Primary tabs
Transcription
[page 75]
(Ray's sister), she finally died with it, but I saw Doctor McGeorge again after those years and he said he would guarantee that my children would not be affected and the next generation may not get it but I can not go any father than that. So I let the matter rest but it was always in my mind. When I had a chance to speak with a good Doctor they confirmed everything that Doctor McGeorge told me without mentioning him.
Well now John is 15 years and has sat for his yearly exam, and the day before he had a migraine head but when he had them prior to that I used to say it was a bilious head. I knew nothing about migraines then, and I thought the poor boy he will not pass but If I remember correctly Uncle Bill had promised him £10.0.0 (ten pounds) if he passed so I reckon with Jackie Bunderburra's loving his money he would do his best for that. Now that was the name his father christened him that a real (blackfellows name), that was because he did not want to be called John, only Jack, anyway the next time he saw Uncle Bill John said to him you owe me £10.00 and Uncle Bill asked "did you get a good pass"?, "yes" he said and told him what he got. Well now John was 15 last July so he is now 15 ½ with Christmas gone and all results out, and for the interest of anyone who reads this, John Howard (the Opposition Leader) now leader) at this point of time was in John's class at school and so was John's cousin Kevin Bowrey, but I must not get into that New Year yet as Merle was 21 in August 1951 so we have her 21st birthday at the hall in Marrickville where we used to have Rainbow meetings. A lovely time was had by all and I did the cake and catering for it and borrowed Rainbows crockery etc. She did get some beautiful gifts and Ray and I gave her a Glory Chest. Not a Glory Box and she still has it and her eldest boy is 21 years and Geoffrey is 19. Stephen is the eldest boys name and she is now 55 years.
So now we are in 1952 and John starts work at Garden Island as an Industrial Chemist. He was there for a while and it was while Reginald D'Arcy was the man in charge he and his wife Evaline lived in one of the houses on the Island. It was very nice over there. Well by now Albert is driving a Timber Jinker and what a massive thing it was but he kept driving it for a while. Now time is going by and Ray is drinking just as bad as ever and Albert came home one night and wanted to know what was going on out the front. I said "they are putting new pipes in the road for us and they are going to be £45 (45 Pounds) and I have not got it and your father has not come back from the Newcastle Order. So will you lend it to me". and he said "no not this time mum, no more". So I went to bed thinking about it and the girls did not have it. Anyway next morning their father still not home, so I got them off to school and work and on making the beds under Alberts pillow was £45 all rolled up and a note "don't tell Dad I gave it to you and you take all he has got left". Well their father did not come home for just on 2½ days with no money and that was the end. I asked John to go one time and asked Betty to go another time. Well I was able to clear up a few things and this way I gradually broke Newcastle down. Denny O'Brian was the name of the man that owned the shop. Well time slips by once again and now we are in 1952 and it was April 29th my birthday and they all went off to work and school and never even wished me a happy birthday and I got cranky and like always when out into the back garden and Betty's girlfriends mother put her head over the fence and said "happy birthday Mrs Wood" I said "oh thank you, that's more than everybody did in here". Well it was about 9.45a.m. and I got a telegram Happy Birthday, mum look in the writing desk. So I did this and would you believe a parcel