Contents:
Canadian cousins – who they are and why we have them, by John WB Hungerford;
An early farming family: Elizabeth & Adam McClure, re-published from The Horsham Times (Vic), Friday 20 December 1935
Cadelgo – South Australia, North East Corner, by Lesley Abrahams;
A Strange Christmas, by Herbert (Gene) Hungerford;
Thomas Leigh Simpson, by Lesley Abrahams;
LAC William (Bill) Hungerford Pigott Conant, by Vince Conant;
William Boyle Hungerford and Florence Emelia Hungerford (nee Lamb), by Raechel Hungerford;
Edmund Hungerford – Remarkable Bushman, by Lesley Abrahams.
Editorial:
War is never a pleasant topic, but it can also provide examples of persistence in the face of privation and suffering, and uncommon bravery. Three articles in this issue provide examples. Thomas Leigh Simpson [E.2.3a.6b.2c=] served in World War I in the new and dangerous area of flying, taking photographs from aeroplanes, and came home wounded. William (Bill) Hungerford Pigott Conant [E.4.2a.4b.2c] served in World War II, also around aeroplanes, in the key ‘backroom’ area of keeping them flying – while making a distinctive contribution to the morale of Australian and English airmen.
Civilians suffer in war as well as soldiers: when their lives are unrelated to military activity, the pointlessness of their plight is particularly harsh. Herbert E. ‘Gene’ Hungerford [SH1343] writes of a ‘strange Christmas’ in a Japanese internment camp during World War II which gave hope and changed enemy attitudes. Gene not only writes beautifully – his story is worth telling.
But perils, challenges and inspiring moments not only belong to wartime. ‘Ordinary’ life – which Australia has had the privilege to experience for some decades now – has similar tales to tell. John WB Hungerford traces the move overseas which led to us having ‘Canadian cousins’. The support shown by the Lamb family to their in-laws is an inspiring example of generosity, as Raechel Hungerford recounts in her tracing the story of William Boyle Hungerford [B.3a] and Florence Emelia Hungerford (née Lamb). And the contribution of a community-minded couple is shown in the article republished from The Horsham Times of the diamond wedding of Elizabeth [S.vi.1.3a] and Adam McClure.
Special mention must go to Lesley Abrahams, who not only contributed the articles on Thomas Simpson and Edmund Alexander Hungerford [E.6.1a], but offers a beautifully illustrated piece on the history and sad decline of Cadelgo SA. Thanks Lesley – your steady flow of exemplarily researched contributions is much appreciated.
And a special thanks to all those who combed albums and archives to provide the highest number of photographs yet published in a HAFS Journal!
Charles Sherlock