Edwin Summerhayes (1868–1944) was an Australian architect, founding member of the West Australian Institute of Architects, and a major in the 44 Infantry Battalion, serving in France from 1916 to 1917. Summerhayes was born in 1868 in

Greenwich Greenwich ( , , ) is an List of areas of London, area in south-east London, England, within the Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Greater London, east-south-east of Charing Cross. Greenwich is notable for its maritime hi ...

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. He attended Christ College London until he was sixteen, when his family moved to Australia. He was initially articled to James Hill in

Adelaide, South Australia Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...

, and later William Pitt in

Melbourne, Victoria Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

. Summerhayes came to

Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...

in 1894, during the

gold rushes A gold rush or gold fever is a discovery of gold—sometimes accompanied by other precious metals and rare-earth minerals—that brings an onrush of miners seeking their fortune. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Gr ...

, and set up an architectural practice in Coolgardie. He married Florence May Camm in Victoria in 1896, but had returned to Coolgardie by 1897, the year their son Reginald was born. Within Coolgardie Summerhayes designed buildings such as the Turkish Baths, the Jewish Synagogue, the Presbyterian Church, the Mechanics Institute and the Exhibition Building, but became known for his homestead and villa designs, which were built across Western Australia. He also designed Kobeelya in Katanning, and Rechabite Hall in

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, his last significant building. Summerhayes was one of the founding member of the West Australian Institute of Architects in 1896. He was also a

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, a member of the Claremont Municipal Council in 1904. He served as a major in the volunteer forces 11th Infantry Regiment in 1911, and in the 44 Infantry Battalion, deployed to France from 1916 to 1917. Summerhayes was in partnership with Harold Boas in 1912, in Oldham Boas Ednie Brown and Partners. He later worked with his son until his retirement in 1934. Summerhayes died on 25 December 1944, and is buried at Guildford Cemetery.

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