Kerrie Pearce

Maria Rayner of Innisfail, QLD Australia was born on August 25, 1947 in Bendigo, VIC. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Maria Rayner.

Served in WW2 on the USS Lexington in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The Lexington was sunk after engine room caught fire after being bombed by the Japanese. George kept afloat waiting for rescue, his boots held by their shoelaces in his teeth because he would need them when he was ashore again. An experience that was to haunt him after the war. George returned to the US for recovery, and then served on the USS Nassau. Delivered aircraft to Australia in 1943 but unsure if he ventured on to land or returned to San Diego quickly. Lived out a life he chose, suffering from his war experiences he never married or had children. Was a supporter of Polynesian children's charities.

John was brought up in Innisfail by his grandmother. I wish I knew his thoughts on growing up away from his mother and step brothers and sisters. Dad started working at the Mourilyan Mill at age 12, and until the mill was destroyed during cyclone Larry. Then it was South Johnson Mill. Until he was forced to retire after becoming ill with cancer. Dad loved and was very adept at fishing, especially spear fishing in the rivers and ocean but he would fish in which ever way he could. Sometimes a handline off the Mourilyan Harbour Jetty. There he would catch squid and fish. Or out on the reef in his boat, where his homemade boiled potatoes, rice and marinated chicken were the specialty of the day, and the best food I had ever tasted, spiced with hunger from a day out in the Queensland Sun. A bass guitar player in a band, his hot pink satin suit made him look so cool. A quiet, non drinker and non smoker, was very handsome and was adored by all the ladies. We didn't know him as well as we wanted to. I am so glad that he got to see a picture of his father before he died, even though we didn't yet have a name for him. I miss him.

Sally was born on Thursday Island, moved to Brisbane in 1942 with the threat of Japanese invasion during WW2. Her son John was born in 1944, moved to Innisfail, married William Garling, more children were born and then moved to Northern Territory.

Kazmira Szyka of Wisconsin United States was born on October 6, 1888. She was in a relationship with George Szyka, and had children John Szyka and George Edward Szyka. Kazmira Szyka died at age 93 years old on December 13, 1981.

George Szyka of Wisconsin United States was born on May 15, 1877 in Hodyni, Lviv Oblast Ukraine. He was in a relationship with Kazmira Szyka, and had children John Szyka and George Edward Szyka. George Szyka died at age 55 years old on January 14, 1933.