Doc marks 100 years as a Townsville local
It’s not often that a person can say they have seen a century of their hometown’s history firsthand, but for Bolton Clarke Rowes Bay resident Leslie (Doc) that’s exactly what he has done.
The soon-to-be centenarian was born in Townsville on 9th March 1925 and will be celebrating his birthday for the 100th time on the shores of Rowes Bay.
“I was born on the southside and have lived here in Townsville for my whole life,” Doc said.
Apart from three years serving in the Army during World War II, Doc has seen his hometown transform into the city it is today.
“I was a wood machinist when I left school and then I moved into the Army on my 18th birthday and did that for three and a half years.”
After enlisting, Doc spent time travelling around Queensland and Sydney for training before being sent to the 2/33rd Battalion where he stayed until the war was announced over.
“I remember the night well, there was a concert party on the beach starring English singer Gracie Fields, but many of us had to stay behind in the pits just in case, so I volunteered to stay back.
“Then when the concert was over, I remember they were all coming up and yelling out, ‘The war’s over! The war’s over!’ and that was it.”
After the war ended, Doc returned to Townsville, meeting his late wife Beryl and marrying in 1949. Their daughter Sharon was born a year later.
“I now have two grandchildren and five great grandchildren!” he says.
A shared love of the water attracted Doc and Beryl to Rowes Bay Retirement Village, where they were among the first residents 34 years ago.
“Beryl always wanted to live on the water at Rowes Bay so when this place first opened up in 1991 we took the opportunity.
“I was always tied up with the water and was in the Townsville Sailing Club ever since I was a kid.
“It’s just a number one spot here and I’ve sailed in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and was out every Sunday on the water.”
With his birthday right around the corner, Doc is sharing his secret to living for a century saying it’s “just common sense”.
“You don’t drink or smoke and in my case I have never drunk coffee or tea either.”
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