NAME John Strachan
BORN Abt. 1896
DIED Poss. 1978
MILITARY SERIAL NO. 992
UNIT 7th Mobile Vet. Section
ENLISTED Sydney 13 March 1916
DISCHARGED Sydney     ?   1919

 John Strachan’s block consisted of 200 acres and was in the County of Bathurst, Parish of Beneree, Orange Land District. He applied for his loan on 31 March 1921.[1]

John Strachan purchased the block from his father William and at the time of purchase the holding was mortgaged to the Government Savings Bank to the amount of £1,250 and to E.S. Baker of Orange to the amount of £1,000.[2]  A memorandum from the RSS Branch stated in May 1921 that John Strachan had limited experience but should be able to work the holding.  His prospects were not particularly bright owing to interest instalments and a lack of capital.  It was the opinion of the Branch that an advance should not be made unless the Department could guarantee that the instalments of the advance were met as they fell due.[3] 

John’s father, William who was a Police Inspector, stated that if his son was not able to meet the ‘requirement of repayments’ he would guarantee that they were repaid.[4]  On this condition John’s advance was approved 8 August 1921.[5]

On 16 December 1921, John Strachan wrote a letter of complaint about the slow payment conditions being implemented by the SS Branch.  He stated,

I was told that the money would be paid over within 48 hours, in this particular case the payment has not been made yet and it is 48 days ago.  At present I am refused any credit for the purchase of any seed wheat or potatoes … or machinery … that is necessary for working my farm … it is very uncomfortable for me when the money is so slow.[6]

On 2 January 1924, Strachan was given an extension of time to make his repayments although ‘a prompt settlement of approximately £111.4.1. (would) be expected at the expiration of the period of extension’.[7] Another extension was given to him in September of that year until 31 January 1925 the amount of arrears given as £111.3.3.[8]

It seems John’s arrears continued to mount.  A member of the Loans section demanded to know if William as guarantor for John has been approached about the arrears.[9]

In a letter to the Under Secretary for lands, the District Surveyor, his poor opinion of John Strachan was evident.

Strachan’s father stated that his son was going to apply for all he could get. He believed he  should be entitled to be placed in the same (financial) position  as other  settlers, who through drink and dishonesty had failed and paid the Department nothing.  This settler has always asked why he should be called upon to pay anything when others were not paying.  It is with him a stock argument that as others have not paid, that he should not be required to pay.  I recommended that unless the setter pays his indebtedness by the 30th September, the loan be called up, items sold and proceedings taken to recover the balance as a crown debt.[10]

A notice was subsequently sent to John Strachan and his father William outlining their responsibilities in relation to the indebtedness.[11]

In a long note attached to an inspection report of 9 December 1926, John Strachan outlined the reasons for his arrears which after three years on the block were the result of ‘limited capital, the purchase of expensive horses (two who died) and farm machinery’.  He concluded, ‘I like the life on the land and sincerely hope that the Department will assist me to remain farming’.[12]

John Strahan continued to be in arrears for most the 1920s at varying degrees. 

A report written in 1930 stated that,

Strachan has always been a very difficult man to handle.  His father generally comes to the office on his behalf and adopts an attitude that the son should not be asked to pay the Department anything.  In view of the difficulty it is not desirable that his debt should be further increased.[13]

Around April 1932, with Strachan total indebtedness amounting to £381.19.11, the property was being sold back to the mortgagee at a price of £12 per acre .[14]

John Strachan repaid his advance in full on 7 June 1932.

Footnotes

[1] SRNSW:  Lands Department;  NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files, [12/7242 No. 7364] John Strachan, Application for loan 31 March 1921.

[2] Ibid, A.A. Watson to Inspector Blunt Land Board Office, Orange, 21 April 1921.

[3] Ibid, RSS Branch Office Memorandum 31 May 1921.

[4] Ibid, William Strachan to Director of Soldier Settlements 31 May 1921.

[5] Ibid, RSS Branch Office Memorandum 5 August 1921.

[6] Ibid, John Strachan to Director SS Branch 16 December 1921.

[7] Ibid, Under Secretary to District Surveyor Orange, 2 January 1924.

[8] Ibid, Under Secretary to J. Strachan, 4 September 1924.

[9] Ibid, Department  of Lands Memorandum notation by a staff from Loans Department 2 July 1926.

[10] Ibid, District Surveyor Deane to Under Secretary for Lands 3 August 1926.

[11] Ibid, Department of Lands Memorandum 18 November 1926.

[12] Ibid, Note and Inspection Report 9 December 1926.

[13] Ibid, RSS Branch Report notation by officer in charge, 13 February 1930.

[14] Ibid, RSS Branch 5 April 1932.

Sources used to compile this entry:

State Records NSW:  Lands Department;  NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files; [12/7242 No. 7364], John Strachan.

National Archives of Australia:  B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers (John Strachan) online:  http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=8092694