Version 6.01

03 March 2021

David March © 2014

ELDON NORDSTROM

Eldon came from a farming family and when conscription was introduced, his family was told that one of their sons had to join up. It was decided that Eldon should go, leaving his brother Amies to continue to help on the farm. This must have been a difficult decision for a family to make.

Eldon had seen something of army training, and didn’t think he was suited, so joined the navy. He became a stoker. On a journey along the coast of Africa, the food on board ship was so bad that he seriously considered jumping ship. An incident made him reconsider. Native Africans were begging for the left-over food from the ship and eating it with relish such was their hunger. Eldon figured there were people worse off than himself, and remained in post.

He was relieved to be back on the farm after three and a half years’ service, and when he had a son Deon, he advised him never to go to war if he could avoid it.

He and his wife Ruth farmed in the Marchant Grove area for over 20 years.

Informants: Ruth and Deon Nordstrom (wife and son) in conversation

Stoker
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