Early Days

Alfred Ernest Albert Blyth (1889-1984)

My grandfather was the eldest child and only boy in a family of 7 children born to Alf Blyth and Bridget Corkery. He spent most of his life in the bush in North Eastern Tasmania. He worked with the Public Works Dept untill his retirement when he and his wife Elsie moved to Launceston. Both Young Alf and his father who was also Alf, were famed for their accordion playing at dances and parties in the districts surrounding Myrtle Bank, Patersonia and Nunamara.

Alf married Elsie Towns in 1912, they raised their family of 8 children in Patersonia and then moved to the city when Alf retired. I remember going to visit my grandparents when they lived at 256 Vermont Road in Ravenswood. Their house overlooked Launceston and at night from my bedroom window I could look out at the city lights. I thought it was very exciting! Grandad would take me to the "Monkey" park behind the Albert Hall and we would ride on the little train around the beautiful grounds, visit the monkeys and have treats such as ice creams.

When they were no longer able to take care of themselves in their own home, Elsie and Alf moved to Cosgrove Park Home where sadly they were split up as each had to live in a separate wing of the home. Alf would make the long walk each day from his own room to sit by Elsie's bed. She died in 1976 and he lived on into his 96th year. They were both very kind and loving grandparents and we all have terrific memories to keep of them.