The Reed Family Picture Album (as drawn by Les)

Syd remembers his father: The father of us all and a remarkable achiever.

Joined Barrow Brothers as office boy and eventually owned the business. He spent his working life at Barrows apart from a short break when he was employed by the New Zealand Mercantile Company.

What he accomplished on a salary commencing with that of an office boy was remarkable. He provided for a family of nine, although the first born died just before his first birthday.

Our father saved enough to buy the pair of houses at 41 and 43 Crook Street Brunswick. Earlier our parents had rented a house in Frederick Street nearby.

[Continued at foot of this page.]

Syd makes a booking for a fishing trip with Mr Hutchins and interrupts his main meal. Mr Hutchins says: "It's a good man that knows when he's had enough."

Playing kick-to-kick on the Sorrento beach. Bobby is up against the combined forces of Ern, Ron and Les. Stan, Syd and Len have collected interesting specimens, as Mum, Dot and Els relax with some summertime reading.

The boys take in some Christmas shopping. They are outside Stringers Stores.

Sorry but the humour here escapes me: something about the length of the tennis match causing problems with the bootmaker. Syd, Ron, Els and Dot play doubles. They are watched by Les and Len ("Yes and if they play much longer the bootmaker will make us pay our money.") Stan is there with Ern ("This is a long set") and Bobby worries that there will be no money left for ice-creams.

Els brushes up on her cycling skills. Les tries to warn her of the impending collision with a bush, but is too late.

Whether by accident or design (an amusement for his siblings) Ern careered down the sandy slope on his elbows. Bobby notes: "3 steps and 5 mouthfuls. That's a record!" Els says: "What a funny way to come down a hill!" and Mum asks: "Why do they call this place Ern's elbow?"

Very frustrating! We never could get Syd out at French cricket.

Cam is fielding and reading just as the ball comes towards him. The Reeds are watching this game of cricket between the Priests and the Wattles. The fielder warns Cam to put his book down and the batsman shouts: "Come on! We'll get three out of this -- it's gone straight to Cam."

And a funny thing also happened on the way to Melbourne ("the Forum" is crossed out). Ron was a champion thrower of a cricket ball. Not bad with a motoring glove either. Ask Stan.

Swimming at Sorrento. Stan is splashing (as usual). Ron calls out: "Careful, Els. You trod on my toe as you swam past." Bobby shouts: "Look Les! Els taught me how to do the dead man's dive".

Syd remembers his father [continued] ...
When the World War 1914-1918 erupted, Mr Nelder (father of the Nelder household renting 41 Crook Street) enlisted, and our father allowed the Nelders to live in the hourse rent free.

When the family had grown too large for the small house, he purchased a roomy house at 11 Downs Street, West Brunswick, and later bought the block of land next door at 9 Downs Street.

The business of Barrow Brothers he build into one of the six most successful small businesses of its kind in Melbourne. Yet he found time to be a keen sportsman.