John Albert Goldthorpe
John Albert Goldthorpe was born in Penistone, Yorkshire, United Kingdom on 29th March, 1882.
He, along with his parents, Lucy and Wright Goldthorpe, and sisters immigrated to Australia in 1884.
Both Wright Goldthorpe and son John Albert worked for the NSW Railways, possibly beginning in Dubbo, and then Wellington, Lithgow and Bathurst before settling in Auburn NSW.
John Albert served in France as an engine driver during World War 1. While in England, he married Florence Marion Sutton in St Mary's Church, Barnsley, Yorkshire on 25 June 1919.
They ran a motor garage on Parramatta Road, Auburn (Formally Sydney Rd).
John Albert had a great interest and love of steam trains; he always wore a fob watch and chain with a medallion attached.
J. A. Goldthorpe was a keen photographer and entered photographic competitions. Family folk lore tells us that he enjoyed being the subject of the camera as well.
During the Great Depression and beyond they ran a miniature train built as a replica of a 36 class locomotive. His two sons, John Herbert and Keith George Goldthorpe were involved at various stages with the miniature train.
John Albert Goldthorpe passed away on 17 December 1965.
Date of Birth29 March 1882Date of Death17 December 1965OccupationEngine driverOther OccupationMotor garage proprietorPhotographer
J.A. Goldthorpe 4th from left
MotherLucy BillsChildJohn Herbert GoldthorpeKeith George Goldthorpe