Page 26 SOUVENIR-CHARTERS TOWERS, 1872 TO JULY, 1950

Another very musical family was the Leyshons. Dolph and his brother were bandsmen, a daughter was a cellist and two others, Mrs. Cliff Griffiths and Mrs. H. Siemon, are still acceptable soloists.

Of course, mention must be made of J. M. Clark's long association with the Towers Concert Band, and his impressive list of successes, and the band's fine war records.

In 1907, the Eisteddfod at Charters Towers was even more successful. Miss Gladys Moncrieff, now so well known in the operatic world, got her first taste of victory as a vocalist when she divided the prize for the soprano solo, "O for the Wings of a Dove."

The Northern Eisteddfod movement was at that time doing a great deal towards bringing out other successful artists who made their way in the musical world. For instance, Hope Charters (Miss Lizzie Brown) went to pursue her studies in England; Miss Bronnie Fairhall, who was successful in winning the Sydney Conservatorium Scholarship in 1917; Miss Rosina Palmerson and Miss Agnes Rawes, who for several years entertained audiences all over Australia with their vocal ability; Mr. Richard McClelland, who also went to England, became a finished artist, appeared with distinguished success in Sydney theatres, and also led a fine choir there; and many others who have become more or less successful abroad.

To-day the Towers Choir is still under the baton of Mr. Fred Friemann, who works hard in the interest of the choirs and the North Queensland Eisteddfod work. Mr. Friemann has also done marvellous work with his High School Choir and has achieved much success with his choir in the Juvenile Eisteddfods.

" GOR BLIMEY CHARLIE "

The following story was told by Mr. Charlie Downs, who at the present time is a Blacksmith employed at "Cleveland Foundry," Townsville.

Charlie Downs was a Towersite a long time ago, and one day he got in a train at Ravenswood Junction (now Mingela) to proceed to the Towers. He was the.only person in the carriage but soon after another Ravenswood identity, Charlie Dungavell, entered the carriage.

Not many minutes after, Charlie Stapleton boarded the train. He was on one of his business trips and was, as many will recall, totally blind and the lad who was leading him was, by some coincidence, called Charlie also.

This strange business was not to stop at this; just before the train was due to depart, Mr. Charlie Sills, the painter, entered the carriage and before the train reached Charters Towers, two other "Charlies" had entered the same carnage.

It is told that when the last man boarded the train at some very small siding, one of the occupants of the carriage said: "Your name wouldn't be Charlie, by any chance, would it mate"? and received the following reply "and what if it is?" It was! "Gor Blimey Charlie." Yes, strangely enough, every passenger in that particular carriage was named Charlie.