Terrell, Frederick Leopold – August 1914

Frederick Leopold ‘Leo’ Terrell was an ironworker who was just arriving back from work in Broken Hill in August 1914. It is clear that the difficult economic times in South Australia were a concern to him.

3 August Monday Bank Holiday 1914

arrived here at 3.25 in morning left at 3.45 for the remainder of my tedious trip, arrived here at 9.15 Went and seen about work, wrote letter home … After dinner went down street and bought a pair of boots 7/6 costs for carrying Box 1/– had a lay down after coming home. After tea had game of Billiards

4 August Tuesday

started work once again at J & R. Forgan  PT Pirie.   had a fair day of it. It appears to me that there is any amount of work here though nearly all other businesses are slackening on account of war in evening. had game of cards.   got to bed at 10.35  Average wage for the six months I was in Broken Hill was as follows ?3–12 3/13   total amount ?93–2–6

5 August Wednesday

a very nice day rose at 6.45 went to work. in evening went to pictures It has been a real day of events. As the war is in full progress between Germany. France & England…

6 August Thursday

a beautiful day reports received today that Germany have had 10 ships sunk and 2 captured by the French and English, and English loss reported 3 sunk.   The department of defence of Australia have seized 4 merchant ships belonging to N. O. L Company. All the Citizen forces of PT Pirie have had orders to protect the Port. so things are looking serious

8 August Saturday

a lovely day good weather for Pt Pirie Went to work as usual knocked off at 11.45.. fooled around all the afternoon… In evening went to the moving Pictures, wrote a  letter to Alva Hales and one to F. Spottiswood. arrived home  from Pictures at 11 oclock.  and then went to bed.

10 August Monday

Started work as usual.  I have lost altogether through unemployment and holidays this year 15 days. traveling expensed for last six months being ?4–0–0. …

11 August Tuesday

a lovely day Naval volenteers applied for, for a period of six months service outside Australia.  I have an idea of taking it on if I drop out of work but not otherwise as I consider it rather full hardy to do a trick like that …

12 August Wednesday

another beautiful day things are running fairly smooth as regards myself But there are 1000’s of others situated differently at present.   One hundred 20 put off at smelter’s last night.   Received letter from Home and also one from Alva Hales stating he was out of work answered both of them and posted same.  …

13 August Thursday 1914

… There were some hands put off here today at Forgan’s Foundry, in the Wheelwrights and black smiths departments …

17 August Monday

…Went to work to  experience one of the worst Dusty days for the year, Blowing all day! Received 2 Books from Penton Publishing Co Cleveland Ohio U.S.A Namely “The Foundry. and the Iron trades Review   had a read in evening got to bed at 10.10.

18 August Tuesday

… still have a chance of existing here as there still seems any amount of work.   Knocked of at 5 oclock. received a letter from Frank Spottiswood. in evening … Went to the Pictures saw a splendid picture dealing thoroughly with the drastic way capital is made called “Why”

21 August Friday

6 years today since I left home for Melbourne on H M.A S Protector to take part in the welcoming of the White Fleet

23 August Sunday 11th After Trinity

…  A beautiful Dusty day real typical of Pt Pirie though I detest it, it seems predestined for me to be here

24 August Monday

rose as usual to experience a somewhat warm day things just about the same plenty of work doing  Went to moving pictures in evening with Fred Reid and Alf Gray.

25 August Tuesday

… Went to work as usual still plenty doing.  The Pt Pirie Batch of expeditionary force left here this morning a good crowd too. …

28 August Friday

Things look fairly slack.  Two moulders put off.  And by the look of things there will be more if things don’t soon alter….

30 August Sunday 12th After Trinity

rose at 9.15 to experience another nasty Dusty day real p typical of Pt Pirie.  Did not go out all day   had a read until 10.30. then went to bed.