Mr Robert Vivian Shewring. Born: South Melbourne. Victoria. 1912 Died: Darwin. Northern Territory. 1979 Buried: McMillan's Road Cemetary. Darwin. Northern Territory. Came to Darwin in 1934 with the First Contingent of the Australian Permanent Army to be stationed in Darwin. The men were billeted in Vestey's old meatworks, at Bullocky Point, while they built the first buildings at Larrakeah Barracks, and erected the big guns at East Point. The men of the First Contingent were mostly tradesmen. Mr. Shewring, then Gunner Shewring, Artillery Regiment, was a carpenter. He married Miss Jean Drysdale (Nurse, Darwin Hospital) in 1936. Four children were born of this marriage:- Dorothy, later Mrs. Peter Gardiner Betty, Later Mrs John Booth ) Peggy, Later Mrs Kevin Pearson) twins Robert Vivian Shewring. Three of these children and seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren are still resident in Darwin. Mr Shewring served in the Army in Darwin until going overseas during World War 2. He continued in the Army, after war service and returned to Darwin as Regimental Sergeant Major, and was Master Gunner, warrant officer in charge of East Point and Emery Point Army Batteries. He retired from the Permanent Army in Darwin and lived at Howard Springs, Darwin, Northern Territory until his death. Shewring Road, Howard Springs has been named in his honor. Written by Jean Harris, formerly Mrs Shewring, nee Drysdale. 10 September 1985.
