Reginald Eric GOREY

Reg's parents lived at Mallala but his mother returned to her old home in Aberdeen, Burra for the birth of her first child, Reginald Eric, because her mother was a midwife with a lying-in home in the town. Soon afterwards, they returned home to Mallala where they had a greengrocery store on what is still known as Gorey's corner. After some years and three more children, all born at Mallala (Ivor Raymond, Myra Ellen and Elva Maud), the family moved to the city at Prospect. The kids walked to school at Nailsworth, where, incidentally, the Friths and Leadbeaters also attended. Reg was apparently a pretty smart student. On completion of his primary education he was second in the school.

He briefly attended Adelaide High School before taking a clerical position in the office of the stock agents, Hogarth and Edwards, for whom his father was employed as head stockman. Reg also used to attend stock auctions at the abattoirs to record the details of his firm's sales. He eventually rose to the position of manager of the stock department of Dalgety's which had absorbed Richardson, Kemp, Hogarth and Edwards.

In his youth, Reg was a keen sportsman, playing parklands cricket as a batsman and wicket keeper. In later life he often reminisced about those cricketing days, showing his hands which had been distorted by taking many-a-catch behind the stumps. He was also a member of the Lefevre tennis club where his future wife, Ada Frith, and her siblings also played. Other life-long friends also played for the club. Reg enjoyed badminton as well.

A few years after their marriage, Reg and Ada were delighted when their son, Ron, was born. Unfortunately, a few months later they discovered that he was handicapped by cerebral palsy. Both Ada and Reg devoted their lives to Ron's care, ensuring that he enjoyed himself as best his handicap would allow. They were able to take a number of local and overseas holidays, Queensland being a particular favourite of Ron's. Reg shared an interest in flying with his son who was a real enthusiast. They also shared an interest in cricket, especially the test matches played on Adelaide Oval.

Following the death of Ada's father, her mother and sister had come to live with them at Plympton. Years later, after Ron died, Ada became ill, so her sister Beryl looked after her and Reg until her death. Afterwards, Beryl continued to care for Reg who lived a very quiet life at home. He particularly enjoyed watching televised sport, reading, and doing word puzzles of all kinds. Even after his loss of memory these word puzzles remained foremost in his mind.

For a number of years, Reg had wanted to reach the 100 year old milestone. His great-grandfather, Samson Montgomery had died at the age of 99 and a half and Reg wanted to beat that family record. Whilst at the nursing home, although he hadn't actually quite made it, he insisted that he had reached his goal and the staff obligingly arranged a celebratory party for him which he enjoyed enormously.