Alfred Edments

Who was Alfred Edments?

Alfred Edments was a merchant and philanthropist in Australia.

Edments was born in London, the son of James Edments, a labourer, and his wife Ann, née Lyons. He had only a primary education and at an early age began to work for a firm of cork merchants. He left for Australia at the age of 19 and arrived at Sydney. He obtained a position, saved a little money, began working as a peddler in a small way, and then opened a shop in Sydney where he sold goods by auction. Edments went to Melbourne in 1888 and started an auction room in Bourke Street, Melbourne. He also for a short period was a bookmaker, attending only the principal meetings, but found this did not suit his health and soon gave it up. He also gave up having auctions and opened a shop selling watches, clocks and fancy goods, which steadily prospered. He visited England in 1892 to arrange for direct buying, and after trying various locations, finally settled his place of business at 309-311 Bourke Street, Melbourne, in 1895.

The business grew and Edments began to open branches in the suburbs and in Hobart, Tasmania.