Luckiest woman and her bankrupt husband
They were partners in business and partners in life. Billy Flint and his wife, Florence May (nee Mappin) ran a hairdressing and tobacconist business in Perth.
It seems they had a colourful life, often in the newspapers for various different reasons. These included bankruptcy, fines and even a special gift of winning money.
In the 1920s they were running their business in Murray Street where they offered permanent waving, shingling, bobbing and face and head massages.
In 1940, Billy was found at the law courts responding to a bankruptcy charge for not complying with the requirements of a bankruptcy notice, which included paying a debt of over 337 pounds to five creditors.
After selling his business, he was accused of losing the money at the horse races.
Billy was confident he could discharge his debt as he claimed to have sole rights to carry out the haircutting of all the troops in the Western Australian military camps. He was advised that if he didn't provide regular and reasonable payments towards his bankruptcy, the asset of his sole rights would be seized.
Meanwhile, Florence was gaining her 15 minutes of fame by being labelled as the "Luckiest Woman in Western Australia" in 1945. The title came after six years of winning up to 3,000 pounds included one 500 pounds from Tattersalls, one 500 pounds from a crossword puzzle, many 50 pound prizes in local charities and numerous five and one pound wins too numerous to mention.
Florence May Flint. Courtesy Daily Mirror
She told the journalist of the day that she mainly spent the money on doctors and hospitals, bought a new car and had left a tidy sum for her grand-daughter's future.
Sadly, Florence and Billy's luck ran out the following year when he passed away in August and she soon followed in November. They are both buried in the Anglican section of Karrakatta cemetery in Perth.
References
'Marriages', Births Deaths, Marriages, Western Australia, accessed 18th January, 2024, https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice/online-index-search-tool
'Today's List', The West Australian, Tuesday, 21 May 1940, Page 12
'Shearing Soldiers', The West Australian, Thursday 27 June 1940, Page 12
'Luckiest Woman in Western Australia!', Mirror, Saturday 25 August, 1945, Page 1