Richard Symes Warry

Richard Symes Warry was born about 1829 in England, son of Thomas Warry and Maria Symes.[1] He was the brother of Thomas Symes Warry, a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

On 25 January 1851 in Brisbane, Richard Symes Warry married Mary Lydia Pratten, daughter of Job Pratten and Ann Love.[1] They had a large family of children,[1] but as was common at that time, a number of the children died young:

• Maria Ann, born Brisbane 1852
• Thomas Symes, born Brisbane 1854, played for the Maryborough cricket team[2]
• Richard Symes, born Brisbane 1857, played for the Queensland cricket team[3]
• Sarah Love, born Brisbane 1860
• Lydia, born Brisbane 1862
• Susan Elizabeth, born Brisbane 1863, died Brisbane 1864
• George Love, born Brisbane 1865, died Brisbane 1913
• Ada Frances, born Brisbane 1867, died Brisbane 1918
• Alice Maude, born Queensland 1868
• Mary, born Queensland 1871, died Brisbane 1876
• Minnie Gertrude, born Queensland 1873
• Edith May/Mary, born and died Brisbane 1874
• Frank Symes, born and died Brisbane 1876
• Clara Rose, born Brisbane 1877

Richard Symes Warry died 12 March 1891 at his residence Timsbury, Bamford Road, Enoggera, Queensland aged 62 years.[1][4][5] His wife Mary died in Brisbane in 1929. They are buried in Toowong Cemetery, together with other family members[6]

Richard Symes Warry was a grocer.[7] He was one of the earliest of the Queen Street storekeepers, having had a shop for many years on the eastern side near the corner with Albert Street. Later he had a shop opposite the General Post Office.[8]

Richard Symes Warry was an alderman of the Brisbane Municipal Council in 1862–1863 and 1865–1866. He was mayor in 1866. He took a break from public life for a number of years and then returned as alderman of the West Ward from 1883 to 1888 before finally retiring.[8][9]

He served on the following committees:[9]

• Finance Committee 1862, 1863, 1885, 1887
• Water Committee 1862–1863
• Lighting Committee 1863, 1866
• Legislative Committee

• List of mayors and lord mayors of Brisbane