Son of Edward and Rebecca Martha
‘I went to “Paleroo” School for two years before it closed down, and then I took correspondence from Blackfriars, before going to Tamworth Primary School, boarding at the Church of England hostel for twelve months.
My father died in 1939 and I returned to “The Downs”, taking Blackfriars correspondence once again, until I left school and worked on “The Downs”.
During World War II I joined the airforce and spent over three years serving in New Guinea, Port Morseby, Milne Bay and Madang. On returning home I married Daphne Garske and continued to live on “The Downs”. Cattle and sheep and some wheat were the main sources of income.
Life on “The Downs” was very happy. My children started school at “Paleroo” and then went to Barraba High School to complete their education.’
(As told by Vernal, k/a Vern)
Vern is now retired and lives in Tamworth with his wife Daphne. Vern and Daphne had a family of six children, five boys and one girl – Karl (deceased 1975), Garry, Susan, Warren, Adrian and Daryll. Their sons all live in Tamworth while Susan lives in Narrabri with her husband Glenn Bradford.
On completing school Susan moved to Narrabri where she commenced employment with Miller’s Bakery (now Watson’s Kitchen). Except for a five-year break with family, Susan has continued to work with this firm since school – a total of 16 years. Sue and Glen have two children, Shane and Felicity. Shane, educated at Narrabri, is employed at Peel Valley Machinery, Narrabri. At 20 years of age he has recently gained his pilots licence. Felicity is currently studying for her HSC at Narrabri High School.
Karl died in 1975 aged 28 years at Tamworth, and is buried at Barraba. Karl’s early education was at “Paleroo” and after the closure of the school he lived in Armidale with his uncle, Tony Simshauser, and attended The Armidale School (TAS) as a day pupil. For his secondary education he returned to Barraba High School. On leaving school he was employed at BHP Newcastle and then with an earth-moving company at Tamworth. Karl was involved in a voluntary capacity with the Tamworth SES. He had two children – Kelvin who now lives in Armidale, and Fiona who is married and has two daughters.
Garry, Warren, Adrian and Daryll are all employed with the Tamworth City Council. After leaving school, Garry worked on the railway at Narrabri. Garry and his wife Marie have four children, three of whom are still at school (Andrew, Louise and Krystal). Their eldest child, Barry, is employed at Fielders Bakery, Tamworth.
Warren worked for King’s Jewellery, Narrabri, before moving to Tamworth to become a plant operator with the city council. Warren is married to Linda (nee Lord), a clerk/typist. They have two children both at school – Michael and Nicholas.
Adrian worked for Foxe Welding prior to his employment with Tamworth City Council. He is married with three school-aged children.
Daryll worked as a welder with Quick Lay, Tamworth, before joining Tamworth City Council. He also is married and has two children.