Sub-Branch Story: A Fact Stranger than fiction
A short article appeared in the (then) Cronulla-Sutherland Advocate issue of 5th October 1934 regarding the Cronulla Sub-Branch (at whatever side you put it on), jocular in intent, but basically factual. The first two paragraphs are true, the remainder a ‘dig’ at some of our then members. But there is one name that stands out as ‘What??’.
The name is Ted Sustenance. The word ‘sustenance’ means ‘of sustaining life’, but as a surname?? Turns out Sustenance was his real surname!
Edward (Ted) James Sustenance was born in Balmain in 1894, joined the AIF in September 1915 and by early 1916, he was with the 56th Battalion fighting in France. Severely wounded in the head (gunshot), he was evacuated to the UK to recover, and when he had, he was sent back to France. With the end of WW1, he arrived back in Australia and discharged in October 1919. He married in 1923 and lived in Cronulla, but it appears he and wife Meta (nee Morgan) had no children. Neither did his brother Samuel from his marriage. Wife Meta died in 1951, Ted in 1979 (aged 85).
With both brothers having no children, it appears the surname Sustenance came to its end. Or any relatives decided on a name change? Today, nobody with the Sustenance surname could be found in the Shire nor NSW. Except in Woronora Cemetery.
Stan Grimshaw - Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch
This short article appeared in the (then) Cronulla-Sutherland Advocate issue of 5th October 1934. One name stood out in particular.