91Grew up in Broken Hill. Attended North Primary School. Learned rules of
short-cut mental arithmetic from his father. Became carpenter under
father but left at c. 19 when refused foreman's wages. Set out as builder
and contractor in his own right. Went to Mundubbera, Q., c. 1915 with
wife and baby Jean. With brothers,built bridge across the Burnett R. but
then returned to SA - ill health of wife and baby. About 1922-3 large
contract for building at Milang on Lake Alexandrina several large timber
barges (to transport aggregate for construction of locks on Murray River)
despite no experience. Borrowed heavily to buy materials etc. but work
fell behind and bank threatened call in loan - despair and stress!. New
branch of National Bank at Strathalbyn gave further loan and barges
completed at great profit. Next big project: enlarged Holden Motor Works
at Woodville in record time for large profit and in 1928 he retired, age
36. Took family to Sydney 1928. Divorced for infidelity, he moved to
Adelaide and he later re-married and had one more daughter. As was his
wish, after his sudden death from a heart attack and subsequent
cremation, his ashes were spread on the water of Lake Alexandrina at
Milang.