Don Kinsey: 1935-1945 The Early Years Sydney and Townsville

Sydney

Dad 18 months

Dad was the first son of Dorothy and WIlliam (Bill) Kinsey. He was born on the 6th February, 1935. He had a sister Barbara (our “Aunty Barb”) who was 18 months younger. Barbara and Dad and Barb were very close as children.

Dad 3 years and Barb 18 months

Dad’s first years were spent on a 5 acre chicken farm in Casula, near Liverpool in New South Wales. He started school at Prestons Primary School. We are not sure of the year, but dad was still in primary school when his parents finished building their house at Castlecrag. Grandad was an architect and he designed and oversaw the building of this house. It had majestic views over Middle Harbour and was the home we remember when we visited our grandparents in our childhood and into our adulthood. They didn’t move into the house though until after WWII.


One of many family camping trips


A portrait of Dad

Camping or a picnic

With a boat made by his grandfather


Playing dress-ups

Setting out

Grandad was one of the founding members of the River Canoe Club. He built his own canoe and the family explored many rivers around Sydney and beyond. These early days in the canoe started dad’s love of the water. He spent many days exploring the Georges River. And, in later years Middle Harbour and the Sydney shoreline.

Dad on the Georges River

Townsville during the War

In a rather unorthodox move for a family in wartime, Grandad took his whole family with him when he was moved north to the garrison town of Townsville in the early 1940’s. Townsville was a base for much military activity during WWII, including the Battle of the Coral Sea. Grandad had worked for the NSW Public Works Department in Sydney. But when WWII broke out he, along with many other artists and architects, was seconded to work for the Department of Defence in the Camouflage Group. He designed and oversaw the installation of camouflage for radars and other installations throughout northern Australia and the region during the war.

Below are some photos Grandad took out an airplane window of the area around their home in Sussex Street in Hermit Park and the general area of wartime Townsville.