The Sunshine League Member, Harold Cantor, Part Two...(1909).
As previously stated, one of my favourite research topics is following the lives of children who were in the Sunshine League. This post is a continuation of the previous post 'The Sunshine League And Vera Cantor, Part One...(1907)' and about Vera's brother Harold who was also in the Sunshine League. Harold provides an interesting perspective on what it was like to be a boy in the Sunshine League.
Abraham Jacob Cantor and Lucie Louise Cantor were born in Melbourne, Victoria and moved to Western Australia around 1896. Together the couple had four children, Morris, Stanley, Vera and Harold. Harold, who was 12 years old and Vera who was 13 years old were in the Sunshine League. In 1908 the Jewish Herald reported Harold's Bar Mitzvah... "....Master Harold Cantor, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J . Cantor, was Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, 5th September, and read his Parsha, and recited the creeds in the Synagogue with credit. Mr. and Mrs. Cantor were at home on Saturday and Sunday, when they received many guests..." (Jewish Herald, 18 September 1908). Harold's letters to Uncle Tom describe how the family celebrated their arrival in Western Australia with fireworks.
The social pages of the local newspaper the West Australian, (3 March 1914) stated "Mr. Harold Cantor, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Cantor, left by the Wandilla on Saturday for Melbourne University, where he intends studying for the medicine." Harold followed his older brother into the medical profession at the University of Melbourne. His early years in the Sunshine League clearly shaped the rest of his life.
In 1918 while in Melbourne, the final year of WW1 Harold joined the Australian Imperial Forces. His service record is in the National Archives. The National Archives record provides a description of Harold who enlisted on the 15 June, 1918 for the second time. Harold was born on 18 August, 1895. At the time he was 5 feet and 9 1/4 inches in height, weighed 136 pounds, and had brown eyes and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Jewish. Harold despite enlisting twice was not deployed because he was required for home services.
In 1925 Harold wrote a letter to the Medal Branch of the War Office in London describing his contribution in the Great War..."...I volunteered my services in 1915/1916 but was not accepted for active duty on the grounds that I was required for home services. I was issued with a Home Services Badge No 1927 by the Australian Commonwealth Department of Defence. On June 15, 1918 I was accepted for service in the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Forces and was discharged on December, 15, 1918..."
Harold Cantor died in England on the 3 June, 1936. His death was reported in the West Australian. " ...Dr. Harold Cantor, specialist in tubercular diseases, who died at Wrenbury Hall, Natwich, England, on June 3, was a son of Mr. A. J. Cantor, of Mt. Lawley, and a brother of Mr. Morris Cantor, solicitor, of Mt. Lawley, and Dr. S. J. Cantor, of Melbourne." (West Australian, 11 June 1936).
From the previous post on how I am came to know about Harold Cantor... "In 1909 children from the Sunshine League and around the State participated in a mass tree and shrub planting event at the newly opened Children's Hospital in Subiaco. The event was attended by the Lieutenant Governor Sir Edward Stone and Lady Stone and the children and their families. This story is published in previous posts.
Etta Hollis, Rona Murray and Vera Cantor were three members of the Sunshine League selected to assist Lieutenant Governor Sir Edward Stone and Lady Stone to plant the trees and shrubs. Etta Hollis presented the couple with a spade, with an inscribed plate and decorated by the League's color, bright red. Rona Murray who was six was also introduced. Vera Cantor presented Lady Stone with a bouquet. The children assisted with the planting of the first two trees."
Uncle Tom in his letter published in the Children's Pages in the Daily News newspaper to Lieutenant Governor Sir Edward Stone and Lady Stone stated that Vera Cantor was recognised by Uncle Tom as one of the... "foremost Sunshine League worker, and is the daughter of Mr. A. J. Cantor, J.P., and Mrs. Cantor, who have been among the mainstays of the Children's Hospital movement. " (Daily News, 5 June 1909). In 1907 the Cantors lived at 45 Hill Street, Perth.
The Daily News newspaper (5 November 1949) wrote this article about the death of Abraham Jacob Cantor in 1949 including his role on the preliminary committees for the establishment for the Children's Hospital... "J.P. DIES AT AGE OF 91 Mr. Abraham Jacob Cantor, one of the oldest JPs in Western Australia and a foundation member of the WA Justices' Association, died on Thursday, aged 91. Mr. Cantor came to this State from Melbourne in 1896 and engaged in real estate business almost up to his death. He and his late wife were very active on the preliminary committees for the establishment of the Children's Hospital, now known as the Princess Margaret Hospital. Some years ago he frequently sat on the Bench of the Perth Police Court. For a period he was one of the special Magistrates of the Children's Court. Mr. Cantor was a keen cricketer in his younger days, later took up bowls. He was a member of Mt. Lawley Bowling Club and a honorary life member of the Kitchener Park and Busselton Clubs. He left one son, solicitor M. E. L. Cantor..." There are no letters by Morris and Stanley Cantor for the Sunshine League.
Harold first wrote to Uncle Tom in September 1907 asking to become a nephew...."45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom, - This is the first time I have written to you, and I hope that you will accept me as one of your nephews. I save postcards, and I have two albums with nearly 200 postcards. My last birthday was on August 28. I did not have a party, but I am going to have one next year. I am going up for a £200 scholarship next month. The scholarship is open to all the scholars under 13 in every primary school in Western Australia, - I remain, your loving nephew. HAROLD CANTOR, aged 12. Dear Harold, - I wish you success at the examination. Work hard and don't worry as to whether you will pass; that is the best advice I can give you. It would be fine, to know that a nephew of mlne carried off the prize. - Uncle Tom" (Daily News, 21 September, 1907)...
...."A DREAM. 45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom, - I had a strange dream last Friday night I dreamt that I was going to the matinee of West's Pictures on Saturday afternoon, and that it was on at three places - the Economic drapery shop, Ezywalkin's boot shop, and Freedman's men's clothing shop. I tried to get into Freedman's, I went through the shop part into a large room there the pictures were to be shown. You were sitting down there, but I did not know you till someone introduced me to you, and just after I was introduced to you I woke up. My mother told me she knows you, and I told her what you were like in the dream, and she said that your appearance is the same as I dreamt it was. I am enclosing three pence for the Cot Fund, and I am going to send you three pence every time I write. - I remain, your loving nephew, H. CANTOR, aged 12. Dear Harold, - That was a peculiar dream. I must have given you a fright - Uncle Tom' (Daily News, 5 October 1907)..."
...."GOOD AND BAD NEWS. 45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom, - I have been sick in bed since the 10th of this month, and am just now getting better. - Your loving nephew, HAROLD CANTOR, aged 12. Dear Harold, I am glad to hear that you are getting better.- Uncle Tom." (Daily News, 26 October 1907).
..."45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom, - I wish the bazaars great success. I don't think It will be hard to raise the £30, as we have ten or eleven weeks to get it, but unless more nephews and nieces send, it will be a hard thing. I am sending 3d. for the Cot Fund. - From your loving nephew HAROLD CANTOR, aged 12. Dear Harold, - I am relying on my dear, little friends to help to raise the money before Christmas, and know I shall not be disappointed - Uncle Tom" (Daily News, 26 October 1907)...
...."45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom, — The scholarship examination is on the 24th and 25th of this month, and I will go up for it if I am better; but I will not have the advantage which the other boys have, because I will have been away from school a fortnight ill. I know more than half a dozen of your nieces and nephews. I told my sister to write to you and I will try to get for you as many nieces and nephews as I can. With my sister, I will visit the Girls' Orphanage as soon as I am better, and we will take plenty of flowers. - Your loving nephew, HAROLD CANTOR, aged 12. Dear Harold, - l am glad to hear that you are on the mend, and I shall look forward to reading the account of your Sunshine visit to the Orphanage. The matron and the 90, odd dear little children will welcome you. Uncle Tom..."(Daily News, 26 October 1907)...
Harold wrote to Uncle Tom about their visit and his letter was published the following week...."45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom,- Last Sunday my sister and I visited the Orphanage, and took plenty of flowers and comic papers. The children liked the flowers very much, but they liked the comic papers better. After we had given out all the flowers and comic papers, one of the girls showed us all over the building, which is very nlce. I met two of your nephews, whom I know there. About half past 4 we came away very much satisfied with our visit and we intend to visit the Orphanage again next Sunday, and the Old Women's Home next Sunday week - I remain your affectionate nephew, HAROLD CANTOR, aged 12." (Daily News, 9 November 1907)...
..."45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom, - I bought a lot of fire-works for the fifth of November, which is the day we landed In Western Australia 11 years ago. Starting from, this week I will send two or three riddles each time I write, to give to your nieces and nephews. I went up for the examination, and I think I got on all right, I have now 240 postcards. I was glad to see the Cot thermometer rise so high last week. I am sending threepence for the Cot Fund. I will send you a lot of used stamps about a week before Christmas. - I am, your affectionate nephew, - HAROLD CANTOR, aged 12. A Dear Harold, - I am pleased to notice that you are deeply interested in my Cot scheme. It will not be long till Christmas, then the Sunshine Cot will be opened, in great style, I hope. Have you any suggestions as to the kind of ceremony we should have ? - Uncle Tom. (Daily News, 9 November, 1907)...
In 1908 Harold and Vera were active members of the Sunshine League. Together they visited children and adults at the various institutions and charities supported by the Sunshine League including those in Subiaco. Their name appears on several concert programs. In May, Vera and Harold were asked by Uncle Tom to present a bouquet to Lady Stone and a button hole to Sir Edward on behalf of all the children of Sunshine League at a ball to raise money for the Children's Hospital. The event was reported in the social pages of the newspapers of the time.
This letter writes about the arrival of his brother Stanley who was studying medicine in Melbourne. He helps out on the concert programs with Harold and Vera. "...45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom, - I am writing a few lines to you to tell you how I spent my Christmas holidays. Our school broke up on Friday, December 20. I went up town on Christmas Eve; there were a lot of people there, and the shops looked very nice. On Christmas Day I stopped at home. On Boxing Day I went for a picnic to Cottesloe. On Friday afternoon I went to a Christmas tree, which was very nice, and I got a cricket bat. On Saturday night I went to the Christmas-tree and entertainment at the Orphanage, which was very nice. On the following Monday I went to Fremantle in the Zephyr to meet the R.M.S. India, in which my brother came over from Melbourne. The next Wednesday I again went to Cottesloe for a picnic. As you see by this letter, I had a very enjoyable Christmas holiday, and I hope you have had the same.— I am, your loving nephew; HAROLD CANTOR, aged 12." (Daily News, 18 January 1908).
"...PRIZE LETTER, (The Prize is a Book, entitled 'Roblnson Crusoe.') 45 Hill-street. Perth, Dear Uncle Tom,- I went to see the 'Little Breadwinner' the other night, and I think it is a lovely play. I also went to see the sixpenny picture show, and I thought the pictures were very good. You have got a lot of new nieces and nephews and you must have nearly eight, hundred by now. I think we have had nice weather up to now, but It may be hotter later on, I wish summer were over, don't you, uncle? One of my brothers went away today to Melbourne In the Caledonlen, and I wish I were going too. I have about three hundred and fifty postcards now, and some of them are very pretty; and Tera has about six hundred. I am going to see a Tour Around the World' soon. All our flowers have died now. Did you enjoy your holidays? I did. I went down to Cottesloe I several times, and one day they gave four free rides oh the merry-go-round, and I had three. During my holidays I read a lot of books, especially adventures, and I have a lot of cigarette cards now, and also a lot of foreign stamps. - I am, your loving nephew, HAROLD CANTOR, aged 12. Dear Harold, - I want you and your father and mother to accompany Vera to the Home of Peace, Subiaco. Vera has promised to play a selection. Wear your bright-red rosette, so that I may know you. As you say, I have a lot of nieces and nephews now. I must count them up and give the figures in my postscript. - Uncle Tom. (Daily News, 22 February, 1908)..."
In this letter by Vera, Uncle Tom asked Vera and Harold to represent the children of the Sunshine League "...THE BALL TOMORROW EVENING. A BOUQUET AND A BUTTON HOLE FOR LADY STONE AND SIR EDWARD STONE. 45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom, - I hope this letter will find you in the best of health. How quickly the Thermometer is rising; I suppose it will be at the £200 mark next Saturday. Harold and I are going to the fancy dress ball in aid, of the Children's Hospital Fund next Wednesday night. I daresay we will meet a lot of your nephews and nieces there. What a great success the concert at Subiaco was, how Mavis and her helpers must have worked to be able to raise such a sum as over £18. Harold is writing to you this week. I enclose 6 penny stamps. With kind regards, - I remain, your affectionate niece, VERA CANTOR, aged 14. Dear Vera, - I shall be pleased to see you at the ball, and as you say probably I will see many of my nieces and nephews there. I am looking forward to the ball, which I believe will be a great success. I want you and Harold to represent all the children by presenting Lady Stone with a bouquet, and Sir Edward with a buttonhole. They will reach the ballroom at about 9.30 o'clock. - Uncle Tom. (Daily News, 12 May, 1908)..."
"...45 Hill-street, Perth. Dear Uncle Tom, - Last Empire Day I was marching on the Esplanade. in the morning, and in the afternoon I went to see the pictures in the Town Hall, and on coming out we were all presented with a bag of lollies. Vera Is going to take part in the floral pantomime in the Perth Town Hall on Wednesday June 17. I think you will almost get £ 400. Enclosed is 3d towards the fund, - I remain, your loving nephew, HAROLD CANTOR, aged 12. Dear Harold, - I am glad Vera is in the floral pantomime, which is a very pretty one, and worth a large attendance. I hope the Perth Town Hall will be crowded. The performance is certainly worth a large attendance. - Uncle Tom. (Daily News, 13 June 1908)..."
Harold won a prize for a competition "...THE WORD-BUILDING COMPETITION. The first prize for those over ten years for having made the most words out of the word 'Sunshine' goes to Master Harold Cantor, aged 12, 45 Hill-street, East Perth. Harold sent in 30 words, and I allowed 27..." (Daily News, 15 August 1908).
In 1909 Harold continued his involvement in the Sunshine League in the role of concerts and pantomimes. In February, 1909 Uncle Tom wrote about the Cantor family, their interest in Children's Hospital and participation in a pantomime "Little Dewdrops" by Stanley, Harold and Vera...
".....The credit for the success of the evening lies with the Cantor family, who have for many years been very enthusiastic supporters of the Children's Hospital movement. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Cantor are among the foundation members of the Children's Hospital Committee. They remained staunch to their belief that a Children's Hospital was a necessity. In Perth, even when the advocacy of the establishment of such an institution was unpopular, and they are entitled to lay claim to much of the credit for the existence of the hospital. On Wednesday evening Mrs. Cantor was the principal accompanist, and the sweet choruses sung by the children, were taught by her. It is pleasing to note that their son, Mr. Stanley Cantor - who, by the way, is studying in Melbourne for the medical profession - is following in the charitable footsteps of his parents. He acted as general director or the pantomime, and he displayed very marked ability in that capacity. The result was that everything passed off without a hitch. The stage was festive with imitation snow, and a gentle fall of snow took place whilst the piece was in progress. The effect was very pretty the white snow flakes harmonising with the scenery. Mr. Cantor wishes to thank all those who have assisted in its elaboration and production, as well as those who so generously gave their time and services for the various items; and to acknowledge the valued assistance of the following firms..." (Daily News, 20 February, 1909)...
In March 1909 Harold and Vera Cantor performed in the 'Sunshine Concert at the Old Men's Home in Claremont. Vera and Harold performed a violin duet.
In May 1909, Harold and Vera Cantor performed in Uncle Tom's "The Carnival of Flowers" in celebration of the second anniversary of the Sunshine League. The celebration took place at His Majesty's Theatre. The program states they were in the "Overture "Lucretia Bergin" and selection from "Il Travatore" in the Sunshine League Orchestra. In May, 1909 Vera and Harold also attended the children's fancy dress ball held Government House in aid of the Children's Hospital (Mirror, 7 May 1909).
There are no more letters published from Vera and Harold after June 1909. In the following years the Cantor family, including Vera and Harold became involved in other charity work, for example, raising money for the Silver Chain in fetes. There are photographs of the stalls they created.
Harold went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne and become a specialist in tubercular and chest diseases...This article was published in the Daily News in 1927...
"...PERSONAL News has been received that Dr. Harold Cantor, who has been specialising in tubercular and chest diseases in England and Wales, has passed his examination with the highest possible marks, coming first in the examination. He received letters of congratulation from the examiners at the wonderful results, not having made one mistake in the whole examination. Dr. Cantor is at present attending the medical conference in Edinburgh. Dr. Cantor is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Cantor of Mount Lawley..." (Daily News, 4 August 1927).
Harold Cantor died in England on the 3 June, 1936. His death was reported in the West Australian. "...Dr. Harold Cantor, specialist in tubercular diseases, who died at Wrenbury Hall, Natwich, England, on June 3, was a son of Mr. A. J. Cantor, of Mt. Lawley, and a brother of Mr. Morris Cantor, solicitor, of Mt. Lawley, and Dr. S. J. Cantor, of Melbourne..." (West Australian, 11 June 1936).
