Bill Alcock (1906-1989) - Chief Clerk at Bellbird Colliery. Part 2 of 4. Recorded 27 December 1983

002B Bill Alcock Recorded 27 November 1983

Time period covered: 1906-1950s

McGarvey discussion and anecdote - Vern Peart and Gil Peart worked at Millfield. Vern was driving for Peter Phillips.
There were sometimes 5 buses coming from the pictures at Abernethy.
Bill Olsen – he married a McGarvey. Mrs McDonald on Aberdare Road sold onions.
Rab Lewis. He came to the area because his father put up the money for the business.

John Sneddon– Secretary to the Mines Rescue Station.

Discussion about early local barbers - Maurie King. Fred Sams.

Discussion about early local blacksmiths– the miners had to bring home their drills and got them sharpened at the smithy. Simpson was "the big one".

Recollection of local swimming hole - There was a big hole where you could catch perch, it was between the sawmill and the butter factory. They used the water to steam the boiler for the mill and also for the butter factory.
There was a spring water hole where the Tech College was in the 40's. There was the Oddfellows Hall there too.

Visit to Newcastle Herald offices – and the City Library to research history.

"Back to Abermain" Day - Ivy, Annie and Elsie Endine – involved with the choirs. Ivy married Bob Beverely late in life.
One of Les Brown's sister was a music teacher. Nance Pollack lived in Abermain all her life and married Alec Pollack who worked for South Maitland Railways in the 30's. He worked earlier at Abermain pit.
The McDonalds – Sandy Creek and the Reynolds.
Bill's career as a bread carter. He was in the main Coop store for 6/7 years. JJ Hilson asked him if he had a driver's license. Billy Blinkhorn was the manager and then Alec Brown took over the managership. AJ offered him to move to hardware. Bill was in boots. AJ suggested he get his license. Miller the dentist. AJ asked to drive at £5 and he was in his 20's.

Anecdote while in hospital

Recollection of J.J. Hillson's bread run

Details of bread run -His wife was working at Ranson's hardware at Cessnock and Newcastle.

Married, 1933

Wife worked at Mawson's hardware - His wife was working at Ranson's hardware at Cessnock and Newcastle.

46:25
End (Tape 2/Side B) Part 2 of 4