Crack A Duck

“I am delighted to give my experience as a Mouth Organ player for the last thirty-seven years, making my debut at six years of age. I have played on almost every make of Mouth Organ that has been manufactured, and now I would not play on any Mouth Organ other than a Crackajack. This wonderful little instrument I have always found most reliable in its beautiful richness of tone, which is wonderful melodious. I have played in all the States, and at the present time I am conducting a band which would do credit to any country. Every member of my band plays a Crackajack for the simple reason that they are all perfectly in tune, and when we broadcast for the 3LO the general public is astounded at the organ-like tone of the band.”

(Signed) Alfred (Duck) Fletcher.

A few years ago I was kindly sent two of these pamphlets from Riff Raffers, Mark Hand and Harland Crain. I thought I would revisit the endorser of the Crackajack Mouth Organ.

Who was this man Duck Fletcher, a leading bandmaster and exponent, who appeared on the Crackajack Mouth Organ leaflet extolling their virtues? He doesn’t surface in Ray Grieve’s wonderful publications and their isn’t much to be found on the inter web.

And what about this band the Melbourne Crackajack Mouth Organ Band obviously associated with Allan’s of Melbourne?

Firstly, let’s not have them confused with Allan’s Crackajack Mouth Organ Band of twenty two performers who operated out of Adelaide and regularly performed interludes at the York Theatre movie attractions. And secondly, definitely not have them mistaken for the Crackajack Mouth Organ Orchestra – for reasons you will witness further on.

What I can tell you about Duck Fletcher is that he was born and raised in Williamstown circa 1883. He was a half forward flanker for the Williamstown Football Club. They won the flag in 1907, however he (A.E. ‘Duck’ Fletcher) was noted as absent on the premiership photo. In that same year he had been seriously unwell and a benefit concert was held for him by the club at the Mechanic’s Hall on Wednesday 12th June. At the concert Alf, who had only recently recovered, and his brother blew a fine mouth organ duet.

At some point Alf moved to Preston Football Club where he became captain.

He married his sweetheart Elizabeth (Bessie) Matthews in 1903 and they raised four children, Ernest, Lillian, Vera and Victor. Sadly Bessie passed away at the young age of forty eight in 1931 when they were residing in Northcote. Duck collaborated with his daughter Vera to present a mouth organ duet live on radio station 3LO in 1926. Vera and her older sister Lily were fine singers and they often performed together at various functions. His band regularly featured on live radio and was prominent on the night club and special function circuits. Some how they attached to their moniker the title, ‘Champion’. I’m not sure where or how this originated. They certainly predate Joe Saunders’ successful Geelong Mouth Organ Band who were often touted as the first modern mouth organ band.

When Two Bands Go To War

As mentioned earlier Alf’s Crackajack Mouth Organ Band were often confused by the public and press with the Crackajack Mouth Organ Orchestra. The secretaries of both the Crackajack Orchestra and the Mouth Organ Band came out of their corners swinging on behalf of their respective outfits. The combatants were R J Ross of Alf Fletcher’s Crackajack Mouth Organ Band and Dextro for Collier’s Crackajack Mouth Organ Orchestra. I believe Dextro fired off the first blow and Ross parried with, “If it wasn’t for the confusion the orchestra would fall by the wayside.” (The Age, 4th August, 1927). He had already established that their band consisted of twenty professional musicians, emphasising the ‘professional’ aspect and that they did not perform on an honorary basis. Dextro quickly fired back with a couple of upper cuts, “We do not class ourselves as professional musicians, but only seven young fellows out to learn. As for the phrase ‘fall by the wayside’ I remember my little sister reading that out of the Sunbeams some weeks ago.” (The Age, 5th August, 1927). In 1930 Harold Collier took umbrage with an article written by Key of C in The Herald on the fourth of June.

Key of C had confused the bands reporting, “It was conducted by Alf Fletcher, probably the greatest exponent of the harmonica and it included Harold Collier, who is rated highly.” Harold saw red responding five days later in the paper refuting that Mr. Fletcher was ever an Australian Mouth Organ Champion and he then reels off his claims to that title. Harold also informs that he was one of the first twelve men that met at Albert’s Music Warehouse in Melbourne to form the first mouth organ band of Australia since the advent of South Street.

If it’s the same Alfred Ernest Fletcher, now residing in West Richmond, in 1944, he was caught out in a sting at the South Melbourne Market by a Rationing Officer pretending to be (in Alf’s words) a farmer’s wife, who was now living in a tent because of recent bushfires. He sold her several men’s socks without coupons stating, “I felt sorry for her.” Alfred was fined £12 and court costs of £1/11/6. Ouch!

Please check home page for copyright details.