Alfred Harman

Alfred Henry (Albert) Harman

Block 102B Gungahlin District - Property Name: 'Malcolm Vale'


Alfred Henry (Albert) Harman was born in 1893 at Majura, then part of NSW. On the 7th September 1916, he enlisted in Goulburn, NSW along with his younger brother James. Their older brother Thomas enlisted two months later.

Harman arrived in France as a Private with the 60th Battalion in April 1917. He served at Bullecourt in May 1917 and Polygon Wood in September 1917 before being wounded in the left arm and left thigh near Villers-Bretonneux on the 27th April 1918. Harman's arm failed to heal and was amputated. He returned to Australia in July 1918 and was discharged in March 1919.

In 1920, Harman secured the 601 acre (243 hectare) Soldier Settlement Gungahlin Block 102B that was located north east of Canberra Airport in the current District of Majura. He built a residence on the block, which he named Malcolm Vale. A 1930 inspection of Malcolm Vale described the building as:

"Built of pise on rubble foundations with iron roof, bullnosed iron to verandahs. This building is in fair condition and could be made more comfortable if additional ventilation and repairs were effected. Area 969 sq. ft. [90 sq. m.] including verandahs."


Plan of Gungahlin Block 102B

Plan of Gungahlin Block 102B.

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Harman struggled to keep up with his rent payments. In October 1929, he wrote to the Federal Capital Commission (FCC) "I will pay that account as soon as possible next month, as I have had a bad year buying feed for sheep and other stock." By November 1930, Harman owed the FCC 15 months of back rent totalling £135/3/1. He was warned:

"The administration cannot reasonably be expected to allow rents to accumulate over such a long period and you are informed that unless settlement is effected within ten (10) days, the collection of your indebtedness will reluctantly be placed in the hands of the Commonwealth Crown Solicitor."

Harman remained the lessee of Block 102B Gungahlin until May 1936 when the lease was transferred to Daniel Broderick and Sons of Queanbeyan, NSW. This was subject to "Payment of Mr Haman's indebtedness in respect of this lease to date of transfer" of £314/5/8.


Google Maps image of area c2013 with Gungahlin Block 102B boundary in red

Google Maps image of area c2013 with Gungahlin Block 102B boundary in red.

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Alfred Harman died at the Sir Leslie Morshead War Veterans' Home in Lyneham on the 8th September 1967 and is buried at the Tharwa Road Cemetery, Queanbeyan.


Sources

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