Kimi and visited Betty & Ken last night. Kimi takes up a meal every couple of weeks which breaks the routine for Dad which he enjoys. Kimi makes sure there are some leftovers too. Mum & Dad seem to spend their days unearthing photos from backs of draws. Grant lamented there are few shots of Neil Roff in uniform. Here is one which proves that he did wear a shirt and trousers through at least some of his military service.
He is promenading here with a Joan "somebody-or-other" whom he was 'seeing' at the time. Unfortunately Mum's recall is no longer as sharp as it once was. The back of the photo has The Leicagraph Co. Pty Ltd at 5 Strand Arcade, Sydney written on the back, so I expect it was a staged shot somewhere on George Street. There is a tram on the LHS and a sign saying 'NEWSREEL' behind Neil's head. Staged? Enlarge the photo…he's holding a pipe! But I am intrigued if it is pre or post war.
Another couple of shots that might have family interest for the diehard historians:
This shot represents 4 generations of Greens from which Mona (Neil & Betty's mother)(Mardi to her grandchildren) was derived. Nanny Green (Mona's mother) is at the front holding a newborn Tony Seage, so I guess the date is about March or April 1945 by the clothing. Betty on the left, Linda Green (married to Frank Green, Mona's elder brother) behind her, Mona at the back RHS and Thelma Green (married to Walter, Mona's younger brother) on the RHS. Location is in front of the front entry door of Carrington Hall at Coogee for those old enough to remember, and that is getting very old, on the RHS as you walked up the steps.
And finally:
An outing which includes Pop (Frank) and Nanny Green. Pop was a staunch mason, and doesn't he look it. I think it is the only photo I have ever seen of him. A young Mona (Mardi) Green is at the LHS (in the photo) of Pop with one of her many suitors, on this occasion a Mr Jack Toe. 'He worked on boats and things' was the explanation I have received to date. Others in the party included Mardi's friend Henri Biffin, seated in front of Pop. I suspect it might be Walter at the back leaning against the tree as he was the younger brother just there. Time? Anywhere between 1911 and 1915 guessing that Mona would have to be chaperoned, and between 16 and 20 years old. Location? Maybe Centennial Park as there is another shot of them posing in a boat.
I include this just to get you to consider fate, that you could have all been Toe's rather than Roff's. More praise to Jack Roff!
Brendan
4 comments:
That was absolute gold Brendan. Any chance of a weekly segment? Great post!
Great work Brendan. Just quietly though, Joe Toe is so much cooler than Joe Roff.
Great work, Brendan. Interestingly, I have that pic of Neil in the archives but it has been torn in half so the woman doesn't appear. I'm no forensic scientist but Eileen would be the chief suspect. As I say, great work.
Perhaps Mum is being selective in her recall.
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