Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John, like his brother Eric was a member of the 1st. Kaniva Boy Scout Troop under the leadership of the Rev. Cecil Gooden of the Church of England.

On leaving school, John worked in his father's Serviceton store. In later years, when the four brothers acquired the two general stores from their father and formed the partnership of Fryar Bros., John assisted Laurie in running the Serviceton Store. When a new store was erected by the partnership at Lillimur, about 1934, John became the manager. This branch was closed after operating for three years or so (possibly because of John’s accident - see below), and the building transferred to Serviceton, and John returned there to assist Laurie.


From The Advertiser, Adelaide, SA, Friday 7 September 1934:

WOLSELEY
When the horse he was driving in a delivery van kicked him in the back, Mr. Jack Fryar sustained severe internal injuries. He was treated by Dr. E. Broadbent and admitted to the Bordertown Memorial Hospital.

The following article appeared in The Argus, Melbourne, Vic. on Monday 19 May 1941 on page 8:

NOTICE is hereby given that the PARTNER-SHIP heretofore subsisting between Laurie Fryar of Serviceton in the State or Victoria, Jack Fryar of Lillimur, in the said State; Eric Maurice Fryar of Wolseley in the State of South Australia and Aubrey Stanley Fryar formerly of Wolseley aforesaid but now on service overseas in the Australian Imperial Forces, carrying on business as storekeepers at Serviceton and Wolseley aforesaid under the name of Fryar Bros.has been DISSOLVED by mutual consent as from the 10th day of May 1941 so far as concerns the said Jack Fryar who retires from the partnership.
The business will be carried on as formerly by or on behalf of the remaining partners, who will receive and pay all debts.
Dated at Serviceton the 10th day of May 1941
L FRYAR
ERIC M FRYAR
JACK FRYAR

It appears that this was done to allow Jack to withdraw from the business prior to joining the A.I.F. in June 1941.

John gave his religion as Church of England when he signed up. He and Doris did not have any children of their own. However when Elsie, a sister of Doris died at the young age of 29 years, John and Doris adopted the daughter Marjory May Trafford who was about seven or eight at the time. Marjory’s parents were Elsie Pearl & Victor Trafford.

On discharge from the Army John and Doris resided with Doris's parents. Mr. Smith was a carpenter and builder by trade, and John worked for him for a short time before returning to Serviceton to assist Laurie in the store-keeping business. After two years with Laurie, John and Doris moved to Ouyen (Vic.) where they managed the Railway Refreshment Rooms for 18 months. From Ouyen they moved to Clarkefield, a small town about 30 miles north of Melbourne on the main Melbourne - Sydney railway line, where John had purchased a general Store, with which was incorporated a Post office and Bank Agency.
The couple remained at Clarkefield for two or so years, then returned to Melbourne where they purchased a Bed and Breakfast business at Malvern which was retained for three years, followed by another B&B at Windsor which they purchased in 1953.
Whilst Doris conducted the B&B business, John returned to working as a carpenter with his father in law and son Geoff, when they were engaged on various building projects, one of which was the Melbourne Women's Hospital in Londsdale St.
In 1956 John applied for, and was successful in gaining a position in the Commonwealth Public Service which position he held until his death. Doris continued to reside at Neerim Road, Glenhuntly Vic. until her death on 27 July 2007. She was also buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Submitted by Glen Fryar, son of Jack's brother Aubrey.