Shep's Place Family Tree

During the First World War Leo and Nell took up land in the Mallee, an area in the south-east of South Australia. Leo had bad health, and there were many bad seasons. As Nellie wrote to her brother George in 1918, .."We are both full up of it although we l ike farm life better than town, but what is the use of working so hard for nothing..."

Leo and Nellie returned to Adelaide where Leo was in partnership with his brother Wilfred in a building business--Shepherd Brothers of Westbourne Park.

Leo was a cheerful, happy person, who was proud of his only child, Leonard Livesey "Len".

The townspeople gathered and looked for Leo. Father had tins of kerosene in his store. He lit fires in the hills. The people looking for Leo were out all night. Next day Father rode on his horse toward the Parachilna Railway Station where he saw a boy sitting on a dark horse coming over the hill with Rem Barnes. Rem had found Leo 15 miles from home. He asked Leo, "What are you doing here?" "I lost home; I can't find it. I don't know where it is." Mother looked after him well, and he was soon alright.

A letter from Florence Shepherd, Leo's mother, to his wife Nell:
50 Ashley St., Torrensville
My dear Nell
Your two letters I received. I'm pleased you got away alright & that you will benefit for the change & dear little Len, tell the folk not to spoil him, but I don't know how they can help doing so, he is such a dear little chappie. The..ackers seem very nice kind people.
I hope you will come alright with the claim it is worth trying for I don't see why you should not get it. Father has been in bed off & on every day since our loss he feels it rheumatism of head & nerves, he has Dr Bollen attending him yesterday & today he seems a little better, he went to Ethel's the other day & she told me she got quite a shock he was looking so ill. I am afraid he is breaking up fast, of course he is a big age nearly 75 & we expect the old to go don't we? its the young life we can't understand being taken, but no doubt there may have been kindness in it all God does not make..understand. one thing you have no regrets you were a true helpmate to him in his troubles & he did have trouble always ..fting & no headway & some people don't work or worry & they seem to go through the world alright. We have had a little rain today not much, I hope you get it up there it is in the farming districts where it is most needed.

Uncle Will ‎[William Septimus Buttfield]‎ is here he is out of work, he goes back to Lyndock tomorrow I believe is taking Florence Horwood up to stay with Aunt Mary ‎[Spencer Buttfield's wife]‎ for the holidays. Ethel's children are still covered with sores. Have not seen Beth or anyone else since you left. Well I will write you again soon I must get tea uncle & ...are going to pictures tonight Much love to you both from father & I a big hug for Len
Your loving Mother
F. E. Shepherd

50 Ashley St., Torrensville
My dear Nell
Your two letters I received. I'm pleased you got away alright & that you will benefit for the change & dear little Len, tell the folk not to spoil him, but I don't know how they can help doing so, he is such a dear little chappie. The..ackers seem very nice kind people.
I hope you will come alright with the claim it is worth trying for I don't see why you should not get it. Father has been in bed off & on every day since our loss he felt it rheumatism of head & nerves, he has Dr Bollen attending him yesterday & today he seems a little better, he went to Ethel's the other day & she told me she got quite a shock he was looking so ill. I am afraid he is breaking up fast, of course he is a big age nearly 75 & we expect the old to go don't we? its the young life we can't understand being taken, but o doubt there may have been kindness in it all God does not make..understand. one thing you have no regrets you were a true helpmate to him in his troubles & he did have trouble always ..fting & no headway & some people don't work or worry & they seem to go through the world alright. We have had a little rain today not much, I hope you get it up there it is in the farming districts where it is most needed.
Uncle Will ‎[Buttfield, Florence's brother]‎ is here he is out of work, he goes back to Lyndock tomorrow. I believe is taking Florence Horwood up to stay with Aunt Mary for the holidays. Ethel's children are still covered with sores. Have not seen Beth or anyone else since you left. Well I will write you again soon I must get tea uncle & ...are going to pictures tonight Much love to you both from father & i a big hug for Len
Your loving Mother
F. C. Shepherd

Contractor Killed.

Mr. Leonard Victor Albert Shepherd ‎(37)‎, a contractor, of Foster Street, Parkside, was riding a motor cycle with side-car attached in Wattle Street, Parkside, on Wednesday morning, when it is reported that he collided with a milk cart, and was thrown from his cycle. He was taken to a private hospital on South Terrace, and was operated on by Drs. Russell and Pellew. He died at any early hour on Thursday morning...

Mr. Shepherd left a widow and child. Mrs. Shepherd was staying at Kingston for a short holiday, and on receiving the news of the accident by telephone, motored through to Adelaide, travelling all night, but unfortunately was unable to reach the city in time to see her husband alive. Mr. Shepherd was a member of the firm of Shepherd Brothers, builders and contractors, of Westbourne Park. He ws thirty-seven years of age and in full health and strength. He was a first-class tradesman and was of a cheery and genial disposition..."

He was the fifth son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shepherd of Torrensville. The funeral will leave his residence, Foster Street, Parkside, at 3 p.m. to-day for the West Terrace Cemetery."