Harry Edward Douthat

Son of Robert and Margaret (nee Wilshusen) from a letter written in 1987

“I was born in Hargreaves Street, Golden Square, but left there when I was two years old. My father’s name was Robert Douthat and my mother was Margaret Wilshusen of Nuggetty Flat. My father worked on the steam engines around Tarnagulla.

After my father died in 1908 my mother married a man named Yelland. We had seven children in our family and Mum had two more sons when she married George Yelland. Mum went to live in Corryong, my sister Vera went to live there too. Mum, Vera and my half-brother George died at Corryong, my other half brother Charlie still lives there, he is 77.

My brother Alver and I are the only ones of our family still alive, brother Jim died in Orbost last year. Vera was 85 when she died and Mum was 92.

I have two daughters and one son from my first marriage, my son died when I was in New Guinea during the war. I have a son from my second marriage, he is living in Western Australia. My brother Alver lost his arm whilst serving in the Second World War.”