H A Colmer, I believe is Harold Albert Colmer and his skills on the humble mouth organ were up there with best, especially in the City of Churches. Would love to go back in the Time Machine to St. Edward’s Church and hear Harold blow, The Twister.
I’m of the opinion Harold was a member of Allan’s Crackajack Mouth Organ Band. A musical item was provided by ‘Colmer’ at their annual social. They had a residency at The York Theatre playing on the main stage of a main feature.
1923
Harold would have been under the conductorship of Ernest Ruge if he was a member of the Allan’s band. Ernest beat all-comers including both Harold and Keith Hogan (fresh off first place in the imitation section at the National Championships) in the Boomerang Championship of South Australia. The event was held at the Adelaide Town Hall in September of 1926. Keith finished third and Harold received an Honourable Mention. Ernest would perform The Last Rose Of Summer at the final winners concert held in October.
Keith’s sons were first and second in the Under 16 competition. Keith Jnr. (just shy of his ninth birthday) was first and Steve (aged 6) was runner up out of forty competitors. A third son, Gordon (aged 7) received an honourable mention.
Allan’s Music Store first opened in Adelaide at 51 Rundle Street, around 1911 and continued to trade there until about the mid 60’s when they moved to Gawler Place.
The York Theatre (just a drop kick down the road from Allan’s at 66 Rundle Street) opened on 5th November 1921. In January 1929, it was managed by Greater Union Theatres and in 1938, the interior was renovated when MGM began projecting first release films. Sadly the building (of heritage worth) was demolished in 1962.
The Crackajack Mouth Organ line was updated in 1926, with models reshaped to F A Rauner’s classic ‘World Master’ Mouth Organ design (see my ‘Junior’ above). I have on reasonable authority that the Allan’s band used the Concert Model (40 reeds/Double Holes/Rounded Ends) in ‘G’. This model first hit the market in 1925. Not sure if Harold blew The Twister on this model or on a 20 reed Crackajack.
Like Keith Hogan, and as so many of the time, Harold played Australian Rules Football. He donned the number 18 Black and Gold guernsey of Brighton in the Mid Southern Football League. He was definitely there in 1926. Was he there for the triple peat premierships of 1923, ’24 and ’25? I cannot be sure. Disappointingly, all their history was destroyed in a fire. ‘Follower’ suggests H Colmer is a “willing sort”. Perhaps this is exemplified with the report the he wasn’t afraid to insult a Police Constable.
Keith this time takes first place honours and Harold is in the official place getters – third. 👏🏻
Looks like Harold’s life ended sadly at the border of Victoria and New South Wales in the Murray River. I would have known for certain it was ‘the’ Harold Colmer if a mouth organ was located with his belongings. Maybe he took it with him.
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PS: The posting of this blog was planned before our 4.8 earthquake at 2:00 am on Saturday. Timely though.
