Hackham centenarian puts pen to paper for her 100th

A Hackham centenarian has put pen to paper recalling her life and sharing it across four generations in a special celebration for her 100^th birthday.

Bolton Clarke Holly resident Gladys joined the Centenarian Club on 28^th August and now has more to add to the book about her life.

Born in Bermondsey, London, Gladys would only spend a few years in England before migrating to Australia in the late 1920s.

“Mum told me that things were very bad when she was young, there was no work so no money coming in and her dad used to bundle up pieces of wood and go door-to-door to earn something,” Gladys’ son Ashly said.

“He finally got work as a boiler maker and they asked if he wanted to go to Australia or America and so he chose Australia.

“They came out on a boat called Euripides and they were in what was called a steerage, which was basically at the bottom of the boat.

“They were on board for six weeks and they got off in Western Australia, originally living in Subiaco where her dad was working.”

Galdys started school at age five and recalls using slate and chalk instead of pen and paper.

“There was one stage where her mother was homesick, so they saved up 10 pounds to travel back to London before returning – this time to Adelaide,” Ashly said.

“Back then there were only three other houses in what was called Swansea, but is now Largs North. Mum says it was very lonely and looked out to swamp land.

“Mum was taken out of school on her 15^th birthday to find a job and got work at John Martin’s in the toy department.”

Once word of World War II broke, Gladys joined the ammunitions factory at Woodville and her soon-to-be husband Cliff was called to service in Papua New Guinea.

“After two years, mum got a telegram saying dad was coming home for 28 days leave and during that time off in 1944, she spoke with her father, and they got permission to get married.

“Because it was during the war there was little access to bridal gear, mum had to go across Adelaide to hire out a wedding dress.

“They could only get one set of photos, so my mum gave my dad a wallet-sized photo of her.”

The great grandmother’s biggest birthday yet was celebrated with her family and the Holly team in what she says was a special moment to share with her loved ones.