Foreword (continued)

Allan had not finished his consideration of the transcript when he developed a serious illness late in 1994 from which he died in Bethlehem Hospital on 10 April 1995. After his death I visited his wife, Janet, who kindly gave me his copy of the transcript of his reminiscences (which he had extensively annotated) and other relevant notes and photographs. I have reproduced his reminiscences in the manner I believe he would have wished.

Allan's family lived in Fitzroy when he was born. His father worked with a produce merchant at that time. The family later moved to Brunswick, and then in 1914 moved onto a farm in Cardinia near Tooradin in Gippsland where Allan was enrolled at Cardinia State School at the age of six. The school had about 18 pupils, some of whom rode their horses to school. Having none, each day Allan walked a mile and a half to and from school.

Allan's father and uncle were partners in a mixed farming property producing mainly wheat and potatoes. There was a big demand for chaff from oats and hay.

There were very few motor cars at that time, 1915, but another uncle of Allan's, who lived in Ballarat, bought a new T-model Ford and visited the family at Cardinia, taking two or three days to make the trip. That was the first motor car Allan had seen—the year was about 1915. He was very interested in this old car. The headlights operated only when the engine was running, the car having no battery. The car had kerosene lamps either side of the windscreen and kerosene tail-lights. The canvas hood of the car was usually folded down and only put up when it rained. The car had no spare wheel in the way we know them now. If a tyre were punctured a spare rim and tyre were attached to the wheel.

Allan remembered that the issue of compulsory conscription for military service in World War I was a lively political issue while the family was on the farm. The issue was very political and secular and became somewhat divisive in the country town. There were card parties to raise money to canvass voters.

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