Oral History: Andreas Jerzyna
Address: 9 Bay St. Swansea NSW 2281
Telephone: (02) 4971 5582
Fax: (02) 4971 5583
Birthdate: 20 August 1943
Nationality: Australian - Naturalised 30th April 1959 (Born in Sommersdorf, Germany of Polish parents. Emigrated to Australia in January 1950)
Family: Married - 3 children - 2 grandchildren
Education:
Primary School: St. Josephs Convent Penrith NSW
High School: Patrician Brothers Blacktown
School Qualifications: External Intermediate - Year 9/10 - 1958.
Employment:
1959 - 1967 Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Co. (Time and Motion clerk)
1967 - 1998 Royal Australian Navy 1998 - Retired
Residences: Kingswood, Double Bay, Nowra, Canberra, Coogee, Potts Point. Presently residing in Swansea after having built a new house.
Hobbies: Reading, Woodwork, Gardening
Barry James BENFIELD born at KURRI KURRI, NEW SOUTH WALES, on 02 November 1930. Attended Infants, Primary and High School at KURRI KURRI and High School at BROADMEADOW (Central Junior Technical School). Started work in 1947 as a Junior Clerk with NEWCASTLE Electrical Supply Authority (NESCA).
Enlisted in the AUSTRALIAN Navy on 21 March 1949, as a Recruit Writer at HMAS RUSHCUTTER - then off to HMAS CERBERUS to comm- ence Recruit Training. On completion of Recruit Training was promoted to Seaman Writer and off to HMAS PENGUIN. Promoted to Able Seaman Writer and drafted to HMAS AUSTRALIA (Heavy Cruiser) was promoted to Leading Seaman Writer. HMAS NIRIMBA (Naval Air Station) on the Staff of Captain (Air Australia) which was transferred to the Staff of the Flag Officer in Charge East Australian Area at HMAS KUTTABUL. HMAS QUADRANT (Anti-Submarine Frigate) for Service on the Far East Strategic Reserve during the MALAYAN Emergency - Service on the Japanese Pearling Patrols in DARWIN/BROOME Area as well as five days in DILI in then PORTUGEASE TIMOR - promoted to Petty Officer Writer. HMAS ALBATROSS, HMAS HARMAN the to HMAS TORRENS for the Naval Staff at the Maralinga Range Support Unit during the Atomic Bombing Testing period. HMAS PENGUIN for the Australian Military Adviser's Staff at the South East Asia Treaty Organization Headquarters in BANGKOK, THAILAND, promoted to Chief Petty Officer Writer. HMAS PENGUIN and HMAS ALBATROSS and was discha- rged on 24 March 1964.
As a civilian worked for a short time at Stewarts and Lloyds and when T.A.B. commenced in NEWCASTLE started work as a TAB Manager and finally TAB Agent at HAMILTON until I retired in may 1996.
I was married to a THAI National and have a Daughter - two Grandaughters - and a Son. My place of residence in 28 Mahogany Crescent. GATESHEAD 2290 and phone number 49431398.
Oral History: Basil Crouch
I was born on 22 December 1917 in Brisbane to English parents. Iwas the youngest of six children .
I started school at five years and life was good until my father died in 1928, two months before I turned eleven year. No widow's pension was available in those days, so to help out I got a job delivering milk before and after school. My wages were 5 shillings per week. Being the youngest by twelve years, my brothers and sisters were overseas so there was no one else to help us.
The depression had started and in 1931 I got permission to leave school. At thirteen and a half years old I started work on a dairy farm. My wage was five shillings per month and included my food and clothing. One day a month was my time off. Hours were from three in the morning, when I brought the cows in to be milked and finished at eight at night.
Work was hard but I was well fed, which was better than a lot of people had in those times. Later I had other work, which incuded fencing, and rouseabout on a sheep station.
I returned to Brisbane in 1934 and became a brick layer's apprentice. I served three years in the R.A.N. reserve, then moved to Sydney where wages were higher.
War was declaired in 1939 and I tried to join the Naavy, but was told they had more men than ships.
In 1940 I married Veronica and we are still together. I began to work as a furnace brick layer at a munitions factory, then at Garden Island and Cockatoo Docks. I also worked on the Queen Mary and Elizabeth which were being fitted out for troop ships.
I was called up for national service and had three months in the army in 1940. I then returned to reserved occupation.
In 1942 my first son was born and six months later in January 1943 I joined the R.A.A.F. Seven weeks later I was posted to Milne Bay. This tour of duty lasted eighteen months. After a month's home leave I returned to New Guinia for fourteen months and was demobbed in April 1946.
We had two more sons and I agained work in my trade. In 1959 I became a builder doing repairs and other work. In 1970 I went to the government as a security Officer. Over the next eight years I improved my position to become a building manager in government city buildings.
I retired at 60 years of age on a service pension and did voluntary work for eight years on a retirement village doing repairs and supervising work on their buuilding.
In 1989 my wife and I moved to Newcastle where we made many friends and are very content.
I became iinvolved in Waratah Mayfield RSL Sub Branch and its Veterans in Schools Program. This work gives me great satisfaction, being able to talk talk to the children of my eighty odd years of life experiences.
Oral History: Colin Thomas Davies
My name is Colin Davies. I was born on the 7th January 1944 at Pelaw Main in New South Wales. When I was 3 years old my family moved to a place called Pelican, on Lake Macquarie. I went to pelican flats primary school before my family moved to Mayfield, a suburb of Newcastle. Then attended Mayfield West Primary School. I then attended Newcastle Junior Boys High School.
I have worked at several different jobs, ten pin bowling, hotel management, cash controller at an amusement park, cashier supervisor at a casino, promotions, and public relations.
My hobbies are reading, music, and travelling.
I enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1968, after completing my rookies training at Adelaide in South Australia, I was posted to Queensland to train as an airfield defence guard. I was then posted to, Canberra. Along with other ADGs. We were attached to various places in Australia and New Guinea to take part in exercises with the army. In 1970 I was posted to the RAAF base at Vung Tau in South Vietnam. In 1971 I returned to Australia. I was based at Canberra for about nine months. I then remustered to the service police branch. After my training in Victoria I was posted to service police HQ at Neutral Bay in Sydney. In 1972 I was posted to RAAF base Butterworth in Malaysia. In 1974 I returned to Australia to RAAF base Williamtown. After about seven months I remustered to motor transport driver. I was discharged from the air force in 1978, and returned to the ten pin bowling industry in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
I now reside in Newcastle. I am the president of waratah Mayfield RSL Sub-Branches. I also hold the position, of a director on the board of Mayfield ex-services club, I am the city vice president of the Newcastle district council of RSL sub-branches and I hold the position of coordinator of the veterans in school program in Newcastle.
Oral History: Emily (Joan) Bale
Armidale
I was born in Armidale in July 1918. In 1922 when I was four, and my sister, Ruth, was one, my father took up his appointment as Post Master in Kendall.
Kendall Post Office
My sister, Mary, was born here in 1924 on my birthday.
I began formal education at Kendall Public School.
Wingham Post Office
I attented Wingham Public School then travelled by bus to Taree High School where I matriculated in 1935.
Employment
Telephonist at Wingham Post Office.
East Maitland Post Office
Telephonist at East Maitland Post Office.
Newcastle Post Office
Served here as telephonist, supervisor, and Clerk Third Division having matriculated in 1935.
War Service
Mary and I were released from PMG service and enlisted in W.A.A.A.F. on 5 October 1932. The courses were Rookies at Bradfield Park and Radar School at Richmond Airbase.
Radar stations were being altered for female personnel and during this period female radar operators acted as clerks. My postings for this period were:
January 1942: EFTS Uranquinty
22 Febuary 1943: IAD Laverton
31 May 1943: IFS Bankstown
1 June 1943: D/RDF Melbourne
26 September 1943: 131 Radar Station ASA Island
22 January 1944: Em B. Depot Bradfield Park
9 March 1944: 136 Radar Station Aligator Creek
17 July 1944: 211 Radar Station Home Hill
27 Febuary 1945: 2SD Waterloo
23 May 1945: 2PD Bradfield Park
28 May 1945: Discharged
Discharge
On discharge I retuned to my former ocupation, but at the GPO, Sydney, where I worked as an overseas telephonist, as supervisor, and as OIC at City East Fault Recording Exchange.
Newcastle
I returned to Newcastle Telephone Exchange as supervisor and as I had matriculated in 1935 as Clerk (Third Division) at the district Telephone Office on telephone directories, staffing and telephone orders.
As an evening student I attended Newcastle University, gaining a BA in 1965.
University
Service here was as an administative assistant. Setting up convocation, publishing the University calender and faculty hand books until I retired in 1978.
I went on overseas trips to New Zealand, China and Europe.
When a meeting was held to set up the University of the Third Age some ten years ago I attended, as an ex-WAAAF friend in Melbourne had given me details. It is for people fifty-five years and over to stimulate them so that they don't reach the forth age of dependancy.
Whilst at Alligator Radar Station in 1944 I developed dengue fever and spent some days in the RAAF hospital in Townsville.
Oral History: Jack Coughlin
I have been a resident of the suburb of Mayfield being born here on the 25/3/1925. During the following years I have seen many changes in the lifestyle customs entertainment and general conditions of the people in this period of time.
I started my schooling at Waratah Infants School (which is now part of Waratah High School). From there on to Waratah Boys School. Then I went to Cooks Hill Intermediate High leaving after completingone year at the age of thirteen. The reason being it was depression times and money was very scarce so I starte my working life.
I did odd jobs until August 1940 when I obtained a job as a Deck Boy on the SS Iron Warrior a boat belonging to the B.H.P.. Here I stayed for some time on completing my time as a Deck Boy I was paid off as was usual at them times.
When I came ashore I was offered a job at full adult wages which I took. I continued working ashore until i turned the age of 18 then I joined the R.A.A.F..
I served my recruit training at Evans Head. From there I went to Narrandara. From there I went to Rathmines to do a course for Marine Section Mustering. Due to my previous experience I had no trouble in passing.
On passing I was posted to the section at Rathmines. Here I stayed a few months and was then sent to Jervis Bay.
Here we done mainly Torpedo recovery work as well as air sea rescue. The aircraft here were Beuford Bombers training torpedo drops at low level.
I was there until April 44 when I was posted to 60 OBU forming up at Melbourne. On arriving in Melbourne fifteen of us immediately left for Darwin as the advance party.
On arriving we became a part of 80 Wing a Spitfire Wing under the command of Wing Commander Clive Caldwell. Our purpose was to do a landing 300 miles north of Darwin for a cover fighter strip. However the landing was cancelled and I went on load to the Marine Section at Darwin until we sailed on the SS Mexico for Biak.
We never went ashore as we were sento on to Morotia. On landing we were given odd jobs to do as we were surplus and no marine section in operation. Here I stayed until posted home in August srriving in Brisbane the day the war ended. On arriving home I was posted to Jervis Bay and then Rathmines until discharged in April 1945.
Back in civilian life I worked at numerous jobs until I retired at the age of 65.
I joined the R.S.L. on my return from the islands and have been active in it ever since I also did a period of time in the scouting movement and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme both from I gained a lot of satisfaction. Which I am also getting from the Vet's in School Programe
Thanking you all.
Oral History: Norman W Cann
ADDRESS: 4 Sandalwood Place, Garden Suburb, N.S.W. 2289
EDUCATION:
Stockton Public School: 1928 - 1934
Newcastle Boys High School: 1935 - 1939
QUALIFICATIONS:
Leaving Certificate (Higher School Certificate)
B.H.P Commercial Training Graduate:-
Shorthand & Typing
Accountancy Certificate
Member Australian Computer Society
Associate, fellow Australian Institute of Management
World War II Experience:
Enlisted Royal Australian Navy 1942 as a Writer Served in following Ships & Establishments: HMAS RUSHCUTTER
HMAS WATSON (Radar School)
WESTRALIA (Landing Ship Infantry)
PENGUIN (For demobilisation)
War Service as a Writer & Oerlikon (A.A. Gun Crew)
Papua New Guinea
Dutch New Guinea
New Britain Solomn Is.
Admiralty is.
Morotai Is.
Phillipine Islands
Borneo Ambon Is.
Demobilised in August 1946.
Work Experience:
BHP - Commercial Trainee: 1939 - 1942
BHP - Commercial Trainee & Accountant 1946 - 1950
COURTAULDS (AUSTRALIA) LTD.: 1950 - 1972
Project Cost Accountant
Production Cost Accountant
Financial Accountant
Accounting & Computer Systems Manager
NEWCASTLE TECHNICAL COLLEGE: 1962 - 1984
Part-Time Teacher :-
School of Management
School of Commerce
Data Processing & Computers
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT: 1964 - 1980
Part Time Lecturer:-
Accounting for Non-Accountants
Cost Accounting
Office Work Study
Introduction to Computers
Also Treasurer of Newcastle Branch & Council Member
NORTHERN COMPUTING SERVICES PTY LTD: 1972 - 1984
Accountant & Salesman Accounting Systems.
Marketing Manager
Bureau Services Manager
Director
CANN DATA. PROCESSING SERVICES PTY LTD.: 1984 - 1988
Managing Director & Computer Systems Consultant
Voluntary Work:
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF NEWCASTLE: 1966 - 1984
Member Of Synod
Member of Diocesan Council
Member Christian Education Council
Chairman Adult Education Council
Member Diocesan Liaison Committee
Council Member & Treasurer of General Board of Christian Education of Australia
Other Interests:
Tennis
Golf
Swimming
Bowls
Treasurer Newcastle Sub Section Naval Association of Australia
Personal Details:
Born 2 August 1923 Vacy, New South Wales.
Married - two children (girls), five grandchildren.
Oral History: Ray Bennett
Address: Unit One 34 Morgan St Merewether NSW 2291
Phone: 49637540
Born: 31st December 1933 at Merewether Newcastle NSW
Eldest son second child of five, two sisters and two brothers.
My family resided at Booragul, about 20 kms south of Newcastle close to Lake Macquarie. Before it was an outer suburb of Newcastle. Our closest neighbour being about 1 kilometre away. I started school at Teralba, 1.5 km walk from home at the age of five.
Moved, because of my fathers work to Wee War then Cessnock, Gladesville, and Five-Dock. I attended primary school at each of these locations and finally High School at Ashfield Boys Technical High. Leaving school at Intermediate level I endeavoured to enlist in the Navy, my age would not permit this, so I spent the next two and a half years working. Here there and every where, mainly jackarooing, ringbarking, fencing, fruit picking and trying each year to enlist.
Finally in 1951 aged seventeen and a half and with my mother's signature I was off to Flinders Naval Depot [HMAS Cerberus] the beginning of a Six year [Plus six months Boys Time] engagement, serving in Training Establishments HMAS Cerberus, Watson and Penquin, and HMAS Australia, Condamine, Murchison and Warramunga. O/n 45109 Ordinary Seaman, Able Seaman, Radar Plotter 3d Class, Navigating Officers Yeoman.
At the age of twenty four [1957] and at the completion of my engagement I returned to civilian life, married with two children. A mortgage, a DFRB [Defence Force Retirement Benefit ] of 250 pounds [$500] and the prospect of an appointment with the Department of Public Health in two months, [I payed off last day in December, the Departments new personnel did not start till 1st March].
With dwindling resources, I found employment with a small company H.R.Walters Pty Ltd. Then with a staff of 25 and that included me ! Leadership and Management courses with Outward Bound, Junior Chamber of Commerce and TAFE followed. An involvement with the Scout movement as leader, trainer, participation in local affairs and Service Clubs also followed. Company progress and Thirty one years later and after an extremely successful career with this company at the age of fifty five [1988] I voluntarily retired.
This company to-day trades as the international multi million dollar WATTYL PAINTS.
Living at Normanhurst in Sydney and having a holiday home at Gwandalan, Lake Macquarie it was not long before we decided to spend more time at the lake. We leased Normanhurst for a couple of years then sold to move permanently to Gwandalan.
Four years after retirement at the age of 59 [1992] I suffered a massive heart attack which resulted in open heart bypass surgery. To recoup from this operation my wife and I spent two weeks in Fiji. This was the start of our world travelling, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, several more trips to Fiji, Western Samoa, England, Ireland Scotland Wales. Singapore and Hong Kong a couple of times , China, back to England, Canada's Rocky Mountains. USA. Cruising the Inside Passage along the coast of Alaska, to the land of the midnight sun and cruises in the seas around Malaysia.
Gwandalan was somewhat remote and with the passing of time, although really fit and healthy the need for medical assistance became a consideration to where we lived, so at the age of 65 [1998] we sold up and bought a unit, back where I started in Merewether Newcastle.
Wishing once again to renew my contact with people of like interests I joined The Newcastle Sub-Section of The Naval Association of Australia, It was through its secretary's encouragement that I enrolled in the program Veterans in Schools.
I am a Father of three, a Grandfather of six and a Great Grandfather of two.
Oral History: Thelma Steirluird
My name is Thelma Steirluird, and in June 1942 I joined the Womens auxiliary Australian Air Force (W.A.A.A.F.). Many advertisements began appearing in newspapers, urging women to join the services, to release men to be sent into battle zones. I did my 'rookies' att Bradfield Park, Sydney. Later having posted to Ultimo, and Forest Hills, Wagga Wagga. By the end of W.W.I.I. over 26,000 girls had pssed through the W.A.A.A.F.
Wonderful friendships were forged, which are just as strong today; as we had to rely on each other for help and support. In October 1942, I married an Army Boy, whom I grew up with, as his family lived in a neighbouring town.
As a child I lived on a property "Whitecliffs", 10 miles [16km] N.W. of Scone, with my parents and two brothers. we had a dairy farm, sheep, horses and all the usual farm animals, orchards and vegetables.
I went to Jeeloogan Vale Public School, which was named after an aborigianl who lived in the area over 150 years ago, and his humpy was built on our property. One of the posts still stood there 40 years ago, as my dad used to plough the land around it, but left the post. Stories of Jeeloogan, the aborigianl, have been handed down over generations, and he was thought of as a legend when i was young.
My brothers and I did not go out to work. There was too much to be done on the farm. I helped with all the work. Milked cows, fed calves, planted vegetables, and corn. I droove the tractor before I was fourteen, and mustered sheep and cattle on horseback, and later on a motorbike. A rather old Harlet Davidson.
At wheat harvest time, everyone helped. Bagging the wheat, and sewing up the bags. This was hot tiring work, as the wheat always ripened in summer. Very hard on our hands too. When the corn was ripe, that too was harvested by hand, and brought into a shed to be husked. Neighbours all helped when the husking had to be done. We all sat around in a circle, and worked by the light of a kerosene lamp. It was always a fun night with much talk and laughter, and some near misses when the corn cobs were thrown into a heap in the centre.
Even though I worked hard, I had a wonderful childhood. My parents were musical, and we had sing songs around the piano, and they put on parties for the most trivial of reasons. I could dance almost as soon as I could walk.
When discharged, my husband and I bought a house at Mayfield, and we had two children, a girl and a boy. There was no T.V. then. We played table tennis, Bolls, darts, and many of the board games. Life was never dull.
Two years ago [1997], I joined the "Veterans in Schools Volunteer Programme", which I have found to be very rewarding for me personally, and I find the candour of the children today, a very enlightening experience. I hope that I am able to add to their knowledge of the days that I am able to add to their knowledge of the days of W.W.I.I. and the very different time of my youthfuld days.
Oral History: Tom Fayle
Born Murwillumbah 13/9/21. Educated in a number of Primary and High Schools - city and country - to intermediate certificate (year 9). Spent one year milking cows and working in a banana plantation and then worked in factories in Sydney until joining RAAF at age 19 in 1941.
After being remustered according to the "exigencies" of the Servicce eventually was postedto Bandoong Java as a signals Office Traffic Code CLerk but the Japanese got there first. Was re-posted to Darwin arriving March 1942. Served initially at 17 Mile Lamp, then N.W.A. HQ/Combined Ops HQ at Berrima and then to Adelaide River Signals Station unitl posted South mid 1943. Served at LAOS Cootamundra and Evans Head until posted January 1944 to Port Moresby, then to Nadzah, then Lae and South again mid 1945. After a spell in hospital with malaria, served for a while at Eastern Area HQ until discharged late 1945. Actually spent much of my time as a telegrphist which was what I was trained to do anyway.
After discharge - and with a wife to support - was unable to get the trade training promised and worked in a grinder in a cast steel foundry until eventually took up selling insurance; moved on to selling wholesale groceries and eventually ro selling and demonstrating equipment to the mining industry, principally the coal industry in Colombia, Argentina, Chille and Peru. After thirty odd years was glad to retire. Main expertise in the fields of marketing, establishing peoples needs as opposed to their wants, finding ways to provide same and doing so.