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Bill Thompson (1904-1986) - Bookmaker, Cessnock. Recorded 25 July 1980. Part 1/2.
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SummaryBILL THOMPSON
Recorded 25 July 1980
Part 1/2
0:43
Bill is known as Twee - he was born New Lambton, 1904. They lived at The Sportmans Arms.
1:03
Came to Cessnock at age four, 1908
1:24
First recollections of Cessnock where he stayed with his aunt while his Dad built the house in Ferguson Street.
1:42
Jenny was the eldest sister by two years. She married the electrician, Mr Hanson. Mattie, his second sister married Bill Scott. She had died very suddenly, seven weeks before this interview. There were triplets who died whilst they lived at the Sportmans Arms.
2:43
Lila was the surviving triplet.
2:53
Frank Scanlon married Lila.
3:29
Joyce was the youngest sister who went with Kevin King. Her husband was an aviator who died. Elsie Thompson (wife)
4:16
Attended Aberdare Primary School walking to school "through the old bush track".
4:30
Stan Williams who used to make ice cream using the engine of his motorbike to churn the cream.
5:32
First worked as trapper at Aberdare Central
5:47
Worked as wheeler, Aberdare Central
5:54
He left Aberdare Central at the time of the Melbourne Cup in November 1935.
7:10
Took out bookmaker's licence in 1936. He never returned to the mines.
8:20
Jimmy Hunter from the Weston Store
8:40
Recollection of Jimmy's bookmaking system of cards with the name of every dog in NSW.
11:11
Personal views on modern horse racing - he's not a punter himself, he's very cautious. "Prize money is that high today". SP Bookies - the TAB - Bookies - betting fees - the most colourful bookmaker - Twee was always one for balancing his books.
18:22
Worked as rails bookmaker, Randwick
19:05
Reason for betting in "halves"
20:00
First held book at Maitland dogs, then the horses in Newcastle.
21:03
Father worked as bookmaker in about 1914 in Newcastle, Gosford, Heddon Greta, the old course at Cessnock Alley, Wallsend. He was always an old gentleman, well dressed but never wearing a tie. Twee thinks he "got the bug off him".
23:37
Recalls winning B Grade golf championship
23:57
Recalls taking up bowls. He has knee injuries which make it difficult to walk up steps.
25:51
He and Elsie married in 1939 and they lived in Dora Creek.
26:09
Roy Tudor
26:31
Paul and Craig were their sons. Craig is a magistrate and Paul is a barrister with Labor and Industry.
28:44
Elsie Thompson, nee Wells was Bill's wife and born in Cobar. Her family came up to Abermain when she was 8.
29:30
Father was publican at Sportsman's Arms, New Lambton - he played dominoes and cards.
32:14
Father worked at Neath Colliery
32:40
Harry Tudor
37:48
Cyril Williams - song master. Singing together promoted fellowship in Lions Club. Yarns were collected.
39:25
Freddie Hallam - "Bimbadeen" - reciting stories from memory in the style of Banjo Paterson.
43:12
Recalls betting on "place cards" - the Melbourne market. He had his own printing machine to print his own cards.
45:17
Arthur Tinkler, Harry Tinkler would bring in the cards.
Tape duration: 45:42
Thompson, William, 1904-1986PersonJack DelaneyDepicts or Relates ToFred HallamFrank ScanlonCollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSWLocation[1] Aberdare South Colliery, NSW[2] Abernethy, NSW[3] Cessnock, NSWIdentifier284A
Recorded 25 July 1980
Part 1/2
0:43
Bill is known as Twee - he was born New Lambton, 1904. They lived at The Sportmans Arms.
1:03
Came to Cessnock at age four, 1908
1:24
First recollections of Cessnock where he stayed with his aunt while his Dad built the house in Ferguson Street.
1:42
Jenny was the eldest sister by two years. She married the electrician, Mr Hanson. Mattie, his second sister married Bill Scott. She had died very suddenly, seven weeks before this interview. There were triplets who died whilst they lived at the Sportmans Arms.
2:43
Lila was the surviving triplet.
2:53
Frank Scanlon married Lila.
3:29
Joyce was the youngest sister who went with Kevin King. Her husband was an aviator who died. Elsie Thompson (wife)
4:16
Attended Aberdare Primary School walking to school "through the old bush track".
4:30
Stan Williams who used to make ice cream using the engine of his motorbike to churn the cream.
5:32
First worked as trapper at Aberdare Central
5:47
Worked as wheeler, Aberdare Central
5:54
He left Aberdare Central at the time of the Melbourne Cup in November 1935.
7:10
Took out bookmaker's licence in 1936. He never returned to the mines.
8:20
Jimmy Hunter from the Weston Store
8:40
Recollection of Jimmy's bookmaking system of cards with the name of every dog in NSW.
11:11
Personal views on modern horse racing - he's not a punter himself, he's very cautious. "Prize money is that high today". SP Bookies - the TAB - Bookies - betting fees - the most colourful bookmaker - Twee was always one for balancing his books.
18:22
Worked as rails bookmaker, Randwick
19:05
Reason for betting in "halves"
20:00
First held book at Maitland dogs, then the horses in Newcastle.
21:03
Father worked as bookmaker in about 1914 in Newcastle, Gosford, Heddon Greta, the old course at Cessnock Alley, Wallsend. He was always an old gentleman, well dressed but never wearing a tie. Twee thinks he "got the bug off him".
23:37
Recalls winning B Grade golf championship
23:57
Recalls taking up bowls. He has knee injuries which make it difficult to walk up steps.
25:51
He and Elsie married in 1939 and they lived in Dora Creek.
26:09
Roy Tudor
26:31
Paul and Craig were their sons. Craig is a magistrate and Paul is a barrister with Labor and Industry.
28:44
Elsie Thompson, nee Wells was Bill's wife and born in Cobar. Her family came up to Abermain when she was 8.
29:30
Father was publican at Sportsman's Arms, New Lambton - he played dominoes and cards.
32:14
Father worked at Neath Colliery
32:40
Harry Tudor
37:48
Cyril Williams - song master. Singing together promoted fellowship in Lions Club. Yarns were collected.
39:25
Freddie Hallam - "Bimbadeen" - reciting stories from memory in the style of Banjo Paterson.
43:12
Recalls betting on "place cards" - the Melbourne market. He had his own printing machine to print his own cards.
45:17
Arthur Tinkler, Harry Tinkler would bring in the cards.
Tape duration: 45:42
Thompson, William, 1904-1986PersonJack DelaneyDepicts or Relates ToFred HallamFrank ScanlonCollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSWLocation[1] Aberdare South Colliery, NSW[2] Abernethy, NSW[3] Cessnock, NSWIdentifier284Aloading google map....
Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010, Bill Thompson (1904-1986) - Bookmaker, Cessnock. Recorded 25 July 1980. Part 1/2., [284A]. Living Histories, accessed 30/09/2023, https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/55956