© 2018 Greg & Sylvia RAY

Militaria

Read more about the article William Fraser, cabinet-maker and photographer
William Fraser in one of his own trick photographs - taking his own picture.

William Fraser, cabinet-maker and photographer

Among the photographers active in Newcastle in the early 20th century, William Fraser deserves a special place. William might be described as a "semi-professional" photographer, since his main job was as a cabinet-maker, working from the Newcastle suburb of Hamilton. The body of work he produced in both spheres was impressive, and numerous examples of his skilled craftsmanship survive. William FraserBritannia Fraser (nee Randall) William's parents were Charles Fraser (who had come from Scotland when he was seven) and Matilda (nee Pepper). The couple was living and working in Lindsay Street, Hamilton, when sixth child William…

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Read more about the article The Catalinas of Stony Creek
A Catalina flying boat at Stoney Creek, near Toronto, NSW, in 1947.

The Catalinas of Stony Creek

JOHN Cain was with his father, not long after the end of World War II, when surplus Catalina flying boats from the RAAF base at Rathmines were auctioned by the Australian Government's Disposals Commission. "I think it was Newcastle auctioneer Don McHattie who was working his way along the rows of planes and calling the auction from the back of a T-Model truck,’’ John recalled. He said his father, also named John, bought the planes with an idea to turn them into accommodation at Stoney Creek, near Toronto. ‘‘At the time he bought them, people said…

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Read more about the article A pleasant personal coincidence
My father on exercise with RAEME at Gan Gan, Port Stephens, in 1960.

A pleasant personal coincidence

WHEN my Dad got called up for National Service he ended up in a section with two other blokes named Geoff. The sergeant didn't like that. It was inconvenient having men with the same names. So one Geoff got to keep his name and other two were renamed on the spot by the sergeant. My Dad's name became "Sam" or "Sammy". Funny how the name stuck. Years later when I met blokes who been in the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) with Dad they honestly believed his name was Sam. Dad in uniform at…

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