Allwood (Cr) Edward (Teddy) Phillip
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Also known as: | Teddy |
| Date of birth | 20 May 1889 |
| Place of birth | Port Adelaide |
| Principal occupation | Mechanic,Mail Contractor,Footballer,Councillor, |
| Date of death | 1982 |
EDWARD PHILLIP (TED) ALLWOOD
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Ted was born in Port Adelaide on 20th May 1889. His mother, Mary Ann Gill, was the daughter of Irish immigrants and his father Edward Allwood was a ship’s cook from Jamaica. After he finished his schooling at Marist Brothers Alberton, he completed an apprenticeship in cabinet making, and went to work at Holden’s Bodyworks.
He was always keen on sport, an excellent oarsman, boxer, gymnast, a handy footballer and a reasonable cricketer but it was a bike training ride which brought him to Gawler. , In 1909 he and a couple of mates rode up from the Port to the Gawler Show. There was a lot of road construction going on in the district, and Ted got a job, returned home to his mother to collect his clothes, then it was off to Gawler until his death in 1982.
In 1913 he married Hilda “Tottie” Jacobs, a member of a longstanding Gawler family which had settled in Gawler in the 1840s.
In time they had five children, Frank, Joan who died in infancy, Reg, Phil, and Janet.,
In 1910 he joined the Gawler South Football Club, serving as Chairman in 1921,1923,1937 and 1938 and playing until 1937. He was also Secretary in 1919/20. In 1913 he was a founding member of the Cambridge (Gymnastics) Club, which entertained at various functions,
and he was also a professional boxer, fighting in tents around the local shows. He had his last fight at the Tanunda townhall in 1931 at the age of 42. After labouring jobs including May Bros.,
Ted finally set himself up in business, doing welding and mechanical repairs,. He rented garage premises opposite the Post Office, and started up his taxi service. Later he moved to the corner of Murray Street and Calton Road, next to the Old Spot Hotel, then obtained the mail contract which he held for 40 years.
Ted was interested in public affairs, and served as Councillor in the South Gawler Council from 1922 until it was amalgamated into the Gawler Council in 1934. He was defeated in the 1936 election, but later served a further 10 years in the Gawler Council from 1959-69.
Of course, most Gawlerites will remember him for his driving – those dozens of children being driven to school, expectant mothers driven up the hill to the “Hutch” and many an elderly lady taken to the shops – generally at a “two bob” fare. Many of his passengers would have a story to tell. I recall him reminiscing about the time his car broke down outside the police barracks at Thebarton. The young policemen pushed the vehicle into the stables until he was able to come back with his tools to get it started. He returned two weeks later, and after he got it going, he thanked the police for their help and with a wry grin of relief, drove his unregistered car home.
And then there was the time he stopped to pick up a hitchhiker who produced a knife, pushed Ted from the car and took off down the road. Ted flagged down a truck, got in and they took off after the stolen car. Ted got his vehicle back and the police got the culprit.
Some time ago I remarked to my sister Phillipa that it would be nice if the older residents of Gawler didn’t think of our Grandfather as just a terrible driver – he was much more than that – a great mechanic, sportsman, entertainer and humanitarian. I remember as a kid I asked what he would like on his headstone – his wishes never came to pass, so perhaps I can bestow it now – ‘WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT’
Jocelyn Allwood
Teddy Allwood was Councillor for Gawler South Ward in 1934, Evanston Ward 1934 to 1936, and then Councillor for Evanston Ward 1959 to 1969.
A Party for Gawler’s best-known senior citizen and the whole towns invited was the headline on page three of the “Bunyip” on May 9, 1979. Australia’s oldest licensed Royal Mail carrier, Mr E P (Ted) Allwood, will be 90 on May 20. A lengthy article followed on some of Ted’s achievements. On May 15, page one, article titled ‘Allwood birthday specials!’
Finally, the “Bunyip” reported on May 24 with headline ‘Two-Bob Teddy gets rousing 90th birthday cheer’.
More than 300 people gathered in front of Gawler town hall on Thursday night last week to honour Mr E P (Teddy) Allwood in a unique ceremony. Life membership of 15 Gawler organisers was deferred on Teddy by the Mayor, Mr Gil Harnett, and honorary membership of five other bodies.
Scroll Presented - The Mayor then opened the scroll, which had been prepared by Mr Harry Ochlschlager, senior partner in the firm of Henry Sign and Design, which read, in part: Mr E P (Ted) Allwood “By this certificate, in recognition of long and outstanding service in the Gawler community from 1909 to 1979 as a town councillor, businessman, footballer, cricketer, boxer, cyclist, gymnast, oarsman, swimmer, sailor, boatbuilder, craftsman, Royal Mail carrier, people carrier, humourist, legend-maker, friend and peacemaker… “…is hereby conferred Life Membership of the following bodies; Gawler Chamber of Commerce, Gawler Senior Citizens Club, Gawler Aged and Invalid Pensioners Social Section, Gawler Croquet Club, Criterion Friday Luncheon Club, Gawler Stirrers Inc, Prince Albert Social Club, Criterion Darts & Social Club, Barnaby’s Pencake Club, Gawler Arms Social Club, Gawler-Barossa Division of A.C.R.M., Exchange Hotel Social Club, Value for Money Dixie Donut Club, The R-n-R Club, and the Old Spot Social & Darts Club.
“…and Honorary Membership of the following bodies: Gawler & District Football League, South Gawler Football Club, Gawler Central Football Club, Willaston Football Club, Gawler Post-Tel Institute.
“For and on behalf of the Town and community, Gil Harnett, Mayor.”
Reported in the “Bunyip” 0n 15 April 1982 in a letter to the editor H Van der Hoek wrote – It was with deep regret to learn of the passing of Teddy Allwood recently. As a former resident of Gawler having been raised at the Blocks, I can remember on many visits to Murray Street having seen this grand man driving his unofficial taxi in and around Gawler. One only has to mention Gawler in conversation and the name Ted Allwood appears as this man is indeed synonymous with Gawler. For a man to have carried on in so many various vocations at his late age, many voluntary, commands respect. I am proud to say that in my childhood days I had the pleasure of traveling in this unofficial taxi that Teddy operated.
My name is David Drummond and I have recently read this article on Edward Allwood.
My mother was Lorice Jean Drummond (nee Allwood). Her father was Harold Bertram Allwood and his mother was Mary Ann Allwood (nee Gill). Mary Ann was married to Edward Allwood, son of Philip Allwood. Mary Ann’s father was William Adolphus Gill (who was Jamaican). Her mother was Martha Gill (nee Blucher).
Edward and Mary Ann had three children, William 1885-1967, Dorothy 1887-1891 and Edward (Ted) 1889-1982. Mary Ann’s husband Edward died in 1888 leaving her pregnant with Edward. Mary Ann had a relationship with a Robert Smithson and as a result my grandfather was Harold Bertram Allwood was born in 1895. Robert did a
runner leaving Mary Ann to raise three children on her own. Although the name Smithson was added at the end of the birth certificate of Harold it was never used on any documentation, hence he was only known as Harold Allwood. Everyone knows the history of Ted and Gawler but his older brother William was a trainer at he Rosewater Football Club where his half brother Harold also played football, both featuring in the 1920 premiership team. I have attached two photos, the is William and Martha Gill (Mary Anne’s parents). The second is the 1920 Rosewater Football Club Premiership team.
Teddy Allwood may have passed on but in the minds and hearts of many will never be forgotten. Legends live on.
References
Memories of Allwood (Cr) Edward (Teddy) Phillip
Teddy lived in Ninth Street Gawler South and was the town’s taxi ( 2 bob taxi ) for everyone, especially getting children to and from school. Everyone knew to keep well away from Teddy on the road, as he thought he had right of way no matter where he was. He was a town icon.
by Pamela Wilson [nee Dawe]
[[Rememberer::David Drummond ]] remembers: My mother was Lorice Jean Drummond (nee Allwood). Her father was Harold Bertram Allwood and his mother was Mary Ann Allwood (nee Gill). Mary Ann was married to Edward Allwood, son of Philip Allwood. Mary Ann's father was William Adolphus Gill (who was Jamaican). Her mother was Martha Gill (nee Blucher). Edward and Mary Ann had three children, William 1885-1967, Dorothy 1887-1891 and Edward (Ted) 1889-1982. Mary Ann's husband Edward died in 1888 leaving her pregnant with Edward. Mary Ann had a relationship with a Robert Smithson and as a result my grandfather was Harold Bertram Allwood was born in 1895. Robert did a runner leaving Mary Ann to raise three children on her own. Although the name Smithson was added at the end of the birth certificate of Harold it was never used on any documentation, hence he was only known as Harold Allwood. Everyone knows the history of Ted and Gawler but his older brother William was a trainer at the Rosewater Football Club where his half brother Harold also played football, both featuring in the 1920 premiership team. I have attached two photos, the first is William and Martha Gill (Mary Anne's parents). The second is the 1920 Rosewater Football Club Premiership team.
by David Drummond
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