Billy Blowfly

It seemed like the Dean boys of Boundary Bend could not keep out of trouble. It was always Frank or Reg that had upset someone and Jack Dean had his hands full keeping the peace with their antics. This particular day when Jack and Eva where out, it was Billy's turn to make an impression, literally.

Every home had a rifle in those days and Jack had been particular in making sure both the rifle and ammunition was hidden. This particular rifle was an Enfield .323 and because of its bore and power, it was particularly good for shooting kangaroos and wild pigs. Hence, it packed a wallop and was not an item for kids to get their hands on.

Billy was about seven years of age and this day he thought he would help out the family in his kind of way. Frank, aged around 14 and Reg around 12 were outside doing their normal chores, when they heard the Enfield blast off inside the house. They rushed in to a room full of gunpowder haze and Billy standing there pointing the rifle at another blowfly on the wall as he uttered, "shoo flies, shoo flies", then another deafening round went flying through the wall.

Hazel came running out of her room and, had an iron bed and mattress not been standing up against her wall, the result may have been disastrous. Frank grabbed the rifle, kicked Billy up the bum and blurted out, "you stupid little bastard, as you would."