William Randle

William Randle (1826-1884), railway contractor

1826 November 14th. Born the son

Engineer and builder of the Sydney railway

1847 Worked on the Great Eastern Railway

1852 July 9th. Arrived in Australia with his brother-in-law James Wallace

1852 August 5th. Because of his ‘demonstrated competence and personally winning ways’ he was given the contract to build the railway from Sydney to the village of Ashfield. He ran a series of brickyards along the route to Parramatta. He imported English locomotives and 500 ‘navvies’ in 1853 to supplement the labour force and was given an advance of £1,500 to house them.

1854 September 28th. Married Annie Elizabeth Wilson and had children Thomas and Esther

1856 November 20th. Commenced construction of the rail extension to Liverpool. He sold much of the Newtown land used in construction on 4th May 1857 in 26 allotments, keeping lots for nine 33-foot wide cottages for himself on the main road between Station and Wilford Streets.

Involved with building the Long Cove Viaduct, Fort Denison, and some Victorian rail lines

1863 Appears insolvent

1881 Living at 24 Leamington Road Villas, Paddington: William Randle (age 52 born London), Contractor for public Works. With his wife Annie Elizabeth Randle (age 47 born Sydney, NSW) and their five children; Thomas William Randle (age 25 born Sydney, NSW), Bank Clerk; Wilson Randle (age 23 born Melbourne, Vic.), Ware merchant's Clerk; Annie Randle (age 21 born Melbourne, Vic.); Felix Randle (age 18 born Sydney, NSW), Pipe merchant's Clerk; and Esther Mary Alice Randle (age 15 born Sydney, NSW). One servant.

1884 November 17th. Died in England.

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