Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

EDWARD DUDLEY CRUWYS - A Short Story of my Dad.

Edward (who was always known as Ebb) was born in Balmain to John and Irene Cruwys on 27th October, 1914 – just two months after the start of the 1st World War.   I’m sure his parents thought the war was so far away in Europe that it would never affect their family – and they certainly would never have envisioned a 2nd World War many years later in which their new baby would be part of.

Ebb spent his early years in Balmain, then Epping for a while (where he walked barefoot in the mud to school on rainy days), before the family moved to Gladesville when he was about seven years old. 

Very few people had cars just after the 1st War, but Ebb was fortunate that his father and his Grandfather both loved the new modern transport (instead of horse and cart). His father had bought a motorbike whilst his Grandfather had bought a car as soon as they could afford them.  

His Grandfather, Colin Dennis Cruwys, was a blacksmith by trade, who had quickly adapted his skills, and was now not only blacksmithing in the traditional sense but had learned the mechanics of the new-fangled motor car.    

Young “Ebb” was fascinated with mechanics also, and he spent as many hours as possible at his Grandfather’s nearby workshop in Balmain/Rozelle, where he absorbed as much information as his little head would take in, and even learned to drive at a very young age – albeit only when they went on their regular jaunts into the countryside and up the blue mountains.

However, when he left school he realised that a bicycle would have to suffice his needs for a number of years – especially with the soon-to-be Depression making life more difficult.

In his own words:   “(1931)   Can you imagine riding a push bike from Gladesville along Victoria Road to Sydney, over the Pyrmont Bridge, up Market Street, along York into Park and up Oxford Street to Bondi Junction to work - starting at 5.30 a.m and leaving in the afternoon at 3 pm to ride home through Centennial Park and down along Wattle Street to Gladesville again.    6 days a week,  18 1/2 miles each way and my best time was 37 minutes.   You couldn't do that in a car these days.”

On at least one memorable occasion he saved enough money for a joy flight with the aviation pioneer Charles Ulm in “Faith in Australia” – sister to “Southern Cross”.

About 1936-37 he managed to purchase himself a motor-bike (and a sidecar for his lady-love) and by then, of course, he was able to do all his own maintenance and mechanical work.    Around this time he had also obtained a job at Bonds factory, where he was fixing and repairing all the looms and machinery involved in the “rag trade”. 

Sadly, most of his plans for a wedding and their immediate future had to be put on hold when World War 2 was declared.     For a while he was classified as an “essential worker” but was soon called up to serve his country. 

He and mum (Bessie Chidgey) decided to marry and have a three day honeymoon before he had to report for duty.   He sold his beloved motorbike in order to buy furniture for her comfort in a rented home while he was away. 

For the first twelve months of Service, I believe he was based at St. Ives (in Sydney), where his mechanical and driving skills were put to good use.   After the war he told us stories of driving out along the coastline at night, following “lights at sea” and picking up illegal radio signals from boats transmitting back to shore.  It appears that this was in early 1942 and seems to have been during the time of the midget subs along our coast-line and in Sydney Harbour.  He was appointed Special Group 3, Driver Mechanic.    

Dad was posted to Western Australia in July 1942 (which was after the bombing of Broom) – travelling there on board the “SS Manoora”.   Whilst over there he said he was making regular convoy trips from Perth to Broome.  After a few months he started complaining of a sore big toe, which was finally diagnosed as his inflamed Appendix pressing on the nerve for the toe.  He was sent back to Sydney by train to have the appendix operation (he said he slept in the luggage racks while coming across the Nullarbor).

My understanding is that during February 1943, whilst he was in hospital in Sydney, his Unit was posted overseas, resulting in many deaths and injuries of his friends – yet Dad was safe on this side of the world.   (He must have had a guardian angel looking after him). 

His recovery was difficult, as the offending nerve had been damaged during the operation, so he was sent to Tamworth for a couple of months of Rehabilitation.

Finally back on his feet, he returned by train to Western Australia.   However a few months later, because the East Coast of Australia was under risk of further attack, the Army decided he was needed back there, so he embarked on the “New Amsterdam” , heading for Townsville this time.   After a brief stop-over in Sydney in October, 1943 he headed north to assist with maintenance and driving of Transport vehicles on the Atherton Tablelands.  

Fifteen months later he was sent back to Sydney where on 3rd January, 1945 he was discharged back to his old workplace at Bonds.  They were an essential industry - making stockings for the women in the army - and they needed someone with his mechanical knowledge of their machinery.

Finally the war was over and life returned to normal.   Due to his expertise at Bonds, he was offered work repairing much larger Textile Accessory looms in a newly established factory at Warwick Farm – in an old gaol.    Ebb and Bessie now had two children, (and soon a third) and he decided to take the job and build a beautiful new home at Villawood – rather than travel to work by public transport each day from their rented home in Gladesville.

Ebb was the first employee of this company and was much loved and appreciated.  Over the years the company grew;  changed its name;  and eventually moved the factory to Taree.  Dad was offered a manager-ship and a home - as caretaker on the fabulous 100 acre property.

He and mum loved their new home in Taree, and settled right into the community, playing bowls and slowly slipping into retirement.   Dad became a coach and a committee member of their local Bowling club and Mum, who also loved bowls, became an active member of the YWCA.

Eventually they bought a villa of their own, then moved into a retirement village, but sadly his beloved Bessie died a few months after the move, and he was devastated.   He lost his zest for life, and although he continued on the committee and still played bowls, life was not the same.

Edward (Ebb) Dudley Cruwys died four years later on 11th August, 1994.  

With love from his daughter, Patricia (Cruwys) Braden    (2022)