Hi Dad
It is 128 years today since you were born within the sound of Bow Bells in London, England and 42 years since you silently slipped away from us.
There is rarely a day that passes when I don't think of you, but my thoughts of you are extra special today. How thankful I am that owing to your ill health, following a bout of the Spanish flu following WW1, you were told by the doctors to move to a warmer land. You left a beautiful home and a very good job to emigrate to Western Australia to take up farming. If you'd not made that decision I would never have met you and mum.
I am always so grateful that you both decided you'd like a baby daughter (you already had a son of nearly 21 whose mother had died when he was little) and it was me that you chose to be that daughter. You may have had some Victorian ideas but you were a fantastic father and looked after me so well. In fact you both did and I know at times you probably went without to give me a good life and a good education for which I have always been very grateful.
I was always sorry I didn't see more of you when my two children were young but that decision was taken out of my hands by mum's actions. We won't go into that now but it was a sad time in my life. It was wonderful that we resumed our relationship in later years and my kiddies got to meet their grandfather. You were always so good with little ones and I regret my two didn't know you when they were small.
Your photo is up on the mantlepiece today; not that I need to see it to be reminded of you but just to give you pride of place on your special day. I feel so close to you today.
Love from your daughter xxxx
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
DISAPPOINTING RESULT DAD
Hi Dad
You are probably the only person who will understand what I'm talking about here but it's just between you and me really anyway isn't it? East Perth played in the WAFL Grand Final today.....and lost!!! I had high hopes they might win another flag but it was not meant to be. They began the year quite badly but picked up steam half way through the season and were looking good.
Never mind, hopefully they will improve next year and who knows? Another appearance in the Grand Final. We can only hope.
It was a wet and windy day in Perth today but there were over 20,000 watching the game at Subiaco Oval which was quite good in such bad weather. The AFL has kept the crowds away from WAFL games over past years which is such a pity. Progress it is called and I suppose it is, really.
Mum would have been pleased as West Perth are now this year's premiers. I never worked out why she decided to follow West Perth but somehow I think it was to create a bit of rivalry in the camp. We used to enjoy having a go at each other about the two teams....just a lot of fun.
I've not been to a football match for many a long year now but I used to enjoy sitting or standing on the bank yelling for my team. Dreams of times long ago eh Dad? They were good times.
Love you
xxxx
You are probably the only person who will understand what I'm talking about here but it's just between you and me really anyway isn't it? East Perth played in the WAFL Grand Final today.....and lost!!! I had high hopes they might win another flag but it was not meant to be. They began the year quite badly but picked up steam half way through the season and were looking good.
Never mind, hopefully they will improve next year and who knows? Another appearance in the Grand Final. We can only hope.
It was a wet and windy day in Perth today but there were over 20,000 watching the game at Subiaco Oval which was quite good in such bad weather. The AFL has kept the crowds away from WAFL games over past years which is such a pity. Progress it is called and I suppose it is, really.
Mum would have been pleased as West Perth are now this year's premiers. I never worked out why she decided to follow West Perth but somehow I think it was to create a bit of rivalry in the camp. We used to enjoy having a go at each other about the two teams....just a lot of fun.
I've not been to a football match for many a long year now but I used to enjoy sitting or standing on the bank yelling for my team. Dreams of times long ago eh Dad? They were good times.
Love you
xxxx
Sunday, September 8, 2013
NEWS THAT WOULD PLEASE YOU
Dear Mum and Dad
The Federal election was held yesterday and after 6 years of a Labor government (one that had a lot of infighting and conniving going on) you would both be delighted that we now are back to having a Liberal government; at least for the next 3 years (and beyond I would hope)
I think you would both approve of our new Prime Minister. He is a very good family man and works hard in the community as well. He keeps very fit and is involved in surf life saving and volunteer bushfire work as well. He is religious, which perhaps Dad wouldn't worry you, but you Mum would probably approve of that although his religion is different to yours. I feel he is a good man and will be a good leader.
For some reason many people didn't seem to like him (and still don't from what I've been seeing on social media) and yet it appears sufficient people approved of him to elect him so he can form a government. We can only hope he forms a good and reliable one that can work well with the Opposition and the Senate and bring stability back to our country.
Times are not easy in the world of today with many economic problems and civil wars in middle eastern countries. There are lots of refugees from those countries trying to find a new and safe place to live. I actually fear for the future of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their world is going to be so vastly different to the world I grew up in, regardless of the Great Depression and World War 2. We got through them and in many ways I think it made us better people. I am not sure that is the case any more.
Just wanted to keep you up to speed with what is happening in our world of today.
Love to you both
xxxx
The Federal election was held yesterday and after 6 years of a Labor government (one that had a lot of infighting and conniving going on) you would both be delighted that we now are back to having a Liberal government; at least for the next 3 years (and beyond I would hope)
I think you would both approve of our new Prime Minister. He is a very good family man and works hard in the community as well. He keeps very fit and is involved in surf life saving and volunteer bushfire work as well. He is religious, which perhaps Dad wouldn't worry you, but you Mum would probably approve of that although his religion is different to yours. I feel he is a good man and will be a good leader.
For some reason many people didn't seem to like him (and still don't from what I've been seeing on social media) and yet it appears sufficient people approved of him to elect him so he can form a government. We can only hope he forms a good and reliable one that can work well with the Opposition and the Senate and bring stability back to our country.
Times are not easy in the world of today with many economic problems and civil wars in middle eastern countries. There are lots of refugees from those countries trying to find a new and safe place to live. I actually fear for the future of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their world is going to be so vastly different to the world I grew up in, regardless of the Great Depression and World War 2. We got through them and in many ways I think it made us better people. I am not sure that is the case any more.
Just wanted to keep you up to speed with what is happening in our world of today.
Love to you both
xxxx
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
I AM SO TIRED
Hi Mum
I know I am getting old but since I turned 80 it seems to be happening much more quickly. I fear the spirit is still willing as ever but the flesh is just so weak.
I often think of you and how badly injured you were when that stupid car driver swung to the wrong side of the road and hit you outside your home way back when you were in your early seventies. You weren't expected to live, but you did. You weren't expected to walk again, but you did. Your right hip was so badly shattered they couldn't set it and you ended up with that leg several centimetres shorter than the other and yet you got around with the aid of your trusty walking sticks.
You eventually flew to Sydney to find out details about setting up a workshop for pensioners and the like and you came home and proceeded to set up such a place which is thriving still (Beehive Industries). We were all so proud they named Ruston House after you. You deserved the accolades that were spoken on the day the building was opened. If only you had lived to see it happen.
You were living on your own and yet you managed so well despite everything. Here I still have Phil with me and he is wonderful and so helpful but because I have problems getting around and even getting things done now I get so downhearted. I just wish I had some of your get up and go which never seemed to leave you no matter what.
I realise now how much pain you must have been in and yet you didn't complain, or at least not to us, and of course we, being so much younger then, didn't realise how bad it must have been for you at times. You were always such an independent person and never asked us to do very much for you and I feel I need to say how sorry I am that we didn't do more.
I badly need some of your strength of purpose so I can get on with things that are crying out to be done. I am sure we will get there eventually but progress seems oh, so slow.
I feel you are so close at times and I wish I could sit and have a quiet talk as we once did.
Love you as much now as I always did.
xxxxxx
I know I am getting old but since I turned 80 it seems to be happening much more quickly. I fear the spirit is still willing as ever but the flesh is just so weak.
I often think of you and how badly injured you were when that stupid car driver swung to the wrong side of the road and hit you outside your home way back when you were in your early seventies. You weren't expected to live, but you did. You weren't expected to walk again, but you did. Your right hip was so badly shattered they couldn't set it and you ended up with that leg several centimetres shorter than the other and yet you got around with the aid of your trusty walking sticks.
You eventually flew to Sydney to find out details about setting up a workshop for pensioners and the like and you came home and proceeded to set up such a place which is thriving still (Beehive Industries). We were all so proud they named Ruston House after you. You deserved the accolades that were spoken on the day the building was opened. If only you had lived to see it happen.
You were living on your own and yet you managed so well despite everything. Here I still have Phil with me and he is wonderful and so helpful but because I have problems getting around and even getting things done now I get so downhearted. I just wish I had some of your get up and go which never seemed to leave you no matter what.
I realise now how much pain you must have been in and yet you didn't complain, or at least not to us, and of course we, being so much younger then, didn't realise how bad it must have been for you at times. You were always such an independent person and never asked us to do very much for you and I feel I need to say how sorry I am that we didn't do more.
I badly need some of your strength of purpose so I can get on with things that are crying out to be done. I am sure we will get there eventually but progress seems oh, so slow.
I feel you are so close at times and I wish I could sit and have a quiet talk as we once did.
Love you as much now as I always did.
xxxxxx
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
I FOUND THE STORY OF THAT FORCED LANDING IN 1943
Dear Mum and Dad
Do you remember when Len was on loan as an aerial photographer to the USAAF in Darwin in 1943 and they had to make a crash landing after that air raid on the Borneo oil fields held by the Japanese when they were chased off course by Japanese fighters? Well, I was browsing the internet the other day and would you believe I found a website which told the whole story. There were even photographs and I remember you having photos too but for some reason I don't have them. Did you, Mum, perhaps give them to someone else in the family? The main photos I remember were the crew of the "Shady Lady" and the one where the crew and the aborigines that came to their aid were standing beside the crashed plane:
If I remember correctly that is Len on the far left of the above picture leaning on the engine of the plane. I noticed on the website you can obtain copies of photographs so perhaps I will try and do just that as it would be great to have them for the family album.
The story tells of how they set out at 05.00am on 13 August, 1943 from Fenton Airfield south of Darwin on a bombing mission against the oil refineries at Balikpapan (I have confirmed that was in Borneo). The B24 was armed with six 500lb bombs and overloaded with fuel. At the time, this was the longest bombing mission of the war that would cover a total of 2,700 miles.
"Shady Lady" was the last bomber to arrive over the target, as the results of the raid had to be photographed (by Len of course). On the return trip the bomber encountered thunderstorms which blew the plane off course and forced them to overly Timor and they were intercepted by two enemy fighters that attacked for over two hours and most of the machine guns were inoperative. Evading the fighters also consumed precious fuel. (That bit about the machine guns doesn't sound very good).
Extremely low on fuel the bomber force landed onto the tidal salt flats on the Anjo Peninsula, near Drysdale (now Kalumburu) Mission and during the landing the nose gear collapsed and the nose turret fell off. The crew was unhurt "aside from the "Australian Ruston" who suffered minor injuries". (From what Len told us they had all gathered at the rear of the plane as it was considered it would be safer but when the plane nose collapsed they all slid down to the front and Len ended up under the pile of men and suffered a bloody (if not broken) nose.
The crew fortunately all survived and used their radio to contact Darwin, and the next day three aboriginals arrived at the crash site and took the crew towards water to the southeast. Eventually the Drysdale mission lugger travelled down river to the crash site and transported the crew to the airfield at Napier Broome Bay and then trucked back to Drysdale Mission.
The plane was repaired and flown back to Fenton airfield and then on to Garbutt Airfield near Townsville but despite extensive efforts to repair the bomber it was salvaged for parts and then scrapped. Officially, the bomber was written off the day of the crash landing on 14 August, 1943.
I know I was only 11 at the time but I remember clearly Len telling us about it when he came home on leave but he didn't tell us many of the details I have just learned about. I do remember him telling us that the American airmen were awarded a Purple Heart each for their part in this particular air raid but as he was an Australian he couldn't be awarded this honour. Instead he received a personal letter from General McArthur thanking him for his part in the mission. I often felt that meant more to him than had he received a medal.
All I know I was so glad my brother survived to tell the tale and I was excited to read so much about an event of which he was so much a part.
Do you remember when Len was on loan as an aerial photographer to the USAAF in Darwin in 1943 and they had to make a crash landing after that air raid on the Borneo oil fields held by the Japanese when they were chased off course by Japanese fighters? Well, I was browsing the internet the other day and would you believe I found a website which told the whole story. There were even photographs and I remember you having photos too but for some reason I don't have them. Did you, Mum, perhaps give them to someone else in the family? The main photos I remember were the crew of the "Shady Lady" and the one where the crew and the aborigines that came to their aid were standing beside the crashed plane:
If I remember correctly that is Len on the far left of the above picture leaning on the engine of the plane. I noticed on the website you can obtain copies of photographs so perhaps I will try and do just that as it would be great to have them for the family album.
The story tells of how they set out at 05.00am on 13 August, 1943 from Fenton Airfield south of Darwin on a bombing mission against the oil refineries at Balikpapan (I have confirmed that was in Borneo). The B24 was armed with six 500lb bombs and overloaded with fuel. At the time, this was the longest bombing mission of the war that would cover a total of 2,700 miles.
"Shady Lady" was the last bomber to arrive over the target, as the results of the raid had to be photographed (by Len of course). On the return trip the bomber encountered thunderstorms which blew the plane off course and forced them to overly Timor and they were intercepted by two enemy fighters that attacked for over two hours and most of the machine guns were inoperative. Evading the fighters also consumed precious fuel. (That bit about the machine guns doesn't sound very good).
Extremely low on fuel the bomber force landed onto the tidal salt flats on the Anjo Peninsula, near Drysdale (now Kalumburu) Mission and during the landing the nose gear collapsed and the nose turret fell off. The crew was unhurt "aside from the "Australian Ruston" who suffered minor injuries". (From what Len told us they had all gathered at the rear of the plane as it was considered it would be safer but when the plane nose collapsed they all slid down to the front and Len ended up under the pile of men and suffered a bloody (if not broken) nose.
The crew fortunately all survived and used their radio to contact Darwin, and the next day three aboriginals arrived at the crash site and took the crew towards water to the southeast. Eventually the Drysdale mission lugger travelled down river to the crash site and transported the crew to the airfield at Napier Broome Bay and then trucked back to Drysdale Mission.
The plane was repaired and flown back to Fenton airfield and then on to Garbutt Airfield near Townsville but despite extensive efforts to repair the bomber it was salvaged for parts and then scrapped. Officially, the bomber was written off the day of the crash landing on 14 August, 1943.
I know I was only 11 at the time but I remember clearly Len telling us about it when he came home on leave but he didn't tell us many of the details I have just learned about. I do remember him telling us that the American airmen were awarded a Purple Heart each for their part in this particular air raid but as he was an Australian he couldn't be awarded this honour. Instead he received a personal letter from General McArthur thanking him for his part in the mission. I often felt that meant more to him than had he received a medal.
All I know I was so glad my brother survived to tell the tale and I was excited to read so much about an event of which he was so much a part.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
IT'S MUM'S DAY AGAIN
Dear Mum
Another Mother's Day and again I think of you and so many of my friends who were mums who are no longer with us. I miss all of you but life takes some and leaves others and we will never know why.
This morning we popped up to K & B's for morning tea. AM was there with her fiancee CD and daughter CT and it's always great to see them. K & B have a new outdoor setting under their new patio and it is all looking really good.
They have some cimbidium orchids in bud (just one flower open so far) which made me think of when you grew them at Joondanna. We have never had much success with them for some reason so decided they were not for us. We do well with other plants but just not orchids which is disappointing.
Their back garden is really very pretty now and the front lawn is coming good too. B puts it down to the reticulation they had put in a year or so ago. It has certainly made a big difference to their garden and of course there is so much less work to do changing sprinklers etc.
We came home and had a light lunch and put our respective feet up for an hour or two. We both tend to tire easier these days which I guess is to be expected at our age. P is fortunate as he can nap easily but I have always been the same and unable to sleep in the daytime so no nanna naps for yours truly.
Not much more to report. Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you today but then you are in my thoughts most days. I guess birthdays and special days are that wee bit more special.
Love, as always
xxxxxxx
Another Mother's Day and again I think of you and so many of my friends who were mums who are no longer with us. I miss all of you but life takes some and leaves others and we will never know why.
This morning we popped up to K & B's for morning tea. AM was there with her fiancee CD and daughter CT and it's always great to see them. K & B have a new outdoor setting under their new patio and it is all looking really good.
They have some cimbidium orchids in bud (just one flower open so far) which made me think of when you grew them at Joondanna. We have never had much success with them for some reason so decided they were not for us. We do well with other plants but just not orchids which is disappointing.
Their back garden is really very pretty now and the front lawn is coming good too. B puts it down to the reticulation they had put in a year or so ago. It has certainly made a big difference to their garden and of course there is so much less work to do changing sprinklers etc.
We came home and had a light lunch and put our respective feet up for an hour or two. We both tend to tire easier these days which I guess is to be expected at our age. P is fortunate as he can nap easily but I have always been the same and unable to sleep in the daytime so no nanna naps for yours truly.
Not much more to report. Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you today but then you are in my thoughts most days. I guess birthdays and special days are that wee bit more special.
Love, as always
xxxxxxx
Monday, April 29, 2013
AN ENJOYABLE SATURDAY BBQ
Hi there you two
Just thought I'd drop you a quick note about the BBQ on Saturday. We went down to C & M's home to help celebrate AJ's first birthday. She is of course their second daughter, and our third great-granddaughter. (This makes her your great-great-granddaughter of course....wow!!). The family is growing albeit slowly.
AJ had such fun opening her birthday gifts and was particularly interested in giving scraps of wrapping paper to her Dad. We took some lovely photographs of her which I am sure we will all share around eventually.
You would adore this little girl. She is a real character and was so good while we were there without a grizzle of any kind and Immy was good too and you could see she loves her little sister and told me she will read to AJ from the picture books she received for her birthday.
They were both dressed up and looked so beautiful. There were 11 of us altogether at the table for lunch because of course BA is in Alaska, LEP was working as was AM's fiancee. We all had a really enjoyable few hours together and I thought you'd like this photo I took of AJ and her cake with the one candle on it. The reason there is movement in the cake is because she was a little too intrigued with the flame so for safety's sake it was whisked away quite quickly. Immy blew out the candle for her and of course we all sang Happy Birthday followed by 3 cheers.
Bye for now
xxxxxx
Just thought I'd drop you a quick note about the BBQ on Saturday. We went down to C & M's home to help celebrate AJ's first birthday. She is of course their second daughter, and our third great-granddaughter. (This makes her your great-great-granddaughter of course....wow!!). The family is growing albeit slowly.
AJ had such fun opening her birthday gifts and was particularly interested in giving scraps of wrapping paper to her Dad. We took some lovely photographs of her which I am sure we will all share around eventually.
You would adore this little girl. She is a real character and was so good while we were there without a grizzle of any kind and Immy was good too and you could see she loves her little sister and told me she will read to AJ from the picture books she received for her birthday.
They were both dressed up and looked so beautiful. There were 11 of us altogether at the table for lunch because of course BA is in Alaska, LEP was working as was AM's fiancee. We all had a really enjoyable few hours together and I thought you'd like this photo I took of AJ and her cake with the one candle on it. The reason there is movement in the cake is because she was a little too intrigued with the flame so for safety's sake it was whisked away quite quickly. Immy blew out the candle for her and of course we all sang Happy Birthday followed by 3 cheers.
Bye for now
xxxxxx
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