Son of Frederick Christian and Rosina
Frederick Kimberley (k/a Fred), was born on 26 February 1902 at “Campo Santo” – the youngest of Christie and Rosie’s eight children.
It is believed that he attended Hawkin’s Creek Public School for a period of two or three years. Winton Taylor, now living in Barraba, recalls.
‘I went to school with Fred. He used to ride down from “Campo” to Hawkin’s Creek School – it was about a four or five mile ride. He used to ride a little piebald pony.’
For most of his working life Fred was involved with pastoral activities, first at “Campo Santo”, and later at “Willeroi” Boggabri, except for a short period of time when he served in WWI.
It would appear from Australian War records (WWI) that Fred enlisted in February 1917, just a few days before his 15th birthday. He joined reinforcements of the 13th Battalion at Liverpool camp, sailing on the “Marathon” on 10 May 1917. In England Fred completed his training at Codford camp and proceeded to France in October 1917. He was transferred to the 34th Battalion, joining same at Armentieres, and was in action for three months. In March 1918 he was recalled to England and being under-age, was returned to Australia in June 1918, when subsequently he was discharged. Fred actually served abroad for one year and 29 days.
Maurice Simshauser recalls his father’s war experience.
‘My father served in France during WWI. Wilfred (Fred’s older brother) was killed in action in France, after which it was brought to the notice of authorities, by his mother Rosie, that my father was under-age. He was immediately returned to Australia and granted a “dishonorable discharge”.
However, after the war, authorities saw fit to reverse the decision to “honorable discharge” with full compliments.’
Charles Mason recalls.
‘I understand Fred enlisted and went to World War I at the early age of 14 – put his age up and also had his mother’s consent. He told me himself, and I remember his words exactly and I quote, “I had my 15th birthday in Paris and still hadn’t had a shave.” Marvellous!’ (However, records indicate that it was probably his 16th birthday.)
After returning from the war, Fred was given employment by George Capel at “Campo Santo”, and on 22 October 1919, he married Ethel Margaret Hill. Ethel, who had been employed at “Mayvale” Barraba at the time, was the youngest child of a family of 10 children. Her father was John Hill, from Bingara, . Ethel’s mother was Christina Hill (nee Hutchinson).
For a year or so after their marriage, Fred and Ethel lived in what was known as Taylor’s House. (Ted Taylor’s block was part of “Campo Santo”.) It must have been situated some distance from the homestead as Maurice says his father used to ride a horse about eight miles to work each morning when first married. From there they moved to Christie Graham’s house on “Tareela”. The house on “Tareela” that eventually became home to the Simshausers while Fred was employed at “Campo Santo” was built in 1921 by Harry Rampling. Harry was employed as the carpenter at “Campo Santo” and was responsible for the building of cottages, cattle stalls and sheds for many years
When speaking about Fred and Ethel’s house, Bernice Carter remembers Fred’s interest in koalas.
To the right of the trees, and across the creek in that area, Mr Fred Simshauser had a koala bear sanctuary. He had an area enclosed with a fence and lots of trees, and a large number of koalas. David (Bernice’s husband) often talks of it and I remember seeing the koalas there myself. Unfortunately, the authorities closed down the sanctuary, and David said foxes and other predators destroyed a lot of them. Mr Simshauser was to be admired for the care and attention he gave to these beautiful animals and it was certainly an injustice to force him to do away with the enclosure.’
Fred Simshauser was actually employed at “Campo Santo” by George Capel for a period of 27 years, including 7 years as overseer and 18 years as manager.
Fred and Ethel had a family of eight children – Hercules, Enid Joan, Clive, Eunice, Gordon, Ruth, Lex and Maurice who are all living today, except Gordon, who died on 12 July 1983. All the family were brought up on “Campo Santo” and educated at “Tareela” and “Plumthorpe” schools, with some furthering their education at Tamworth.
Fred and Ethel left the Barraba district early 1946. Fred was employed as Manager at “Gingie” Walgett for the Pye family in 1946 for several months prior to purchasing “Willeroi” Boggabri. Hercules and Gordon accompanied Fred and Ethel, and they too were employed at “Gingie”
From Charles Mason’s memories.
‘I did know Fred quite well. He was a first-class sheep and wool man in particular. On his return after the war, Mr G. Capel gave him employment at “Campo” and had him taught wool-classing. He always classed “Campo” wool, and after George Capel died and the property distributed to his grandchildren, Fred lived on at “Campo”, but went out wool-classing at other properties. He classed at “Blue Nobby”, my old home, and stayed with my family during the shearing.
He was a man for whom I had the greatest admiration. Unfortunately, he died at a comparatively young age, and with his knowledge of sheep, and wool in particular, was no doubt a loss to the district and to his family.