Family of Harry Edwin and Martha Emma Best


Oswald Henry

Os & Jane Oswald Henry was born in 1892 at Broke, near Singleton, NSW. He worked as a drapery shop assistant and married Jane Ager at Dulwich Hill, NSW, in 1915, They lived at Wellington St Croydon. They had one son, Jack, born 1916.

Os enlisted in June 1916, two months after his son was born. He was then described as 5'-6" tall, 126 lb, fresh complexion with blue eyes and light brown hair. He had no previous military experience and went into training at Dubbo and Liverpool NSW before sailing on 24th April. He disembarked at Plymouth in August 1917 and spent three months at 1st Training Battalion, Durrington, then six weeks attending an Infantry Officers' school at Tidmouth. In February 1918 he went to France, getting off to a bad start by failing to comply with Battalion Special Order No. 29 re Dress, for which he lost his Acting Lance Corporal rank. He joined The 4th Battalion on 4th March and was wounded in action on 13th April (gunshot wound to thigh), resulting in hospitalisation and convalescence for more than two months.

One week after rejoining his unit in August 1918, he was admitted to hospital for a further two months. He served with 4th Battalion from October until his return to England in May 1919, apart from a period at the Brussels Leave Club. He returned to Australia in July and was discharged on 6th October 1919.

While Oswald was away, Jane and young Jack lived with Mrs Ager (her mother) at Cornwell Park, Grafton, NSW. Later they lived at 7 Macgregor St, Croydon, NSW.

Os, shortly before his death Oswald died at Croydon in 1961. Funeral notices included one from the Pratten Park Bowling Club and from Lodge Morgan No 609 UGL, of which he was a member.





Parents





Family of Os and Jane Best

Jack & Hope Jack was born at Katoomba and grew up at Armidale and Burwood. He attended Fort Street Boys High School and became an accountant. He was first employed at Mort Street Ship Builders. This was a reserved occupation so he had no war service.

In 1942, Jack married Hope Morris and they lived at Eastwood. He later worked at Alcan Aluminium until his retirement in 1975. In retirement, they moved to Port Macquarie NSW. Jack died in 1999. He died in his sleep, cause unknown, but had had a long history of coronary disease.





Jack and Hope had three daughters.