Tomlin, Harold

DESCRIPTION

NameTomlin, HaroldOccupationTinsmith, Industrial CleanerBiographyHarold Richard Tomlin was born in Albion Park in 1928, at the corner of Calderwood and Taylor Road.

When he was five years old his parents Bertie Eber and Susannah Maria Gertrude 'Gertie' Tomlin (nee Ball), bought the plumbing shop and house known as Parkinsons business, in Flinders Street (Tongarra Road) Albion Park, opposite the public school.

Harold remembered when young, there was no electricity in Albion Park. They had kerosene lamps, candles and torches to see at night. In the late 1930's, when Harold was 7 years old the electricity was connected.

When he was 14 years old, the Second World War broke out. Harold was in 2nd year at Technical School Wollongong. His Dad needed him to help make water tanks for farmers, builders and private residents, so he applied to Howard Fowles MP to grant Harold exemption from school to help his father in the tinsmith business, which was granted.

So Harold became a tinsmith. Tanks ranged from 50 gallons to 2,000 gallons and made of Lysaghts galvanized iron. Water tanks were riveted with washers on the inside, and then were soldered up on all joints. The life of a tank was between 20 to 30 years.

Fred Graham the local carrier delivered the tanks on Saturdays. Harold and his Dad repaired 10-gallon milk cans, vats, and guttering to all buildings.

During the depression in the 1930's things got very tough for all people, and Harold's Dad had to sell his Dodge car. There were coupons for various things and many people went broke.

After making many hundreds of tanks, the town water supply arrived in 1955. On his father's retirement, Harold took over the tinsmith and plumbing business, and connected up hundreds of homes to the new water supply. Pressure was the main thing for homes and farms. Hot water systems got popular.

In the 1970's, the sewerage was connected and that meant no more soak-away pits and collection wells to pump out.

In 1979 Harold suffered a heart attack and could not do any heavy work. Luckily he was able to get a job at Tallawarra Power Station as an industrial cleaner, where after 10 years it closed down and he retired from work.

Harold married Gwendoline Rita Ward in 1853, and they had three children.

Contributed by Harold Tomlin 2006.

External LinkKiama B vs Albion Park 1944Albion Park Weddings 1926

Harold Tomlin c.2000.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionPeopleFamilyBallIndustryTallawarra Power StationLocalityAlbion Park

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Tomlin, Harold