Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The 2nd son of Oscar and Ann, Ron was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, on 30th June 1895. His parents moved around a bit, from Qld to NSW and back, following Oscar’s career as a Courthouse Clerk and Reporter. In 1905 Ron travelled with his father and younger brother, Alan, to Fiji where Oscar was to take up employment as the Manager of a banana plantation. The ship, ‘Pilbara’, was damaged and thought to be sinking, so everyone had to abandon ship. The ship was salvaged, but it must have been quite an adventure for the 10 year old Ron and his younger brother. It’s not known how long they stayed in Fiji.

In 1915, Ron lived on a farm at Avondale, NSW, and was a member of the Military Militia in Sydney, reaching the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. At this time he wished to join the Army, and had a huge argument with his father refused to give his permission. Later that night, Oscar left the house with his gun. A search party found him the following day, having shot himself.

So as not to go against his now deceased father’s wishes, Ron waited until he was 21yo before enlisting as a Private. Serving in France, in 4th Battalion, he was promoted Sergeant. He also attended Cadet Officers’ Training College in England, but apparently didn’t make the grade, and was sent back to his unit.

After the war, but before returning to Australia, Ron attended an agricultural course. Upon his return and demobilisation, on 3rd March 1920, he pursued a career in dairying, working in the Wildes Meadow area with the Limond brothers.

He was a good cricketer, a fast bowler, and played in Bowral against a young Don Bradman.

In April 1925 he married Doris Limond, and lived in various locations, at times struggling to raise a young family during the Depression of the 30s. At first they lived on a farm at Wildes Meadow. They then moved to Sydney and stayed with Ron’s sister, Raby, and her husband, at Woollarah. While Ron was desperately trying to find work, Doris and the two babies went back to her mother’s for two weeks.

While selling insurance in Sydney, in 1930 Ron became a Sherriff’s Officer. In this capacity he worked in Sydney, Coonamble, and Newcastle. In Coonamble he was elected an Alderman and also President of the RSL.

He returned to Sydney in 1939, and in 1940 the family moved from Lane Cove to Newcastle, where he retired in 1960. Ron was very much respected by the legal profession, and counted members of the judiciary as friends.

Ron was a strict father, and liked a drink. He was a keen lawn bowler, playing until ill health forced his retirement from the game.

In the late 1960s he developed cancer of the stomach, and underwent quite drastic surgery. He passed away in Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, on 15th April 1970, aged 74 years.