A Jovial Giant Remembered

It was not long after 11pm on the night of 24 July 1979. A group of 14 miners were having dinner in a crib room about 600m underground at a coal mine at Appin when it is believed sparks from a fan starter box ignited a build-up of methane gas. One of the group was a man by the name of Jurgen Lauterbach. I would like to write about his story and that fateful night all those years ago.

My interest in Jurgen's story developed when I came across a number of books in Campbelltown Library's local studies collection dedicated to the memory of Jurgen Lauterbach and his death in the Appin Mine Disaster. The finding stirred my curiosity and I thought I would research the story further. Much of this post comes from information from Jurgen's younger brother Frank.

Earlier on that awful day, Jurgen had made his way from his home at Chester Hill that he had shared with his wife Maia to the Appin Colliery. They had been married for only a year and were soulmates. Jurgen was nine years younger than Maia. Like many who worked there, Jurgen held some concern about the safety of the mine for some time. Still, the job paid well and the financial benefits seemed to outweigh any safety concerns. Jurgen was always a glass half full kind of guy anyway. He was described by his brother Frank as in-your-face- a real can-do person. He stood at 6 foot 7 inches and was always jovial and joking around. When Frank visited the body not long after the disaster, Jurgen still has a smile on his face.

Jurgen's joviality was a remarkable trait considering his background. His 11-year-old brother Udo, described by Frank as a perfect child, died from drowning, leaving his mother devastated. His parents had a strained and combative relationship from that point and his mother went on to become bipolar and abusive. Jurgen was left to virtually raise his two younger siblings on his own. Despite this burden, Jurgen remained positive and ambitious, studying engineering. He was also interested in getting his pilot's licence and dreamed of flying around Australia's entire coastline. Little wonder that Frank, aged ten years younger, idolised his older brother. 

Did Jurgen Lauterbach and his 13 other colleagues die in vain? One positive outcome from the tragedy was the formation of Work Cover, an organisation set up to regulate the state's workplace health and safety. However, on the other side was the fact that following an investigation straight after, no charges were laid, despite two subsequent inquiries into the cause of the blast. The NSW Mining Department also investigated only hours after the explosion. No person was ever fined or gaoled after the incident. A similar tragedy occurred at Bulli in 1965 that left four dead and that also saw no person or company punished- a fact that along with the outcome of the Appin enquiry, left Frank and his family unsatisfied and disillusioned that justice wasn't served.

Jurgen Lauterbach was cremated at Leppington and his ashes moved to Rookwood. He was aged 30. His wife Maia never remarried.

I would like to thank Frank Lauterbach for sharing his story with me and wish him well in fighting for justice and to overcome the mental health battles he has had to endure since the incident in 1979.

Frank is pictured here with his brother Jurgen on the right. It was the last photo taken of them together on Mother's Day 1979. (Frank Lauterbach Collection)

Patrick Street: dust, camels and Carmel

Driving or walking down Campbelltown's Patrick Street today is a rather uninspiring journey. There is very little to get enthused about. However, if you dig a little deeper into the street's past, an interesting story comes to light.

Confusion reigns over the origins of the Patrick Street name. In that wonderful resource Campbelltown's Streets and Suburbs: How and why they got their names written by Jeff McGill, Verlie Fowler and Keith Richardson, it is claimed that the thoroughfare was originally named Hurley Street, in honour of John Hurley- the sub-divider of the land. They write that it later changed to "Patrick Hurley Street" and named after the owner of the nearby Kings Arms Hotel, Patrick Hurley before eventually referred to as Patrick Street. This could have arisen over confusion or small town politics the authors theorised. However, in my research I discovered from a Campbelltown Council column in the Campbelltown News of 1933, a reference to Patrick Hurley Street AND Patrick Street. Earlier local newspaper references dating back as far as 1898 had referred to the street as Patrick Street. Therefore, it seems as though there were two different streets containing the name Patrick. I wonder was Patrick Street named after early hotel owner and businessman John Patrick? This man is perhaps best known as the licensee of The Harrow Inn which is where John Farley startled drinkers by claiming he saw the ghost of Fred Fisher in 1826. The Harrow was located in Queen Street and not far from its intersection with Patrick Street.

It appears as though Patrick Street once had an undesirable reputation. In 1924 the local rag described it as Campbelltown's darkest thoroughfare after money was stolen from a number of houses in the street. 

One of my favourite photographs from the library's collection and dated around 1900 is of two men leaning on a fence in Patrick Street casually keeping an eye on some grazing livestock, including cattle and camels! (see image below) I wonder what the camels were used for? Behind the camels and on the corner of Patrick and Queen Streets is Reeve's Emporium. It was built in 1897 and supplied the town with everything from gunpowder to sheet music!

Other notable buildings located in Patrick Street and now long gone included Brunero's saw mill. It was located between Patrick Street and Milgate Lane. Brothers Leslie and Albert Brunero became partners in the sawmill trading as Brunero Bros. In the early years logs were brought to the mill by horse teams. About 1936 the horse teams were replaced by a Caterpillar tractor and motor lorries. Leslie became the sole owner and continued trading as Brunero Bros. until his death following a fatal accident at the sawmill in 1941. The sawmill was not always popular with locals however. In 1925 there were complaints written to the newspaper about the dust nuisance from the sawmill. In fact, the dusty state of the street had long been a concern of residents and business owners. In 1900 Thomas Reeve, owner of the newly built Reeve's Emporium, raised the dusty state of the street with Council. Eventually Patrick Street was kerbed and guttered in 1922 and completely tarred by 1933. 

The street was also the location for the Campbelltown News Office, JP Seddon's house 'Wargela', an electricity sub-station built in 1928 and demolished in 1970 and Vardy's beautiful home 'Carmel'. Located at the bottom of Patrick Street, 'Carmel' was built in 1930 and was well-known for it's stunning flower garden. It was home to William Carroll Vardy, better known as "Bullah". 

An aerial view from 1970 showing Patrick Street in the centre of the photograph.

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

Campbelltown's Streets and Suburbs: How and why they got their names written by Jeff McGill, Verlie Fowler and Keith Richardson

More than Bricks and Mortar: Remembering Campbelltown's lost buildings by Andrew Allen

Campbelltown News articles from Trove

History Club Girls Win Again!

On Monday October 23, myself and my colleague Michael attended the presentation of the ANZAC Day Schools Award to the girls of the Year 11 History Club at St Patrick's College for Girls. This is another outstanding achievement for the History Club girls and their teacher Fran Musico Rullo. Fran's passion for Campbelltown's history is amazing and is reflected in the girl's dedication to whatever project they take on. The award was announced in August and resulted in a prize of $3000. This year's theme was Australians and the Vietnam War and the History Club researched the experiences of local people during the conflict. It included interviews of three veterans and the creation of a website. Each girl gave a short presentation and local Federal Member for Macarthur Mike Freelander was in attendance. 

Congratulations Fran and the girls of the History Club on this well deserved recognition!

This is the link to the website:

FINAL- Campbelltown NSW and the Vietnam War (1).pptx - Google Slides

One of the girl's presentations revealed something I was previously unaware of. On 8 June 1966 a 21-year old Campbelltown woman living in Rudd Road, Leumeah named Nadine Jensen was arrested and charged for offensive behaviour during a welcome home march for Vietnam veterans in the city. A video was presented of the incident. Miss Jensen had drenched herself with a mixture of kerosene, turpentine and red paint. She said it was symbolic of the blood being shed in the Vietnam War. Dripping wet, she threw her arms around the leader of the march who was the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion. Colonel Preece shrugged Miss Jensen off and kept marching. Nadine Jensen later said "I'm glad I did it. I wanted to make the politicians realise that some people in Australia are opposed to sending troops to Vietnam".

The protest was headline news in the press the next day. However, Nadine Jensen seems to have disappeared into history. Local researchers have attempted to trace what happened to her but without success. I have endeavoured to locate her, searching the usual resources for an answer. I have had no luck. Perhaps someone out there knows what became of Nadine Jensen?

 Nadine Jensen at the time of arrest (SMH)

The incident with the red paint at the march (SMH)

Written by Andrew Allen

A First Hand Account of our Worst Bushfire

There is little doubt that the bushfire of 1929 was the worst recorded since colonization of the Campbelltown area. Although there were no fatalities, the fire destroyed three houses and severely damaged a further five. Much property was also destroyed, leaving a number of families with severe hardship, made worse in the years that followed with the Great Depression. No lives were lost fortunately.

The library contains in it's collection an account of that bushfire. Edna Willis (nee Hayward) lived all her life in Campbelltown and was living with her family at Kentlyn at the time. She was aged around 15 or 16. The interview was recorded in 1977 when she was aged 64. 

Edna starts her description..."Well we were out at Kentlyn then and we could see this great pall of smoke...I might have been 15 or 16 and saw this great mass of smoke going across - just unbelievable - you know when it comes out of a big chimney stack - just like that- going and going. Oh, it was shocking hot. Yes the wind was behind it. The westerly wind brought it right from the railway line, I believe, and it just mowed everything down in front of it. Just took it down." Edna was asked where it came from and she replied that it started from the railway line at Leumeah and Minto and that it was thought that it was from a spark of a train in the grass. She described the roar of the fire that day: "I don't know whether you've heard the roar of a bushfire. They could hear it coming and they just ran with what they had on - this Col Longhurst- his mother and father were one of the families that were burnt out and Mervyn had a pair of shorts on, because as I say, it was a stinking hot day...nothing on his feet, no shirt or anything." She said that this Longhurst family ran to her place because Mrs Longhurst and her mum were very close.

Edna was then asked if the fire came close to her place and if it just got to the river and stopped. She replied that it didn't come up her end and that "it eventually went over the river. Well then it burnt away into nothingness over there. It was quite a wide strip out at Kentlyn. It went through and then it was out at Wedderburn. It was a pretty bad run out there, too. In fact of an evening, you'd sit like and see the flames right up the trees and you'd wonder how much further it was going to come by next morning."

Edna Willis passed away in 2010 aged 96. Below is a photo of her taken in her younger days.

Photo comes from the collection of daughter Jennifer Scott

Written by Andrew Allen

Source:

Interview with Edna Willis on 30 November 1977

Hurley Park

The beautiful and peaceful Hurley Park is often overlooked in comparison with Mawson and Koshigaya parks. I find myself regularly drawn to it. It has a history that dates back to the early days of Campbelltown's settlement with it's convict-built reservoir and cattle tanks the dominant attraction.

Locating information about Hurley Park that was not associated with early water conservation construction proved a challenge. Much has been written about this aspect of the park and I will concentrate on the rest of the park in this post.

Hurley Park was either named for the well-known pioneer John Hurley or his son P.B. Hurley. John Hurley, a convict, had arrived in Campbelltown by 1832 and was listed as an innkeeper at the King's Arms. He was also a successful pastoralist and politician. John has been incorrectly identified as the man who saw Fred Fisher's ghost in 1826, probably because it sounded like John Farley who actually saw the apparition.

A 1948 aerial photo of Hurley Park

Besides the occupation of the cattle tank and reservoir, the park was originally a paddock where cattle grazed. According to Jeff McGill in his book Campbelltown's Streets and Suburbs, the park appears to have been used as a "common", however in 1897 it reverted to the Crown. Jeff further writes that Alderman Charles Bull led efforts to have the paddock declared a park. Hurley Park is mentioned in the Daily Telegraph in 1889 where it discussed how the residents of Campbelltown were very indignant at the state of the park. It wrote that some time ago the council tried to get the care of it vested in them, and they intended petitioning the Government on the matter.

Not much is written about the park until 1918 when the reservoir was the scene of a regatta that is referred to as Jack's Day. Most of the town went and there is a photo of boats and swimming to mark the occasion.

Jack's Day Regatta on the reservoir in 1918

Starting in the 1920s the park was a popular moonlight rendezvous for young lovers in Campbelltown. During the 1920s through to about the 1950s, it was common for teenagers attending dances at the Town Hall in Queen Street to be seen taking an alternate course home through Hurley Park. Apparently, old timers recalled after chilly mornings that horses were regularly found without their winter rugs after the teenagers moved them to the frosty ground! 

In 1926 Hurley Park was leased to Vince Tripp for one pound a year and for three pounds the following year. In 1933 debate raged in the town about whether or not cattle and bulls should be allowed to graze in the public park. The threat of bulls charging at people terrified the locals.

Former local historian Ed McBarron wrote about the trees in the park. He claimed that the trees came from the State Nursery in Badgally Road. The park was and is still home to Moreton Bay Figs, Canary Island Pines, Stone Pines, Bunya Pines and various gums and eucalypts.

According to Ed, the drainage gully in the park was once used as a favoured place to play two-up on Sunday mornings. There was always one bloke posted to act as "cockatoo"!

The park was the scene of a tragedy one day in 1961. Six year-old Greg O'Brien from nearby Allman Street drowned in an excavation that was dug for a new playing field. It added to other drowning tragedies in the cattle tank in the 1920s and 30s.

There was even a rubbish tip in the park. Maps show the location adjacent to Lithgow Street, not far from where it meets George Street. It was quite small and no traces remain. The park was also home to an early inn where Dumaresq Street once met George Street.

In the 1960s the park was reconfigured for sporting fields. Baseball was played regularly on the new sporting field and football and cricket were later played.

Baseball on Hurley Park  in 1970

Do you have any interesting memories from Hurley Park that you would like to share?

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

McBarron, Ed

The Trees of Hurley Park 

In Grist Mills Vol. 2, No. 2, April 1984

Daily Telegraph, 12 August 1889, p5

Sydney Morning Herald, 1 September 1961

McGill, Jeff et al 1995

Campbelltown's Streets and Suburbs: how and why they got their names

Campbelltown: Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society

McGill, Jeff 1993

Campbelltown Clippings

Campbelltown: Campbelltown City Council

Voices From the Past

Some years ago Campbelltown Library received grant funding to digitise our collection of audio visual material. Included in this collection were audio cassettes of oral history interviews recorded in the mid to late 1970s. These interviews are particularly valuable as they record memories of Campbelltown people born around the late nineteenth century or early twentieth century. For example, we can listen to descriptions of what businesses occupied Queen Street in the early 1900s and of people who lived and died long ago.

Listen to Rita Brunero's recollection of the regatta on the convict-built reservoir in 1917; Aline Haydon's ostrich story or Ambrose Bourke's experiences of enlisting for the First World War. These are just a sample of many wonderful stories featured in Campbelltown Library's Voices From the Past Display. 

This will be the first time these interviews have been made accessible to the public. Learn more about these people and hear their memories at HJ Daley Library during History Week from 2-10 September.

Hillsborough

If you have lived in the area long enough, you might remember a little slab cottage on the western side of and very close to Appin Road, a few kilometres out of Campbelltown. Long demolished, this cottage was known as 'Hillsborough' and was one of a number of properties owned by the famous Hume family. The 'Hillsborough' property has been the focus of recent archaeological investigation and the land and former homestead are now part of the new Figtree Hill development at Gilead.

Taken in 1977 (Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society)

In 1823, 84 acres were granted to John Kennedy Hume and he named this grant 'Hillsborough'. John was the son of Andrew Hamilton Hume and brother of the explorer Hamilton Hume. The name 'Hillsborough' was probably named after the birthplace of Andrew Hamilton Hume in County Down, Ireland. John also acquired land in the vicinity of the town of Gunning between Goulburn and Yass. Evidence reveals that John only lived at 'Hillsborough' for around 10 years and raised cattle there during that time. John Kennedy Hume was killed by bushrangers near Gunning in 1840.

'Hillsborough' later passed to John Kennedy's son Andrew in 1859. It was later owned by Lucy Hassell in 1888, before passing to Jo and Francis Williams in 1917. The property continued to change hands until Stefan Dzwonnik owned it in 1981.

Taken in 1980 by Daphne Kingston (Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society)

The remains of the homestead include foundations, concrete paving, stock fencing and an orchard. As part of Lendlease's rezoning proposal, the area around 'Hillsborough' will be protected for environmental conservation.  As part of this, the plan is to include some public walking trails and signage which is allowed within the conservation areas, around the historical remains. 

An interesting anecdote: Appin Road in the 1820s was often the location for raids on settler's homes by thieves. But the carpenter who built 'Hillsborough' had, knowingly or unknowingly, built in a safety factor. If thieves or bushrangers came crashing through the front door, they would soon come to a crunching full stop. Hillsborough's front door was just four feet eight inches high! The door is still held by the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society.

Taken in 1989 by Daphne Kingston (Campbelltown and Airds Historical Collection)

The 4ft 8in front door of 'Hillsborough' displayed at the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society's home at 'Glenalvon'

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

"History Corner" by Verlie Fowler

Hillsborough

913 Appin Road, Gilead

Heritage Assessment and Management Strategy

Tanner Kibble Denton Architects

June 2017

 

Those Golden Wattle Days

Beginning in 1917 the children of “Campbelltown Superior* Public School” gathered, boxed and sent thousands of golden sprigs of wattle to their “city cousins” in inner Sydney for Wattle Day.

Reported in 1920, the children spent a pleasant afternoon picking and packing the “rich glory of gold” after obtaining Mr Elletson and Mr Bocking's kind permission.” Quite why they sought the earlier town Mayor’s okay we can only speculate, perhaps they were collecting further afield than the school grounds? But whatever the source the sprays of vibrant yellow were certainly well received, with several appreciative replies from inner-city school children.

Young recipient, Charles Dobeson, of 4B Gardner’s Road Public, lamented there was very little growing around their area, being in the middle of the "factory district" and what there was, was of “inferior quality.”

Pupil, Leslie Levy proclaimed, “The fragrant smell was all over the place - all the boys were smelling it. OUR two trees had very little on them.” Another decried theirs were - “stunted with poor sandy soil.”

Among the 7th class "a good many already had wattle when they came to school but soon discarded theirs for yours." Many letters noted Campbelltown as being blessed being close to the bush.

Teacher, Mr Long even hoisted a bunch up the flagpole along with the flag and the school gave a cry of three cheers for the boys and girls of Campbelltown.

Wattle trees blooming in the Memorial Wattle Grove outside H.J. Daley Library.

Wattle has always held a prominent place in Australia’s consciousness, using it for display, symbolism and reminders of home during WWI. First nation peoples used the tree for thousands of years as food, fuel, medicine and objects like spears, bags and boomerangs. Though the first official Wattle Day was celebrated in 1910 the golden wattle was only officially proclaimed as Australia's national floral emblem 1988.

In 1923, the school children of Campbelltown had kept their promise to the "city kids" with the wattle seemingly harvested on an industrial scale! Mr Klein of Paddington S.P.S. reported that all 1500 of their children were, by 11 o'clock, wearing the Campbelltown wattle.

Charles Gardiner of Balmain wrote to say their sprigs were being sold for a penny/half penny a spray - to raise funds for books in the library.

The last word we’ll leave to Leslie who wrote, “Your kindness to us proves you do not easily forget your friends.”

 * Superior Public Schools were schools that were officially recognised as providing both primary and post-primary education.

**Postscript. 

The Teacher Librarian of Campbelltown Public School, Debbie Gilroy, has kindly contacted us to say that the school children had asked Mr Bocking's permission because they walked out to his property to collect the choicest wattle. 

Thank you very much Debbie for shedding some light on the story.

Written by Michael Sullivan

References:

Wattle Day Pleasantries: Campbelltown Pupils' Gifts to their City CTN news Fri 27 Aug 1920

Wattle for City Children. CTN IBN News Aug 1923 p1,8

National Museum of Australia

Old Film Brings Campbelltown Back to Life

An exciting film has recently come to light showing life in Campbelltown in about 1958. The home movie made by local Stan Reeve, provides an insight into a slower paced and more innocent time. The recently digitised film runs for approximately 15 minutes and features various personalities who were prominent in Campbelltown at that time. Moving pictures often reveal so much more about a person's personality compared to still shots and this film is no different. Unfortunately, there is no sound.

The film opens with a view of the Ducat house where today's Macarthur Square is located followed by scenes featuring the Camden Tram 'Pansy' as it steams along beside Narellan Road. Keep a watch later  for cameo's from St David's church, St Peter's church and a small slice of the northern end of Queen Street.

Here is the film:

Gillian Blackstone, Stan Reeve's son Tom and a few others have identified the people in the film. Thank you to Tom Reeve for sharing his father Stan's home movie. The film is copyright to Stan Reeve.

The following is the breakdown of people with a brief description that matches the time in the film:

1.20    John Farrow (cub)    Back left

1.20     Paul Bartley (cub)    Middle

1.21    Elizabeth Farrow    Middle

1.12    Suzanne Farrow (plaits)    In front of Elizabeth   

1.26    Charlie Hannaford and Eric Henson at Scout Hall

1.26    Dianne Penfold    In GFS uniform (middle)

1.26    Roger Woollard    Scout leader (top left) 

1.26    Hazel Routley    Middle left

1.26    Mary Foulks    grey skirt next to Hazel

1.26    Phyllis Rixon (nee Gorrie)    Far right in green

2.29    Mrs Woollard (nee Shafer)    Holding pram

2.56    Harold Reeve

3.02    Mrs Price

3.05    Betty Mercer    Green hat

3.05    Bob Pratt    Centre

3.09    Margaret King    Wife of Dr Ted King

3.13    Eric Avenell    Grey suit right

3.15    Herb Lee

3.36    Julie Lee (Blue dress)

3.40    Rev. Louis Anderson

3.43    Lilian Sproule (nee Bradman- Don Bradman's sister)

3.47    Audrey Larnach    Pink

3.53    Mrs Reeve and Marj Bursill (Pink hat)

4.02    Athol Tompkins

4.10    Dave Archer    Red and white tie

4.24    Dr Ted King

4.27    Hank Reeve

4.40    Beth and Lynne Fairburn

4.49    Merle Bromley

5.01    Mrs Fairburn (Jnr)

5.33    Marj Bursill

6.00    Reeve and Fairburn children

6.16    Hilda Davidson

6.57     Meg King (check skirt)

7.06    Ted King Snr and Mercy

7:30    Leila and Mrs Spearing

7.34    Jim Helm

7.56    Charlie Hannaford at his home 'Miramichi'

8.56     Billy North

9.51     Rev. John Rofe

10.01    Bob Dinney

10.26     Mrs Steele

10.45    Field Day at St Elmo Estate with Eric Routley

11.38    Mrs Witts

11.54    Ron and Jean Cameron

12.27    Harold Reeve with grandchildren

12.55    Freda Ballard and Betty Burgin

12.56    Percy Marlow

13.04    Percy Marlow and Harley Daley

13.26    Emily Longhurst

13.45     Mrs Wolledge

13.52    Bert Kitt

Harley Daley: life as a POW

This week I got to know the man that our Campbelltown Library is named after a little better. Harley or HJ Daley served proudly on Campbelltown Council as General Manager for an incredible 41 years. Harley was captured by the Japanese and made a POW at Changi Prison in Singapore during World War II. After a visit from a family connection this week, the war diary of Harley was lent to me which allowed me the privilege of reading the harrowing and powerful moments of his time as a POW.

Harley left Campbelltown with an expectation that he would serve his country for a relatively short period. Little did he know that it would be five years before he would return to his friends and family as well as his beloved Campbelltown.

Harley enlisted on 13 June 1940 and served in the ill-fated 8th Division. He wrote that he was always keen to do anything of importance on the 13th. Three years to the day after he enlisted he wrote in his diary "Three years since I signed on the dotted line and wanted to be a soldier. When I look back, what a waste it has all been." His diary began on 10 March 1942. He wrote "As I sit here in my cell (?) - at least I am a prisoner of war - I will commence what I have promised myself for some time and relate some incidents from our stay in Malaya which no doubt will be of some interest in later years."

There are many entries where Harley describes the appalling conditions of the camp. On 19 November 1942 he describes how he "Inspected new camp site - lousy - and crawling with bugs. Anyway we are quite accustomed to them but it is a bit tough when you have to push them out of bed in order to crawl in." Harley would quite often describe the food- or lack of it. Eating rice was a daily struggle. Malnutrition was rife and he would often write about men he saw such as on 21 December 1942: "Three more parties have arrived during the past 3 days and I have never seen men in such a sad state. Many of them are just able to walk owing to malnutrition and are covered with sores." Harley too struggled with malnutrition and would occasionally write about his drop in weight. On 17 May 1945 as the war was near an end he wrote "Weight steadily dropping and I am now down to 9 st. 1lb." 

Significant milestones were always noted in Harley's diary but often written in an understandable  melancholy tone. "19 March 1942: What a birthday. I am on liquid diet and could not even keep that down- feeling lousy. Have a good position on top balcony but the bugs are terrible." He would always remember and write about family birthdays, describing the pain of not being with them to celebrate. He would receive letters from his wife Gleam but quite often it could be over a year before they arrived. On 3 May 1944 he received a letter from Gleam dated March 1943. He would often express his disappointment of the absence of photos of the family in the letters he received.

Eventually the war came to an end and somehow Harley Daley had survived Changi. On 11 August 1945, only days after the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed Harley wrote "Jack Lennon woke me at 0400 to say that Japan had agreed to Allied terms of unconditional surrender." A month or so later on September 18 how the big day had arrived and that they embarked about 11am on Duntroon and had lunch on board with plenty of meat!

The last entry in Harley's diary was on October 6 where he wrote: "And so we reach the final stage. Had a rehearsal this morning for disembarkation tomorrow at No. 11 Wharf, Woolloommoolloo. Then to Ingleburn - fancy finishing up there. Expect Harry and Jim will be there- hope they bring a bottle. Even now it is hard to believe that within 24 hours we will be back with our families, away from all this monotonous routine, bickering and whingeing. Oh to be free again. We have had a remarkable trip- 19 days on the ship and this is the first without sunshine. I will now start packing- "And so Tomorrow".

Harley James Daley, the man known as 'The Father of Modern Campbelltown' died in 1987. He pre-deceased his wife Gleam. He had two daugters: Del and Cheryl.

Harley's diary is unavailable to the public.

Written by Andrew Allen

Harley and Gleam in period costume at the official opening of Glenalvon during the sesquicentenary celebrations in 1970.

From Thoroughbreds to Clydesdales

While for many years the Blairmount estate was the home of Thoroughbreds, it later became the home of champion Clydesdales, bred by Mr Frank Young.

Frank was born in South Australia in 1885 and played a big part in the wool industry. As a young man he excelled at football and rowing. After school he was sent overseas to England and the continent to learn the wool business. On coming home he had enough knowledge and experience to join Commonwealth Wool and Produce. He would ultimately become its chairman and managing director in 1911.

Frank was described as “not being loquacious”. He did not really like talking about wool, or business, but he did like talking about football.  By 1937 he was the chairman of the Woolselling National Council, trading about 3 million bales of wool a year. But Frank’s side passion was the breeding of Clydesdale horses.

Widgiewa Blackwood, Champion Clydesdale Stallion at
Dandenong Show, prior to being purchased by Frank Young. 
(The Australasian, 19.12.1931)

He purchased Blairmount in 1929, and immediately set about modernising it. Sewerage, water supply, and electricity were some of his earliest concerns. One of his first equine purchases in the same year was the ten year old stallion Bangaroo Lettre, by the imported stallion Royal Warden. Bangaroo Lettre had made his name standing for the Glen Innes Experiment Farm. Frank purchased some mares, including two imported from Scotland. He then proceeded to build his herd of mares using Bangaroo Lettre. Around 1933 Frank purchased Widgiewa Blackwood, who had been imported in utero, and was a stallion who had already built a good reputation. Frank would use Widgiewa Blackwood over his mare herd and produced quality horses, who would take prizes at many agricultural shows, and be sold for good money. The Australasian paper in 1937 would say “Mr Frank Young’s Stock are Strong in Breed Type”, and “the sound average good quality of the brood mares on the property is beyond question”.  Frank was President of the NSW branch of the Commonwealth Clydesdale Society that same year.

Mullamuddy Fancy, one of Frank's early mare purchases,
Champion Active Draught Camden Show 1935
(SMH 6.4.1935)

Unfortunately, in 1942 Frank was reducing his stock, selling 8 of his mares at auction, and in 1946 making a further reduction. It makes me wonder if he was not in good health, as he passed away in 1950 at the age of 65. Blairmount was eventually sold in 1954 to Mr Stan French whose Eschol Park property adjoined Blairmount.

Written by Claire Lynch

Sources - Trove

Louisa Fisher

An amazing photograph came to light last week. The library was sent a remarkable image of  Louisa Fisher- the sister of our famous ghost Fred Fisher. This is the first time the library has seen a photo of one of Fred Fisher's immediate family. I wonder did she look like her brother Fred? The only description we have of Fred Fisher is through convict records. They describe him as having average height with a fair complexion and brown hair. Not much detail there.

Louisa Ellen Fisher was Frederick's younger sister. The photograph is in the possession of a direct descendant of Fred and Louisa's brother Samuel. Samuel Fisher's son Samuel migrated to Australia to find out about Frederick's estate. There were concerns of fraudulent activities. Young Samuel remained in Sydney and married there in 1849.

Thank you to the descendant John Wise for sharing Louisa's photo with the library. John's link to her and Fred was proven with a DNA match.

Louisa Fisher is photographed above. Date is unknown. (photograph courtesy of John Wise)

Written by Andrew Allen

The Collins family stores and Ingleburn

The Collins family arrived in Ingleburn in 1884, having come from Gunning. William John Collins Snr had established a brickworks in Gunning which supplied bricks used in connection with the railway in that district. He, his wife Honora and their five children then moved to Ingleburn where William set up a general store in the small village of Ingleburn. This wattle and daub building was on the southern side of the Oxford and Ingleburn Road intersection.

William Snr also continued to use his brickmaking skills supplying handmade bricks for local building projects. He was active in having a school opened in Ingleburn, starting a church, and providing the mail service from his home. He was one of the founding Aldermen of Ingleburn’s Municipal Council in 1896.

The early W.J. Collins General Store c1880 (Photo courtesy CAHS)

William Snr and his wife Honora’s (known as Nora) sixth child, a son, was born in Ingleburn, and was named Thanet. This name was derived from the place in Kent where William John Snr was born – the Isle of Thanet.

The J.W. Collins Store was on the corner of Oxford Road and Ingleburn Road, right near Ingleburn Railway Station. It sold everything, including explosives for which William had obtained a permit in 1888.

After their father died suddenly in 1919, the store was taken over by William John Jnr and his brother Thanet and became W.& T. Collins Store. In 1922 they called for tenders to build a new brick store. This would be situated on the northern side of Oxford Road opposite the old location. Groceries, paint, produce, hardware, haberdashery were among items sold. Eventually a milk bar and petrol and oil service were added. Train commuters were catered to with the store being open as early as 6am and closing as late as 7.30pm. 

W.&T. Collins Store c1930 (Photo Courtesy CAHS)

When William Jnr died in 1936 the store was continued by Thanet, and became known as T. Collins Railway Store. Thanet remained a storekeeper into the 1960s, but had retired by the time of his death in 1972. The Collins family had served the Ingleburn community for close to 90 years. 

Written by Claire Lynch

Sources: Trove, Grist Mills Vol.1, No.4, "More than bricks and mortar" - Andrew Allen

The Lamplighter

Every day at dusk you would see him. He would walk around the quiet streets of Campbelltown carrying his small ladder and kerosene can with its long narrow spout. It was a routine that he loved and that he had perfected through years of practice. As he approached each lamp post he would take the lamp out and clean the globe and then fill the lamp with kerosene and light it. A ritual from another time in a slower paced and less complicated world.

Edwin James Bamford, known as Ted,  was born in 1865 in Picton. He was the son of Edwin Bamford and and Elizabeth Reeves. The family came to Campbelltown when Ted was only 3 or 4 months old. Ted secured his first job aged only 13 when he began constructional work on Sydney's first water supply. His main duty was to supply horses to the surveyors, moving them between Campbelltown and Fairfield where they were stationed.

He began his lamplighting in 1902. Although there were not many lights in town, it still required some travelling by foot. There was a light outside the town hall, one on the corner of Allman Street, one on Dumaresq Street, one near the corner of Lithgow Street, one near the park and one on the corner of Broughton Street. They never showed much light according to local Frances Meredith.

As a boy, Fred Seers assisted him with the lamplighting for threepence a week. Fred grew up to be one of the town's much loved characters himself.

Lamplighting was not the only job that Ted was skilled at. Perhaps his greatest joy in life was as Verger for St Peter's Church. He followed in his father's footsteps with this. He would clean the church, ring the bell, chase pigeons and undertake rounds of the graveyard. He reputedly knew the inscription of every tombstone in St Peters. Later he worked in the tiny library in a small building at the back of the town hall. He was the librarian there and he also looked after two billiard tables in the small building. There was a fireplace and he kept the logs on the fire in winter. He later moved to the new Soldiers Memorial School of Arts on the corner of Queen and Lithgow Streets and worked as the librarian.

Ted had a keen interest in botany. He was able to give the botanical name of every tree, pine and shrub that you could find in Campbelltown!

He carried out his work as lamplighter up until the time that electricity was installed in Campbelltown in early 1924. No more would this gentle old character wander the streets lighting up the town. 

Ted married Frances Holland at St Peters, Campbelltown and they had three children. The untimely death of his daughter Fanny had a profound effect on him and was believed to have contributed to his death not long after. He had suffered from asthma throughout his life. Edwin Bamford died in 1936 and was buried in the cemetery at St Peters that he dutifully cared for. 

Can you help with finding a photograph of Edwin Bamford for us?

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

Campbelltown News 24 July 1936

A Stroll Through St Peter's Churchyard, Campbelltown NSW by Marie Holmes

Frances Meredith oral history interview 1977 (Held at Campbelltown Library)

Earthquake!

Campbelltown has had its share of natural disasters over the years, including floods, fire and even a tornado. However, reading about an earthquake was something I wasn't prepared for. Many of you probably remember it.

It was early Saturday morning on 10 March 1973. The peace of that Saturday morning sleep-in for most was suddenly shattered when the ground began to shake. Many were quite alarmed and looked for an explanation of what just happened. Reports of people's experiences were shared around the town, some of which were no doubt a little exaggerated! According to the Campbelltown-Ingleburn News, the army copped much of the blame. As soon as the rumblings began they straight away thought that the army was out on early morning manoeuvres, doing "town laps" in Queen Street. Another explanation favoured by many was that the army was blasting away as usual out at Holsworthy but, just a bit earlier than usual. Another explanation is quite hilarious: one lady attributed the violent shaking to her collie dog scratching for fleas on the front verandah!

Accounts of some of the residents are also very amusing. One young boy shared his story with all seriousness that his sister had been thrown from her bed and landed (without injury) on the other side of the room. There were stories of suitcases falling from the tops of cupboards, smashing glasses and dogs going beserk.

At Campbelltown Police Station a typewriter fell off a desk with a sudden jolt. Many attempted unsuccessfully to contact the station by phone so they arrived at the station seeking reassurance from the police that it wouldn't happen again!

I thought I would check if there was a record of the quake. There is an entry on Wikipedia under the heading 'List of Earthquakes in Australia' with an entry for that day. It registered a 5.6 with most of the damage centering around Picton, Bowral and Wollongong. The damage bill was $2.8 million.

Do you remember the earthquake?

Campbelltown Police Station in December 1979. It was here that many searched for reassurance.

Written by Andrew Allen

Come for a Stroll

I have always held a love of cemeteries. There is something calming about them. I disagree that they are places to avoid and that they are scary, forbidden or melancholy. Instead, I have the opinion that they are havens in a crazy and frantic world. Even in Campbelltown, St Peter's Anglican Cemetery, bound by busy roads, generates a feeling of peace amongst the hustle and bustle of the CBD. Occasionally I will wander up to St Peter's during a lunch break to reflect, clear my mind and soak up that peace it provides.

Working as local studies librarian means I get to perform quite a lot of research and often it leads me to learn about our town's pioneers and to the amazing lives some of them lead. It often feels like you get to know them personally! Irene Scattergood is an example. Many times I have read about the tragic circumstances that lead to her premature death in 1925 and the shock felt by her family and the Campbelltown community. Irene and others whose stories I have stored in my brain are people that I wish I could meet. I wish I could interview them like I do with the living's oral histories and record how they made their journey through life...and death.

This year marks 200 years since the first burial in St Peter's Cemetery, making it almost as old as Campbelltown itself. I hope you can join me next month for a Stroll through St Peter's Cemetery and discover some of the people buried there. You will learn about Australia's first millionaire, a Melbourne Cup winning jockey and the man who saw Fisher's Ghost- a man who is often overlooked when it comes to the Fisher's Ghost legend. And of course I will introduce you to Irene Scattergood and explain her heart breaking story as well as others that left such an indelible mark on our beloved Campbelltown. 

Details of the cemetery tour are as follows:

St Peter's Anglican Cemetery, Howe Street, Campbelltown.

Saturday, 15 April from 10am-1130am. Meet at the main gate. Bookings are essential and are through Eventbrite. Cost is free.

Irene Scattergood's headstone in St Peter's Cemetery

Curious Campbelltown

Many libraries are now discovering the popularity of podcasts and a number of metropolitan and state wide libraries have jumped on board. However, the subjects each of these libraries focus on differs widely.

Campbelltown City Library's Curious Campbelltown podcast was launched in November last year. Since the launch we have released four episodes: All Things Fred (Jeff McGill), For King and Country (Lauren Hokin), A Man of Colours (Gary Seddon) and A Proud Campbelltonian (Jim Marsden).

Our local studies section of Campbelltown City Library works enthusiastically to uncover Campbelltown’s unique and fascinating history. We are very fortunate that much of this history has been preserved in the form of such platforms as oral history interviews, sound recordings, photographs, documents and family histories. Rather than have these hidden away in the library’s archives, our team are determined to make them available for our community to enjoy. Our new podcast “Curious Campbelltown” is an example of this.

Campbelltown has a long, interesting and sometimes unusual history. From its establishment in 1820, there have been many stories that could fit under the banner of curious. Of course, probably the most famous of all Campbelltown’s stories was Fisher’s Ghost. There was no more curious and stranger story than that of the murder of Frederick Fisher and of course if Fred came back as a ghost. From the legend of Fisher’s Ghost to Campbelltown’s own “Saving Private Ryan” war story to the colourful and eccentric Tom Cooper, Curious Campbelltown will take you on a journey of discovery into the town’s colourful past.

  

Jim Marsden (above) talked about growing up in Campbelltown, his role in the formation of the Wests Tigers and his legal career

I encourage you to explore our Curious Campbelltown podcast. The next episode to be released next month will look at the career of former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, particularly his association with Campbelltown, including the Macquarie Fields riot.

Curious Campbelltown is available through Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts and the library's website.

Lauren Hokin (above) talked about the experiences and stories of the town's brave men and women who served in the First World War.

A Colourful Character

Last year I gave a presentation to the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society titled Colourful Characters of Campbelltown. I included 18 of some of the town's most lovable identities from the past. One I thought I would share with History Buff readers is Bob Hazelwood. Much of the information for his story came from Gillian Blackstone, daughter of former Campbelltown Council alderman Arch Walker. Ted Sedgwick also contributed to his story.

Robert Hazelwood was born in Campbelltown in 1898, the son of Stephen and Sarah Hazelwood. Bob worked on the railways before helping Arch Walker on the farm after he retired from the railways. He lived in Mrs Rixon’s boarding house alongside the railway line in Broughton Street. 

Bob was a heavy drinker, and one local remembers seeing him get hit by a car one afternoon outside the picture theatre. Somehow Bob managed to curl himself up in to a ball before he hit the road and rolled down the road a bit, got up dusted himself off and continued on his shuffle home.

Gillian Walker remembered him as a very thin, rather quiet man with a deep voice. He was very loyal and helped her father Arch immensely.

Bob would sometimes walk down the street and catch a local he knew and ask him for a winner. Off he would then go to the SP bookie. Most stories about Bob revolve around him going to the horse races on a Saturday- his day off. He was in work clothes all week, but on Saturday he would get all dressed up in his best suit with hat atop his head and walk to the station to catch the train for his day out. On his return at the end of the day he would alight the train looking slightly dishevelled having had one too many beers. Travelling on foot, swaying from side to side he made his way home to his little pensioner unit in Lindesay Street which was just north of Mereil Street in North Campbelltown.

Arch and Bob had finished milking one afternoon, the door of Arch’s truck was open and a stray German Shepherd dog, that had been hanging around the front gate to the farm for several days, decided he would hop into the truck and go home with them. The two scaredy cats Arch and Bob weren't game to push him out, so they sidled in next to him and brought him home for dog loving Gillian to deal with. He became a beloved member of the family. 

Every Christmas for years Mrs Walker would serve up a Christmas lunch for Bob, place it on a tray with all the trimmings, roast chicken and assorted vegetables, pudding with cream and custard, bon bon, nuts, lollies, the lot. Arch and Gillian would deliver it piping hot to his place. When they arrived, Bob had set his little table with tablecloth, cutlery, napkin etc. in readiness. Gillian would pop the bon bon with him, he'd put on his party hat to please her and we left him to enjoy his lunch. Although they had asked him to join them at home over the years he always declined and was happy to dine in his own home.

Bob died on 26 October 1980, he was hit by a car while walking home along the Moore/Oxley by-pass. He was 82.

Unfortunately I don't have a photo of Bob. If anyone of our readers do, I would love to see one!

Written by Andrew Allen

Debunking the myth of Amelia Fowler

 There is a curious story that has been perpetuated over the years, about the ghost that haunts Eschol Park House, that of Amelia Fowler. Amelia purportedly fell down the stairs of the house and died, (see our blog on Eschol Park House). 

Further investigations show that in fact Amelia did not die in Eschol Park House, but in Queensland. She had married her first cousin William John Graham at Inkerman Downs Station in January 1865 but tragically died 5 months later on the station. 

Inkerman Downs Head Station (State Library of Queensland)

Interestingly, another first cousin of Amelia’s, John Graham Macdonald, married another first cousin, Adelaide Anne Graham. All of them, Amelia, William, John and Adelaide were grandchildren of John Warby through Warby’s daughters Sarah, Eliza and Mary.

John Graham MacDonald took up farming in Victoria joining his brother Alexander in Geelong. Alexander was a well-known explorer, surveyor, accountant, and authority on Aboriginal place names and languages. John learnt surveying from his brother. 

He returned to Campbelltown at 21 and married Anne Amelia Graham there. He subsequently began farming in the Bellarine district, but at 25 he sold his interests in Victoria and rode north with a mob of horses to explore the Peak Downs region of Queensland in search of pastoral lands. Both of them took up large areas, and in 1862 took up the lease to occupy Inkerman Downs. I suspect that John encouraged his cousin William to come north to Inkerman Downs where they were until 1866. 

The final resting place of Amelia Fowler is not known. She has a memorial in St Peter’s Cemetery, but there is no burial record for her in the Church Register. It is unlikely she was returned to Campbelltown for burial from North Queensland. There are burials on Inkerman Downs station, but there is no record of Amelia’s death or burial. Her death is announced in the newspaper only. Either way, Amelia’s death at such a young age, a mere 5 months after her marriage was a tragedy, and may she Rest in Peace, wherever she lies.

Written by Claire Lynch

Sources - Trove, Ancestry, Burdekin Library, various internet articles