His generosity in this manner was recognized by the people of Nyabing and Pingrup when he brought his bride home in 1926. At a social evening, they were presented with a pine wood kitchen dresser filled with crockery and many other gifts. This dresser remains a cherished possession of Elsie Firth, who regards it not only as a useful piece of furniture that has accompanied them through their long married life but also as a symbol of the togetherness of country people in those early farming days.
By this time, Jack had taken up his own block, three miles out from the township, with Viv Langley as his neighbor on one side and R. M. Jury on the other. He built his own house and did a commendable job of it, with jarrah face cuts and hessian for walls and ceilings. In an era when kerosene tins and cases were widely used to construct household effects and furniture, the Firth home was unique in that even the chimney was fashioned from kerosene tins, and very neatly so. The Depression years were just ahead, and when Jack's first wheat crop was ready for sale, the price of wheat dropped overnight from 4/6d. to 1/7d. a bushel. Although it was only a small crop, he looked forward to it eagerly to help develop the farm. Like others of mettle, he picked up the pieces and carried on. He found time for community service, serving as first assistant secretary and later secretary of the local Agricultural Society.
He was a member of a dance band and also took part in a concert group that was formed locally. He was an active member of the Wheatgrowers' Union when it was established in the years between the Depression and the war. During the war, he ran his farm single-handedly, built gas producers for farm trucks, burned charcoal from mallee roots, and additionally ran a weekly mail service between Nyabing and Pingrup. By the end of the war, mechanics appealed to him more than farming, so he decided to change his occupation. In 1946, he sold his farm and obtained a job as a mechanic with the Gnowangerup Road Board. This move was intended as a stepping stone to the city, but Gnowangerup claimed the hearts and interests of Jack and Elsie, so they remained there for more than 20 years until Jack retired.
From mechanic, Jack progressed to being in charge of the Power House and the supply of electricity to the town and nearby farming areas. Later, when the S.E.C. took over the supply of power to the district, he worked alongside outside contractors to bring aerial sets up to the required standard. Upon returning from long service leave in 1956, Jack decided to establish his own business as an electrical contractor. In the years that followed, he did much electrical work throughout the shire of Gnowangerup and beyond. Always a man who took pride in his work, he insisted that even the hidden wires in the ceiling be as neat and exact as any exterior visible work. He was well-liked and respected by his colleagues and coworkers.
His principal community service in Gnowangerup was with the hospital board, of which he was a member for 16 years, spending seven of those as chairman. In 1977, he received a certificate of appreciation for this service from the State Government. He was also a driver for and a committee member of the St. John Ambulance. No matter how brief a history is being written, it would not be complete without mentioning his association with the Gnowangerup Repertory Club. Very soon after his arrival in 1946, Mrs. Rowe drew Jack into her group of players. "The Sport of Kings" was probably the play under production at that time, followed some time later by Ian Hay's "The Middle Watch," in which Jack played the role of Able Seaman Ogg, who, with his holey socks, was the subject of street banter for days afterward... "Hasn't your wife darned your socks yet?" Whether as an actor, producer, scenery builder, or lighting expert, he was always at the forefront of Repertory work.
Upon his retirement, Jack and his wife moved to Perth, where he became involved with the Royal Western Australian Historical Society and spent some time at Nedlands repairing and restoring various articles of value to the Society. One item he dealt with was a small writing desk that had been the possession of one of the Bussel ladies who arrived early at the Swan River Colony. It was known that the desk contained a secret drawer, but no one knew where it was or how to open it. With his capable hands, Jack found it and thus provided a most interesting exhibit for the Society's displays. During this time, he also taught himself embossed copper work and produced a number of very excellent plaques.
Sadly John Firth died on February 2nd, 1980.
