George Fruin
FRUIN George Wilfred, MIEAust (1894-1987)
WAGR Comptroller of Stores and Chairman of WA State Tender Board.
George was born in Albany, Western Australia, on November 29, 1894, the son of store manager, George Thomas Fruin and his wife, Rachel Fruin, nee Milner.
He grew up in Katanning and North Fremantle. George studied at Christian Brothers College Perth and completed his Leaving Certificate.
On May 15, 1911, he joined the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) as a Temporary Draftsman, based in Perth. He commenced part time study at the Fremantle Technical College. By June 16, 1924, he was an Assistant Engineer based in Northam.
In 1930, he was an Assistant Engineer, based in Perth. Later that year, in October he returned to a country posting, as Assistant Engineer, in Kalgoorlie. He was promoted to District Engineer, Kalgoorlie on November 1, 1930. He transferred to become District Engineer, Narrogin, in March 1934.
In November 1937, he was involved in the first trial run of a diesel powered rail car, the “Governor Stirling”. The rail car was 63 foot long and was to be used on the Western Australian country rail passenger service. It was the first diesel electric rail car to operate in Australia.
Returning to Perth, in April 1948, he commenced acting as WAGR Comptroller of Stores. He was promoted to that position on August 8, 1949. He acted as Chairman of the State Tender Board, in 1958 and retired on January 28, 1959.
George became a Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, in 1930.
Ron Fitch, Commissioner of Railways in South Australia, regarded George as a valuable mentor.
In 1920, he married Myrtle Frances McClure in Fremantle. They had four children Reginald, Donald, Keith and Joan. His wife died in February 1970.
George died on June 15. 1987, at Forrestfield, Perth, aged 92. He was survived by his four children.
References:
West Australian, 14.1.1911, p. 3.
Daily News, 24.11.1920, p. 1.
Great Southern Leader, 30.3.1934, p. 1.
Great Sothern Herald, 27.11.1937, p. 2.
West Australian, 19.8.1949, p. 2.
WA Government Gazette, No 71, 29.8.1958, p. 2297.
WA Government Railways Employment Records
Ron Fitch, Australian Railwayman, from Cadet Engineer to Railways Commissioner, Rosenberg Publishing Pty Ltd, NSW, 2006.
Compiled by Chris Fitzhardinge January 27, 2026.
