CRAWCOUR, Henry Isaac (1876-1938)
Lawyer and local government councillor, Henry Crawcour was born on 10 April 1876 in Geelong, the son of parents Joseph Crawcour and his wife Elizabeth, nee Levy. Joseph Crawcour was a businessman who had taken over his father, Isaac’s financial business in Pakington St, West Geelong.
Henry was educated at Geelong College from 1891, matriculating in 1891 but continuing to study under George Morrison in classics and advanced mathematics in 1892 and Honours Matriculation in 1893. In 1893, he played in the 1st Football Team.
In 1894 he began studying law through Melbourne University and gained a position as an articled clerk with Henry Speed of Yarra St, Geelong. By 1899 he had passed the prescribed subjects, sitting for his final examination in 1900, being admitted to practice in 1900. He quickly established his own practice in Ryrie St, Geelong, developing a very successful and diverse business including criminal, civil and commercial cases as well as non-litigious matters such as property transfers and investment. His business prospered and in about 1924 he built a new office on the corner of Yarra and Malop Sts and took on a junior partner, Alex Hollyhoke.
Henry was a strong proponent of Geelong legal associations. He had, while still studying, become secretary and press officer of the newly formed Geelong Law Students' Society and was an active member of the Geelong Law Association for many years, becoming its president between 1928 and 1930. He was popular as a public speaker and humourous poet and for a time, in 1930, wrote a satirical column in the Geelong Advertiser newspaper under the title ‘What is not writ.’ His many community associations included the Geelong Rotary Club, the Corio Club, and the Masonic Lodge. He was also the honorary solicitor for the Geelong Hospital Committee and President of the East Geelong Cemetery Trust.
He had married Rose Leah nee Renzel (c.1879-1957) and together, they had five children - three daughters, Manya, Norma and Roma and two sons, Jack Athol Crawcour (1917-1996) OGC 1925-1935, and Murray Mayer Crawcour (1919-1993) (OGC 1925-). Both sons served in World War II and became lawyers. Jack took over his father’s legal practice 'Crawcour and Hollyhoke' after he returned from the war. Henry’s brothers Adrian (1891-1962) (OGC 1905), and Edwin Ellen Crawcour (1889-1961) (OGC 1903), also attended Geelong College.
Sources: Deakin University (deakin.edu.au/library/geelonglawyers/crawcour) citing various references including Vivian Hill c. 1905.