Henry Adolphus Frederick Bader
BADER, Henry Adolphus Frederick (Harry) (1866-1928)
Harry was born on February 3, 1866, at Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany, the son of aide de camp George Bader and his wife Anna Katharine Bader. Around 1890, he came to Australia and by 1892 was working as an underground gold miner in Lefroy, Tasmania.
On December 19, 1892, Harry married Jane Matilda Marshall at Lefroy, Tasmania. They had six children. Two were born in Lefroy being Carl Henry William (1893) and Oscar Augustus Herman (1895). Four were born in Western Australia, Henry Luke Frederick (1900), Thelma Anna Jean (1902) Harold Adolphus (1905), and Kelvin Gordon (1909).
In June 1896, he had serious internal injuries when he was caught between a cage and the shaft at the West Volunteer gold mine at Lefroy. This may have prompted a change in career to working with mining machinery and gaining experience in electrical engineering.
By 1899, Harry was working in Western Australia as an engine driver and fitter at the Mulline Public Battery near Menzies. He was also reported being involved with electrical installations at Laverton and Euro. In 1904, he was the engineer in charge of the Katanning Mill electrification. He then built the first power supply for South Perth, in 1905, and became the South Perth Electric Light and Power Company Manager and Electrical Engineer.
By 1914 he was a partner in J Cheffins and Co with James Cheffin and George Cheffin. By 1916 he had started his own business as an electrical engineer and contractor. When his son, Carl, joined the business by 1923 the firm became known as H A F Bader and Son, Electrical Consulting Engineers.
Harry had a keen interest in Wireless and was a Member of the 6WF Advisory Board as well as being President of the Wireless Development Association. He was also President of the Metropolitan Electrical Contractors and Suppliers Association.
Harry was the Western Australian representative for the Australian Board of Standardising Engineers annual congress. He attended the 1928 event and became very ill on his return.
Harry died on December 19, 1928, aged 62 years. He was survived by his wife Jane and their six children.
References:
Launceston Examiner, 23.6.1896, p7
West Australian, 27.2.1899, p7
Great Southern Herald, 13.2.1904, p3
West Australian, 22.6.1905, p5
Daily News, 26.10.1916, p5
Daily News, 30.3.1925, p6
West Australian, 21.5.1925, p10
Sunday Times, 23.12.1928, p6
Chris Fitzhardinge, June 2024
