Murrumbeena. Enlisting in 1917 with the First AIF, he served in France as part of the 4th Australian Motor Transport Company before his discharge in 1919. Afterwards, he took on the management of Tarrant Motors, which was then Melbourne’s largest new car dealership.
In 1922, Crawford relocated to Adelaide and co-established a Fiat dealership alongside L. M. Anderson and F. R. Burden. He acquired a residence in Brighton, South Australia.
By 1926, he formed Adelaide Car Service Limited with capital amounting to £50,000 to acquire Adelaide Motors Limited and All-British Motor House Limited. This enabled him to represent agencies for Austin, Albion, and Maudslay vehicles. The following year, Adelaide Motors unveiled a new showroom and workshop on Franklin Street.
In 1934, he launched Commercial Motor Vehicles Ltd on Flinders Street, serving as managing director. This company handled brands such as Leyland, Diamond T, and REO.
St Jude's Church, Brighton
As a devoted adherent of the Church of England, Crawford was a longstanding member of St Jude's Church, Brighton. After the church suffered significant damage from the 1954 Adelaide earthquake, there were proposals to demolish and rebuild it. Crawford strongly opposed these plans and rallied support to preserve the century-old structure. He threatened legal proceedings and eventually brought the matter before the State Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of conserving the building.
Other activities
- Served as chairman for the motor division of the Association of British Manufacturers.
- Appointed to the South Australian Government Motor Transport Control Board in 1928.
- Member of the council for the Taxpayers' Association of South Australia from 1929 to 1941.
- Founding chairman of the Junior Legacy Committee established in 1929.
- Commissioner on the Harbors Board starting in 1930; elevated to chairman in 1946.
- Board member of South Australia’s Economic Society branch.
- Engaged with scientific and technical committees; hosted visiting scholars.
- Founding participant in the think tank Common Cause.
- Regularly contributed essays on topics including transport, employment, economics, and social welfare to newspapers.
- Director at Hobbs Gearless Drive Limited.
- Authored Hauling for Profit, which includes a foreword by W. G. T. Goodman.
- Served on boards for War Workers Housing Trust and Commonwealth Housing Trust supporting worker housing initiatives.
- Executive officer at Commercial Finance Co., Ltd., focusing on financing motor vehicle purchases.
- Member of the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron.
- Established the C.M.V. Foundation in 1947 to assist kindergartens and public libraries; commemorated through the Crawford Room in the Mortlock Wing of the State Library.
Family
Edward James Frederick Crawford (7 December 1809 – 15 May 1880), a brewer based in Adelaide, was married first to Mary Ann Scott and subsequently to Frances Mitchell in Sydney on 31 July 1841.
- James John Crawford (7 February 1848 – 17 October 1926) wedded Ruth Harding from Wanganui, New Zealand, circa 1880. Their residences included Wanganui, Koroit in Victoria, and Brighton in South Australia. In 1896, James earned recognition for a story published in Melbourne Punch. Both passed away in Brighton. Among their seven sons were:
- Edward James Frederick Crawford (born around 1881) married Margaret Elizabeth Gray of Horsham, Victoria, in 1907. He held managerial positions at the National Bank in several locations such as Koroit, Angaston, and Bendigo, and also served as an organist for Congregational churches.
- Lindsay Tremlett Crawford (27 April 1882 – 2 December 1973) married Eugenie Laugier in 1911 and settled in Tocumwal, New South Wales.
- George Crawford (born circa 1884) was living in Surrey Hills as of 1951.
- Sidney Crawford (4 November 1885 – 14 May 1968) married Elsie Mary Allen in 1920. Their children included:
- James Allen "Jim" Crawford (1922–1999), who took over as managing director of the family business and was actively involved in philanthropy. He chaired the Libraries Board of South Australia from 1977 until 1987; the Jim Crawford Award commemorates his legacy.
- Frances Mary Crawford (born 1923)
- Diana Frances Mary Crawford (born 1923), who married Thomas William Whitton in 1950.
- Jocelyn Elizabeth Crawford (1924–1988)
- Rev. Norman Crawford (died circa 1968), a psychologist and Anglican clergyman ordained in 1915, served various parishes and advocated for penal reform, opposing practices such as flogging and capital punishment.
- Arthur Crawford (born around May 1893), a bank clerk and veteran of the Motor Transport Service, married Estella Helena Mitchell; he was alive as of 1946.
- Francis "Doc" Crawford (born circa March 1895 – died 30 August 1913).
The family’s home was located at 22 Seaview Terrace, Brighton.
Further information can be found at Hindmarsh Brewery#Crawford family.