Anecdote 3 - Blokes who tread softly

 Anecdote 3 - BLOKES WHO TREAD SOFTLY

Maybe it still goes on as frequently, but in the streets of Brunswick post-WWII there always seemed to be 1 or 2 single adult men (sons or brothers) who lived their life out in the back bungalow or rear bedroom. 

They smiled and stopped to chat as they passed to or from the factory work or their pub. Sometimes Mum would invite them to join our family tea, or sit on the verandah with Dad on the hot summer nights.

They usually had a "party piece" - a song or poem recital for the Sunday nights when we would gather around some neighbour's lounge and entertain ourselves or play cards, and always talk (mostly on boring things to our childish ears).

Tommy Tyler was one of those blokes. He lived out the back of his Mum's place in Collings Street for 51 years until Mrs Tyler died. Then he moved into a room at Whitby House, and finally a renovated garage in Rose Street. 

Tommy sang "Danny Boy" with a wonderful tenor voice, but he didn't seem to have a second solo piece. Tommy never married but did have a 2 week fling with Eva  from the Packing Department. After 2 weeks, she returned to her husband, and Tommy to his bungalow. 

Tommy played golf weekly at Royal Park with the same clubs he purchased just before the War. No need to change! Just like his clothes. He wore what Mum and the other families bought him but felt no need to "show-pony". Brown, Tan, Green were his colours for everything.  

No one disliked Tommy. We all smiled when he approached, as I do when I think of him now.

He treaded softly in this World - physically and emotionally. He died early and alone as most of these blokes did. 

They don't get into family albums and the anecdotes scarcely last the next generation. That's just the way it is!



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