From Cheryl T (nee Stonehouse) 1
February 2018  VWBro Alex Stonehouse, Devotion’s WM 1968-69 WBro Damien, Secretary and Newsletter Editor, Lodge Devotion 723)
Alex always enjoyed his visits back to Colac, the place of his birth on 25 October 1909. He spent his formative years in this small city in the Western District of Victoria, until November 1923 when his parents George Henry and Adelaide Pambla (nee Hender) Stonehouse packed up their belongings and, with six children, moved to Geelong. Three more children born in Geelong completed the family unit.
Educated in Colac, Alex at aged 14, was employed with Australian Cement Limited Geelong for six years from November 1924 to April 1930, during which time he completed his apprenticeship as an Electrical Fitter and Armature Winder, including night classes at the Gordon Institute of Technology Geelong on related subjects. The Great Depression of the 1930s were difficult times for many Australian families seeking work, but Alex found employment during those years with the Australian Electrical Manufacturing Company Ltd and Ford Manufacturing Company working on Armatures and Field Coil Winding and as an Electrical Fitter in Ford’s Maintenance Department. On 22 May 1936, four days after leaving Ford, Alex signed a four year contract with The British Phosphate Commissioners as an Armature Winder/Electrician on Ocean (Banaba) Island, Central Pacific. He was described in references as reliable, conscientious, ambitious and painstaking, processing all the qualities that go to makes a good citizen, with honest and sober habits.
 VWBro Alex, Grand Herald
Whilst on Ocean Island, Alex was mainly engaged in the electrical workshop on rewinding of motors, transformers, choke coils and maintenance and repairs of electrical switch-gear. He was appointed Cinema Operator with two weekly shows, looking after the cinema machine, building and plant, became Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Deference Force Rifle Club and Bandmaster of the Banaba Brass Band. The formation of the Brass Band under his tuition and guidance, instilled discipline and enthusiasm into the native players who quickly became proficient. Their performances at all the Island social functions received grateful thanks from the community and Resident Commissioner.
Phosphate was mined on Ocean Island and Nauru with ships transporting cargo back to Australia and New Zealand. These ships also carried passengers arriving and departing from both Islands. Alex was returning home on leave when the Olivebank landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand to discharged part of its cargo. At a social dance he met Daisy Florence Louvain Scott. After he left, they continued their relationship through letters.
Alex and his first wife Eileen Smith had a son Alexander (1932 – 2010). Alexander had successful careers in the Police Force and RAF serving in Vietnam.
In 1940 Alex returned to New Zealand to marry his second wife Daisy Scott in New Plymouth. They returned to Ocean Island on the SS Komata in June 1940 with the world at war.
Above - SS Komata Above - SS Komata With the world at war, Alex & his wife Daisy went and then returned from Ocean Island. To get to the Island they travelled together on New Zealand’s SS Komata leaving 25 May, arriving 1 June 1940. Not a passenger ship, they had to sign on as Steward and Stewardess and were the only passengers on board. That same year, 8 Dec 1940, SS Komata was scuttled by the German raiders Komet & Orion, when en route from Suva to Nauru, 20 miles East of its destination. Between 6- 8 December the Komet sunk the merchant ships Triona, Vinni & Komata, taking more than 500 prisoners that were landed a few days after on Emirau Island. VWBro Alex and his wife had sailed some hostile waters. Orion was destroyed but beached after being bombed on 4 May 1945 en route to Copenhagen. She had over 4,000 on board of which 150 were lost. The wreck of the Komet was found in July 2006 by nautical archaeologist Innes McCartney. She’d been sunk off Normandy on 14 Oct 1942 by torpedo launched from a MTB 236, with all 251 hands lost. For the return trip, Daisy left Ocean Island for Australia 21 Oct 1940 aboard the Triaster (also sunk later by the Komet together with Orion on 8 Dec 1940) and Alex left the Island a couple of months later on a now unknown ship.
Looking towards the future following his war commitments, Alex decided to become self-employed. In preparation, he registered a business name Northern Winding & Electric Coy, with the Anzac Avenue address in September 1945. Working out of a large shed in the rear of the property, it became a viable business with a variety of Armature and Electrical work to keep him busy, up until taking retirement.
Alex and Daisy had three children during the war years, Richard, Geoffrey and Cheryl. They grew up in Anzac Avenue, had successful careers, married with children, grand-children and have celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversaries.
In the early 1950s at block of land was purchased in Flinders Street McCrae. A one room shack was built and over the years it became the holiday destination for the family, later to include spouses and grandchildren. The family’s first vehicle was a circa 1930s red Ford truck, with a cabin and canvas awning covering the tray. To promote his business, Northern Winding etc was sign-written in large letters on the doors.
After Alex retired they sold 18 Anzac Avenue in 1974 and moved to McCrae. In 1983, when their daughter Cheryl settled in Ocean Grove they moved across the Peninsula into a newly built house in Coorong Court Ocean Grove.
Alex had numerous interests, besides his beloved cornet and events playing, he was an ardent stamp collector, a keen gardener, played his numerous collection of LP records and lawn bowls joining Brunswick, Carrington Park and Ocean Grove Bowling Clubs. He read extensively and took an interest in family history.
What became a passion for 26 years began on 1 December 1958 when Alex was initiated into Albert Victor Lodge as a Freemason.   VWBro Alex (far right) playing in the South at Gipps St  Bros Richard & Geoff with their father Alex Alexander George Stonehouse died on 10 December 1984 at Prince Henry’s Hospital Melbourne, aged 75. Daisy remained in Ocean Grove, keeping active with her numerous activities and interests. She passed away on 7 August 2005 shortly after celebrating her 90th birthday. They are together in the lawn section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery. 
Masonic Career of VWBro Alexander
George Stonehouse PGIW |
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