Duffield Town

Duffield Town was on the School side of Hamley Bridge, with the railway line dividing the two 'towns'. The land on this side of town was originally owned and named after the Hon. Walter Duffield, who had a career in both Houses of the Legislature, and was Treasurer in two ministries. The Duffield family were one of Hamley Bridge’s first wheat buyers. They owned the land on which this part of town is situated. In 1878 he started to sell of the land in allotments, 117 at first, hence the name. I have found articles referring to Duffield Town into the 1940's. The ‘two towns’ had separate cricket and football teams. The name Duffield Town was included in the census of 1881 and again in the 1901 census, as a separate town. But overall the whole area was known as Hamley Bridge.

South Australian Register - Saturday 4 February 1882

HAMLEY BRIDGE. February 1.
Our local correspondent writes:— Hamley Bridge has not grown so fast as other townships in the districts further north, but its progress has been steady and on a firmer basis. Though the railway station has already shown well in the returns as furnishing a good large tonnage of freight and a large passenger traffic, it has grown much in importance during the last three years. It might be well to point out that there is another township growing equally fast into importance, viz., Duffield Town, situated on the opposite side of the railway line, and that the Government school is situated there, also the new mill, a neat, strong and compact building, recently erected by Messrs. Deland & Co. It is probable that but for the uncertainty of securing a supply of water a mill would have been erected long ago; but the above firm found resolution enough to face this emergency, and about three months ago made a start, the result being that the first bag of flour manufactured here was made on Monday, January 30. Water having been obtained at a depth of 90 feet, a start was made on Monday, when everything worked smoothly. No public demonstration was made, but it is pleasing to note that the work has been well done.

The Advertiser - Monday 6 October 1941

The War Savings Group held their weekly social in the Institute hall. A general knowledge test between Duffleld Town and Hamley Bridge was won by Duffield Town.

The Advertiser - Tuesday 21 November 1911

HAMLEY BRIDGE, November 20.-A cricket match was played on the local oval on Saturday, between Hamley Bridge and Duffield Town. J. Walker, for Duffield Town, was in good form, and knocked up 64 runs, which included 12 fours. The result was a win for Duffield Town. Scores Duffield Town, 153; J. Walker 54, E. Howell 26, D. Winchester 17. C. Slade 13. Bowling- J. O'Brien, two for 9; A. McLeod, six for 50; H. Clarke, one for 15; A. Black, one for 50. Hamley Bridge. 102: A. McLeod 32, J. O Brien 22. C. O'Malley 20. Bowling-E. Howell, two for 7; R. Spells, one for 3; L. Gillies, two for 27; A. Warnest, one for 15; O. H. Finlayson, one for 17. Hamley Bridge batted with eight men.

The Advertiser - Friday 10 September 1926

The winners of the semi-finals, Owen and Duffield Town, met at the Stockport Oval on Saturday to contest the final. Owen had the better of the play at the start; but Duffield evolved a system that enabled them to outclass their opponents. Owen, as minor premiers, have the right to challenge. Scores:—Duffield Town, 9 goals 9 behinds; Owen, 5 goals 11 behinds. Best players—Winners—C. Hammond (until hurt). E. Simpson. N. Head, F. Hart, G. Grubb. G. Lindner, Warnest, J. Hart, R. Ward, and G. Greenshields; losers—K. Wilson, L. Poole, H A. Ewens, Moeller, C. Marshman, J. Harkness, G. McKenzie, Whelan and I. Weise. Goalkickers—Winners—N. Head (3), H. Ellis (2), Warnest (2). F. Hart (2); losers—G. McKenzie (3), Lesterman (2).