Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of James Bean and Elizabeth Margaret Dargatz

Charlie was a quiet man, not given to bursts of temper but in his own way, he would not allow anyone to walk over him. He was always willing to help those in trouble, would not tolerate cruelty to animals. He liked children but did not have any of his own due to the fact that his wife was unable to.

Although a non-drinker, Charlie was a chain smoker and had a stomach ulcer most of his adult life. This meant that he could only tolerate bland food; no fat or spices. He seemed to always be chewing antacid tablets. He wouldn't allow the tea pot to be emptied and would come in from the paddock, at various times of the day, to have a cup of cold tea.

During the war, Charlie joined the Volunteer Defence Corps which was made up of men too old to fight, those holding necessary jobs (farming was one) or for some other reason were not called up to go to war, but were prepared to fight if the Japanese landed. When the air raid siren sounded in Ayr it could just be heard at Cock Robin Farm. Instead of getting into the shelter trench, and none of the family did, he climbed the windmill to get a better look and from there he could see the lights of the planes as they flew over Townsville.