The Jim Osborne memoirs - My leap back into civvie life

A wonderful, and very real gentleman, Mr Lewis Burbury leased Clyne Vale at Epping for many years. 

He was also a member of the Campbell Town Council and had come to the Launceston wharf to see us off on the old Narooma on our way to the Middle East battle area. Several other councillors also did as 11 of us came from the Campbell Town municipality.

I had been discharged only about two days when Mr Burbury contacted me. 

“Welcome home,” he said, “and have you got a horse?” 

I didn’t, but I certainly needed one.

Horses had always been quite a passion with me. I enjoyed all horse sports – hunting, showjumping, amateur races, etc. 

Mr Burbury then told me that when he returned from seeing me off, his mare had just had a colt foal. This, he decided then, he would give to me. 

He had named it, had it broken in, and kept it with an idea in his mind. What a wonderful kind gesture – and so typical of the man. 

That horse, which we named Aintree, became my favourite horse. Always willing and keen, he also became a splendid jumper, winning many hunting classics for me, and later on for my wife, Gill. He was never known to refuse any obstacle that was placed before him.   

While in the Middle East, I think while we were resting as garrison troops in Lebanon, notice was given to all ranks that, at the conclusion of the war, “Soldier Settlement” on farms would be considered. Those interested were given forms to fill in and I lost no time in applying. The concept was very hazy, but the first steps were taken.

While awaiting the necessary rigmarole for discharge, I notified my old firm, A.G. Webster & Sons, that I was anxious to return to work, but I got a bit of a disappointment. 

Yes, there would definitely be a job for me, but they would like me to be stationed in Hobart and become a member of the company’s machinery department. It was explained to me that I had been away for some years and the man who replaced me in livestock had done quite well but was too old to go into machinery. 

If I had my old job back he would have to go, and as he was in his late 50s … and so on. I told Websters I would have to think about it.

The following day, my old boss, my mentor and greatest helper, Mr Normie Nicolson, arrived down at Brighton Camp to see me. He understood the situation. He always did. He asked me if I had applied for Soldier Settlement. Yes, I had. 

Well, Mr Nicolson said, properties were being acquired now but they would take two or three years to get going. Would I like to accept a job with his brother, Athol Nicolson, as assistant manager at Streanshalh, to see me through until then. I would be delighted and accepted immediately.

Athol Nicolson was a returned man from the First World War and saw long months of service as an artillery gunner in the Battle of the Somme and elsewhere. 

Unfortunately, he contracted meningitis, twice. I believe army records showed him to be the only one to have recovered from such a serious illness twice. 

I never heard him complain but I do know that he was subject to terrible headaches that would last for days. It never altered his manner to anyone. He was always a wonderful man who I remember with great respect and admiration. But I know he suffered very deep pain quite often and I felt for him very much. He had three children - Alison, Margaret and Andrew, who were all at school when I was.

Unfortunately Mr Nicolson died only about four years after I left his employ and Andrew was left to take over Streanshalh at a very young age. 

He has done a remarkable job in all aspects of management and must be one of the top studmasters ever. He runs three studs - Merino, Polwarth and - I am sure his favourites - Corriedales. He is very successful with all.

Andrew has one of the best brains of any man I know and his memory for all things is incredible. No matter what the subject, Andrew is the one to contact, and he invariably comes up with the answer immediately. 

I have never known him to be wrong. Neither has anyone else. And the answer is always prompt. I dips my lid to him. I admire him immensely for his whole character and his manner to all.