Dad originally qualified as a welder; spent the war years during the German occupation of the Netherlands driving a supply truck for the Germans. At least one or more persons from a family were made to work during the occupation. Mum worked for a factory in Nijmegen making boots for the German army. Mum (Adriana Maria nee Eggenhuizen) and her families home were bombed twice. We still have Dad's pass, id and ration coupons. Because there was a great shortage of housing after the war my parents decided to immigrate to Australia for a better life for themselves and my brother and myself. They both worked hard and I remember our first home in Alexander Road, Belmont. Virtually mainly bushland! Mum cooked on a primus stove that they bought out with them and we lived with the family who had sponsored us with 2 other male boarders! We then rented a home at 134 Surrey Road, Rivervale (where Mum also had 2 boarders); while our first family home was being built at 39 Surrey Road! Dad first worked at Kwinana, then drove for the original Beam Buses in Perth and then as a taxi driver (owner of his own cab) for most of his working life. He sold his plates and then started his own pest control business in Bunbury. He retired there. Once my brother and I went to school, Mum started working for the Media Room, for the Public Health Department as it was known then. They were originally located in the Royal Perth Hospital, moved to West Perth and then re-located to Victoria Park; she retired at 64. The family home was sold in 2000 when Adriana (known as Jean) moved to Albany to be with her daughter. Dad predeased Mum in 1993. Mum passed away 4 years ago in July 2008.

Sun 20 May 2012