McAllister of Ireland
Harold Leslie McAllister was born on 11 January 1911 in Brompton, South Australia. Harold was the fifth child of Joseph McAllister and Ethel Margaret Mason. According to his older sisters, Harold was the most spoiled of them all; he always scored the prized chocolate biscuit! Harold was later known as Mac.
Harold attended Brompton Primary School along with his older siblings. At the age of 14 years, Harold gained his first paid employment - he worked as a sideshow worker, he also sold newspapers, he collected racing bets and gave out sporting results, he sold football budgets and trot (harness racing) books. He was also in charge of a newspaper stand on the corner of King William Street and South Terrace in Adelaide; Harold was quite the young entrepreneur! |
Before he was 25 years old, Harold also worked for Elliot's Tobacconists, Perry Engineering and was a bus conductor. During the depression years he did house renovations, painting and gardening. When Harold gained his driver's licence he drove a wood truck and later did furniture removals. At one point he worked at pulling 'dags' from sheep skins and he also spent some time working at Gibbs Bakery.
What a resume! Although Harold considered his first real job as working with Colton Palmer and Preston, sheet metal workers.
What a resume! Although Harold considered his first real job as working with Colton Palmer and Preston, sheet metal workers.
On 17 December 1938 Harold married the love of his life, Veronica Daisybell Harris (Bonnie) at Scots Methodist Church, Adelaide. Harold was 27 years old and Bonnie was just 18. They began their married life living with Bonnie's mother and stepfather, Amy and Wilfred Dudfield at Robert Street, Croydon.
Harold, and later Bonnie; were regulars at the family musical evenings around the piano. Harold never learnt to read music but he could play the piano. He also played the harmonica and was a champion on the spoons! Bonnie used to lean against the piano with her sister-in-law, Robina and join in the singing. |
When war broke out in 1939, Harold went to work at Holden's, Woodville in the Aircraft Buildings Department. Harold enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 27 January 1943. After training in Shepparton, Victoria he was posted to Guildford, Western Australia, with other postings to Fremantle and Exmouth in Western Australia and Melville Bay in Northern Territory. An injury saw him return to Adelaide and he was discharged just prior to the end of the war on 20 April 1945.
Harold spent the next 17 years working for Healings, electrical wholesalers. He enjoyed some great times at Healings, especially the social activities - cricket games and other social functions. He made some very special lifelong friendships during those years. When he eventually left Healings he worked for Sun Electric for a time and his final position before retirement was with Lawrence and Hanson., electrical wholesalers
Harold and Bonnie's first daughter Helen Doretta, was born on 18 August 1946, Identical twin daughters followed on 1 April 1950, Robyn Veronica and Dianne Lesley. Their first family home was in Kingston Avenue, Richmond but in 1957 Harold and Bonnie built a new home in Kerr Grant Terrace, South Plympton. They lived in this home for many years until finally moving into the Vermont Retirement Village. |
Sport played a large role in Harold's life. From the age of 16 he played soccer, firstly with the Renown Park Soccer Club and later with the West Torrens Soccer Club. He was a soccer referee for a number of years and refereed a State game between Western Australia and Queensland during that time. He could blow a great whistle!!
Harold also had an incredible cricket career as a spin bowler, starting with Renown Park, then West Torrens, Albert Lodge, Colton, Palmer and Preston and also Southwark Cricket Clubs. He played and captained the Healing Cricket team for 14 years. He continued to play cricket until the age of 57 when he was playing for the St Marks Cricket Club. During his career he won many trophies and awards and enjoyed many great memories along the way.
Harold was also involved in coaching netball for about nine years with the Vermont Methodist Church Netball Club. He enjoyed watching his three daughters do exceptionally well at netball at the same time. Another sport Harold took up was Lawn Bowls; he joined the Clarence Gardens Bowls Club and considered himself a skilled player. Harold also enjoyed a game of golf at the The Adelaide Shores Patawalonga course at the Westward Ho Golf Club.
Harold was also involved in coaching netball for about nine years with the Vermont Methodist Church Netball Club. He enjoyed watching his three daughters do exceptionally well at netball at the same time. Another sport Harold took up was Lawn Bowls; he joined the Clarence Gardens Bowls Club and considered himself a skilled player. Harold also enjoyed a game of golf at the The Adelaide Shores Patawalonga course at the Westward Ho Golf Club.
In his later years Harold was an avid horse-racing follower and spent many Saturdays at the TAB and remembering his many "near wins". He also closely followed the Adelaide Crows Football Club with inside knowledge from son-in-law John Reid always welcomed.
Harold enjoyed his sport and relished his garden but more than anything else, he was proud of his family. He never forgot his wedding anniversary and showered Bonnie with love and affection for their almost 60 years together. He had a special love for his three daughters and also his son-in-laws. The mention of any one of his seven grandchildren bought a huge smile to his face. He was also a very proud great-grandfather. Harold's health began to fail as the years passed. In 1994 he had major heart surgery with many 'ups and downs' to follow. He would rally for family celebrations to be the life of the party or occasionally 'passing out' to become the attention of the party. After two strokes and at the age of 87 years, Harold (Mac) McAllister passed away on 27 March 1998. |
His much loved and adored wife Bonnie passed away just four months later, on 2 August 1998 at age 77 years.
Descendants of Harold Leslie McAllister
Harold Leslie McAllister was born on 11 January 1911 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 27 March 1998 in Daw Park, South Australia at age 87 years. Harold married Veronica Daisybell (Bonnie) Harris on 17 December 1938 in Adelaide, South Australia. Bonnie was born on 23 October 1920 in Rose Park, South Australia and died on 2 August 1998 in Bedford Park, South Australia at age 77 years. They had three children: Helen Doretta, Robin Veronica and Dianne Lesley.
- Helen Doretta McAllister was born on 18 August 1946 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Helen married John Wasley Styles on 23 October 1965 in Plympton, South Australia. John was born on 25 March 1942 in Unley Park, South Australia. They had two children: Darren John and Corina Helen. Helen and John divorced in 1981. Helen met Colin Betty on 2 February 1982 and was with Colin until his death on 27 July 2012 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 77 years.
- Robyn Veronica McAllister was born on 1 April 1950 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Robyn married Phillip Wasley Styles on 5 June 1971 in Marion, South Australia. Philip was born on 27 March 1949 in North Adelaide, South Australia. They had two children: Jarred Phillip and Kirsty Robyn.
- Dianne Lesley McAllister was born on 1 April 1950 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Dianne married John Garfield Reid on 23 January 1971 in Plympton South, South Australia. John was born on 6 December 1949 in Ashford, South Australia. They had three children: Justin Craig, Kirsty and Hayley.