I am a half cousin of Bill’s – a couple of times removed. We shared an ancestress in Ruth Maddox Millard (later McCrudden) but we had different male ancestors. Mine was George Millard and Bill’s was Thomas McCrudden. Bill’s parents were well known and respected in Gladstone where we all grew up. He retained close ties with his parents and siblings and also attended Gladstone anniversary celebrations. I have no doubt there is a photo of him at these events in the Gladstone paper archives. Bill showed great ability as a very young boy and the Nuns at the Gladstone Convent School arranged for a scholarship for him at the Christian Brothers College in Rockhampton. I am proud of the fact that all descendants of Ruth Maddox retained close friendships since the 1800s – many to the present day. I was visiting Canberra at the time Bill retired and there were many celebrations being held by his colleagues and friends. I didn’t like to intrude on these celebrations but when I told Bill this later he said there was always time for family. My son John Ellison Davies described Bill well. He said he was ‘a delight’. Mavis (Mave) Jowett Davies Email: family_threads@hotmail.com