Ms Marjorie (Midge) Leslie RUSSELL

   FamilySearch ID: LBD6-961.

  General Notes:

This is the text of a speech that Midge wrote recently where new members joining the Probus Club are asked to get up and relate the story of their lives:

I was born on 27th October 1922 at Ascot, Brisbane, Queensland. Being very anxious to see the outside world I did not wait for Dr Love to arrive, as he had to take the long way around as the Brisbane River was flooded. I never asked my mother why, so perhaps the bridge had not been built at that time and too dangerous to cross by water.

I was the middle of 5 children - an older brother and sister with two younger brothers. My father and mother were both born in Adelaide but my father, a wool buyer, had been sent up to Brisbane to open the wool firm William Haughton. Unfortunately my father developed Parkinson's Disease when I was only a baby and at aged three the family returned to South Australia to be near my Grandmother at Brighton.

All my childhood was spent close to the beach and despite my father's increasing disability and finally dying when I was 11; I had a wonderful happy childhood. Mother, a remarkable woman always cheerful, loving and bright. I, my sister and two younger brothers spent all of our Primary schooling at a little private school run by Dorothy and Winifred Fleming. The school was in the French Hall next to St Jude's Church. They were happy years - we all walked to school and the playground to a certain extent was the St Jude's Cemetery - we had our annual races up the centre path! No doubt the happy laughter of children was accepted by the inmates.

Aged 12, I went to Woodlands, where I spent the next 5 years and much the time missing the bus and walking home along Brighton Road lugging my suitcase. Home being just behind the Brighton Station.

Sometimes I wonder if I did all of my walking as a child as a great friend I met aged 6 lived at Seacliff and in those days we wandered the Marino Hills where we spent hours checking out and finding orchids.

The 2nd World War had just broken out in 1939 when I left school and just after Christmas my sister became ill and mother and I nursed her until she died 2 years later. In the interim we were kept very busy helping with the war effort - many the pounds of flour kneaded into shortbread for Paddy Markets etc, knitting socks and balaclavas - no doubt we can all relate to those days. My older brother went off to the war in early 1940 and my younger brothers were both in the Navy by 1943. After my sister's death I suggested to mother that either I join the WRAAF or start nursing. The latter had been my original plan for many years.

In January 1942 I started nursing at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. In those days no preliminary school, but straight in to the wards. They were very busy, but enjoyable, years - although very much aware of the war waging and brothers away and the loss of so many friends. Fortunately my siblings survived. I finished nursing at the RAH and was in Sydney for a short break with my mother when peace was declared. What a joyous time it was - we became part of the crowd in Martin Square as we were staying at the Metropolitan Hotel.

On returning to Adelaide I commenced my midwifery training at the Queen Victoria Hospital.

Yes you are probably wondering when dear Tom came into my life. Strangely not until 1947 when my brother Bob asked him home to Brighton for tennis. They were both working at Goldsbrough Mort. Tom grew up with so many of my friends at Brighton and in earlier years one of his cousins was at the little school I attended, but no Tom until 1947.

In 1948 three of my nursing friends and I travelled to England on the Orion leaving from Melbourne. Tom and his mother also travelling to England on the same ship (1st Class) - they even witnessed my Will - but certainly no thought that we Tom and I would be married in 8 years time. There were six girls together on the passage, two others from Adelaide, in H Deck or "Hell Deck" as I called it with only a pigeon hole, but we had lots of fun.

I spent three wonderful, interesting years in England, very much a working holiday. Westminster Children's, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary Hospital and then joined Mrs Cowards Agency (Aunt of Noel Coward) with some very, very interesting cases. In particular at the Dorchester Hotel looking after the ex king of night clubs from South Africa with gout in his big toe but really wanted someone to just give him some TLC. He took me to the races one day - I said we could go with doctor's approval - which of course was given. He said he would take me to Paris for a few days but I said I didn't think I was quite the right one. I do hope he had success; all the money in the world does not necessarily bring happiness.

I spent the three Winters of my sojourn in England on the ski fields. First at Murren in Switzerland, then Lech and Obergurgl in Austria - how I loved it. Always planned to do the same in Australia but life changed.

Brother Bob arrived in Penarth, Wales on the last trip of the Passat - the sailing ship. In early 1950 we skied at Lech and then had a week tour through Italy, France and Holland. I broke my ankle skiing after the 1st week so a good part of the trip was spent in plaster.

Evidently I could go into the book of records as being the first person to climb the steps up to the Villa of San Michelle on the Isle of Capri in plaster. We walked everywhere and did the trip on the smell of an oily rag. In 1950 my brother Frank also came to England as an exchange student at Metro Vickers, Manchester. Great to share some of the time over there together.

I returned to Australia in January 1951 and then constantly seeing and going out with Tom, but in those days the girl didn't do the asking. Tom went overseas in 1954 for a couple of months. By April 1955, I decided to visit England again, evidently much to Tom's horror - letters at every port - he thinking I was off to meet another friend.

On 27th October 1955 after 6 months in England, I returned to my flat in St James where a girl from schooldays and I were sharing to hear the phone ringing. Tom asking me to marry him and how soon could I come home - I might add that we had been writing to each other every day.

I had arranged a trip with a friend to Scandinavian Countries in December so returned to Adelaide on the Iberia a one class ship in January 1956. Tom was at the wharf in Perth to meet me and had obtained a berth to travel back to Adelaide. We announced our engagement the day I returned and were married in April - a happy ending after 9 years.

By 1961 our 4th child arrived - fortunately a boy as our eldest son Frank, aged 41/2 having two younger sisters told us to take it back to the hospital if it was another girl.

Tom was a wonderful pianist but despite the piano being one of my loves I never attained his expertise.

In my upper 50s I decided to join a choir - the Murray Park Singers. One of my children said "mum must be getting old - she's joining a choir!" I had 10 very rewarding years as a join in Alto voice. Also singing in 5 Festival of Arts Choirs in French, German, Russian and Czechoslovakian - a great experience. I left Murray Park and joined the Burnside Singing Group and also the C.O.T.A Choir and continued with these until recently. Now I am sitting back and enjoying hearing others sing, playing bridge and doing the occasional bit of fishing. I certainly don't agree with the radio announcer who said he feels sorry for the people getting old; they don't have anything to do.

When asked if I was a South Australian at one time my answer depended on what Don Dunstan or Bjeklke Peterson was up to at the time.

Tom died last year but we had nearly 49 years of happiness and I am now surrounded by loving family, including 8 grandchildren, and many friends - a very rewarding life.

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Midge on honeymoon: Midged loved fishing, 1956.

2. Best Family - early days: Helen - Midge - Tom - Frank Best, 1958, Beaumont, South Australia.

3. Midge fishing, Abt 1975, Hawkesbury River, Sydney NSW. Midge loved to fish but in later years would spend most of the time untangling line for the kids!!!

Marjorie married Mr Tom Classen BEST, son of Francis Mayfield BEST and Charlotte Edith Emma VATCHER, on 14 Apr 1956 in St Andrews, Walkerville, Adelaide, South Australia. (Mr Tom Classen BEST was born on 9 May 1921 in Adelaide, South Australia, died on 23 Oct 2004 in Adelaide, South Australia and was buried on 28 Oct 2004 in Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

1. Marriage Banns: Tom and Midge Best, 14 Apr 1956, St Andrews, Walkerville, Adelaide, South Australia.