I've turned up some interesting information on my GG uncle, Henry Joseph Cantwell, and his wife Ida Florence Wilks, and was wondering if anyone else has come across them. Henry Cantwell (b May 1896, Greta; d 13 Nov 1962) married Ida Florence Wiilks (b 1899 West Maitland, d 8 Aug 1990, Elizabeth Bay). He was the son of James Cantwell and Ellen Byrnes. On enlisting in the army at the start of WW1, he gave his occupation as a butcher. Fortunately for my research (and unfortunately for him), he was severely wounded during the war and I've now turned up years of paperwork from him and his wife to various Government departments about his treatment, pensions and the like. From these, I've discovered that Henry became a journalist with the Sun and the Sydney Morning Herald. By the 1950s, he was an editor with the SMH at the same time as his nephew John Kenneth Cantwell (more on him in a moment) was a proof reader on the paper. I've written to the SMH to see if they have any records or if there's anyone still around that remembers Henry but with no response to date. As for Henry's wife Ida, she gives her occupation as a violinist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, but again my efforts at finding out more have gone without response. Returning to John (Jack) Cantwell (born East Greta), he was an author and playwright who led an itinerant life. I've just turned up one of his books, Never a Closing Door, and from the dust jacket I've learned he was a dishwasher in London, a public bar pianist in Canada, London and elsewhere, a casual reporter for an Ontario (Canada) newspaper, and a proof reader for newspapers on three continents. Jack was in the RAAF during the war, apparently as a scriptwriter and announcer with Allied Forces Radio. I've also found out that he received a BA from Sydney University in 1948, and qualified as an English teacher but never taught. The circumstances of his death on 23 February 1966 at Potts Point are still sensitive with some family members so I won't go into details here, but I'd love to find out more about Jack as he was quite a flamboyant character from what I've learned so far. According to family tales, the Cantwells also had connections to the Maitland Mercury but I haven't been able to prove (or disprove) this so far. What makes this very interesting for me is I'm also a writer, poet and journalist (although I've given up the latter) who's travelled the world, worked in the press and on radio and, while working for the Singleton Argus some years back, also wrote for the Maitland Mercury. All without knowing the family history! Anyway, if anyone has come across these people, I'd appreciate them getting touch. Dennis PS I have time to write this as we're having fierce blizzards here in NE Scotland. It certainly makes a change from the Hunter. Dennis Johnstone Email: dennis@donjon1.demon.co.uk Blog: http://stonehead.wordpress.com