Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Henry GEDDES adn Elfreda Miriam nee BEARD

Ted (as he liked to be known) was born on the 18th November 1912 at the family hme "Hiawtha" which was in Newland Street, Waverley, a suburb of Sydney.  Ted ws the youngest of three boys born to Henry and Elfreda Geddes.

After completing his schooling in Sydney he attended the University of Sydney to study for an Electrical Engineering degree.  From 1938 to 1942 he was employed by the Hydro-Electric Commission Hobart as an Electrical Draftsman.

In the middle of the Second World War he applied to join the Navy and was accepted as a commissioned Engineer Officer with the rank of Lieutenant R.A.N.V.A.R.  His service with the Royal Australian Navy Reserve spanned the years 1942 to 1946.  He swa service aboard His Majesty's Austrlaian Ships 'Rushcutter' and 'Penguin' where he was principally involved with the specialty of degaussing vessels to offer some protection against some types of enemy mines.

After completing his time with the Navy he retunred to the Hydro Electric commission in Hobart where he stayed until 1948.  He then took leave to study for an Associate Member of The Institute of Electrical Engineers, this taks was completed in 1952.

After completing his course he applied to join The Wide Bay Regional Electrical Board as an Electrical Engineer.  He was accepted by the Board and spent the balance of his working life in Maryborough and the surrounding district.

In September 1972, several years prior to retiring he married Doris Crawford.  He quickly becamem part of the extended family being Step Father to three adult children who had between them eight grandchildren.  Married life was indeed quite a change for Ted after having remained single all those earlier years.  The family feels sure that it was a major adjustment for him and he accepted it willingly.  He certainly fitted into the new family well, enjoying the company of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After retiring Ted and Doris spent many months travelling and spending time with their goegraphically scattered family and friends.

Their life was a busy one as two appropriate home moves were also completed as they chose to stay on in the same neighbourhood.  Their final move was to the Chelsea RSL Retirement Village in August 2005.

Unfortunately Doris passed away early in 2006.

Ted continued to enjoy his time living at Chelsea occupying his time playing the games of Joy, Bingo and other entertaining card games with other residents living in the village.

Courtesy of Maryborough Colonial and Military Museum