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Elsie May RANKIN,¹ daughter of Alfred William RANKIN (1881-1954) and Lillian May ABBOTT (1885-1919), was born on 24 Mar 1919 in Bangalow, NSW.² born 15/5/1918 a/c to. Elsie married William Frank KNIGHT on 17 Feb 1942 in Sydney.² married 14/2/42 a/c to. Elsie died on 21 Jun 1983 in Sydney.^{2 2} M.

Elsie was a dancing instructress when she met Bill.³

William Frank KNIGHT, son of Edward Arthur KNIGHT (1895-1972) and Margaret Harken MACDONALD (1899-1927), was born on 24 Mar 1918 in Mosman, Sydney.⁴ He was a Fitter & turner. He was Methodist. He died on 8 Oct 2003 in Laurieton, NSW. He was buried on 14 Oct 2003 in Taree Crematorium, NSW. Service in Manning GReat Lakes Memorial Gardens Crematorium.

Bill was named William Frank after his uncle, in case his uncle did not return from the War.

He was living as a boy at the corner of Spring St.and Short St., Birchgrove. Photo's from his album show him playing with his first cousin Norma Sievwright when very young.

His humour was ever-ready. During Kerry Knight-Robertson-s nuptial mass wedding (Catholic), Don Knight, methodist, took communion. When brother Billy asked if he wanted to follow Billy said "he's a publican, I'm not that thirsty".

Bill and his brother Don were living at Foucart St. Rozelle when their mother died. Then their Grandmother Annie Macdonald, who was a nurse looking after some old people, came to care for them at Foucart St. They then moved (by horse and cart!) to Thompson St., Drummoyne.Then to Broughton St.,Drummoyne where they had a garden in the Depression. Then to Edwin St., Drummoyne. Don went into the Navy at 17. Bill, who had lived at other family houses, including Rowntree St., and with his Aunty Else at 98 Curtis Rd.Balmain, got married from Edwin St. He was in the army at the time. Then he moved to Bondi, was sent to Ingleburn by the Army and luckily escaped going with the Battallion which went to Singapore. Bill went to Rozelle school, said he was the "youngest to pass the QC" and eventually to Drummoyne High School. When he was 16 he obtained a job at Lever's in Balmain. He worked at Mort's Dock as a fitter, was put off during the 1948 coal strike, then returned, and then worked as a fitter at McNiven's.

Bill's life was best described in this eulogy given by his son Ken in 2003.

"Dad’s early childhood was spent in the Balmain and Drummoyne districts of Sydney. Dads brother Don was born in 1925 and not long after this they lost their mother and both Dad and Don were raised by their Grandmother on their mother's side, who by all reports was a broad speaking Scottish lady who did not tolerate frivolity.

Dad would not talk much about his life except to say that things were tough and his Grandmother did the best she could for them both—though reading between the lines and hearing vague stories from relatives, they did indeed do it tough—as did a lot of people at that time.

Dad attended school in the Balmain and Drummoyne areas completing his schooling in 1933 with the Intermediate 'Certificate at Drummoyne High School where he attained A's and B's. Given that at the time it was the Great Depression period - Dad was lucky to gain an apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner, completing this in 1938.

Dad joined the army 19d) January 1942 and was discharged on 13th December 1945, [ never leaving our shores]. He was one of the lucky ones.

On the 14th Feb 1942 Dad married Elsie May Rankin and they went on to have three children in Lorraine, Christine and Ken, and remained married until Mum's death in June '1983.

After the war dad worked as a fitter with Mc Nivens icecream, also gaining 'his boilermakers license when that company was taken over by Lever Bros. He stayed with them until 1964 and then joined Balm-Paints at Cabarita as a Fitter/Boilermaker untiI his retirement in 1982.

Over the years dad enjoyed a lot of leisure activities—fishing, cricket , horseracing, Rugby League and Union, lawn bowls and dancing. On the fishing side of things he loved to go down to Lake Conjola with his mates from Levers and just kick back doing nothing but fishing and drinking. He wasn't too good at fishing but BOY could he drink – the family holidays were held at either Ettalong or Palm Beach.

Dad's job at Levers was the envy of all the other employees (about 500 of them). I know because I worked there for 12mths, got to know and talk to some of his workmates. He had this work shop area which 'was as big as a house’ with only him in it—it also had its own private entrance into a lane way—instead of having to go thru the main gates- Out 300mts from the Kent Hotel (where the film “Caddie” was made). They reckon he spent equal time between work and the pub. He said that was only fair!!

In 1950/60 he was sent to Lowood near Ipswich in Queensland to oversee the setting up of machinery for the NEW WONDER FOOD – Deb instant mash potato. He stayed there off and on for l8months , was then asked to move to Ballarat to head up the maintenance team at their factory. He declined- instead opting for a more lucrative position in the workshop with the back entrance near the pub.

After leaving Unilever (I think he was sprung once too often in the pub) he continued to associate with his mates from there going to the S.C.G every Saturday for the match of the day and once the match of the day format finished he didn’t go to another League Game.

The same crowd would gather in summer months to have a punt with the S.P.Bookie and get dressed up in their suits and take their wives to each Epsom and Doncaster Days — this practice continued for many years.

Dad played minor grades 3rds\4ths with Drummoyne Rugby Union in the late 30’s, although I can’t imagine his skinny legs in footy shorts. The photos are around somewhere.

Dad’s love of cricket is my earliest or most vivid memory of him — He would often go to the S.C.G or Sheffield Shield Games and the Test Matches, he would take me along sometimes- sit me on the wooden seats in front of the hill with a drink and a packet of chips while he said he had to see someone and would not be long. He would always come back to see me during drinks and lunch breaks. I guess the bar was too crowded then.

Through his youth Dad played cricket with teams from Drummoyne and after the War played in a Sunday comp. with Eastern Park Cricket Club- this competition was played in a social atmosphere even though it was a competition and OH YES there was a keg on tap.

He gave cricket away for some years and then became interested in the late 60’s and became secretary of the J.W.S/Bayview Club at Gladesville and continued in that role until the 80’s when with no players the club folded. During this time he was also Secretary of the Gladesville District Cricket Ass. and again Sec. of the Combined Gladesville Dist. C.A and Balmain C.A. when they merged. If any of our teams were short a man Dad would help out fielding even though in his late 50’s early 60’s.

In the late 6o’s Mum and Dad decided to try Forster as a new holiday destination and it became their favourite spot , coming up twice a year for holidays - one in particular stands out [tell story]

After dad retired he decided lawn bowls would be a good sport and so even though he had played for some years before he started to get involved in the running of the Putney/Tennyson Bowling Club which was run on a voluntary basis from the president down and committee members had to do voluntary hours behind the bar. Dad became secretary of the registered club. During his tenure rum purchases skyrocketed , however when compared to sales there was a marked discrepancy

DAD LOVED RUM.

There is a photo of dad’s father at a Mort’s Dock Xmas party of the early ’20,s sitting at a table with his work mates- carved in one of the heavy beams above the table was “TED KNIGHT RUM KING”. If his father was the King Dad was surely the “PRINCE” of rum drinkers.

He loved rum that much that he would drink it with a dash of cloves just so Mum wouldn’t think he had been drinking it, the theory the cloves would mask it ---it didn’t work—--she knew.

During the latter years he was also Secretary of the Gladesville R.S.L. Bowls Club, a job he enjoyed doing as it meant an excuse to be at the club — not that he needed an excuse.

He was always an active person-not strenuous stuff- he enjoyed walking- he never had a car license- it would not bother him in the slightest if he had to walk 5klm. If there was no transport he would set off on foot—people would stop and offer him a lift —most times he’d decline saying it was exercise and besides it made him thirsty. He liked the layout of Forster. He would walk from the Lakes and Ocean to Forster Bowls Club then the R.S.L up to the Golf Club then off to the Tavern and on to Pipers Bay no doubt having a OP rum and a middy of black at each stop and he would tell you the difference in price at each location.

Dancing was another of his and mum’s favourite pastimes with Saturday nights and Sunday arvos spent at the Blue Rinse cutting a rug—as he would say. After mums passing in 1983 Dad continued to haunt the Blue Rinse and started dancing with fellow widow Jean Rust who became a very good friend to dad nursing him back to health after his Aortic Aneurism and his triple by-pass operations. They were good friends and it is ironic that they would both be affected by Alzheimers/dementia.

In November 2000 we decided to bring dad to Forster as his memory and behaviour patterns were erratic; we knew he was in the early stages of dementia. With him not knowing where he was or where the bathroom or bedroom was and couldn’t find his way back from down the street—some funny things happen to people when in this state —pyjamas/undies story.

Dad was a person who would avoid drama —if he was cranky you would know only by him pursing his lips and giving a sigh. He was a simple person who needed little in the way of material things, he had a ready grin for all and would always look for the positives in people.

Most of Dad’s friends and relatives have pre-deceased him with those still alive too old or frail to travel. Dad’s brother Donald died in 1995 and he has an uncle who is still here at 93yrs. of age Ken Knight senior.

To those who attended today especially those who have covered some distance to be here, and to those who rang to pass on their condolences and those who couldn’t be here I know that he would thank you, just as Lorraine, Christine and I do. Thank you.

To the staff at Camden/Haven Hostel who looked after Dad so well for the last years of his life we especially thank.

HE HAD A GOOD INNINGS WITH PLENTY OF LAUGHS.

WE’LL MISS HIM.^3,4,5,6"

William Frank KNIGHT and Elsie May RANKIN had the following children: