"The News"

LAYING BRICKS AT 73 Record of Mr E Kearvell

TWELVE IN FAMILY

Mr Edward Kearvell of 8 Water Street, Kensington Park, who was injured in a motor collision near the City Bridge on Tuesday, has a remarkable record.

Although he is 73 years of age he still works as a bricklayer. His wife is 70 years of age. They have been married 50 years and have had a family of 12 children. They have lived in the same house for 33 years, and on Wednesday in spite of the great shock received only a day before, Mr Kearvell resumed work.

Mr Kearvell must come from hardy stock. When a representative of "The News" visited his home to obtain an interview Mrs Kearvell said that he was at work. Mr Kearvell is a bricklayer, and for some time has been engaged cutting archways on the new hospital at Yatala South, where he is employed by Mr F Fricker, builder and contractor, of Old Port Road Queenstown. On the day of the accident after treatment at Adelaide Hospital he was allowed to go home.

"I was feeding the fowls at the time" explained Mrs Kearvell this morning, "and when I looked up I noticed my husband. I asked him what had caused him to come home". "Nothing much" he replied. "I was in an accident".

"That was all he said", continued Mrs Kearvell, "but he had received a great shock and several minor abrasions.

Mrs Kearvell considers that her husband is wonderful for his age. Every morning shortly after 5 o'clock he rises, cooks his breakfast, and prepares his lunch prior to setting off for work.

"He is a hearty-eater too", added his wife. "For breakfast he has a large bowl of wheaties and two eggs and he has a substantial lunch. At night he can eat a dinner of soup, meat and pudding with anybody".

The secret of the almost perfect health of Mr Kearvell his wife does not attribute to any particular reason. He enjoys a drink and is also a smoker.

"Every night", said Mrs Kearvell, "my husband has his drink - a handle, I think he calls it. He is not a great smoker, although he is fond of it. Since we came to Australia I do not think that he has ever had a doctor. His health has been always good".

Continuing, Mrs Kearvell said that they had been married 50 years, having celebrated their golden wedding last November. She is 70 years of age herself, although in appearance she does not appear a day older than 60.

Mr Kearvell has been on numerous jobs for the Government, having been employed on building work for the State for a score of years. He has been engaged in the trade since he was 12 years of age, and there is not an aspect of it with which he is not acquainted.

Mrs Kearvell is proud that her husband is so strong at his age, and considers it remarkable that she has never been called upon to prepare the breakfast for her husband. He has refused to allow her to do this.

When the couple landed in Australia they brought eight children with them, They have had 12 children, nine of whom are living.

They are Messrs. John C Kearvell of Brighton and William George Kearvell of Marryatville; Mrs A Hawkes of Glenelg; Mrs W Smith of Malvern; Mrs B Barnes of Sydney; Mrs A Dangerfield of Broken Hill; Mrs E Dangerfield of Broken Hill; Mrs J Sheridan of Kensington Park and Mrs R Jacker.

The family is said to be the only one in Australia bearing the name of Kearvell

EARLY RISER

WORKED SINCE 12

Adelaide

1927

Mr and Mrs Kearvell came from Sussex, England, not far from Portsmouth, where Mr Kearvell began his occupation as a bricklayer. They came to Australia 36 years ago and for 33 years have lived in the same house at Kensington Park.

He made light of them, however, and I think he was really glad to go back to work. Mr Fricker wanted him to come back as soon as possible, although he asked my husband not to overwork".