Lithgow Mercury, 23 June 1933, Page 26 David Leake was born in the Coal Mining region of Brownhills, Staffordshire, England, on Christmas Day, 1856; the second son of coal miner, John Leake (32) and Mary (31) (nee Wright). In the 1871 Census of England, David and his siblings were living with their mother in WolverhamptonContinue reading “Five Generations at The Vale”
Author Archives: Susan Dale
Annotated Map: Looking Back in Time
Vale of Clywdd, Lithgow, New South Wales Australia Some years ago, I created this annotated map in memory of My Great Grandparents, David and Mary Ann Leake who settled here in 1880. The home that they built remained in the family until my Aunt Della passed away in the 1980’s. I have many happy memoriesContinue reading “Annotated Map: Looking Back in Time”
David Leake 1856 – 1933
I have several photos of my great grandfather, David Leake. One in particular, taken towards the end of his life, draws me to him. He looks thoughtful, possibly reflecting over his life. He was born in 1856, in Staffordshire, England, the second son of coal miner, John and Mary.[1] It was a time of huge change, both socially and economically.Continue reading “David Leake 1856 – 1933”
SYDNEY TO LITHGOW
The Blue Mountains were a significant barrier to the development of rail travel to the west of NSW. The railway line had only reached Lithgow in 1869, following the construction of the section known as the ‘Zig Zag’ built to allow the steam trains to descend the steep terrain leading down into the Lithgow ValleyContinue reading “SYDNEY TO LITHGOW”
Moving into Tarragal Glen
Tuesday 5 December, 2003 Today our furniture and countless number of boxes of ‘things’ were finally delivered to our new Villa in the very pretty Tarragal Glen Retirement VIllage at Erina in the Central Coast of NSW. It has been a HUGE day, and we are now relaxing, feeling totally exhausted in our caravan backContinue reading “Moving into Tarragal Glen”
MEMORIES OF MY FIRST FLIGHT
My Uncle Ted first introduced me to the magic of aeroplanes and flight back in 1951, when he took me to an air show at Bankstown airport. With the dim distance of time my memory of that day is very sketchy. I do recall the dust, smell, sounds and excitement of seeing the planes takeContinue reading “MEMORIES OF MY FIRST FLIGHT”
all about wendy
THE BREAD CROCK
Bushrangers and Gold
Whilst researching my Aldridge family history, I came across a framed copy of a page from the old ‘New Gulgong Advertiser’ on the wall of book shop in the town of Gulgong – the shop is no longer there, and I have not been able to find the article again. This is a copy ofContinue reading “Bushrangers and Gold”
The Clock – Gertrude Leake (Jones) my Grandmother
Gertie and her baby daughter, were home alone in their cottage in the Vale of Clywdd. Arthur was away working at the colliery down the Gap Road. It was a welcome diversion from the young mother’s daily routine when the old Indian hawker Ali Khan called by in his horse drawn waggon. She was hopingContinue reading “The Clock – Gertrude Leake (Jones) my Grandmother”
Sue's Scribbles 