War widows honour oldest member

Ettalong War Widows Guild recently honoured their oldest member, Alice Fitzpatrick, who will turn 104 on August 7.

She was born Alice Simpson on August 7, 1899, at Waterloo in Sydney.

Alice started school in country NSW at Curry Curry, then moved to Pelaw Main and finished at Tea Gardens, aged 14.

At the outbreak of Worid War I, she moved to Sydney.

In 1919, she married Gallipoli veteran James Fitzpatrick and reared six children

Alice has two children still surviving, along with 25 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and 25 great great grandchildren.

She was widowed in 1952, when James died of injuries he had received in the war.

Alice was a foundation member of the Crippled Children's Association, with her third child having two club feet.

According to her daughter, Gloria Peachy, it was because of Alice's endurance and perseverance that this boy was accepted into the army in 1940.

Alice worked at Selby Shoes until 1970, when she was aged 71.

On retirement, Alice did charity work for Number 9 Community Centre at Newtown, a Meals on Wheels depot.

Alice waited tables and worked in the kitchen.

Alice joined Manickville RSL Women's Auxiliary in the 1970s and worked with the auxiliary until retiring to the Central Coast in 1990, aged 91.

After moving to Umina, Alice joined the Red Cross and is still a member.

She is also a member of the RSL Women's Auxiliary, War Widows, and Legacy.

Gloria Peachey, July 22