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WELLSTEAD Andrew (Andy)

Andrew known as Andy was born in Albany c1897, son of John Wellstead of Bremer Bay. He enlisted in Belmont on 8 May 1916. Andy was a ‘single farmer’, aged 19 years. He embarked aboard the Port McQuarrie on 13 October 1916. Detailed to the Tunneling Battalion as a Runner. Wounded in Action in June 1917. Andy was awarded the Military Medal per the Commonwealth Gazette No. 95 27/1/18. He returned home on 23 July 1919.
Andrew married Delcie Elma Hymus (1902-1937) and they had six children: Kay, John, Lancel, Irma, Barbara and Francis.
In 1938 he spent some time at Repat with Wattie Williams and Clarrie Jones but returned to Gnowangerup.
Andy was a member of the VDC in Gnowangerup during WWII. Andy died in 1963 and is buried in the Presbyterian Section of the Gnowangerup Cemetery Grave No. 32. His wife Deleie who died 26 years carlier is also buried in the Gnowangerup Cemetery.

Family Records:

“Andrew was the eighth child and seventh son of John and Bridget Wellstead. He had a very basic education. In fact, he said that he learned more whilst staying, for a short time, in Hopetoun when he was a teenager, with his sister Mary Daniels, than he had learned previously.
Andy was a shepherd who helped look after the family's flocks. With his brother Ned, both children, not yet in their teens, rode for miles from home, with basic camping equipment, staying out for weeks and largely living off the land. Their camps were primitive, their food was cooked on an open fire and their shelter and beds were made from bushes where ever they happened to be. During the night, fire sticks were carried around the penned sheep to ward of the dingoes.

         

  ANDREW & DELCIE WELLSTEAD        #1

It is recorded in his diaries that Andy left Western Australia on Friday, October 13th, 1916. In service with the AIF, he was a runner in the Signal Section of the 44th Battalion, 11th Brigade. He also spent a period of time as a sniper. His twenty first birthday was spent in the front line. Andy was discharged in Perth on November 12th, 1919 after serving 3 years and 222 days, of which 2 years 351 days were served overseas. On their return, a welcome home party was given for him and his brother Ned, at Inglebourne, Borden, the home of their cousins.
After his return home, Andy worked on the family property at Bremer Bay - tending sheep, shearing and the usual farm chores. In 1923 he purchased some land adjoining the block his father had purchased for him while he was away at the war and he named it "Haxby" , after a village, just north of York in England, where he had spent many happy days whilst on leave during the war. Haxby is 21 miles (34 kilometers) south east of Borden, between Petersham and Jamvale.
Andy was a great horse man and used horses for work and as a means of transport. He was a great dancer and the girls vied for the privilege of dancing with him. He rode many miles to the local dances at Inglebourne, leand, Woolaganup, Moana and Mongup, w here they danced all night and enjoyed picnics the following day, everyone having a wonderful time.
On January 19th 1925, Andy married Delcie Elma Hymus Harris, younger sister of Kathleen Harris. Sadly, with six children and only nine years later Delcie had a heart attack and was in hospital from June until October, in 1934.
These were very difficult times for Andy as all six children were aged between one and seven years. On January 6th, 1937 Delcie was buried in the Gnowangerup Cemetery.
In 1937, Andy purchased his first utility, which made a great difference to the family as they were more mobile in their movements. The depression years were at their peak and living was dependent on being self-sufficient.
The family, however, always had ample supplies of fresh vegetables, fruit in season, poultry, eggs and milk, that were produced on the farm. Sheep were valuable for their wool, so the family depended on kangaroo and other wild game for their meat.
Without Delcie, Andy carried on raising his children, with the help of his mother-in-law and other hired help. As the years passed, the farm continued to develop, the children became adults and left home to make their own way in life. The eldest, John, stayed on to work the property with his father.
As Andy grew older, he was able to spend time fishing and playing cards with his brothers Jack, Ned and Fred and enjoy the company of his twenty two grandchildren.
Andy must have been a sentimental soul for placed in between the pages of his mother's birthday book, given to her in 1883 by his father John Wellstead, is a tree leaf. Written on that leaf is “with love dear mother, from her loving son Andrew.
On October 6th, 1963, Andy died, in Perth aged sixty six years and is buried in the Gnowangerup Cemetery.”

 

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

 

References:                 Article:       ‘The Wellstead Family  1820 - 1998 - A Genealogical Record and brief History of an early Bremer Bay family by John and Pat Wellstead’

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024