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Foreword Before he died in 1922 my maternal Grandfather Thomas Robertson Thompson typed a 120 foolscap-page record of his life. A copy of this document is now in the NSW Archives. He stated that his intention was to inform his family of his life and times, which were different from theirs. He was born in Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1856, went to sea as a 15 year-old cabin boy and progressed to being a senior harbour pilot in Sydney. His life story includes descriptions of journeys to and from Australia as well as visits to China and other places on such exotic sounding ships as Blackadder, Helvetia and Kosciusko. On one voyage he fell overboard in the Great Australian Bight - fortunately the weather was such that the ship could be turned around to pick him up. When he settled in Sydney he married twice. His first wife died shortly after the birth of their son and his sister-in-law came to look after the child. Eventually they married and produced five more children. In his history, he writes that his wives were descended from some very early settlers and four convicts. Family photos show that he enjoyed family life and was in constant contact with his extended family. Grandfather
Thompson's record is treasured by his descendants. My Grandfather's story was of living and working in times and settings which presented constant physical danger and challenges for survival. My experience has not been one where the challenges come from the physical environment instead my story is set within in the realm of accepted ideas that I struggled to live with. Now, in my early eighties, I have finished this record of my memories and insights. June
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