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".

A letter from Nellie to her brother George Livesey:
Perponda
Feb 12th 1918
Dear George
It is some time since I wrote to you but you must forgive me, as it is such terrible weather, & our busiest time & a bush fire given in. Our crop is very disappointing, only about half what we expected. I think this is a good country to get out of for a time, so we are trying to let the place until it goes a head a bit more, and then sell it. The returned soldier on the next block to us is thinking of taking our on shares this year, hope he does then leo can go to his trade again, we are both full up of it although we like farm life better than town, but what is the use of working so hard for nothing. We have not heard from you for weeks now hope we get a letter soon to say you are coming home. I heard from Mother & Dot yesterday they are both well but feeling the heat as everyone is, we are having such hot weather & poor Leo & the soldier are out cleaning wheat, they have to leave off in the heat of the day sometimes & work by moonlight. Last week we had a terrible bush fire, they are awful, it went...The Spanish or Pneumonic Influenza has got a hold in South Australia now, & they have taken over the Exhibition Building as an isolation hospital & the State is quarantined, also Victoria & N.S.W. so thing are in a bad way here, & up till Monday last they had 61 cases in S. Aus. I expect Leo will be going to town in a few days, as soon as he has carted the wheat, he has to go on business so I will stay with a neighbor instead of going now then I will be able to go down if you are coming home soon. I think this is all & I must take some lunch out to the men so will close hoping you are in the best of health as we are & hoping you are soon coming home with love
from
Your loving sister
Nellie Shepherd.
`

A letter from Arthur & Grace Shepherd to Nellie:

c/o Howard Swisher
Townsville
14 September 19'25
Dear Nellie,
We were very sorry that we were unable to see you and Len whenever we were over.
Of course we only stayed 6 days and only just had a glimpse of them all, including poor old Leo.
We little thought of hearing such news before we had left Sydney.
I hope the future will unfold opportunities for you to find your boy all that is good for him and your share of the "silver lining."
In the event of your suing for compensation and losing I will gladly make myself responsible for L10 ‎[ten pounds]‎.
Grance and Hazel arrived in Townsville last Saturday morning.
Both are well and Hazel is getting quite big.
She will start school next Monday, we hope.
She says she needs a few days rest before she starts.
She is not very keen on beginning but I expect she will like it when she gets used to it. The presnet day methods are much more pleasant than in our early school days.
Remember me to all members of the family mine and yours when you see them.
I am afraid our loss will have a very serious effect on both my mother and father as well as Wilfred and Edmund.
I cannot properly realise the fact.
Unless you come up this way I expect it will be a good long time before I see you again.
With love from Arthur & Grace

On Leo's death, Nellie received this letter from Leo's first-cousin Emma Cane

‎(whose mother was Elizabeth Shepherd Cane)‎:
17 Eastern Avenue
Reading, Berks.
Septr. 16th/26
My dear Cousin,
I scarcely know how to wite to one I have never seen, but Uncle Henry says you would like to hear from me, so I will send a few lines. First, I will thank you for the photo of your little boy which must be very good indeed. He is quite a treasure to you I am sure, especially now that you have lost your dear husband. It must have been an awful blow to you, as to all of you. But I trust that you are laying hold of God's strength to support you in this trying time. Do you know what it is to just ‎[put]‎ your hand in His to lead you & save & guide you? Are you His child by faith & adoption into His redeemed family? If so it is well, & He wants to fill up the gap in your life, that He has permittted with His own perfect love, & care. It is very hard to say "Thy will be done", & He only can give us the power to will His will & rest in Him. He is the only true Comforter, & so I can only commend you to Him that He may guide you in all your steps & bless the dear boy He has given you.
I must post these three letters now, with very best wishes & love
From your affecte- cousin
Emma E. Cane

A letter to Nellie from her mother-in-law Florence Buttfield 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 ..acher's seem very nice kind people.
I hope you will come out 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 drafting & 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 is here he is out of work, he goes back to Lyndoch 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 & .om are going to pictures tonight Much love to you both from father & I a big hug for Len
Your loving Mother
F.C. Shepherd