Cecil James Bothwick HARRIS

From Marie Hemsley-Smith

Soldier Settlement Scheme Kangaroo Island Facebook Group

25 Oct 2020

Farewell Cecil B Harris

Cec passed away recently after a short illness. He was over 98 years old. Cec was one of the last small group of Soldier Settlers to take blocks in the Hundred of Borda in early 1964.

Born at Ceduna, but living mostly at Penong he spent his childhood years helping his uncles out on their farms. He could manage a team of horses for tilling by the age of twelve. On leaving school his first job was to share farm with an uncle working from before dawn until after dark. Cec only ever wanted to be a Farmer.

Cec joined the Army in WW2, when he was 21 years and served in New Guinea. After the war was over Cec applied for a Soldier Settlers Block, but was rejected. On being offered a carpenter training position, he worked for several years all over rural South Australia building School Class rooms.

On seeing an advertisement for a Sheep Hand at Bungaree he applied , and taking his family with him went on to be head sheepman at Bungaree.

When his brother in law alerted him to the 6 soldiers settlers blocks becoming available his application was successful . The viewing of the properties were overseed by LDE staff. On meeting Rowe on a Kingscote street, Cec asked him why he had to wait 17 years to be offered a block. The answer was because " he didn't have enough experience" It was all Cec could do but laugh !

Cec and family arrived to his Borda Road block in early 1964. With carpenter skills he was quick to help finish the roof of the Gosse Hall. Along with several other settlers he was active in forming Mens Club, meeting in the Hall on Wednesday evenings. A variety of competition - games, cards, snooker were played to raise monies amongst themselves to buy sporting equipment. It was handed over to help establish the Western Districts Football Club (Saints). As the changing sheds were being built Cec , with his carpentry skills again was up the ladder helping.

Getting his block underway, Cec improved his pasture from the start, spreading rye grass seeds over and in between the Yarloop. He carried 5,000 sheep with no trouble with lambing. Like many others in the 1970's he reduced his flock and took on Cattle. However the market for cattle declined just as it had for sheep. In 1979 he sold the farm, taking his family to Adelaide.

Cec spent his last eight years living independently at a Retirement Village at Thebarton where his neighbours quickly became good friends, and they were always ready to call in for a chat and offer help with errands.

With a meticulous memory, social and personable character Cec Harris will be greatly missed by his many neighbours and friends, family, nieces and nephews. RIP