AN ANNIVERSARY

Hi Dad

My thoughts were of you when I woke up this morning.   It is the 129th anniversary of your birth in London, England.   T'was within the sound of Bow Bells you were born which makes you a true cockney and the twang was still there in your speech many years after when you were quite an old man.

It amazes me that here I am well into the 21st century and I remember so many people born in the 19th century, like yourself born in 1885.  I can remember as a child, when you would tell me stories of your life as a boy in London.  After all, you were born in the time of Jack the Ripper and if we can believe films set in that period (and I know British films are pretty authentic) life was so completely different back then.

Your dad was a wheelwright and employed several men so I know you lived quite a happy life and had a good education and eventually a very good position with the Sugar Commission as Chief Clerk during WW1.  That of course, is where you met mum and I am so glad you did.

I have always been so thankful you emigrated to Australia and chose me as your daughter in 1932 when you lived on the farm down in Narrikup.   You were wonderful parents....I couldn't have chosen better myself.

There is a total eclipse of the moon tonight and I will look on it as a special celebration of you and your life.  Thanks dad for just being you and looking after me so well.  Although you departed this mortal coil 43 years ago you are in my thoughts nearly every day.  Still miss you so much.

Love as always  xxx

4th AUGUST 2014

Hi there both of you.....I woke early this morning and for some reason my mind was very active so no returning to the land of dreams.  One thought stood out more than any other and that was the date...4th August.   It is one hundred years today since the beginning of World War 1.  These are the thoughts that were running through my mind as I thought of you this morning.

You were both living in London and you Mum were 17 and Dad you were 28.  I was wondering just how you both felt when you heard the news.  I know that you Mum were living at home with your mother and you sister was married with a little boy and her husband went to fight in that terrible war and fortunately came home to tell of it all.

You at that time Dad worked as Chief Clerk at the Sugar Commission and you had a wife and a little boy.   Tragically not long afterwards your wife died and left you a widower.  I believe you did try to enlist in various services but were turned down on medical grounds.  Was it your hearing perhaps as I do know you always had ear problems.  I also understand though that you were classified as having a reserved occupation which would restrict you from joining up anyway.  It must have been very frustrating for you and I can only hope you were never criticized for not being in uniform.

I know Mum you had an important position also at the Sugar Commission as Secretary to one of the bosses and that of course is how you met DAD, and before the war ended the two of you were married.    It being wartime no photographs were taken and you were lucky to even have a wedding cake but you did manage a short honeymoon away which must have been wonderful for you.

I also remember you telling me that London was bombed (not nearly as badly as in World War 2 of course) but it still must have been terribly scary for everyone.  I do so wish I had asked more when I was young but we don't think to do so and are left wondering about so many things.  I recollect Mum you telling me you would still go out into the streets and keep under cover of the awnings of the shops but would hear the shrapnel bouncing off the roofs during the air raids.  I can't even begin to imagine what that must have been like.

All I can say is I am so glad the two of you did get together, managed to stay safe and decided to emigrate to Western Australia and eventually found me in 1932.

You are both still in my thoughts nearly every day.....two very wonderful and loving people.

xxxxx

MUM.....A SURPRISE FOR YOU

Hi Mum

Sorry I've neglected you but it's been fairly quiet of late but now I've just thought of something I think should delight you, something you richly deserved, so let me tell you about it.

After your death in January 1985 the Soroptomist Club, with whom you had been so much involved, decided they would like to organise some type of memorial to you so they approached the King's Park Board who explained it was not often that type of thing was done in the park.  I have no idea what decided them but eventually it was agreed that there would be a jarrah seat with a plaque in your memory. This is the plaque that was decided upon:

First of all the seat overlooked the women's memorial lake and fountain but then it was moved for the use of people who walked the many trails through the park for them to rest on.  I think this is a beautiful setting for your seat:

This is Len and Jean resting on you seat when they visited Kings Park in 1986:

Nearly 16 years ago I visited the seat and found it had been painted green which I suppose will hopefully preserve it longer.  With me were my daughter, #2 granddaughter and (at that time) my only great-granddaughter.  Of course photos were taken and here we are, all taking it in turns to sit on your seat.

Unfortunately I can no longer walk to where the seat is/was situated but I must ask if any of the family are in Kings Park again if they would kindly check to see if the seat is still there.

I think you realised all your family were always very proud of you and still are.  You were always there for me when I was young and in your later years you were there for them as well, plus you did so much good for the greater community.  You packed so much into your nearly 88 years on this earth which reminds me, next Monday week will be the 117th anniversary of your birth in London, England.  I have always been so very glad you and dad decided to emigrate to Australia and become my parents.

NOTE:  Len was mum's step-son and Jean was his wife.