A classic - Hills on the move 1945ish

Now here's a classic.........urban myth has it that this is the Hills family move from Warwick to Toowoomba. Pa (Fred) Hills in on the right. There are so many fascinating things about this image...from the technique used to stack the "stuff" to the guy sitting on top.

Upon further inquiry it seems that perhaps this is not the Hills family move to Toowoomba -Pa Hills worked for a moving company in Warwick and the man on top owned the furniture which was being moved from his farm to Warwick. We will continue the urban myth.....makes for a good story when explaining the photo.

Visiting Our Heritage - Winter-Bolton 1936

Pictured here are Spencer Winter (1919-1936) sitting on the ground with the two dogs, behind him in the wheel chair is Mervyn (Joe) Winter (1912- 1961) and in Joe's lap - Brian Bolton (1935-1987).

Joe was born premature at seven months, resulting in a wheelchair bound handicap (suppose C.P.). Apparently Fred Winter(1879-1933), cabinet maker, was in his workshop when he had a terrible accident with a saw. When Sophie Winter (1881-1964) pregnant with her 7th child, saw the blood, the shock put her into labour and she delivered Mervyn, nicknamed Joe.

Mum has shared many stories of Joe and the joy he brought the family. In this photo you can see his legs crossed on themselves and Brian perched upon his knee. Brian was born Aug 26th, 1935, so if he is six months old in this photo this must be early in 1936.

According to records, Spencer died in 1936. Such a sad story as he is such a handsome, healthy looking man in this photo. He took his own life at age 18. I recently asked Valda and Lesle about their recollections of the stories told about Spencer.

Of course this was in the middle of the depression. Times were tough. Fred Winter (1879-1933) passed away 3 years earlier. Valda's recollection:

We got our information from Mum(Dorothy Winter-Bolton) Spencer must have died not long after that photo was taken. Apparently he was deeply worried about the financial state and Nana (Sophie) was putting him through an electrician apprenticeship which was another financial burden. I remember Mum(Dorothy) telling us that she found his bed still warm and they found him - had hanged himself in a back shed.

Lesle:

Lesle had a slightly different story about how Spencer was found after he died. She thought he was found in his bed. However, that is family info and no one will be able to clarify it now. She also said that Spencer had just sat his final exams and he thought he had not passed. As it turned out, his results came the day after he died and he had passed.

It is so fascinating to think about the lives of our ancestors, and tragic that once a generation passes, much of the detail of there lives passes also. Hopefully in generations to come this will not be the case with digital photos and achieves.

Garden Gallery...Spring in Indiana

A part of spring in Indiana.......baby birdies.....

This nest has been there for several years. I wasn't sure a bird would nest there again - especially if a human has been "pruning" around it. It's to the right of the garage. I almost ripped it down this March when I was cleaning up the Ivy and I left it....a Mama Robin did lay her eggs and has been sitting on the nest for weeks. Every time the garage door goes up - Mama robin flies off. Today I noticed three beaks - and upon closer look see that there are 3 baby robins.

Mum and Dad Robin are very close by - but there is no more room in the nest for them!

This must be the "big brother" - the other two are under him.


Below are some photos taken today of my garden - coming along nicely - we have had lots of lovely rain and perfect temperatures for spring growth. Mum and Dad - thought you might especially enjoy knowing you contributed by taking down the perennial growth in September. That made my spring much easier!

BTW...I have been looking everywhere for my garden gloves this afternoon....and now I spot them on top of my chimnea (Mexican fire pot).

Visiting our Heritage

Hills-Hackwood 1942

I recently rearranged my Heritage Wall art into 2 collections (see two posts ago) - the smaller frames are now on the wall going up the stairs. This allows for one to study the photos closely - what a delightful snapshot of time and history. I have clarified some of the details of the photos with those still living (namely Mum and Dad, Lesle and Col) and thought I would share for historical preservation.

Check out the long faces in the back row. Looks hot and life was probably pretty tough in the middle of a war, right after a depression. I presume this is somewhere in South East Qld - probably Warwick or Toowoomba?

Instead of "The Sullivan's", it's "The hackwood's"

Initially this photo was labeled 1949 - but Raymond William (very front with slouch hat on) looks to be about 11ish. Mum and Dad confirmed it was about '42 and provided this further commentary:

The group photo is -
Top from (L) - Aunty Mel (Vercoe), Nana H, Aunty Bebe (Donovan), Aunty Rita (wife of Aubrey Hills), Grandma ('Ma') Hills
Second row from (L) - a bit hazy here but we think the kids are Aub and Rita's -Audrey on far left, Doug (next to Pa), Janny on Uncle Aub's knee and their eldest Bobby.
We don't know who Pa is holding. Dad said it would have been about 1942.
Pa was in the Air Force from 6/1942 - 10/1945 and served in Australian air force bases as ground crew. He did not go overseas.

Joel attends Junior-Senior Banquet

What a handsome boy.....

Joel attended the Jr-Sr Banquet on Friday Night. He didn't take a date - but ran sound for the event. The tradition at Heritage is that the Juniors(Grade 11) put on the banquet for the Seniors(Grade 12). They had the event at the Children's Museum which opens to formal evening events once the museum closes. They had a dinner and then went into the theater for a series of skits and speeches. There were several "after parties" and Joel went to one and was home at Todd's by 1am.

Heritage Wall has new home x 2