ONE hundred years ago, Neil Jose was born in Meekatharra.
In 1918 his parents and Neil’s sister Nancy and his brother moved to Bakers Hill and settled on a 1000-acre property.
Neil attended the Bakers Hill Primary School till 1926 when he went on to complete his education at the Northam High School.
The aspiring young man’s hobbies included art and drawing.
His father was the chief carpenter at the Northam Flour Mill.
Upon completion of his schooling Neil and his brother ran a trucking company.
Neil was a member of the Voluntary Defence Corp from 1940 till his enlistment in the regular forces in 1941.
The Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) was raised and maintained in its early years by the RSL and later handed over to Army control.
It comprised men from every part of Australia and every walk of civilian life, volunteers originally unfit for combat in the regular forces, over the age limit or in reserved occupations or who were primary producers.
These men trained with makeshift rifles constructed roughly from tree branches with fixed bayonets, home-made bombs and for some time they only had civilian clothing.
Their primary role was to prepare road blocks, demolish bridges and piers, protection of air bases, industrial sites and fuel reserves, coast-watching and guerrilla warfare –all in readiness in case of an attack by the Japanese.
In 1941 Neil and his brother enlisted in the army for World War II.
Neil was in the famous 10th Light Horse Battalion but he received a telegram to say his brother Alf was ill and was being sent home but unfortunately his brother passed away.
Neil was discharged in January 1942 and returned home to run the trucking business and farm.
During his 65 years of residing in Bakers Hill, Neil was involved in the Bakers Hill Fire Brigade and became the first secretary when the Bakers Hill Brigade was officially formed in 1952.
He was the first fire control officer to be appointed for the then Northam Roads Board, as shires were known in those days.
He was also a founding member of the Farmers Union in Bakers Hill, and was president of the organisation as well as the Golf Club, P&C Association, IOOF Friendly Societies and the Wundowie Freemasons.
He was always willing to lend a helping hand when needed.
In 1978 Neil married Olga (deceased) and moved to South Australia where they raised a family.
Merv and Ann Ashman, Edward Seskas and Eddie’s sister along with 16 other West
Australians journeyed to South Australia to help Neil celebrate this amazing milestone.
A further 60 from the other states also made the journey.
Throughout all the hardships of life and no modern conveniences in the early days, this gallant gentleman reached a milestone that many only dream of.
Jose Road in Koojedda Heights was named in honour of Mr Jose senior (Neil’s father) who had a farm there.
Long-time residents and school mates Allen Brockman and Edward Seskas over the ensuing years have been in contact on a regular basis with Neil.
Congratulations, Neil.
