From 52

Reflections by

I was born in 1952 on a windy 21 of August at the Willen Crayvagen hospital in Germiston. My mother informed me that they stayed in Daisey Demelkers old house at Rose Deep in Germiston. Here is the story of where it all started, in other words, how my family came to settle in South Africa and where I fit in.

During the 2nd World War, Rand Airport was an air force base. The houses at the airport were originally built to house the military personnel in the Air Force, who stationed at Rand Airport. When the base closed, the houses were rented out to civilians from all walks of life. These were wooden structures, that were erected during the war, for the pilots, their families, ground staff and all other personnel who were in the South African Airforce at Germiston Airport.

The only tar road was the road leading to the airport grounds, from the old Russel road.

It was hard times growing up. Money and luxury were scarce and punishment was often cruel. We were mischievous though, for it was a common way to pass time.

In 1908 a young man of 10 years, ran away from home and joined the royal navy. He was Arthur Brameld, my grandfather. He served on HMS Stork.

It was a time when there was no age limit for laborors and due to hardship, many children started working at the age of ten to help support their families.

There were 5 ships that sailed to the Kerguelen Islands. The ship that he served on was The Sound of Jura.