Memories of my Parents, John Joseph Doudle and Alice Cora Wilson
Written by Kathleen (Kit) Paech (nee Doudle)
John Joseph Doudle
B: 8-Sep-1872, Sheringa, South Australia
D: 11-Jan-1951, Port Augusta, South Australia
Alice Cora Wilson
B: 22-Feb-1888, Warrow, South Australia
D: 28-May-1976, Port Lincoln, South Australia
John was born on Sept 8, 1872, eldest son of Mary and John.
Married at the age of 35 to Alice Cora Wilson who was 20 years of age at Coulta Hall by Rev Ernst Piper. Bridesmaid Rebecca Rose Wilson, Best man Walter James Kennett. Alice is the daughter of Harold Cornelius and Emily Wilson of Warrow. When first married they lived at “Oakvale” Mount Hope, where eldest daughter Emily Mary was born (later property of Bill Mahoney, now Ron Mahoney). John was a shearer, told us of shearing, with blades of course, on property at Gawler Ranges.
Later they lived in cottage next to hall, near Horace Puckridge house, now only ruin of walls. Also lived on property of Oliver Jacobs ½ mile south of Coulta. (Lebrun) Dad worked farm, mother conducted boarding house, Doctor Goode kept medicine chest there and consulted there, can only suppose, at periods. On 31st Dec 1918 his mother, resigned as Postmistress position she had held from 1882, 36 years. Post Office transferred to John and was conducted at his home. On her death of his mother May 29, 1920, family moved to her home on township of Coulta. Post Office due to some controversy remained at former residence.
Brother-in-law Billy LeBrun built two stone rooms, in 1923, when Post Office was again transferred and conducted in one of new rooms, work of Post Office was done by mother, she was appointed Postmistress Jan 1, 1936, she retired at 72 years of age, Post Office then transferred to daughter Kathleen (Kit), who served in that position until office closed Dec 31, 1981. Family service very nearly 97 years.
Marriage certificate gives mother occupation as dressmaker, seems to me she was just that most of her life, making clothes for her family and friends. Her natural ability, plus keen colour sense, served with combination, to make our clothes colorful and attractive.
John was of middle height, stickily build, blue eyes, his humor was a bye word; always saw the funny side of a story, or situation. He was a kindly man, sincere and loyal friend, but not averse to leg pulling, most times believed because “jack told me”, was almost accepted as gospel truth. He was a shearer, working as far afield as the Gawler Ranges.
When, with Brother Bill, friend John Foster of “Poona” decided to butcher beef, each too share, Dad and Uncle Bill butchers recall on one occasion, Mr. Foster bought two animals to Coulta for killing of one. Dad, as the best shot, took aim; shot ricocheted off horn, resulted two carcasses, as beats could easily dress anything from 4, 5, 6 or more hundred pounds. Kitchen must have resembled a meat market, Aunt Nell and mother would prepare tins of brine, to preserve beef, to me seem to be for ages still not over Keen of Corn Beef!
As a carrier, with his Graham truck, his quite remarkable memory, served him in good stead, he rarely seemed to carry lists for goods to be collected although mother felt at times that if he did forget something, it usually was her goods!
I believe he officiated as MC at local dances, but did not dance himself.
We had one of the first radios in the district, or wireless, as it was known, an Oliver J Neilson mantle model. When the famous “ghost” broadcast of test cricket, Australia v England, but kitchen was crowded with family and friends listening in till 3am, then open fire place, the kettle on the wood stove, with a “cuppa” and eats, at each cricket break, conversation, naturally cricket! Doudle’s always known for their love of the game, even to playing family game v the Agars family only one not of Doudle name in their teams, was Ray LeBrun, and his mother was a Doudle.
Coulta, at one time boasted a well laid out golf course, I believe Jack Briggs designed and helped to prepare course. Dad and mother, Rene and Neill all played golf; I had my first hit with golf stick then too.
Another instance of Dad’s excellent memory, I had at school to have copy of poem, by Adam Lindsay Gordon “To My Sister”, was unable to find copy, so dad told me to get pencil and paper, he then recited entire poem to me, besides his love of poetry, his love of music, especially Irish tunes and jigs, something else he has passed “on” to his family. He use to love the bagpipes, so that music was always popular on our wireless. He was an avid fan of the broadcasts of wrestling matches from Adelaide.
He travelled via M.V. Minnipa to Adelaide for annual holidays, liked to make the Test Cricket, was present at match when Woodville and Oldfield were struck by ball from Larwood, he was most incensed by incident. His return home from holidays was awaited with great anticipation, his case always contained gifts for us all; remember them as being really great! He and mother always stayed at the Grosvenor, where his sister, Beth was housekeeper, nephews Jim and Doug were porters.
Mother was an attractive lass, with grey eyes and dark hair, lovely complexion, which she was to retain throughout her lifetime, even when her hair turned to silver, she still was a fine looking woman. Fond of pretty colorful clothes and liked a perm in her hair.
Mother often acted as mid-wife, called on for advice in case of sickness in district. Help she readily gave. She had two babies at home then I remember both premature, a son lived only short time, Reo or Leo is buried in cemetery near Granny Mary and Beatrice was also premature. 3lbs. Aunt Annie acted as Mid-wife. Bernice was fed with an eye dropper and her first bottle was an essence of lemon bottle. I was born in a nursing home, Port Lincoln, weighing 2 ½ lbs, a month premature, what careful and dedicated nursing mother must have given to us. She had eleven pregnancies, rearing seven children. So life was not easy for her.
I remember her telling us of her first experience at making bread after her marriage, the dough refused to rise, so she buried it in the garden, next day dad came in and asked what was the big mushroom in the garden, the sunshine made the dough rise!
She was blessed with a “green thumb” and was keen gardener through her life, till her last illness. I always said she could poke a stick in the ground and it would grow, in fact she did, on one occasion, used cutting from fruit trees for stakes and they promptly flowered!
She was instrumental in formation of Coulta Branch of CWA, was Foundation President Position she held for 10 years, other offices following years. Her handicrafts were much admired, and were a joy for her. Her entries in Branch, Group and State competitions were always highly rewarded, was an accredited handicraft demonstrator and judge. Her love of craft has been inherited by members of her family. Coulta Branch awarded her service of Life Membership.
Her life time friendship, with her school friend Ella Foster, continued the long family association of the Doudle’s and Foster’s, their granddaughter Elaine further cementing the link, when she married Charles, son of Ella and John Foster.
Well remember our was days, large tubs, scrubbing board, on back verandah, and cooper round the corner, the making of soap. She always made jam sauce, pickles and bread. The coolgardie on the verandah was a real bon, cool drinks lowered by rope down the well to keep cool. The ever present waterbag during summer months. Can almost taste the canvas flavor! A cow or two were to be milked, calf or two to be fed, with a pet lamb thrown in.
Our parents gave us a wonderful childhood, can only remember couple of dissensions, once when Dad killed Billy, the pet lamb, Mother refused to eat the meat. When wireless needed replacing with cabinet model, Mother wanted a Stromberg Carlson, Dad brought home on trial a Healing. Oh Boy! The silence was deafening! Mother must have “won” because a Stromberg Carlson, From Arthur Rau, Cummins, was duly installed.
In his later years Dad suffered severe attacks of asthma. Once again Mothers role was nurse her devoted care, including learning the art of giving injections to aid the attacks of distressing disease. He passed away in Port Lincoln on Jan 11, 1951 aged 78 years 4 months. And is buried in the new cemetery at Coulta, where mother is also laid to rest, her passing in Port Lincoln Hospital May 28, 1976 aged 88 years and 3 months.