Seeking the descendants of coastwatcher Jack Read

DR MARK SCHUBERT

MY FATHER-IN-LAW - Morgan Seeto of Kavieng - died recently and we held a ceremony for him here in Brisbane on Tuesday.

One of the interesting things in his early life was that, when he was at boarding school in Melbourne in the 1950s, he used to go up to stay with the Mrs Jack Read, who was the widow of Jack Read (pictured), the Coastwatcher and, as I understand it, the first post-war District Commissioner of New Ireland.

My wife and mother-in-law would like to contact any of the Read's children, if indeed, they had any, to let them know of this connection and also to thank them.

My father-in-law had survived the war, was sent to Australia to catch up on his education and the Reads were very kind to him, making those years in Melbourne less strange.

I approach you Keith as I noticed you were listed in Patrick Lindsay's book on the Coastwatchers as one of the people he consulted.

Indeed, we bought the book for my father-in-law about two years ago and he read it from cover to cover, given that he had spent much of his early life dodging the Japanese with his family on the west coast of New Ireland.

Does anyone know where the Read descendants might be?

Comments

[Mark Schubert]

Thanks Anne, I will pass this on to Rachel, Morgan's widow (and my mother-in-law).

Morgan was the very youngest of the Seeto clan of Kavieng, the eldest being John Seeto who, at 91, resides in Sydney. john took over the family after their father died immediately after World War 2.

Morgan's widow Rachel is a PNG woman whom Morgan met when he made a trip across to New Hanover (Lavongai) with his friend Eddie Seeto in about 1960.

He and Rachel then took over John Seeto and Company store in the late 1960s. I am married to their eldest daughter, Elaine.

Best wishes.

[Anne Peters (daughter of Pat & Peter Murray)]

Just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear of Morgan's death.

My Mum had many dealings with the Seeto family in Kavieng and held all of them in high regard. She had special regard for Morgan as he did not enjoy the benefits that some of his younger siblings did.

My Mum is now 91 and remembers much of her New Ireland days. She is Pat Murray.

Condolences (belated though they are) to Morgan's family.

[Mark Schubert]

Thanks again guys (particularly Terry). Have now found Jack Read's daughter, Judy Fairhurst of Ballarat.

Dave, on reflection, it might be that Jack Read returned to PNG in the early 1950s on his own and my father-in-law was a guest of Mrs Read and the daughter, on their own in Melbourne, as was the case with so many families (as you and I have been in more recent times in PNG).

[Mark Schubert]

Thanks so much John P, Terry and Dave E.

Yes, I think my father-in-law's memory was growing hazy as the cancer took hold and he began to confuse situations, dates and people.

But of the Read connection, Morgan Seeto was very clear, as he arrived in Melbourne to go to school from Kavieng and the Reads, having known him as a very young man who had survived the war and had been resettled back on Kavieng, made the adjustment so much easier.

Again guys, thanks from the Kavieng and Brisbane Seetos .......

[John Pasquarelli]

Jack's daughter is in Ballarat - have forgotten her married name!

[Terry Kelliher]

http://www.pngaa.net/Vale/vale_sept92.htm#Read

The above from PNGAA Vale may be of assistance to you.

[Dave Ekins]

Mark,
I can't help with descendants but for accuracy, Mrs Read was not a widow in the 50's as I recall meeting the great man at Konos in New Ireland in 1968 when he was a Land Titles Commissioner.