Peter was born at Camden the only son in a family of three. He was educated at primary schools in the Camden District and Southern Sydney area. His secondary education was at Camden Central School and Penrith High School finally completing his education at Camden Central School at the age of 16 years. He commenced training as an accountant and later as a trainee motor mechanic, then as a clerk with a transport company.
He underwent National service Training in the Army in 1951 and after completing his training he joined the New south Wales Police Force on the 10th June 1952. After initial training he was stationed at Liverpool and Fairfield and in May 1953 was transferred to Young as a general duty constable.
On the 30th December 1953 he married Sylvia Jean Fogarty a school teacher whom he had met in Sydney prior to undergoing National Service Training. Two sons were born at Young and in 1957 he commenced training as a Highway Patrol Cyclist and remained on this duty until transferred to Wollongong in 1962 where he performed Highway patrol duty until 1967, when he was transferred to Wyong on similar duty. His third son was born at Wollongong and when transferred to Wyong lived at Terrigal, East Gosford and Lisarow. He later performed duty at Gosford, Hornsby, Neutral Bay, Newcastle twice, North Sydney and Parramatta, reaching the rank of Chief Inspector and Officer in Charge of the State Highway Patrol Response group, retiring on the 2nd April 1988 after almost 36 years service.
Whilst he was at Young he took an interest in community affairs, holding executive positions in the Young branch of the Road Safety Council and the Young Apex Club and prior to his transfer was the District Governor of Apex covering 6 clubs in the District. When transferred to Wollongong he took an interest in swimming administration, which continued when he shifted to the Central Coast. He held executive positions in the Gosford Amateur Swimming Club, Northern District Swimming Association, Central Coast Swimming Association, and was a board member of the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association. He was made a Life member of the Gosford club and the Central Coast Amateur Swimming Association of which he was the Foundation President. He was a qualified swimming referee and officiated at both State and Australian Swimming Championships. Upon his retirement he moved to Laguna in the Hunter Valley, where he conducted a Poll Hereford cattle stud. His great interest in family history saw him join the Family History Society in Singleton, where he became the President for a period of 5 years. Peter had very close family ties with the singleton area, his father Charles James born 1-8-1907 ‘Ilford’ Glennies Creek, Grandfather Abel James born 12-10-1882 ‘Bridgeman’ Glennies Creek, Great Grandfather Peter born 14-2-1856 ‘Dulwich’ died 4-6-1942 Singleton, Great Great Grandfather Abraham born 24-11-1808 Wiltshire Eng, arrived 15-9-1838 died Camberwell 22-5-1882. Peter organised the Andrews Reunion in Singleton and was Co-Author “The Andrews Family History” Book launched at the reunion. He then sold his property at Laguna and moved to Port Macquarie in 1997. His plans involved a visit to England to enjoy a holiday and continue his family history research, while in England he suffered a ceribal hemerage and passed away in England on the 26th May 1998. His association with the Family History Society Singleton will be sadly missed, we all feel a great loss, but also feel a sense of pride for having known Peter, he had a certain effect on people, he enriched the lives of all who knew him. Our sincere sympathy is extended to his Wife Sylvia, their Sons John, Paul, Stephen and their families.
Dot Clayworth Publicity Officer.