Tom L Dudgeon – Stonemason

Born in 1884,¹ Tom Dudgeon followed in his father’s footsteps and became a stonemason.  His father James had migrated from Scotland and operated as a monumental mason in Nowra, NSW.²

In late 1918, having been employed in Edstein’s yard in Manning Street, Taree, Dudgeon sought permission from Council to erect a shed for use by a monumental mason in the grounds of the Protestant Hall (No.85), Manning Street.³ This proved controversial and although he appears to have operated from this location for a short time, by January 1919 it was reported that he had moved his business across the road and was operating from the rear of William Diamond’s store on the corner of Albert and Manning Streets.⁴

Mr S J Lee acted as his agent in Wingham and Dudgeon’s work can be found in both Bungay (Wingham) and Marlee Cemeteries.  Additionally, he was commissioned to carry out the lettering on the WW1 Honour Roll tablets at St Matthew’s Church, Wingham.⁵

In November 1923, Dudgeon disposed of his business to Arthur Siddall⁶ and, sometime later, returned to Nowra.  However, he did not completely sever his ties with the Manning Region as a brother, Dave Dudgeon, taught at Failford School for several years in the 1930s.⁷

Author: Penny Teerman