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Aub Johns (1902-1986) and Bill Johns (1892-1985) - Mineworkers. Recorded 22 June 1983. Part 4 of 4
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Summary321B Aub & Bill Johns
Recorded 22 June 1983.
​Part 4 of 4.
0:05
Jack is interviewing both Aub and Bill Johns (cousins). Bill was born in Copeland, 1892, his father was Thomas Johns (President of Kearsley Shire).
1:30
Thomas Johns worked at Pelaw Main Colliery. When Bill was 9 they moved to Kurri from Bulahdelah. Jack's father-in-law came from Bulahdelah, Harry Schultz.
2:45
They were one of the first houses built in Kurri town. It was on Edward Street, old Harry Avison lived a couple doors down. Jack recently interviewed Dorothy Avison (aged 89).
4:30
Bill first started at Pelaw Main Public School then moved to Kurri Public School when it opened in 1904. Henry Brown was the headmaster for both schools.
5:06
Bill's first job was at Pelaw Main on the pit top at 16 (never went below).
Married a girl from out of town who had friends in the area. They had one son, Kevin, who owns the house. His son also worked on the pit top.
6:37
Bill's father was a councillor and secretary of Kurri Kurri Hospital.
Bill's mother was Emma Elizabeth Gilbert and her father was Arthur Gilbert.
7:38
Bill's school mates. Workmates: Wal Brown who came from Mulbring.
9:40
Bill's siblings, total 3 girls and 2 boys: Toby Johns, Mary Smith nee Johns, Topsy Trevanof nee Johns (married George Trevanof), Evelyn Harmon nee Johns (married Oscar Harmon).
Aub's Uncle Jack Davis – Sunday night his Auntie had boiled onions. She was anaemic and they grew a lot of spinach for her.
13:30
When Bill was married he lived in Kurri on the other side of Cessnock street. After his wife died he moved back in with his father.
14:30
More about Bill's father's political activity, was secretary of Stanford Merthyr Lodge. Henry Morgan Williams was the manager. Deputised to take the member of parliament into the Bulahdelah ranges.
17:00
They are joined by Mrs. Beverley (nee Endean) her brother Jack Endean was a tailor and she worked for him for 22 years.
Jack Endean lived in David Street, Cessnock, next door to the Victor's. Vince Victor and Fred Victor.
20:20
Mrs. Beverley's husband was Bob Beverley, a clerk at Hebburn No.2.
Mrs. Beverley is busy with the Abermain Methodist Church. Neath Methodist Church is having their 75th Anniversary soon. Her brother Bob Endean.
25:36
Mrs. Beverley recalls the Cessnock 'flu epidemic' and having to wear masks on the train. Jack Endean had his shop on Vincent Street, Cessnock. They were in Reinhardt's boot store for a while.
27:23
Alf Fresto (Mrs. Beverley's brother-in-law) had a big Douglas bike. Mrs. Beverley was 36 when she got married and was very happy. She has a stepson. Billy Glynn's bicycle shop burned down.
28:28
Mrs. Beverley worked in Cessnock the day of the Bellbird disaster. “Black Saturday”. It was difficult keeping her sewing clean with all the coal dusts.
29:25
Tennis players: Edgar Searston, Alf Bristow played with Abermain, Jacksons, "Mallee" Chappell, "Chick" Chappell
Mrs. Beverley tells stories about her mother. Her father worked at Abermain No.1 as road layer. He was 81 when he died, worked until he was 70. Brother Joe Endean (blacksmith shop). Went to Abermain Public School.
34:00
Early Abermain, it was all "bag humpies". The Scorers, Cecil Scorer (bowler). Mrs. Beverley enjoys living in Weston. Abermain Methodist church was there when the family arrived. Weston church. George Endean.
38:55
Aub recalls pet cattle dog.
41:50
End of Tape 321 Side B, Part 4 of 4
Johns, Aubrey David, 1902-1986PersonJack DelaneyDepicts or Relates ToEdgar & Ilma SearstonJohns, William Arthur, 1892-1985Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010CollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSWDate Created22nd June 1983Location[1] Bellbird Colliery, NSW[2] Pelaw Main Colliery, NSW[3] Cessnock, NSWIdentifier321B
Recorded 22 June 1983.
​Part 4 of 4.
0:05
Jack is interviewing both Aub and Bill Johns (cousins). Bill was born in Copeland, 1892, his father was Thomas Johns (President of Kearsley Shire).
1:30
Thomas Johns worked at Pelaw Main Colliery. When Bill was 9 they moved to Kurri from Bulahdelah. Jack's father-in-law came from Bulahdelah, Harry Schultz.
2:45
They were one of the first houses built in Kurri town. It was on Edward Street, old Harry Avison lived a couple doors down. Jack recently interviewed Dorothy Avison (aged 89).
4:30
Bill first started at Pelaw Main Public School then moved to Kurri Public School when it opened in 1904. Henry Brown was the headmaster for both schools.
5:06
Bill's first job was at Pelaw Main on the pit top at 16 (never went below).
Married a girl from out of town who had friends in the area. They had one son, Kevin, who owns the house. His son also worked on the pit top.
6:37
Bill's father was a councillor and secretary of Kurri Kurri Hospital.
Bill's mother was Emma Elizabeth Gilbert and her father was Arthur Gilbert.
7:38
Bill's school mates. Workmates: Wal Brown who came from Mulbring.
9:40
Bill's siblings, total 3 girls and 2 boys: Toby Johns, Mary Smith nee Johns, Topsy Trevanof nee Johns (married George Trevanof), Evelyn Harmon nee Johns (married Oscar Harmon).
Aub's Uncle Jack Davis – Sunday night his Auntie had boiled onions. She was anaemic and they grew a lot of spinach for her.
13:30
When Bill was married he lived in Kurri on the other side of Cessnock street. After his wife died he moved back in with his father.
14:30
More about Bill's father's political activity, was secretary of Stanford Merthyr Lodge. Henry Morgan Williams was the manager. Deputised to take the member of parliament into the Bulahdelah ranges.
17:00
They are joined by Mrs. Beverley (nee Endean) her brother Jack Endean was a tailor and she worked for him for 22 years.
Jack Endean lived in David Street, Cessnock, next door to the Victor's. Vince Victor and Fred Victor.
20:20
Mrs. Beverley's husband was Bob Beverley, a clerk at Hebburn No.2.
Mrs. Beverley is busy with the Abermain Methodist Church. Neath Methodist Church is having their 75th Anniversary soon. Her brother Bob Endean.
25:36
Mrs. Beverley recalls the Cessnock 'flu epidemic' and having to wear masks on the train. Jack Endean had his shop on Vincent Street, Cessnock. They were in Reinhardt's boot store for a while.
27:23
Alf Fresto (Mrs. Beverley's brother-in-law) had a big Douglas bike. Mrs. Beverley was 36 when she got married and was very happy. She has a stepson. Billy Glynn's bicycle shop burned down.
28:28
Mrs. Beverley worked in Cessnock the day of the Bellbird disaster. “Black Saturday”. It was difficult keeping her sewing clean with all the coal dusts.
29:25
Tennis players: Edgar Searston, Alf Bristow played with Abermain, Jacksons, "Mallee" Chappell, "Chick" Chappell
Mrs. Beverley tells stories about her mother. Her father worked at Abermain No.1 as road layer. He was 81 when he died, worked until he was 70. Brother Joe Endean (blacksmith shop). Went to Abermain Public School.
34:00
Early Abermain, it was all "bag humpies". The Scorers, Cecil Scorer (bowler). Mrs. Beverley enjoys living in Weston. Abermain Methodist church was there when the family arrived. Weston church. George Endean.
38:55
Aub recalls pet cattle dog.
41:50
End of Tape 321 Side B, Part 4 of 4
Johns, Aubrey David, 1902-1986PersonJack DelaneyDepicts or Relates ToEdgar & Ilma SearstonJohns, William Arthur, 1892-1985Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010CollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceCessnock, NSWDate Created22nd June 1983Location[1] Bellbird Colliery, NSW[2] Pelaw Main Colliery, NSW[3] Cessnock, NSWIdentifier321Bloading google map....
Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010, Aub Johns (1902-1986) and Bill Johns (1892-1985) - Mineworkers. Recorded 22 June 1983. Part 4 of 4, [321B]. Living Histories, accessed 04/10/2023, https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/55997