Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From The Searant Family Story:

At the time of enlistment, Lindsay was employed by Newcastle’s BHP as an Ironworker/Fitter. In 1940 Lindsay joined the Air Force as a Fitter leaving his wife Florence to hold the home together for the six years that he was away. He rose to the rank of Flight Sergeant and was stationed at several bases around Australia, namely, Laverton, Wagga, Darwin and sometimes Timor. After his discharge on the 16 October 1945, he returned to his motor mechanic trade, successfully running a service station, called Durham’s Garage, on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown, with his son, Max.

Lindsay continued his passion for motor vehicles and bikes that he developed before the war. Records of his vehicles show that, over the years, he owned a 1924 Gray, a 1923 Studebaker, a 1927 Cleveland and a 1927 Chrysler built Maxwell and, after World War 11 a 1929 Essex, a 1930 Studebaker 8 cylinder, a new 1948 Holden and a 1948 Ford Deluxe V8 registration UY 957.  His motor bikes included a Henderson Square 4, 1923 AJS, a 1924 Douglas and a 1938 Royal Enfield.

In the late 1940s Lindsay was also building his reputation in his local area of Charlestown NSW. He was very popular in the part of Charlestown where he lived as he had the first television in the district around 1956. It was a 21” Astor “that’s the difference” was the advertising slogan of the day. On many occasions the TV was set up on his back veranda and the neighbourhood and family members would sit on the grass and watch it. His older grandchildren have memories of going to Pop and Grandma’s house to watch Disneyland on a Sunday night at 6.30pm.

His grandson Allan remembers him as a very talented and practical person, with a natural mechanical aptitude to sorting any problem and he loved tinkering in his shed. His son Jim acknowledges that his dad was resourceful and a great improviser. He made TV antennas for the neighbours and family members; made an electric lawnmower, trolleys and bikes for the grandchildren and he always brought a big box of fireworks for cracker nights and had a big bonfire to warm those who were there.

Lindsay was interested in public affairs and politics. He campaigned very strongly for the Labour Party and was a member of the Charlestown branch of that party. He was a free thinker and possessed an open mind about everything. He was sympathetic to the needs of the underdog and felt strongly about social justice and the needs of the workers. He was a true family man and respected by all who came in contact with him.