Oliver James Candish

August 18, 1919 to May 29, 2015

OLIVER, always known as "Olly", was born in Cootamundra, the seventh of 10 children to Edward "Ted" Candish and Beatrice Mary "Bud" Candish (nee Styles).

His brothers were Ted, Bert, Fred (who died as an infant), Doug and Samuel (Chum) and sisters were Doris (Eldridge), Maisie (Russell), Leeta (McLean) and Freda. Of these only Maisie remains.

The Candish family moved to Yass soon after Olly was born and he went to school there. When Olly was about 10-years-old, the family moved to Queanbeyan.

Olly and his brother, Chum, were sent to stay with their father at his gold mine at Illalong Creek near Binalong where they lived in very primitive conditions.

Olly adored his father who had studied the classics and wrote a lot of poetry. His Father, Ted Candish, is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Queanbeyan.

After Olly's older brother, Ted, died in 1938 at only 29 years of age, their mother bought the house at 22 Daly Street, Queanbeyan, where members of the Candish family have lived until Olly went into care seven years ago. Olly lived there for about 50 years.

Olly joined the CMF (militia) in the late 1930s and served in World War II. Firstly at Katherine in the Northern Territory when the Japanese were carrying out hundreds of bombing raids across northern Australia.

Olly was then sent to New Guinea where he fought on the Kokoda Track at the Battle of Templeton's Crossing where his unit distinguished themselves. He fought in many battles including Milne Bay, Morotai, Madang, the landings at Lae and Finschhafen before being part of the Liberation Force that freed the people of Borneo from the Japanese.

After the end of the war, Olly re-joined the CMF and remained a member until 1952. During the Korean War, Olly trained locals in the CMF, including Doug Bensley, carrying out drills on the Queanbeyan Showground.

For a number of years after the war, Olly and his brother, Bert, took over the Queanbeyan Advertiser newspaper doing all the work themselves from writing the articles right through to Olly delivering the papers on push-bike all over Queanbeyan. They had their brother, Doug, write a gardening column.

Olly also worked in the mail room at the Queanbeyan Post Office and night shift at the telephone exchange. He remained there until his retirement.

Olly was well known for his letters on current affairs in The Queanbeyan Age where he was affectionately dubbed "The Senator".

He spent many a long hour at the Kangaroo Rugby League Football Club where he was made a Life Member. He was also a member of the Queanbeyan Sub Branch of the RSL.

Olly had a deep respect for Bede Tongs who was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery at Templeton's Crossing on the Kokoda Track.

In 2008, Olly's health deteriorated necessitating a move into care. He spent five years in George Forbes House (GFH) before being moved into High Care at Gill Waminda Aged Care in Goulburn, but his heart remained in Queanbeyan.

Olly had a great love of reading and was never happier than when surrounded by books. He was always something of a loner.

Olly participated in the Anzac March this year in Goulburn and attended the 3rd Battalion Reunion on May 16 which he very much enjoyed.

I will never forget him dunking his bread roll in his beer - I have never seen that before. He was one of only three World War II veterans at the Reunion.

Olly passed away in the early hours of Friday, the May 29 at the Goulburn Base Hospital and was buried next to his brother, Bert, in the Returned Services Section of the Queanbeyan Lawn Cemetery on June 5.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Pam Truscott, Bon Knight, Bev Cook and Robyn Hunt; Gary Candish; Paul, Kerry and Raymond Russell, Joan Limon; Robert, Alan and Bruce McLean, and their children.

His passing brings to an end one of the old identities of Queanbeyan. He was a unique character who will be very much missed. Rest in Peace, Olly.

Lest we forget.