Ronald Besford (-2018)

Ronald (Ron) Besford joined the Australian Navy before he was married. He served on the HMAS Melbourne, as a stoker, just as the Second World War ended. He saw no active service.

Ron married Joyce (Joy) Watson in 1949, in Wonthaggi, Victoria.

They had four sons: Robert John Besford, born 6th October 1950. Roddy (died at 6 months), Paul Ronald and Kevin William (died 2016). They adopted 2 daughters Jennifer Joy Besford (now Schofield) in 1964 and Rebecca Mary in 1965.

Following his discharge from the Navy, he and Joy’s brother became taxi drivers in Melbourne.

After Robert was born he took up night school and an apprenticeship as a carpenter. Once qualified, he was employed by a building company in the east of Melbourne, the “Croydon Building Company”. After working for the company for many years he bought the company and ran it successfully for 35+ years.

Later in life he became an arbitrator for the Institute of Arbitrators, specialising in building disputes. He did this for a further 15 years finally retiring to look after Joy, who needed full-time care up until she passed away in 2011.