The Reed Family Picture Album (as drawn by Les)

You will have noticed by now all of Bobby's "smart-arse" comments, as recorded by Les.

In later years (the '50s and '60s), Les gave memorable parties at his wonderful home in Ascot Vale. As was usual in those days, the ladies sat inside delicately sipping Pimms or Red Tulip. The men stood outside (around a niner), roaring with laughter. It was Bobby who always provided the life of the party. He could tell jokes without pause for hours on end. Never forgot a punchline. Always a master of delivery.

What was surprising was that the 3 Reeds (Syd, Les and Bobby) could team-up and deliver the most awesome and hysterical music hall skits. They were a class act. I guessed later that Syd and Bobby would have picked up much of this humour from their WWII years, and initiated Les when they came back home.

Typical of these younger Reed lads was this prime example. At one of the wedding breakfasts of my cousins, Dot noted (thin-lipped) the amount of beer being drunk at her table (which included Les, Syd and Bobby). Bobby quickly responded: "Cripes, Les! Dot thinks we're not keeping our end up! Come on, mate -- more beer!" [Needless to say, Dot was NOT amused.]

The day the "Zipee" gold trainer broke. Dad is practising his golf swing when the training apparatus broke. "I think we will go inside now", he promptly said. Bobby (never one to let a golden moment slip by unrewarded) shouts: "Golly! Right on top of Mrs Blackburn's roof!"

Tip-cat. If you are wondering how to while away a lonely hour, look up "tip-cat" and "knurr" in Google. I thought it might be a primitive version of rounders, but in fact it is quite different. Enjoy!

Hockey practice for Els. When Dad saw Colin Patterson coming with stick a-swinging, he decided it was safer to keep running, and finished up through the back fence, knocking off 2 palings as he did so.

More hockey practice for Els. As usual, the Reed sportsmen take this thing seriously and "bully" for all they are worth. Did Els benefit thereby? Maybe ... She would have learnt some subtle moves and some downright crafty plays from her kinsmen.

Versatile Dad: Hairdresser and chess player.

Dad was also a bootmaker and business man and writer extraordinaire.

Syd saves that precious vase -- again! And earns our applause.

Sports day at home. Les is the champion at javelin (bamboo) throwing. Len is the long jump expert and Bobby (the smallest of the children) excelled at high jump. Syd was the boy for hop, step and jump.

Making the Christmas decoration rings (using strips of coloured paper and glue made from flour/water paste).

End to end football. But it more closely resembles "Keeping-off-Bobby".

Our Earliest Memories
with Syd's memories presented in a longer format elsewhere

Bobby: When a toddler, Els and Thelma Pope bathed me and my head went under the water. But the girls rescued me, with much scolding and cuddling.
When I was baptized by Rev. Raymond, I gave a replay of the head-wetting while washing the dinner dishes (much to Mum's disgust).
On our first holiday to Sorento (I was 5 or 6) I can recall being undressed for a paddle behind the parasols.

Les: My earliest recollection of life was the big domed well in the backyard at Queenscliff. Also with my checked romper suit on falling in the rock pools at Queenscliff and Syd going on ahead to the house and swinging on the gate, much to Dad's annoyance.
Sitting on the potty on the bricks yelling out: "Dun dem!" while cricket balls whistled past me at 100 mph. Never knew the boys were so hard of hearing.
Syd taking a "speedie" tablet and whilst the milk, honey, jam, bread etc disappeared, the speedie always remained.
I vividly remember Ern's 21st birthday party.

Els: Mother said that Ern (as a toddler) called her Mummy Rose.
When I was about 10 or 11 years of age, Dad told Ern and Ron that they were to polish the shoes of their sisters, which they did for many years.
I remember being called "fussy" about food.

Ron: My very earliest clear recollection is that of seeing Halley's Comet in 1910. Dad was very interested in Astronomy and would point out various stars and constellations to us.

Ern: Among my earliest recollections were the dog "Bob" and the cat "Jim" we had at Crook Street, and the small back yard in that property where Dad grew roses.
Visits to Mother's mother, and to other relations living in Brunswick.
Gas lamps (not too many) in the streets being brought to light by a man on a bicycle, who performed the task with a long stick. Then the coming of electric light to Crook Street and adjoining area.