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Mitchell and Family Birth: Maurice Mitchell - 27th October 1925 Father - Percival Stafford Mitchell Mother - Ethel Mitchell (nee Hornsby) Died:
=========================================== Maurice Mitchell was born on 27th October, 1925 the only child of Percy Stafford and Ethel Mitchell (nee Hornsby). His birth took place at the Womens Crowns Hospital, Sydney. As Maurice grew up he later became known as "Mitch" and so will be referred to by that name in this article. My grandparents on my father's side were Jonas and Mary Mitchell. The details are noted on Percy's army enlistment papers. I started life around the Milson's Point, Sydney area but at the age of 3 my mother died (1928/29) and I moved to a chicken farm at Manly Vale. The chicken farm was owned by my Auntie Alice and her husband Vincent Crowther. Later on I moved to a set of duplex flats at Raglan St., Manly owned by Auntie Alice and her husband, Vincent. This is where I spent most of my boyhood. One of my favourite past times was swimming. I loved nothing better than to run down the hill as quick as I could just so I would have as much time as possible to spend at the Manly Pool. I was also a Chorister at St. Matthews Church of England, Manly and had to attend both Morning and Evening Services. After I left Manly Intermediate High School I decided to move out and find some independence. I moved in with a friend, Bruce Parl whose father owned a chemist shop. While living there I completed an apprenticeship in Compositing in the Printing Industry and during this time I met my first wife Teresa Katherine Webster. I joined the Air Force just prior to getting married and was stationed around the Windsor area West of Syndey. On 6th September 1952 at the Craiguish Private Hospital, Windsor my only child was born, Michael Joseph. At the time we were living in a guest house at "Kamilaroi", Kurmond. Around this time I was posted to the Radar Installation and Maintenance Unit at the Woomera Rocket Range. Here I installed radar equipment at the Range. My wife was becoming discontented with a nomadic existence of Air Force life so I requested a discharge and it was granted. We headed back and found some accommodation at Manly Vale, Sydney but after a while we were able to purchase a block of land at Narraweena, Dee Why area and later built a temporary dwelling. It was around this time I managed to obtain a job in the electronics industry, this enabled me to use the skills I had accomplished in the Air Force but I did not like this kind of electronics work so I went back into the Printing Industry to work for a Shipping newspaper. Here I was required to produce the text for the newspaper on my own and worked long hours. I eventually saw the light and tossed this job in for a position with AWA. I worked in the valve works but found this a little boring but kept my eyes on the notice board and finally one day they wanted a recording technician. I moved offices and was eventually cutting records and making master discs for RCA Records, I also worked in 2CH Broadcasting Studios. I obtained a divorce in 1958 and became a sole parent and for me this meant leaving Michael in the care of people while I went to work as he was only 3 at the time. Later on I met a woman, Jean who was interested
in allowing me to board - this was a good arrangement as she was a sole parent herself and
had a daughter, Janet about Michael's age. Her husband had died. Jean and I sold the house and moved to Bass Hill Caravan Park where I became a night watchman. Jean became very sick and eventually went to live with her daughter in Dubbo and I moved to a caravan Park in Wyongah, Central Coast - about 70km North of Sydney - not far from Michael. I enjoy reasonable good health and continue to be a very keen listener to all types of music and still dabble in electronics. ODSAL DENE
- Manly
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 Maurice (Mitch) Mitchell - 70 years
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