The Gentleman Bushman, an Autobiography of the Life of John Coles

John Coles joined the Navy at 16 years old in the midst of WW2. He later joined John Martin the now defunct South Australian retailer. He then spent eight years in Woomera, during the town's growth era, and begansurveying, an occupation that became his career. He spent 15 years mapping many mapping many inland areas of South Australia and the Northern Territory, at one time travelling overland from Adelaide to Broome. His love affair with the bush inspired folklore figure Len Beadell ...
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John Coles joined the Navy at 16 years old in the midst of WW2. He later joined John Martin the now defunct South Australian retailer. He then spent eight years in Woomera, during the town's growth era, and begansurveying, an occupation that became his career. He spent 15 years mapping many mapping many inland areas of South Australia and the Northern Territory, at one time travelling overland from Adelaide to Broome. His love affair with the bush inspired folklore figure Len Beadell to refer to him as the Gentleman Bushman. John exuded style. He was dapper dresser and had a passion for snappy cars. It is difficult to determine which element he loved more dearly - the earth or the water. His passion for swimming began when, as a boy, he would swim in the quarries around Clare. Later he progressed to public pools and competition. His love of the water led him to lifesaving. He was a member of the Royal Lifesaving Society for 50 years, during which he founded the Elizabeth club, held senior positions in organizing State and national competitions, and served as fundraiser and promoter. He also instructed and examined young lifesavers, enabling at least 8000 candidates to gain certification. His selfless devotion to lifesaving led to his being nominated as a finalist in the 1997Lindy Award for services to sport, and being awarded life membership and life governorship of the Commonwealth Society - the highest awards possible in his sport. He died at the pool edge in 1999 having just completed the 12k swim that was a part of his training regimen. At 72, he was still performing 100 chin-ups and swimming every day in an anxious bid to reduce even further the 34.1 second time over 50m, evidence of a talent that had him win many Masters Games medals and records.This book was transcribed from the hand written original . It is told in a breezy uninhibited fashion and is a time capsule of times past and the way we lived in Australia before television, computers and supermarkets.