NAME Frederick Thomas VIDLER
BORN Abt. 1891-2
DIED 22 October 1952 at Darling Point
MILITARY SERIAL NO. 3544
UNIT 14th Australian Light Horse
ENLISTED Lismore 4 June 1917
DISCHARGED Sydney 21 September 1919

I have not made more than a bare living although I have worked very hard

Frederick Vidler was in occupation of 150 acres in the County of Rous, Lismore Land District.  The land was held under a five years lease that dated from 1 March 1920.[1] Vidler leased the property from Ivy Louisa Gore at an annual rental of £225 for the first three years and £243.15.0 for the remaining two years.[2] Vidler wanted to use his advance to pay for 35 cows, 6 heifers, 1 bull, pigs, a horse and various plant and equipment to run his diary farm.[3] A certified copy of the lease was forwarded to the Director of Soldier Settlements on 29 June 1920 together with information stating the mortgage on the property was paid off in 1913. [4] Vidler entered into occupation on 1 March 1921.[5]

Vidler was having difficulty paying his instalments as early as October 1921 and requested that he be able to use his Bonds to ‘put against (his) account’.[6] He attributed his problems were due to heavy floods, effecting the health and well being of his cattle.[7] Like many soldier settlers, Vidler was obliged to draw on his War Gratuity Bonds to pay his instalments.[8]

By 23 January 1922, the management of the farm was in the hands of his father.  Vidler senior also controlled all receipts and expenditures in connection with the stock and plant purchased from the Advance.[9] Frederick Vidler was at this time single and the District Surveyor believed that he would have to employ outside help, if the present arrangement (the one with his father??) was terminated.[10] It was suggested to help Vidler make his arrears that ‘regular monthly or quarterly repayments should be demanded’.[11]

In July 1922, Vidler was again unable to meet his repayments.  It was, he declared, a ‘terrible year for dairying’.[12] Clearly the modest help from his father was not enough: ‘I have not made more than a bare living although I have worked very hard’.[13] He applied for an extension of time to pay amounts due until 28 February 1923.[14] An extension was given by the Returned Soldier Settlement Branch on 29 September 1922.[15] In February 1924, Vidler was still absent from his holding and it was being worked by his father and a brother.[16] Drought conditions were very bad in the Lismore District in 1924 and Vidler’s father had put about £500 of his own money into the property.[17] It was suggested that the Vidlers’ obtain a new lease as the old one was due to run out in March 1925. Failing that, they considered selling the stock and plant.[18]

After the five year lease expired, Vidler again occupied the property, leasing it on a weekly basis only.  Ivy Gore would not renew the lease on a long-term basis and Vidler’s stock and plant were disposed of by auction on 21 October 1925.[19]

By August 1926, Vidler was behind in his repayments to the amount of £441.5.9. Like many soldier settlers, the most remunerative employment he could find was off the land.  His work as a hairdresser in Lismore earned £5 per week.  This was judged too little to pay off the loan.  Eventually, the debt was written off.[20] The drought could break even the most united families.

Footnotes

[1] SRNSW: Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers Settlement loan files; [12/6986 No. 4099], Application for loan, 27 February 1920.

[2] Ibid, RSS Branch Office Memorandum 2 June 1920.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid, Secretary NSW Repatriation Department to Director of Soldier Settlements 29 June 1920.

[5] Ibid, F.T. Vidler Application for Extension of time to pay amounts due on advance, nd.

[6] Ibid, Frederick T. Vidler to A.A. Watson  29 October 1921.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid, A.A. Watson to F.T. Vidler 17 November 1921.

[9] Ibid, District Surveyor to the Under Secretary for Lands 18 January 1923.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid, F.T. Vidler to A.A. Watson 29 July 1922.

[13] Ibid.

[14] Ibid, F.T. Vidler Application for Extension of time to pay amounts due on advance, Op.cit. nd.

[15] Ibid, RSS Branch Office Memorandum 29 September 1922.

[16] Ibid, Copy of Report from G. Marland 19 April 1924.

[17] Ibid.

[18] Ibid.

[19] Ibid, District Surveyor to the Under Secretary for Lands 3 November 1925.

[20] Ibid, Report from the Under Secretary 14 August 1926.

Sources used to compile this entry:

State Records NSW: Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers Settlement loan files; [12/6986 No. 4099] Frederick Thomas Vidler.

National Archives of Australia: B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers (Frederick Thomas Vidler) online: http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=8399089&I=1&SE=1