Diary of Alf Brooks Visit to England 4th March, 1924 [A traveler’s diary of 1924] Alf Brooks 1924 This diary transcription was sourced from Stephan Groves of Yepoon in Queensland. The photograph on the front page is of Annie in the middle with Tom & Clara Brooks, an estimated date of 1910, courtesy of Ron Brooks of Kieraville, NSW. 1 This is my diary on my visit to England 4th March, 1924 Alfred Brooks [aged 63 - K.B.] I left my home “The Lindens” Barrengarry N.S.W. Australia, George taking me down to the road, also my luggage in the cream cart leaving Olive at home. Thus I started over 12000 miles journey and hope to get a pleasant trip and build up in health on the trip that it will benefit me by my living so much longer. On arrival at the road about one mile from home, I got Charlesworth service motor car and saw several old friends who wished me a pleasant trip and good health and a safe return. We arrived at Nowra at 11.30, doing the 17 miles trip over the mountain in about one hour and a half, which I consider is very good. I got tea and scones at Graham’s refreshment rooms and boarded the car again for railway station after waiting over an hour. We started by train for Wollongong (about 60 miles) and arrived there about 4 o’clock. I seemed to be in luck’s way as my grandchildren was giving their Aunt Eva, my daughter, a birthday party, which I was pleased to make one of. After tea I went to see my other daughters and arrived back at my daughter Martha’s ready for bed. I got up Wednesday morning and after breakfast, took train to Bulli, arriving there 9.10 after seeing Mr. J. Bunker about selling my motor bike. I left again by the 10.45 train for Wollongong. I went to see my daughter and son-in-law Anne and Steve for dinner. After dinner I went to see Mr and Mrs Collings and then to see Clara and Eva and had tea together. After tea I left for my daughter Martha’s where I always like to sleep while in Wollongong. Thursday morning I assisted Martha through her work and in the evening both of us took train to Balgownie to our friends place in Fairy Meadow, Mr and Mrs Grey and their two children. Mr and Mrs Grey made us very welcome and had a very nice dinner ready. After dinner we all went and sat outside in the cool. We were having a conversation on old times and all sorts of topics when old friends of the Greys from Mount Pleasant arrived. We formed a circle with our chairs and we had an hour’s jolly time together. All at once Mrs Grey got up and said, “Oh come on, we must have a sing and a little music.” Eva Grey played a few hymns which we all sang, too. When we finished up with ‘God be with you till we meet again’, I believe the way we all sung it that we wished from the bottom of our hearts that God would be with us all till we all meet again, which I think God to be our best friend and companion at all times. We parted from Mr Grey and our friends, Mrs Grey and daughter Eva coming to railway station to see us off. We both got back to Wollongong the better for our trip. Friday, I had a good deal of visiting and good-byes to say, as I am leaving for Sydney next morning. As some are my own children, I felt the parting, not forgetting my grandchildren who I love very dearly and I felt love me. So I put in a busy day, packing, visiting, saying good-bye to friends at night. I went to Davis’s and talked about my journey and all sorts of things till Mr Davis came home, he being away on business. I left then for my place of abode. 2 Tired, I got up early Saturday morning, getting ready to leave by the 8.48 for Sydney. Martha and her little daughter, Eva, came to the station. I must not forget Amy, my eldest granddaughter, helped me to carry some of my luggage. Thus I left Wollongong by the 8.48 train. We waved to each other till it was time to pass where my daughter and son-in-law live (Anne and Steve) mid way between Wollongong and North Wollongong. On arrival at Balgownie station Mr Grey was looking out for me. Mrs Grey very kindly made me a cake to eat on the voyage. I think it splendid to have good friends. I feel very grateful to my many friends for their kind wishes and deeds to me on the eve of my trip. The compartment was comfortably filled. I was the only man for a good part of the journey when a young man got in till we reached Sydney. I began to wonder how I was to carry all my luggage to the Parcel Office where I intended leaving all but my hand bag. I tried several ways. At last I pulled a piece of rope out of my pocket and fastened my two largest suitcases together and put them over my shoulder and my two packages, consisting of hand bag and deck chair and cushion. I had a long way to carry them and was about done when I got to the Cloak Room. It cost me one shilling to put the three things in. I went and did several business transactions and took a St Peters train to my cousins, the Jarretts, where I always feel at home. Susie soon had me some dinner. I then went to where they bought a piece of land and was laying the foundation for a house. They had the walls of stables up. I watched them for some time. I then went back to the house and rested. We all went to bed early. The Jarretts believe in early to bed and early to rise. I got up Sunday morning 7 o’clock and before I got ready, breakfast was on the table. After breakfast, I got my things together and said good-bye and went to Sydenham station and went by train to Belmore to see my old friends Mr T. Edwards and family. Arrived in time to go with them to church. We had a very nice service. After dinner, Mrs Edwards and I went to see my sister-in- law, Mrs E. Brooks, and her sister, Miss A. Morgan. We waited for some time to see my niece Alice but she did not come and we could not wait any longer, so said good-bye and let after tea. I left by bus and train for Burwood, where I got a tram for Concord, where my eldest son Harry and his wife and child (me - I was 3 months old. K.B.) live. I do not like travelling on a Sunday but if I wished to say good-bye to my friends, I was compelled to do so. I arrived there before dark - I am not quite sure but I think it was dark. Harry left for work at 20 to 9 as he was on night work at the gas works. I had a very good night’s sleep. I caught the 20 to 9 train from Burwood to Sydney and it took me 1-1/2 hours to get my gratuity bond fixed up so that I could leave knowing that it would be all right while I was away. I bought 2 cwt drums of carbide for home, paid Wm. Adams account, then went and said good-bye to my old friend Tom Edwards. Got some refreshments and got a tram, went out to the S.S. Moreton Bay, saw my cabin and berth. I liked the appearance and left for St. Peters where I left my umbrella and then made for Concord. I wrote a letter home and another to Mr. McDonough. I went to bed early so as to be bright and rested. 3 Tuesday, 11th March. I was up early and commenced to get ready for my long journey. We left Concord 10 past 8 and caught 8.20 train and was in Sydney 10 to 9 and waited till near 9.30 before Fred came. We got my luggage and went to get a tram to Millers Point. We had 15 to 20 minutes before it came and, strange to say, there were several on it going by the ‘Moreton Bay’. We got off the tram and made our way to the ship and was pleased to be told we would all be allowed on board. So we went and put my things in my berth and as we had a good long wait till the boat sailed, we went and kept watch to see if our friends came. I wish I had taken Harry and Fred over the ship - it would have been something they had not seen. The people began to arrive and about an hour before we left, my old friend and late shipmate Mr. E. Lowe on the Aberdeen liners when I last went to England in 1920 (the ‘S.S. Thermistoclese’ and back in the ‘Demosticlese’). I was very pleased to see him as we were great chums - I think one of the best.