Tues. 31st Aug.
Max Saunders had day with tractor and circular saw out at "Booral". He sawed up heaps of wood for us. Nearly finished the stacks that Glor and I got ready. Alan,
Ron and I helped Max on the saw. Glor and Neil came out and brought our dinner. Took trucks home at night with loads of wood.
Wed. 1st Sept.
Another big
day sawing up wood for "Yarrabah". Glor and I took Max Saunders out to "Booral" and we started at 8.45am. Glor helped on the saw bench. We finished sawing up all the wood we had ready. Jack Dellar came out in lorry, and he and Ron took 3 loads of wood to home.
Tues. 7th Sept.
V.D.C. Parade at Warrah. The mobile training unit came for two days instruction. 12 of us turned up. Had most of the day on battle drill. Had a couple
of sessions on 36M grenades. Stayed for tea and received instruction on fixing bayonets and session on prismatic compass.
Wed. 8th Sept.
30 points rain
overnight. 52 points during day. To Warrah for more instruction from M.T.U. All instruction indoors today. Had couple of sessions on the Hotchkiss and couple on prismatic compass reading.
Thur. 16th
Sept.
Shifted all our stuff to "Quondah" to live for a while yesterday.
Commenced spring shearing. Ron and I shore 126 X-bred ewes today. Started at 9am. Ewes are terribly
poor and sticky all over. "Quondah" ewes. Neil spent most of the day with us at the shed. Glor brought tea up.
Wed. 22nd Sept.
Leon Saunders and I shore
full 8 hours. We shore 242 X-bred ewes. Leon did 141! I did 101 and only second time I've shorn 100 in a day!
Sat. 25th Sept.
We shore only 38 this morning.
In afternoon, Dad, Mum, Alan, Ron, Dette and I drove to Schofields paddock for "Warrah Subdivision Red Cross Sports". Big crowd and takings about £220. Glor and Neil drove over home and took Lucy Brecht and her baby
Janet. Terribly dry over there.
Sun. 26th Sept.
V.D.C Parade at Warrah. I went down with Lucas. We practiced the battle drill nearly all day. We got issued
with 3 gallons military petrol, plus box of cartridges.
Tues. 28th Sept.
Finished spring shearing. Ron and I shore just 28 ewes this morning and finished
the last of the shearing.
Glor, Neil and Mum drove round to see Addie and baby Jean. Glor, Neil, Alan and I spent evening with Jim and Beryle Meredith, and Lionel and Carmel Kiernan.
Thur. 7th Oct.
Glor is working flat out today cooking for our days sports and the dance at night on Saturday. Neil and I took down some posts for the grounds. I built a pen to hold the big
X-bred weather that we are raffling. I killed a lamb for rations.
Fri. 8th Oct.
Gus, Ken and Ron Sevil came in here to help erect luncheon booth for our
sports tomorrow. Alan and Ron also came over. Started at 10am and erected 6 posts and framework out of old pine poles and inch piping. Weather very unsettled looking. Max Saunders lorry brought 20 doz bottles of soft drink and 44 loaves of bread and slicer.
Sat. 9th Oct.
Red Cross sports at "Yarrabah" in aid of Neil and Ellen Sevil in the "Popular Baby Competion". Great crowd of people and horses. Ron had charge of horse
events. Mr Guy Haydon judge. Dance at night. Lunch, afternoon tea on the grounds. Takings for day £96. Audrey, Esme and Noel came yesterday and stayed with us and competed.
Sat. 16th Oct.
I joined Sam Saunders and we went with George Copeland in Warrah Station truck to Goonoo Goonoo for the weekend parade. 8 men from our platoon. Had drill in battle drill all the afternoon. After tea we had a night exercise.
Infiltration and stalking, lights, lantern. Plenty of tucker and a wet canteen.
Sun. 17th Oct.
Up at 6am. Drill before breakfast. All morning on rifles,
loading and firing etc. Afternoon our section put battle drill into field work. Vic Hayman section leader. Home 7.30pm.
Sat. 23rd Oct.
Tennis tourney and
dance at Jacks Creek in aid of Warrah Creek Red Cross. Good role up, 22 players. Afternoon tea and 6 o'clock tea served. Tennis spoiled with 24 points in a storm. We went to the dance for a while. £14-7 taken for the day. I helped Col Chad and Phil Doyle
mark courts.
Thur. 28th Oct.
Bought a chestnut mare for £13 from Bert Pinkerton. Sold old 'Snip' to Bert Pinkerton for £6. I rode to "Levondale"
and mustered both paddocks. Dad and Alan drove out and we cleaned up a few flyblown ewes and lambs. Pinkerton boys shifted their 25 head of cattle from "Levondale" plain paddock.
Sat. 30th Oct.
Big days horse sports at Warrah Creek recreation ground in aid of Frankham baby. Glor helped in luncheon booth. I had charge of chocolate wheel. Charlie Green and I made £21-14 during afternoon. Great crowd at dance.
Mrs Frankham played music. Glor and I played a few extras. About £104 taken for the day clear. The Ashford girls and Noel here for the day and night.
Sat. 6th Nov.
Red Cross Tennis tourney at Jacks Creek. 27 players. Afternoon tea and late dinner served. Two raffles. Dance and cards at night. Esme Ashford and Jack Sevil won tennis. Miss Birkett played most of the music. Glor, Alan and I played music for 5 dances.
£25 taken for the whole show.
Mon. 8th Nov.
I caught my new chestnut mare after long chase. Mustered "Yarran" farm and plain paddocks. Dad, Alan
and Ron rode came out and we drafted off 330 suckers for trucking. Lambs very nice but with burrs. I took the suckers into Pinnacle reserve. 4 lambs got the staggers and we left them in "Yarran".
Neil got
very sick with gastric trouble early this morning.
Wed. 10th Nov.
We shifted all our ewes from "Levondale" and gave over the place to Dave Ham. Dad Ron
and I brought in 707 ewes and 900 lambs from "Levondale" to "Yarran". Also brought our goods and chattels from the "Levondale" house.
Thur. 11th Nov.
Hams
moved their ewes and lambs to "Levondale".
330 x-bred sucker lambs averaged 23/8.
I rode my new mare 'Fay' and took our 707 x-bred ewes and their 900 lambs from "Yarran"
to recreation reserve. Ron took sheep rest of the way to "Quondah".
Hector and Dorrie have a baby daughter!
Sat. 13th Nov.
Days horse sports at "Warrah Station" in aid of baby Copeland in "Popular baby competition". Good crowd and plenty of money taken. Glor helped with refreshment booth and got entries in ladies novelty events. I helped Ron Sevil and Renaldi on chocolate
wheel. We took £15.
Mon. 15th Nov.
128 points of beautiful rain fell yesterday and last night. I planted out 16 tomato plants. 10 of them are big
plants and 6 smaller. Glor, Neil and I burned some barley grass.
Fri. 19th Nov.
304 points of rain registered at "Yarrabah" up to 9am. A very heavy storm
this morning and some more showers during the afternoon. Came home from "Quondah" after spending the night there. I caught 'Fay' and rode around "Yarran" boundary fixing some of the gullies along J.C. Holmes'.
Tues. 23rd Nov.
Glor, Neil and I took the 3 trucks, 360 sucker lambs from Pinnacle reserve into trucking yards. Breakfast at Pinnacle, lunch at top of Warrah straight and into the yards at 5.30pm.
Grand masquerade ball at Jacks Creek in aid of baby Sevil in "Popular baby competition". Big crowd and a lot of people.
Thur. 25th Nov.
"Yarrabah" suckers averaged 24/2 and sold by Jack Boulton and Co.
We borrowed grey pony 'Bluey' from the George Dellars for Neil to learn to ride on. Glor, Neil and I drove out to "Levondale" for the last
time. Collected two bales of hay, and a small safe.
Sun. 28th Nov.
V.D.C. Parade at Warrah. I drove in and took Stan. Practice shoot on our range. 25 rounds
with 310's
Fri. 3rd December.
Glor, Neil and I drove to Quirindi. Dr. Cooper gave Neil his second injection for whooping cough. Neil didn't cough as much
today and we haven't had as much trouble at night.
I sewing bags of wheat for Ted and Hector up on Benhams place. [On "Kelverton"] I'm
working for them in exchange for using their shearing shed.
Sat. 4th Dec.
I spent the day up with Ted helping him sew bags of wheat. Nearly finished all
bags in Benhams paddock. Took truck up after dinner and Neil came too. Dad bought 20 bags of wheat from Ted, and Glor and I took them to the "Yarran" shack in two loads.
Wed. 8th Dec.
I mustered all of "Yarran" house paddock ready for crutching in "Kelverton" yards.
House party at "Quondah" in aid of Neil in "Popular Baby Competition". 39 adults and a lot of kids. We
went over after early dinner. Cards and housie housie. I had charge of the housie. £10-14 cleared for the night. We stayed at "Quondah".
Sat. 11th Dec.
I watered all our vegetables this morning. I have 20 tomato plants, 2 rows of beans and a few lettuce plants. Planted out 24 sweet potato plants.
Afternoon Glor, Neil and I went to Jacks Creek hall and helped
Mrs Birkett, the Chads, and the Saunders girls fix up stage for our concert.
Auntie Vi [Harold Barwicks wife] is dangerously ill in Quirindi
hospital. She collapsed and is unconsious.
Tues. 14th Dec.
I milked Chads cows this morning to let Col get away early with lambs to truck.
Our community singing and childrens Christmas tree and concert tonight in aid of Neil in the "Popular Baby Competition". Fair crowd. £9-10 at the door. Glor sold 52 fizz caps and 14/6 worth of cakes. Extras made total takings
£12-12-3. We cleared £10-16 including donations. Capt Whitaker conducted singing. Mrs Phillips and Mrs Sattler played piano and violin.
Thur. 16th Dec.
Auntie Vi passed away in Quirindi this morning. She had been unconscious since Sunday and had blood on the brain.
Did a spot of gardening this morning. Afternoon Glor, Neil and I drove to "Yarran" shack.
I pulled off 50 yards of netting from the old fence.
Jacks Creek Hall committee meeting. Glor and I are on the committee now. Made arrangements for sports on 29th January.
Fri. 17th Dec.
Auntie Vi's funeral at Willow Tree cemetary at 10am.
[Auntie Vi was Viola Mercy Blanche Barwick. Harold's
wife. Arthur, Sheila and Luke's Mother. She was 54 years old.]
Large following. Luke, Vic, Ron, Ern, Eric Seymour and I were pall bearers.
15 points rain during afternoon. I made 5 carriages of little wooden train for Neil. Wrote letter to Alan at V.D.C. D and M Military Camp, North ride.
Wed. 22nd Dec.
I helped Col Chad and Rafe Howard load truck with 95 bags wheat.
Helped Col sweep out the Jacks Creek Hall after last nights childrens fancy dress dance. Col's young mare bucked and threw him into the creek. I harrowed the orchard with Cecil Carters mare 'Nettle'. Started erecting netting on the flood crossing in
the creek.
Gnr. Arthur Barwick arrived home for 10 days leave. Came from Darwin by plane.
[Of course Viola Barwick who was buried just 5 days earlier was Arthurs Mum. He missed the funeral being in the army]
Sat. 25th Dec.
We gave Neil a packet of coloured crayons and a book and slate and pencil, and a wooden train that I've been building. Alan, who came home from V.D.C. Camp at North Ride yesterday game Neil a box of blocks,
Dad a picture book, Mum a bag of marbles. Neil was very thrilled with Sant Claus. We went over to "Quondah" for the weekend. Uncle Harold, Arthur, Luke, Sheila and Audrey came up for supper. Glor gave me a nice suitcase. I gave her a coat and a glass
salt box.
1944
[1944 was a bit dryer than average with 22 inches falling. Jan and Feb were wet
and the rest of the year was dry.]
Tues. 4th Jan.
I drove in to Macs. Met Dad, Ron, Jack Barwick and his new girlfriend Mavis Sedgwick. All drove
in 'Betsy' out to "Windy Station". Picked up 6 border leicester rams, 2 tooth. Brought 3 to "Quondah", 2 to "Yarran" and one to "Yarrabah". We had morning tea on way home.
I attended presentation to Jack Raton
R.A.A.F. in our Hall.
Thur. 6th Jan.
Chopped roley poley in house paddock. Cut for two hours before dinner and about 3 hours after but didn't make much
impression on the pest! Heat wave conditions prevailing! I take Glor a cup of tea in every morning. Glor has not been feeling the best lately and sick after meals. It might be to do with we are 6 weeks advanced towards a little increase in the family.
Tues. 11th Jan.
37 points rain yesterday. I rode over to Warrah Creek reserve and brought over 620 ewes and lambs and 16 rams to "Yarran" plain paddock. Heavy storms
during afternoon and creek came down. Yarded "Yarrabah" ewes and 11 rams for the night.
Sat. 15th Jan.
Weekend Parade at Tamworth. K block. I went up with
George Copeland, Ron, Luke, and Vic Heyman. Fell in at 4pm. Instruction on loading and unloading .303. Application of targets. After tea we had instruction on sentry duty. George Copeland took Viv Heyman, Ron and I into the pictures.
Glor and Neil went to "Quondah" for the weekend.
Sun. 16th Feb.
K Block. We went with ten officers in two trucks to a place at Upper Moore
Creek. 10 rounds firing from the hip. Divided into 3 sections and put through stunts on indicating targets. All had 20 rounds. Back to "Quondah" at 10pm. Stayed the night.
Fri. 21st Jan.
Glor, Neil and I joined the rest of the family at Willow Tree. Drove to Quirindi on business at Thomas and Hagues. Trying to fix up transfer of "Belmont" to Ron, and "Quondah" to Alan.
Took Glor to Dr Cooper. She has been pregnant for about 2 months. She is very well today.
Glor helped me draft off the dirty ewes and lambs in "Yarrabah" mob. I cleaned up 74 and about 8 flyblown.
Thur. 27th Jan.
I drove to Willow Tree and got Nanna Ferris off the 12.45am Glen Innes mail. Great excitement for Neil this morning!
I cleaned up 48 ewes in "Yarrabah" mob. 4 flyblown. Fixed house paddock trough. Cut burrs in little creek paddock. Pulled barb wire off house paddock fence. Killed a lamb for rations.
Fri. 28th
Jan.
Afternoon working bee down in our paddock fixing up sports ground. Charlie and Carl Mitchell, Col Chad, Hector, Teddie and Kingsley Sevil, Phil Doyle, Alex Symonds, Stan Hull and I did the work. Got poles from
old Edwards scrub. We erected publicans booth, stall for soft drinks, 2 lavatories. Carted load of wood to the grounds and a load over to the hall.
Sat 29th Jan.
Big days sports on "Yarrabah" paddock in aid of Jacks Creek Hall and Patriotic funds. Erected tarpaulins and booths this morning. Horse sports commenced at 1.30pm. Ron, Charlie Mitchell and I ran horse events. Not a very big crowd. about £90 taken
for the day. Dance at night.
Tues. 1st Feb.
Up at 5am. Glor, Neil, Nanna and I drove to Willow Tree. Caught Tamworth passenger at 8.56am. Ron and Dette
brought Dad, Mum and Alan in. Train didn't stop at Wyong. Got off at Gosford. Caught bus to The Entrance. Arrived at "Sunbeam Cottages" at 7pm. Alan caught train back to Wyong and brought our 7 suitcases. "Sunbeam" has 2 bedrooms, combined dining room and
kitchen and verandah back and front.
Wed. 2nd Feb.
All settled in today in our cottage. I got fire made in stove. Leo [McHugh]
and I walked round town after a cup of tea. Alan cooked breakfast. Glor, Neil and I walked round the channel to the main street. Mum and Nanna also had a walk. Dads knee is not fit for much walking. After dinner Alan and I had a surf. Glor, Neil and Leo went
down to the beach. I got 5 lbs sausages for dinner and breakfast. Game checker after tea.
[They all spent the next 13 days at "Sunbeam cottages" 3 Yamba street,
The Entrance. Surfing, shopping, eating, walking, just doing the usual holiday stuff]
Tues. 15th Feb.
Last day at "Sunbeam". We packed up everything, clothes,
linen etc. Alan, Leo, Glor, Neil and I went for a surf at 10am. Plenty of breakers coming in and some good shoots! All caught bus at 12 o'clock. Left The Entrance and arrived Gosford at 1pm. Caught Brisbane mail. Engine broke down at Tunnel before Willow Tree
at 12 midnight. Home at 2.30am.
Fri. 25th Feb.
219 lambs sold yesterday at Felmington. 110 averaged 25/10 by Jack Bolton and Co. 109 averaged 25/1 by Goldsbough
Mort.
Alan and Ron came out again burr cutting. Ron and I rode strips up and down the plain. Burrs not bad on open plain but very think on washed areas.
Sat.
26th Feb.
Big rodeo and sports in Willow Tree. Final day of "Popular Baby Competition". We made £135 for Neil. Total amount of money brought in was £1134 not including todays taking for rodeo. Baby
Copeland won with £255. Glor, Nanna and Madge had our stall and cleared £13-6. I got £7-15-6 for bridle raffle.
Wed. 1st March.
Commenced
burr cutting on "Yarran". Alan and Ron here for the day. We cut a lot of very big burrs down in water course and along J.C. Holmes' fence.
Jacks Creek P.and C. meeting to elect office bearers. Ted Sevil re-elected
as President and Edna Saunders the secretaryship. I was elected to the chair. Glor and Mrs Chad Vice Presidents. Keith Saunders Secretary.
Mon. 6th March.
Received
telegram from Bervie. He has arrived in Australia.
We got out of bed at 4am. Glor got up and made cup of tea for everyone. I drove Nanna Ferris in to catch North West mail at 5.46am. Nanna had 6 weeks here.
Alan here for burr cutting. I took 'Chatter' over for him. We finished most of the plain country and cut some of the road paddock.
Tues. 14th March.
Autumn shearing commenced. Leon is shearing for us this year. I drove over to "Quondah" for the shearing today. Eric Barwick also helping us. We shore 198 ewes today.
Wed.
15th March.
Bervie [Bert Ferris] home on leave from New Guinea and spent the day with us. I drove to Willow Tree and met the 4.40am train.
Bervie told us very interesting experiences of fighting in New Guinea. Had some feeds of home grown grapes. Glor baked a leg of lamb which Bervie appeared to enjoy a lot. Alan and Ron with us for dinner. Bervie gave us some shooting out of a German Luger,
.38 cartridges from Owen gun. Took Bervie in to catch the 12.49am Glen Innes express.
Sat. 18th March.
Bervie and Nell Gay married at Forbes today.
No shearing today. Alan and I rode to "Belmont" and cut burrs before dinner. I cut out big middle gully and rode some of the high country. Alan cut a lot of burrs in the benhams gully. Finished "Belmont". Ron took shorn ewes
to "Yarran" and brought "Yarrabah" ewes to recreation ground.
Sun. 19th March.
V.D.C. Parade today at Warrah. I took Ern and Luke. Instruction by Sgt Clark
and Sgt Major Reeves on Hotchkiss L.M.G. and Owen gun. All had a shot out of both. Our platoon issued with .303 rifles. My rifle is no. 44565.
Thur. 23rd March.
Storm yesterday. No shearing today, sheep wet. Alan and I mustered mountain paddock this morning. Found only 3 more wooly ewes.
I went to Willow Tree with Dad, Mum, Ron and Dette. Attended funeral of Jill
Daley who died suddenly on Tuesday night aged just 16.
Fri. 31st March.
Finished autumn shearing. Leon and I shore 45 ewes this morning. 2818 ewes shorn.
72 bales wool in this clip. Leons cheque was £34-9-4, at £2-1-4, per hundred.
Ball in Jacks Creek hall in aid of Warrah subdivision Red Cross.
Tues.
4th April.
I had a big day among cattle. Ron and I are negotiating to buy 30 young calves at £2 per head from Mr Pennyfather. They are now running on "Yarran" plain. Also 6 more very small calves which I
put in "Yarran" house paddock. Harold Gardiner took away 63 other calves. Pennyfather sold them for £3-10 per head.
Thur. 6th April.
Got a young
cow 'Gypsie' and young heifer calf from Dave Grady at £12-10. Cow is two years old and very quiet and easy to milk. I took old brindle and her calf over to Warrah Creek reserve. Met Alan and he brought the new cow and calf home. Afternoon I cut late
crop of burrs down water course.
Letter from Bervie. He's in hospital with malaria!
Sat. 8th April.
Bushmans
carnival in Willow Tree in aid of Patriotic funds and Quirindi hospital. Very large crowd. £80 taken at the gate. £37 taken at luncheon booth. Alan and I had the soft drink stall. Alan helped me on the chocolate wheel all afternoon and £33
taken.
Sun. 9th April.
Milked cows about 8am. Storm in afternoon. Very heavy rain.
Uncle Harold took Dad,
Mum, and Ron up to Tamworth to funeral of Daphne Wood, Rex Woods wife, who died yesterday. [Rex Woods mother was Grace Barwick. Ernests sister. Daphne was only 24 years old]
Fri. 14th April.
Glor, Neil and I drove to "Quondah" for more sheep dipping. We dipped a thousand odd ewes from 8.30am till 12.30pm. Had morning tea. We stayed at
"Quondah" for dinner. Cold southerly wind and showers. We drove home about 3.30pm.
I made a little wind mill for Neil.
Sun. 23rd April.
Bishop Moyes preached in our church. Big congregation from here and 5 cars from Warrah. Afternoon tea at the school for all hands.
Mon. 24th April.
Frost this morning that cut our sweet potatos. Frightfully cold day with westerly winds. Up at 5am. Rode out west and met mob of "Parraweena" sheep. 760 lambs and 300 old merino ewes. Chap named Doonsey brought the mob a couple of miles from camping
paddock. I met him about a miles and a half west of Thompsons gate. I brought the sheep to "Yarran" yards tonight.
Tues. 25th April.
Up again at 5am. I
packed lunch, milked cow, had breakfast, got half a lamb off Col Chad and cut it up. Caught the mare and left home at 7.30am. Took Cobcroft's 1060 lambs and ewes in to trucking yards. Dinner opposite Schofields. Ern, Vic, and I helped Col Logan draft up the
sheep. Rode home with Hector.
Sat. 29th April.
Red Cross Sports day on "Yarrabah" in aid of Warrah subdivision branch, Prisoner of War fund. Good attendance
of horses and riders. Fair crowd of people. Glor and I had charge of soft drinks. I won £5 on spinning wheel but we put it all back. Glor, Neil and I went to the Hall for tea at 7pm.
Sun. 14th
May.
Cricket match at Jacks Creek in aid of Red Cross. Old Buffers verses Young Chaps under 40. We made 135, and old Buffers 148. I top scored for the day with 50 runs. £20 made for the day.
Thur. 25th May.
I rode 'Fay' round "Yarran" this morning. Plains very muddy. Feed, clover and hebage of all kinds coming on well. Farm paddock looks very good. About 20 young lambs
in plain paddock. Spent afternoon pulling up horehound weed from front garden.
Fri. 26th May.
Droving trip! I took 560 old merino ewes, lambs and hoggets
from Jacks Creek to Willow Tree. Sheep belong to Chris Kenny. 30/- per day for droving. Home at 7pm.
Thur. 1st June.
Alan brought our meat over today.
Big days shopping in Quirindi. Finished up all our coupons from old ration book. Got fruit and veges from markets.
Sat. 3rd June.
Annual Red Cross sports
at Warrah Creek. Childrens events, stalls, publicans booth, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner. Ron Frankham, Jack Smith and I ran chocolate wheel. Made £11-13. Glor Neil and I had dinner and then went home.
New
ration books issued today.
Tues. 6th June.
Allied Invasion of Europe began today. 4,000 ships took part in the landing of troops at Normandy, Northern
France. Landing very successful.
Up early this morning. Glor and I had breakfast at 7am. I rode out and took the 86 head cattle down cattle lane to Round Island. Arrived 3pm. Rode home via Harrisons Plain road and
then up through Morriseys and "Rathcown".
Sun. 11th June.
V.D.C. Parade at Warrah. Sam drove me in. Sgt Major Keevers and Sgt Clark from Tamworth instructing
on Bren gun. All had about 20 rounds on the range.
Mon. 12th June.
Tennis tourney and carnival at Jacks Creek in aid of Warrah Subdivision Red Cross. Glor
and I ran the tennis tourney. 8 ladies and 12 gents. Mrs Harvey Sevil won ladies and I won the gents. Great days sports. Athletics, and childrens events. Afternoon tea and dinner there.
Thur. 22nd
June.
Glor made a batch of soap on Monday and we cut it into bars this morning.
I mustered up 29 more ewes with 37 lambs on "Yarrabah" and turned them on to "Yarran".
Rode round all of "Yarran". Hundreds of lambs, plenty of twins. A few dead ewes. Rode with Col Chad to look at Gersey steer for killing. Glor, Neil and I set some rabbit traps.
Sat. 1st July.
Poor old Jack Daly was shot at his place yesterday morning. We attended his funeral at C. of E. cemetary at Willow Tree this afternoon at 3pm. Large funeral.
[It was Jack Daly's daughter Jill, aged just 16, who died suddenly back in March!]
We called back at "Quondah" and got a supply of fresh beef and pork.
Mon. 3rd July.
11 points more rain registered. Fined up during night. Southerly wind blowing terribly today. I cut the back off an old chair and strengthened it up for the bathroom. Emptied
and cleaned out our coleman Lantern. Put a new lot of benzine in it and it seems to be burning alright now. Neil and I went out and set a heap of rabbit traps.
Tues. 11th July.
Droving today. 43 head of mixed cattle from Millers Creek reserve before breakfast. Started cattle at 6.45am. Called home for breakfast, milked the cow. Dinner at Macs. In to trucking yards at 4.30pm. Rode home with Noel Hall.
Sat. 15th July.
Junior Red Cross staged a tennis tourney and dance at Jacks Creek. Also childrens amateur hour and other items, which was very popular with the crowd.
£56 made for the day and night.
Fri. 21st July.
Heavy frost this morning with plenty of ice. Did a few jobs about the house this morning. I packed
a parcel for Arthur with a fruit cake and 2 packets of barley sugars. Afternoon, Neil and I drove to "Quondah" and got a supply of fresh meat from a calf they killed yesterday. Glor is not feeling well today and stayed home.
Sun. 30th July.
V.D.C. shoot on rifle range at Murrurundi. Murrurundi team won. 15 men in our team. My scores, 200 yards, 33343434. 300 yards, 50445545.
Thur. 3rd Aug.
Glor, Neil and I drove over to "Quondah" for a days wood sawing and carting. I drove Max Saunders truck up from Warrah Creek Hall. Max, Alan, and Luke worked on the saw all
day. Ron and I drew in loads of wood to "Quondah" and to "Boolawa". Home for supper.
Sat. 5th Aug.
I ploughed our orchard with single furrow plough and
Cecil Carters mare 'Nettle'. Glor, Neil and I drove to Quirindi this afternoon. Got 18/6 worth of fruit and vegetables. Stayed for the pictures to celebrate Glors birthday. She saw the doctor. All very good. Got Jean McHugh off the Glen Innes mail at 12.45am.
Sun. 6th Aug.
After dinner Dad and Mum brought Alf and auntie Grace Wood over to see us. Luke and Vic came over on Vics Motorbike. Stayed for supper. After supper
we did some shooting out of the Austin sub-machine gun.
Wed. 9th Aug.
6 points rain last night. More light showers all day. I mustered "Yarran" ewes and
lambs to the yard. Cleaned up a few ewes and lambs that were very dirty. Also yarded our 30 weaners.
Malcolm Chads birthday today. Neil went over to the party.
Fri. 18th Aug.
Posted letter to Bervie acting for him in the ballot for War Service Land Settlement blocks.
Neil and I walked down the paddock and cut some struts
for fencing off orchard. Cleaned out trough in house paddock and cleaned the ball tap and fixed it.
Sun 20th Aug.
Took Glor up to Shirley Hospital this
afternoon. Dad and Mum met us at Macs and took Neil and Jean McHugh up to "Quondah". I booked room at Terminus Hotel for 3 nights.
Mon. 21st Aug.
Our baby
boy born at 5.45am this morning. Everything OK. I went to Shirley at 6.30am and saw Glor for a few minutes. Also saw the little fellow. Very red and squirmy! Baby has crop of long dark hair. I went up to see Glor at 10am. Again at 2pm and after tea at 7pm.
Glor is feeling well and looks splendid.
Tues. 22nd Aug.
Second night at the Terminus Hotel. I went up to Shirley at 10am and saw Glor and baby boy. Both
real well. Took Glor some oranges and mandarines. Sent telegram to Bervie and posted letter to Arthur. Rain set in this afternoon. Went up to see Glor at 2pm. Up again after tea and stayed till 9pm.
Wed.
23rd Aug.
Went up to see Glor at 10am. Took her apples and bananas. Registered baby, Roger, Ernest, Robert at C.P.S. office at court house. Went to the markets to get vegetables to bring home. Up to see Glor at
12.45pm and drove home in the rain. Raining all day and dry creek in flood but got over it alright. Neil very pleased to see me. Stayed the night at "Quondah".
Thur. 24th Aug.
234 points rain registered at "Yarrabah" in the last 3 days. Creeks have a bit of a flood in them. Jean, Neil and I drove home from "Quondah" after breakfast. I milked to cow. Col Chad had been very kindly milking her for me. I walked round the ewes
and lambs and turned the big mill off.
Sun. 27th Aug.
V.D.C. Parade at Warrah. Rifle shoot and shooting with Bren gun.
Tues. 29th Aug.
Neils 4th birthday. Telegram from Nanna. We drove to Quirindi this morning to see baby Roger. It was marvellous to see my sweetheart Glor again. Arrived at 10.40am. Did some
shopping. Up at 11.15am to Shirley and gave Glor a surprise. Little Roger is lovely now and he has filled out and has lovely fair skin. Back up again after dinner and had Neils Birthday cake and party. Neil got two picture books, crayons, whip, slate and pencil.
Sat. 2nd Sept.
Neil and I drove to Quirindi and brought Glor and Roger home. Arrived up there at 2pm. Got parcel of goods for Roger at Newcolmes. Brought Glor and
Roger from Shirley at 4pm. Home at about 6pm. Got a single bed from Rowntrees Willow Tree.
Sun. 3rd Sept.
Baby Roger slept all night. Had to wake him at
6am feed. Sat about most of day. I planted out 2 doz tomato plants hoping for no more frosts.
Mon. 4th Sept.
USA troops are fighting on German soil! Allies
have captured nearly all of France!
Roger is a very good baby. He sleeps all night and most of the day. Glor has to make up his feed in the bottle. Not quite enough from her. I spent the morning doing some work
on 'Betsy". I sowed a row of beans. Dug up some ground.
Tues. 12th Sept.
Baby Roger has gained 5 oz since Glor brought him home fro Shirley. Ron drove
over here in his sulky to stay a few nights. We mustered "Yarran" ewes and lambs and took them to J.C. Holmes shed. Ron and I crutched 140 ewes and lambs.
Mon. 18th Sept.
Baby Roger weighs 8 lb 6oz on Mrs McCluands scales. He has gained 17oz since we brought him home from Shirley on 2nd September. We drove into McCluands store for groceries. 5 gals in Betsy. Called at Cecil Carters and got a lot of scrap iron to make
a drag to mow tracks in the thistles for the sheep.
Thur. 28th Sept.
Up at 5am. Rode out to Les Barwicks up Millers Creek. I started 60 dry ewes and rams
in. Arrived home at 12 midday. Dinner. Les brought 72 ewes and lambs out from "Towarri". I took them out to his place at Millers Creek.
Fri. 29th Sept.
Baby
Roger is all smiles this morning. He gave us his first smile a few days ago.
I moved 45 Bullocks from "Yarran" to "Yarrabah". Wonderfull feed here. Col Chad brought his tractor over and we dragged the iron gadget
we made to make tracks through the thistles across "Yarran" and down "Yarrabah". Mrs Chad and children came over fro the afternoon.
Thur. 5th Oct.
Droving.
I rode up Millers Creek and met mob of 625 lambs of Niall Brothers. Brought them in and camped them for the night in "Yarran" yards. I killed a hogget for rations.
Fri. 6th Oct.
Up at 5am. Cut up the hogget. Started from "Yarran" yards at 7.30am. Took the 625 suckers to Willow Tree. Very slow trip. Three lambs got the staggers. Left two at McCluands. One in stock route. In to trucking yards at 8.30pm.
Sun. 8th Oct.
V.D.C. Command Parade. Business to disband V.D.C. I took Sam, Wallace and Hector. Interviewed by Major Bennett. All members decided to resign.
Renee and children had the day with Glor.
Wed. 11th Oct.
I transplanted 11 more tomatoes. 6 of one kind and 5 of the other.
Watered the rest of the tomatoes. Also watered the lettuce, cauliflower, Beans and the orange trees.
Weather has turned frightfully dry. Feed is going back fast. Clover is nearly dead. Telephone linesman called
in and put in new carbons, and new earth wire.
Sat. 14th Oct.
Big rodeo in Willow Tree in aid of hospital and patriotic funds. Very large crowd of people.
Good programme. We arrived at 12.30pm. Had a picnic lunch. I helped Hector and Rinaldi run spinning wheel.
Sun. 22nd Oct.
We had Roger baptised in our
church by Canon St John. Arthur and Audrey godparents but were not there. Dad and Mum came over.
Fri. 27th Oct.
Glor and I drove to "Yarran" cottage before
breakfast and got a tank of water. Using it for washing and bathing etc. Our bath tank only a third full and Kitchen tank nearly empty.
Sat. 28th Oct.
Glor
packing 3 suitcases for herself, Neil and Roger to travel up to Bundarra tomorrow. Borrowed a suitcase from Chads. I caught and dressed the 34 newly marked lambs in "Yarran" house paddock.
Sun. 29th
Oct.
Up at 3am. Drove Glor, Neil, Roger and Jean McHugh in to catch "Special" to Tamworth at 4.25am. They then caught the paper bus to Bundarra and arrived there at 2.30pm.
Tues. 31st Oct.
Up at 4.30am. Milked cow, fed two pet lambs. Cooked porridge, grilled chop, packed some lunch, caught and saddled 'Fay' and left here at 6.15am. Lambs out of Pinnacle reserve at 7.15am. Gave
them good drink and feed. Had a feed while at Macs store. Dinner opposite Schofields. To trucking yards at 5pm. Supper at Alvin Halls. Home at 9pm.
Sat. 4th Nov.
Received a lovely long letter from Glor. She and the two kiddies are getting on well at "Strathmore".
I erected the corner post and strut near pepper tree. Also erected 4 more posts after trimming them up.
Had hose going nearly all day. Watered orange trees, Strawberries and some flowers.
Wed. 8th Nov.
Walked over to "Yarran" mill and found one of our calves
dead in the trough. Drove Betsy over and drew away the calf over into the paddock. Weather turned frightfully cold. I tied netting on fence across orchard. Got tank of water from "Yarran" cottage.
Attended send
off social to Mr and Mrs Tom McCluand. [Macs. Old Warrah Store. They have sold the business to Binghams]
Sat. 11th Nov.
Met
the Glen Innes mail at 12.26am. Home at 1.45am. Cup of tea and bed. Up very late this morning. Lovely to have my family home again. We unpacked everything. I split a heap of firewood.