Kilbo's Kin: Historical

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Historical Notes

John Kilby's sister, Shiela Court, shares information about their parents.

Harold Leslie Kilby was the third child of John Kilby and Jane Elizabeth Elms. The family lived at Lagoon near Bathurst and followed farming pursuits. At the age of 19 years Harold Leslie enlisted in the Army and served in France 1918 - Reg No.2752 Unit 45. The 45th Battalion was established on 23rd March 1916. Les suffered with Trenchfoot and was wounded twice, first a severe head wound and later a gunshot in the shoulder after which he was returned home. Several years later he married Aloysius Cronyn, the fourth child of John and Annie Cronyn of The Grove Trangie NSW. They moved to the Bathurst area and made their home at the Lagoon and were Market Gardeners for ten years. During this time they had two children, John and Sheila, who, when old enough, attended St Joseph's Convent, Perthville for their schooling. John then attended Maris Brothers, Forbes. The family then moved to Bundemar Street, Warren where Les was the Studmaster until his retirement in 1946. They then moved to Muronbung where Lucy and Les ran the local Post Office and Telephone Exchange. Les died in 1972. Lucy continued to run the Post Office and Exchange until it was replaced by automation. Lucy moved from Muronbung to Allison Street, Dubbo when she stayed until 1992. She was a member of the Catholic Women's League. Lucy then moved into Bracken House and was there until she passed away in 1996. John married Mable O'Farrell in 1954 at St Brigid's Catholic Church, Dubbo. John first worked on a property then on the railway. They had fourteen children and raised thirteen; Philip died age 11 months from catching measles. John died in 1982 a few weeks after the birth of his first grandson, Shane. Shiela married George Court, and lived on a property near Dubbo.

- Shiela Court

Muronbung Telephone Exchange

The telephone exchange was the once vital hub of all villages and was usually combined with a private residence. The person who took care of the switchboard did not have time off work unless it was arranged for another person to take over their duties. A telephonist worked around the clock to transfer calls and connect people. The sound of a buzzer and the revealing drop-down of a telephone number announced a new call. The buzzer had a transfer switch to make it very loud for when it needed to be heard outside the house - the laundry, bathroom and lavatory were external structures in those days. Telephone subscribers and people on party-lines were always considerate of the telephonist and kept their calls to acceptable times of the day and evening. Found inside the ruins of the Muronbung Post Office residence and Telephone Exchange, a pot holder, neglected on a hook beside the kitchen fireplace, it's previous owner having placed it there over 40 years ago, the kitchen floor, littered with telephone call dockets, left where they had fallen from their place of storage. The last telephonist and post office mistress was Mrs Lucy Kilby 1906-1996.

- Suzanne Nagel 2017

The photographs below can be viewed on the Facebook Page Waitawhile Pictorial