Page 27 - Bulletin 18 2014

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He stood for one of three seats in the elections for Ward 9 as it was to be known in the

unified Cape Town Municipality. Results were announced in the Cape Argus on 2 September
1913, and John missed being elected by 5 votes. It was a close run thing.

John was already in Cornwall, on a visit to England, when the results were announced. Many

people were shocked to read his obituary in the Cape Argus announcing that he had died
there unexpectedly 10 days later on 12 September aged 61.

John’s brother was William Delbridge (1859 - 1940) who built a very successful business as
a stone mason and building contractor. (Figs. 1.21 & 1.22.) Some of the public buildings he

built have been mentioned and more detail is in the section to follow – his impact on the Far

South area was considerable. He lived and worked in the Wynberg area for many years
before building his beautiful stone home high on the mountain in Seaview Road

Muizenberg.in 1913. He named it Lillounane after his daughters Lilly, Louise and Jane. (Fig.
1.23.) It was designed by his nephew, architect William John Delbridge, who embraced new

design. This is confirmed in Hans Fransen’s heritage survey where he describes this house as
being of “amazingly advanced design”

John’s son was London-trained William John Delbridge (1878 - 1946) F.R.S.A., a leading
member of the architectural community. (Fig. 1.24.) Space does not permit detailing the

significant contribution he made to South African architectural training and practice. He had
many well-known buildings to his credit, was a lecturer and mentor to many, and editor of the

profession’s flagship publication the Architect Builder & Engineer. He originally had his own
practice before going into a partnership with the Reids and later worked as Reid Delbridge &

Fallon. Below are details of how William John worked in the Kalk Bay – Muizenberg area

with the family contracting and property development business, and on many private and well
known commissions in this area.

William’s Delbridge’s only son – William Henry Delbridge (1882 - 1940) – known as
‘Willie’, was prominent in Muizenberg for many years. (Fig. 1.25.) He grew up in Wynberg

before moving to his house at 8 Main Road Muizenberg. He ran the family cartage
contracting business. By 1923 he was running a dairy from a building at his house – one of

six dairies in the area at the time. (Fig. 1.26.) In 1929 Willie won the tender to supply the new