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Wool Shed Kitchen - Copyright 2021 Maxwell Jefferies
Max's Blog
from the
shed floor
19th December 2022

My Life Story - episode 1 - My Parents before their Marriage
History, heritage, biography.
Some images expand on click.
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View Episode 2 - The wedding & growing family.

My dad worked on farms in the York/Northam wheatbelt area, and in the war years at the Railway Workshops in Midland. He then started a saw mill in Bayswater named, Mile End Saw Milling Co. After the sawmill burnt down twice, the family went into the firewood business and operated retail woodyards in Bayswater, on the border of Ashfield, and Maylands in Whatley Crescent.

Have an awesome day! Cheers, Max.
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Wool Shed Kitchen - Copyright 2021 Maxwell Jefferies
Max's Blog
from the shed floor
My father's parents, William & Sarah.
The Boer War was a conflict fought from 1899 to 1902 between the British Empire and two Boer states, the South African Republic (Transvaal Republic) and the Orange Free State, over the control of present-day South Africa.

The war resulted in a British victory and the eventual annexation of the Boer republics into the British Empire. The conflict had lasting effects on South Africa, including the establishment of apartheid and increased tensions between the white and black populations.
Sarah, my grandmother at Scarborough Beach, with my mother, Irene. Perth, Western Australia has many long, wide and clean sandy beaches, that go for hundreds of kilometres.
Scarborough Beach in Western Australia in 1930s-40s was relatively secluded and undeveloped area, and was a popular spot for local residents and tourists to visit for swimming and fishing. The beach was lined with natural vegetation such as sand dunes and coastal heath.

The Scarborough area was a small coastal town with a few small shops and homes, but did not have had the modern facilities and development that it has today, such as cafes, restaurants, and playgrounds.

If was a beautiful, natural setting for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, and enjoy the sun and surf of the Indian Ocean.
My father, Gordon (standing) and his brother, Owen.
My mother's sisters, Miriam & Daphne, serving in the 2nd World War. My Aunt Miriam died through sickness at a training camp near Northam, Western Australia (WA). The war girls showing their tights (Miriam is on the left) for a fundraiser project.
During World War II, Northam in Western Australia was home to a large army training base. The base was established in 1941 and was used to train thousands of Australian soldiers for service in the Pacific theater. The base was one of the largest training centers in the country and included facilities for basic training, advanced training, and specialist training.

It was also used as a staging area for troops before they were deployed overseas. The base was home to several barracks, parade grounds, and training fields, as well as a hospital and other support facilities. The base also played a key role in the defense of Western Australia, with anti-aircraft batteries and radar stations located in the area. The base was closed at the end of the war and many of the buildings were later demolished or repurposed, however, some remain and they are being used by the army.
My Aunt Daphne (on left) joined the Salvation Army in Bassendean, WA. She served on the mission field with the Salvation Army in India for 20 years, and reached the rank of Brigadier.

The Salvation Army is a Christian charity organization founded in 1865 in the United Kingdom. It has since expanded to many countries, including Australia, where it has been present since 1880. In Australia, the Salvation Army provides a range of services, including homeless shelters, addiction recovery programs, youth services, and disaster relief.

The organization also operates thrift stores and plays a significant role in supporting vulnerable communities. The Salvation Army in Australia is known for its distinctive uniform and the use of brass bands for worship and outreach.
Irene aged 16 years.
My Grandmother Sarah, at my cousin Barbara's wedding.
My farther, Gordon, courting my mother, Irene, in the 1940s era.
Irene in the centre, with friends, on the running board of my dad's car.
Irene aged 18 years.
Life in Western Australia during the 1940s was heavily influenced by the ongoing World War II. The state was home to several military bases and training centers, and many men were away fighting overseas. This left a shortage of labor in the state, leading to an influx of migrants from other parts of Australia and abroad to fill the gap. Many women also entered the workforce for the first time to support the war effort.
The war also brought about rationing and shortages of certain goods and materials, affecting daily life for many Western Australians. The state's economy was also affected by the war, with many industries shifting their focus to support the war effort.
Despite the challenges, there was also a sense of community and national pride as Western Australians came together to support the war effort. Many volunteers and community groups were active in supporting the troops, and there were regular patriotic events and fundraisers.
Life in the rural areas of Western Australia would have been relatively unchanged compared to the larger cities, where the war had a greater impact. Farming, mining and fishing were the main activities, and the isolation of the rural areas would have made the war feel more remote.
Overall, life in Western Australia during the 1940s was shaped by the war and its impact on the state, but it also brought about a sense of community and national pride among its residents.
My father's parents, William and Sarah. William served in the Boer War, and had 12 children.
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