DescriptionThis interview consists of four audio recordings and transcripts. George Edward (Ted) Wale was interviewed on 04 February 2004 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta, by Shirley Kingsford McLeod. Interview SummaryGeorge Edward Wale known a Ted, born 12th August, 1910, in Coventry England. Ted grew up in Lithgow, NSW and moved to Sydney in 1941.
In England Ted’s father was employed as a sandblaster by the Humber Motor Company and his mother was an obstetric nurse. His father passed away when he was only three years old. Ted, his mother and sister came to Australia and lived with a friend in Lithgow until they were able to move into their own place. The house had dirt floors, bagged walls and white wash shutters for windows. Ted’s mother was doing nursing work for a local doctor.
His mother later re-married but died at child birth with septicemia. The child survived and was put up for adoption. Ted and his sister went to stay with a friend for a while as State Wards. When he was 18 years old and free from State control he moved in with someone else outside of Lithgow.
Ted completed his five year apprenticeship as a tool maker for a small arms factory in Lithgow, where they made machine guns and rifle during the war. In 1941 he answered an advert for a position for the Commonwealth Aircraft at Lidcombe. Meanwhile, he had met and married a girl from the district and had two children, a boy named Jim and then later on a girl.
In 1941, the family moved and rented a house in Strathfield. He worked in his new position making Rolls Royce engines and repairing aircrafts. Ted did not join the Armed Forces because when he was called up for his medical, his work Manager sent a letter stating that he was an essential industry specialist. Therefore, the army did not recruit him.
Ted and his family came to live in Cabramatta after applying for a ballot for a housing commission home. After eight years of waiting, he was successful at acquiring a home. Ted talks about what life was like in Cabramatta and Fairfield, as well as the influx of immigrants to the area.
Ted also talks about his hobbies and particularly, his passion for sketching and painting. He chats about attending art school, sketching models, his favourite form of art and artists.
Ted mentions his growing family and how he and his wife came to adopt a Maori son.
Oral History ProjectThe Way We Were - People of FairfieldCollectionAll Oral Histories
George Edward (Ted) Wale Oral History (1910-2017). Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 26/07/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/2713
