Son of Frederick Kimberley and Ethel
Hercules Kimberley Simshauser, the eldest child of Fred and Ethel Simshauser, was born at “Campo Santo” on 7 October, 1919. He was born two months prematurely and weighed only one and a half pounds. He was described by his grandmother, Rosina Simshauser, as being as large as a pickle bottle. His grandmother, who delivered him into the world, was horrified when the doctor, upon his arrival, said the baby would die, and so she gave him a name to live up to – Hercules. Much to his grandchildren’s disgust, Herc was reared on a mixture of milk and pumpkin. By the time he was 18 months old he was a normal, healthy child with thick, curly hair.
Herc’s schooling began on the verandah of the family home at “Campo Santo”. The first teacher was Miss Northy. A small school house was then built beside the house and the children were taught by sisters Beryl and Dorothy (married Harold Mann) Kiernan. Here remembers going to Sydney as a small child, with the Gould League of Bird Lovers from Barraba, on the occasion of the Prince of Wales’ visit to Australia. They slept on mattresses on the top floor of the Anthony Hordens Store – George St. Sydney.
Herc left school at 13 to commence work with Mr Wilson at “Mt. Lindsay Station”. He was there three months and then back to work at “Campo Santo”.
Herc joined the army in 1940 and trained at Tamworth with the 8th Division, 2-19th, and was then transferred to the 6th Division as reinforcements for the 2/1 Battalion, 16 Brigade. He sailed on the “Queen Mary” for the Middle East. He was in action at Syria and was brought home when Japan entered the war. On the way home he was trained in jungle warfare in Ceylon (now called Sri Lanka). After two days leave at home he was sent to New Guinea. The first stop was the Owen Stanleys. He was there for 13 wecks of continuous fighting. They were wet every night, rations were lean and there was no change of clothes. After the campaign their shoes and socks had to be cut off their feet. After a period in hospital Herc was sent home for short leave and then it was back to Wewak, where he was in all campaigns until the war ended.
In 1948 Herc drew a soldier settlers’ block at Edgeroi. The former Edgeroi Station was broken up into what was the biggest – and probably the most successful – soldier settler sub-division ever.
The 130,000 acre station was cut up into 65 blocks, and farmers who drew the properties generally enjoyed prosperity as good seasons prevailed for the next 15 years. (Courier 12.1.88 – on the occasion of the 40 years settlers reunion – courtesy of the Narrabri Historical Society)
Herc drew block 47 (1418 acres) which became “Cleveland”. (The draw was held on 29 December 1947 – what a New Year’s gift!) His neighbours, also returned soldiers, included Len Denton, Jack Laing, Col Crawford, Chappy Smart and Len Treasure.
Here sold “Cleveland” to Arold Not who later sold it to its present owner Bob Smart. Herc recalls.
‘Life at Edgeroi was no beer and skittles – no fences, no water, no house, no money – only the land with a pot-hole of water where I put up a tent.
This lasted three months until it blew to pieces. A 12 x 12 tin shed was my next home – built of four wooden posts, roofing iron and nails, with the aid of an axe. I lived there for 18 months until a more substantial shed, including two rooms for living in, was built. (Gordon Kirk built the shed.)’
In 1950 he married Isabel Townsend of Maules Creek. Several months after their marriage Herc and Isabel had a more traditional house built. (Isabel’s father built the house.)
Isabel was the daughter of Cecil and Vera Townsend of “Lochlomond” Upper Maules Creek. After completing school Isabel was employed at Gunnedah with Dr Anderson’s family and later as governess for Ken Willis’ family at “Therribri” Boggabri, before her marriage. Isabel spent time in the textile industry – a trainee in a Sydney fashion house. From here Isabel developed her special expertise in dressmaking and needlecrafts. Her other interests include art and sport – tennis in her early days and later golf. C.W.A. activities retain a special interest in Isabel’s life – stemming from her Edgeroi days.
Herc and Isabel had three children – Cheryl, Kim and Vicki – while at “Cleveland”. After living at Edgeroi for 15 years they moved to Coolah where they stayed for 15 years also. They are now living seven kilometres out of Gunnedah in semi-retirement.
Cheryl, the eldest child, married Leon Bartlett of Narrabri in May 1970. As Leon is a school teacher they have lived in many places, but they have finally settled in Lennox Head. They have three daughters, the eldest Nicole is attending QLD University and the other two, Sanchia and Cheranne, are at Ballina High.
Kim, the only son, married Beverley Brown in January 1977. They have two children, Kristy and Ross, who both attend St. Mary’s in Gunnedah. Kim is on the land at Goolhi. Both children are keen riders competing in pony clubs, shows and dressage events with success.
Vicki, the youngest, married Mark Duff of Narrabri in October 1983. They live on “Wilga Farm” where they run a piggery and help Vicki’s father and mother on the farm. They have two children, Mitchell and Elyce, who attend St. Xavier’s at Gunnedah. They are also keen riders and have just started riding at pony clubs and gymkhanas.