Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Another story I never forgot was how dad started his first job.
They were farmers and farm hands up in the Bellbrook/Willawarrin Area of NSW and to say life was tough is probably an understatement.

One afternoon Pop came home on his horse and said to dad 'get up here behind me' so dad did as told.
They rode silently across the hills and fields for some time (my understanding is for about 14 miles), down across the creek and onto a farm of a neighbour.
Not a word was said during the ride.
They stopped at the farms homestead at which time Pop said 'get off' and at the same time, turned the horse and started to head for home.

My father yelled 'why am I here?'

Pop responded 'you work here' and continued on his way home.

My dad used to tell the story of how Nana would adjust the kid's attitude when ever they played up. I've never forgotten it and it goes something like this;

Kenny! get into the kitchen and get a knife, a sharpe knife and bring it back here,
Good, now go cut me a switch and make it a good switch or you'll have to go get another one,
Give me the switch and go put that knife in the sink. Then come here!

It was at this time, Nana would proceed to wrap that switch across dad's rear a few times to adjust his attitude for something he shouldn't have done.

and my kids think I was hard!