The following article was submitted by Lois Kennett, family historian of the Cracknell family of Panton Hill June 2008.
Samuel Cracknell
The family connection with Panton Hill starts with Sam and Carolline Cracknell, and their children William, Samuel, Alfred, Ruby and Beatrice. Sam, Ruby and Beatrice have the longest associations with the area. Sam and his sons Arthur and Don had orchards in Alma Road from around 1900 until they sold to the MMBW in 1972; around 1950 another son Bob was also on the orchard with Don, and Keith retired to live near Arthur’s orchard. Sam’s daughter Elsie (my mother) lived in East Preston after her marriage, daughter Jean lived in Panton Hill until around 1941 onwards, however daughter June (the sole remaining family member, living at Diamond Creek now) spent most of her life at Panton Hill.
[[Image:Elsie.JPG|right|100px]]
I guess the stories of Samuel Arthur and Alice Cracknell and their family, especially Arthur, Elsie, Don, (Alice) Jean, and June have many recollections about life at Panton Hill. Arthur was a councillor in the old Eltham Shire 1963-9, and heavily involved in community work in Panton Hill – the Reserve on which the Hall and sporting ground stand, is officially known as the A.E. Cracknell Reserve.
My Grandmother Alice Cracknell, nee Smith, was one of 11 children, Bill being a brother. They were the children of Edwin and Louisa Smith from Cherry Tree Rd. Alice married Samuel Arthur Cracknell and they developed orchards in Alma Rd. Panton Hill.
Sam was the son of [[Samuel Cracknell (1847 – 1933) World famous light weight jockey]], who rode the winner of the 1879 Melbourne Cup, on Darriwell. He and his wife Caroline settled in Panton Hill in the 1890’s, and built an orchard and house named ‘Kenninghall’. Place still there but not in that name I don’t think.
Lillian Rose Smith (sister to Bill Smith) born about 1892 and married Don White from Kangaroo Ground, They had 3 sons, Alec, Doug and Ken. She was always known as Rose.
The School photo is Panton Hill State School, Mr. McAuliffe was headmaster from 1909 -1918. This was taken around 1912. Elsie Cracknell is 9th from the right standing up, Arthur Cracknell is 4th from the right kneeling, and Jack Cracknell is 7th from the left front row.
