Reginald Thomas Clark (1925 - 1979)

Born 16 Dec 1925 in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Died 8 Apr 1979 at age 53 in Box Hill North, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Reginald was born in 1925, Box Hill, Victorial.^[1] His mother, Elizabeth Rose was 31 yrs and father, Edward Allison was 40 yrs. He had an older brother William 'Allan' Allison born the year before. His younger sister, Elizabeth 'Betty' Beatrice would not arrive for another six years.

They lived in their home at 436 Station St, Box Hill South, his father a fruit and vegetable seller with a horse and cart travelling around the area to supply customers, later a storeman and groundsman at Swinburne Technical College.

Reg attended Box Hill South Primary School^[2] .

From here he went onto Swinburne Technical College,^[3] His 1939 Student report for First Year Technical Course, section 1G, final report states 'except for English, results are reasonably good, concentrate on the subject next year'. Then commenced an Electrical Mechanics apprenticeship with Dodd and Mckinnon Electrical Engineers Pyd Ltd, attending Electrical Mechanics evening clasess 1943 thru to end of 1945. ^[4]

During this time both he and his brother, Allan worked as part time firemen with the Box Hill Fire Brigade. This included sleeping nights at the station as well as as attending the Camberwell Cinema during opening hours which was the fire safety requirement at the time. Renumeration partly depended on the actual attendance at fire call outs, thus if the call out was heard by them they would endeavor to participate, dropping other activities they may have been involved with.

He played football with the St Peters Church of England, Box Hill, affiliated team.

It was around this time he was introduced to the Freemasons and became a life long member.

At the age of 23 yrs he married June Barbara Buzwell, 20 yrs, on the 15 December 1949, at the St Peters Church of England, Box Hill.^[5] Lived for a short time with June's parents, 15 Kintore Cres, Box Hill.

Four children.

For most of his career with Dodd and Mckinnon, Electrical Engineers and worked as head Electrician at Brockoff Biscuits, Burwood, but also at many locations around Melbourne and suburbs, one time to Broken Hill. Eventually promoted to Instillation Manager in his later years.

Early in his career he played tennis with the Brockoff Burwood Tennis Club.

Devoted to his family, working a six day week for many years. Later in life took up golf and became a member at the Anglesea Golf Club.

He passed away in 1979, from a heart attack at the age of 53 yrs.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria BDM Birth 831/1926
2. ↑ https://robmacps.vic.edu.au/why-are-we-called-robbie-mac/
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swinburne_University_of_Technology
4. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4019276?searchTerm=Dodd%20and%20Mckinnon%2C%20engineers
5. ↑ Vic BDM Marriages 25607 / 1949
6. ↑ Vic BDM Deaths 8911 / 1979

Personal recollection of events witnessed by Jason Clark as remembered 11 Feb 2022.