Titch still standing tall

By Glen Atwell
STANDING at 168 centimetres (5’ 6”), Doug ‘Titch’ Brain confesses he is short in stature.
But his short nickname reflects a long life of memories.
And Titch assures the Gazette his nickname has never stopped him from shaping up when required.
The 93yearold Bunyip resident can safely say the nickname has stood the test of time.
“It started when I was 14,” Titch said without blinking an eye.
Quickly doing the maths, it means the nickname was coined 79 years ago.
Titch moved from Pakenham in 1931, spent time in Garfield before shifting to Bunyip, which he now calls home.
Understandably, Titch’s memories of how the nickname came about are sketchy.
“I do remember I was working with the famous Andrews family, who were farmers in Pakenham for many years,” he said.
Titch said when he started working, his height, or lack of it, led to the nickname.
Height aside, Titch said his nickname didn’t stop him from stirring up people taller than him, but admits it usually was with the help of a few beers.
“I remember one night I was walking home, and came to this massive lad, he was enormous.
“I’d had a few beers, so I looked at him and told him to move on,” Titch said.
Titch said the giant murmured something back.
“So I told him to come down and I’d straighten him out good and well.”
After receiving very litle in terms of a response, Titch reluctantly walked on, but noticed the next couple of days the big man was nowhere to be found.
Asking a mate what had happened to him, Titch got the surprise of his life.
“He’s in jail. A few nights ago, someone stirred him up.
“He flew into a rage and it took six policemen to arrest him,” his mate said.
Titch has four children, 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, who all affectionately know him by his nickname.
“It’s either uncle Titch or grandpa Titch,” he said.
Titch just might bear the longest serving nickname in the area.