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This week we are revisiting the McNeill family, with a focus on John McNeill – for a number of reasons.
Firstly, jumping to the next generation brings us all closer to people we may know and those we remember.
Also, because I believe John was an interesting man with qualities that served him well.
He was not afraid of hard work; he knew our ‘busy little town’ very well indeed, and was aware of the opportunities it offered.
Just after starting at a new school, in a new town and a new country, John was offered a part-time job, delivering The Age to (what we now call) the CBD.
He left school at 11.30am to deliver his newspaper in time for his customers’ lunch breaks.
He kept this job, which paid three shillings a week, for two years, and he remembered the path he took, and his customers’ names into his last years.
When he turned 14, he was anxious to get into the workforce and he accepted two short-term jobs while looking for a trade – and a future.
Then he noticed a small sign in the window of Clydesdale Carriage Works – ‘Smart boy wanted’.
He went inside and came out with a job he really wanted.
John benefited a great deal from this apprenticeship, as he was able to learn all aspects of his craft.
And, tired of his long walks from Wheeler’s Lane (now Wheeler St) and home again, six days each week – he bought a bicycle.
World War interrupted and, when he turned 18, he enlisted in the A.I.F.
I can’t find a date on his discharge papers, but, fortunately, he didn’t leave Australia.
His first visitor, when he returned to Shepp, was an old friend, Bert Miller.
Bert’s father had a Coachworks and they offered him a job.
At this time, the business was transitioning to motor body building and John built the cabin and body for whatever purpose.
During his time with Millers, John purchased land in McCracken St (from Byrant and Shiel Brewery).
He wanted to build his house before his marriage.
Obviously, there was a young lady involved – and we’ll meet her shortly.
However, in 1923, John’s father, Hector, passed away.
For some years, he had been working on the Eildon Weir, and living in a tent.
He returned home when his health deteriorated and he passed away shortly after.
Hector had encouraged a love for music, in his son.
John had joined the army band, during the war, sang in the church choir and was involved in both the Orrvale and Shepparton Choral Societies.
In 1925, he married Lydia May Lyttleton Florey, who had come to Shepparton from northern NSW.
The couple met at the Baptist church where both families were involved with the choir.
The house that John built, in McCracken St, was complete, and he had even made all the furniture.
Shortly after, John purchased F.W. Fair’s coach building business in Fryers St.
The couple had four children – Stuart (1926), Heather (1930 and author of the book I am using), Glenice (1934 and a greatly valued ‘informant’ for Town Talk) and Bruce (1938, who became Mayor of Shepparton).
In 1939, John purchased land in High St in order to relocate his business.
Jessie (John’s mother), with three of her children, moved into a new home in Stewart St.
Jessie passed away in 1947 and Lydia May passed away in 1950.
John and his family moved into a new home in Maude St, around 1954.
John McNeill, the 12-year-old boy from Glasgow, lived in Shepparton for the next 82 years.
His first comment about our town had been “That’s the first time I’ve seen Murphy spelt with an ‘F’.”
John passed away in 1992.
I thank the McNeill family for their assistance — and particularly Maralyn Gribben, for trusting me with the precious book.
There is a great deal of information about Shepp, in its pages, and I’ll share that as soon as possible.
Take care and may it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317 187