(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

In 1893 there was a small pox epidemic in Western Australia, with a lot of letters being written to the editor of the West Australian regarding the best ways to treat and prevent the disease. One of the letters, which advised the use of homœopathic sulphur as a preventative method, was signed by “E. Parry and Co, Homœopathic Chemists, Fremantle.”

In 1895, E. Parry’s pharmacy advertised that they had moved to new premises in Fremantle, in High Street, immediately opposite their old pharmacy and near the Town Hall. The advertisements stated that they were ‘Homœopathic and General Chemists”.

In 1898 the business advertised for an apprentice – an “educated, gentlemanly youth”.

By 1905 the company was located at 146 High Street, between Market and Adelaide Street, and at Victoria Avenue North Fremantle, between John Street and Harvest Road.

Mr Parry’s first name was Ezra. He was born in England on 20 April 1848, the only son of Richard Parry of Much Birch, Herefordshire, master shoemaker, and Elizabeth Prosser, daughter of John & Ann Prosser. John was a watch repairer. Richard and Elizabeth had married in Hereford in 1857, but Elizabeth died from consumption in 1859, aged 29. Ezra was cared for by his mother’s Prosser family, and is believed to have left for Australia with relatives quite soon after his mother’s death.

Ezra Parry’s home in North Fremantle, built around 1899.                  (E. Parry & Co were the first homœopathic chemists in Fremantle)

Ezra’s residence in 1897 was Cantonment Road in Fremantle. However, around 1899 he built a brick and iron one and a half storey house at 44 John Street, North Fremantle, which still survives and has recently been renovated with the assistance of the Heritage Council of Western Australia. It is a fine example of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture and of the grand residences built in North Fremantle during that time.

He was a member of the WA Pharmaceutical Society, and according to the Cyclopaedia of Western Australia 1912-1913, he, along with A. Tilley, was on the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society.

There is also a Francis Trevor Parry who ran a pharmacy in Coolgardie in 1899 and 1902. This may have been Ezra’s son, although this is yet to be confirmed.

© Barbara Armstrong