Dad was always known to his immediate family as Will. His friends called him Bill.
Will was born in Penrith NSW. His family moved to Byron Bay when he was a child. Will was the 2nd youngest of nine children. He grew up in Byron Bay and lived an outdoor life of adventure and fun. He loved fishing and was an expert marksman.
Will attended Byron Bay Primary School where he came first academically. However, the family was poor and on completion of his primary education he got his first job. He was 12 years old. Several years later he completed an apprenticeship as a hairdresser.
While attending a 21st birthday he met a beautiful, intelligent young woman, Lorna Olive. Their attraction was immediate and lifelong. They adored each other. They married and shortly after Jan was born, followed four years later by Gillian. I was born in 1950.
In 1942, the dark clouds of war had descended, and Will volunteered and was assigned to the 2nd/1st Artillery Regiment, part of the famous 6th Division. Later he joined the infantry and fought as a front-line soldier. He was a warrior. I hold the view that the war years defined his view of the world, but sadly, ultimately took such a toll that they destroyed his body. He was wounded and suffered the tropical diseases of malaria, scrub typhus, tropical ulcers and dysentery. He lost many friends during the war including two close mates. Will had little time for those who did not raise their hand to assist in the war effort. He once said to me that the worst of those who served were better men than the best of those who didn’t.
In 1942, the dark clouds of war had descended, and Will volunteered and was assigned to the 2nd/1st Artillery Regiment, part of the famous 6th Division. Later he joined the infantry and fought as a front-line soldier. He was a warrior. I hold the view that the war years defined his view of the world, but sadly, ultimately took such a toll that they destroyed his body. He was wounded and suffered the tropical diseases of malaria, scrub typhus, tropical ulcers and dysentery. He lost many friends during the war including two close mates. Will had little time for those who did not raise their hand to assist in the war effort. He once said to me that the worst of those who served were better men than the best of those who didn’t.
After the war he opened his barber shop in Jonson Street Byron Bay. He became known to all in the town as Bill the Barber and was well-liked and respected for his views. To assist in the social construct of a small town Will was influential in the establishment of the RSL and Legacy in Byron Bay. He also served as a Master of the Masonic Lodge. This he saw as important to assist injured war veterans and war widows in an era of restricted government aid. Similarly, he was part of the group who founded and literally built the Byron Bay Golf Course and converted a farm house into the original club house. He was elected a Life Member of the Byron Bay Golf Club. On the golf course he was popular and he was loud. One of his mates called him Leather Lungs.
Will was extremely intelligent, caring and a source of joy. I remember a strong, fun-loving man who was an avid reader and the source of diverse, philosophic and scholarly conversation. But mostly, I remember his love for us, his family. We were his priority and he constantly demonstrated that to us.
There was never much money but there was always an abundance of love, laughter, happiness and noise. He made us all so very happy.
He still makes me smile. I love him still. He died 53 years ago.
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