Stranger in a Stange Land.

Stranger in a Strange Land

Jemima Boyd Hume/Lavery

My grandmother, Jemima Boyd Hume was born on 3^rd August 1886 in, Bonhill Scotland; and grew up at 46 Napierston Terrace, Bonhill, with her parents and siblings.

The squealing of happy children, so much surrounded Jemima as she went about her day at the Kirup family home. Since Immigrating to Western Australia with his husband John Lavery, she has continued to keep some of her Scottish heritage alive through her children’s upbringing.

“Boosh, Boosh, why so much bloody boosh,” was a common exclamation from Jemima when talking of her new Australian home. There are always reminders of the stark differences between Bonhill her old home and her new home in Kirup, “flies, flies, why so many flies?” Jemima often asked.

Summer in Western Australia was a huge contrast, to the Scottish summers to what she was used to, Jemima coped by wearing light loose, puffy dresses, outdoors; and when indoors the home was kept closed up in the day's heat.    

Polishing the floorboards, in the hallway; was a game for the four girls as they pulled, young brother John up and down on an old sheet. Sweet sounds of Jemima’s voice; songs from the homeland, sung in a combination of Gaelic and English floating through the home.             

As she did with her four daughters Jemima took special responsibility in teaching her granddaughters how to sword dance in the lounge at the Kirup home. Indeed she had a willingness to teach any young lady the art of sword dancing if they had an interest. 

Jemima was a family-loving, community-spirited member in the Southwestern town of Kirup. She was actively involved with organizing community events including the annual Christmas tree in the 1930s-1940s.

Dewing the years that Jemima's husband John Lavery was away serving in Egypt with the 10th Light Horse regiment, she endured four long years of being the all-loving carer in both her family and the community of Kirup.  

 

Noel L Bond

DipFamHistUtas

Copyright

Written by N. Bond, all content is the complete work and property of  N. Bond. No content or part may be used in any way without the prior written permission of the author.