James Henry Gray SLADE

James Henry Gray Slade 

James Henry Gray Slade was born on 13 May 1900 in Norwood, South Australia, during a pivotal time in Australian history. The dawn of the 20th century marked the period shortly before the federation of Australia in 1901, uniting the colonies into a commonwealth. South Australia itself was a progressive state, having granted women the right to vote and stand for parliament in 1894, well ahead of many other parts of the world.

James's parents, William Thomas Slade and Sarah Ann Gray, were 39 and 37 at the time of his birth, respectively. Growing up in Norwood, a suburb of Adelaide known for its vibrant community and rich cultural heritage, James would have witnessed the rapid development and modernization of Australian society, from advancements in technology to the impacts of World War I.

On 2 November 1921, James married Ethel Nellie Harman in Unley, South Australia. This era was marked by post-war recovery and the growth of Australian identity. Together, they raised three children,  John, Miriam, and Dawn, over 17 years, navigating the Great Depression of the 1930s, which significantly affected Australian families with widespread unemployment and economic hardship.

James lived through World War II, witnessing Australia’s evolving role on the global stage and the societal shifts that followed. The post-war years brought economic prosperity and the beginnings of Australia’s multicultural transformation.

James passed away on 13 April 1976 in Adelaide at the age of 75. His life spanned from the horse-and-cart era to the age of space exploration, reflecting a period of extraordinary change. He was buried in South Australia, leaving a legacy rooted in a dynamic century of Australian history.