07/05/2026
So often you have to publish a book to get information out there and then reap the rewards of new information. Such is the case with Ghost Towns of Newnes. One licensee of Newnes Hotel, Lesley Perry and his wife Grace I knew little about until a nephew made contact with me.
Leslie George Samuel Perry (1893-1988) was born at Rydal, NSW. He enlisted in both WW1 and WW2. For many years he and his wife Grace ran a corner shop at Bexley, his occupation was listed as a grocer. In March 1946 he purchased the license for the Newnes Hotel and in December 1946 purchased a house in Commens Street, Wallerawang. Grace was responsible for cooking the hotel meals and tending the garden for vegetables. Interesting, Les did not drink, nor did the last licensee, Stirling Butchard. Leslie sold the hotel license to Jim Gale, November 1950.
Les and Grace still had their house in Wallerawang until April 1952. They must have gone back to Newnes to visit a few times as one visit in August 1952, a landslide closed the road at Wolgan Gap and Grace had to walk out due to the landslide.
www.bushexplorers.com.au/catalog/gtn1
