A new blog

http://guavagardens.blogspot.com/2009/10/residency-cemetery-lucknow.html

Have to work on this!

 

The Mart band in the mid 1960's

From left Walter Johnson, Johnny Cline, Keith Dawson and Steve Law

Walter Johnson is a businessman in New Delhi and a great Martinian who has probably not missed a Founder's Day since he left schoolin 1966(?).
John Cline is an attorney in Sydney, Australia.
In Memory of
Steve Law died in 1980.
Keith Dawson Died: New Delhi, 7/7/2006
School Attended: La Martiniere, Lucknow 1960-1966
Submitted July 24th 2006
Other Information: Keith Dawson was the eldest son of Tony and Milly Dawson, previouslyresiding at Bhusawal but settled in Bombay. Keith was the eldest brother of Marjorie, Kevin,Leonie and Late Debra. He had two sons Leon and Steffan Dawson. Keith was a professional singerand won a thousand hearts with his wonderful and beautiful voice. Keith was a wonderful brother,husband, son, father and friend. He was loving, affectionate and kind. Keith was a wonderfulbrother to me. Keith will be missed by each and every one of us. I miss you Keith tremendously.

Thanks!

To Namita Chandra

Dear Lady,
It was really very kind of you to have posted a comment, the first and only comment, from someone who didn't know me. The one about the pup. Thank you!I have since also visited your blog and come to know that you are a doctor. I also noted that you are among the lucky people who has travelled quite extensively in Europe.
Not posting a comment on your blog is more because I'm not too good at computers. Of course since I started this blog I've learnt quite a bit but I still keep feeling my way around -- using the trial and error method. This is despite the fact that the software gives you the options.
Most of the time I go to cyber cafes where conditions are not conducive to this type of hobby. There's loud music, talking, people coming and going and what not. My net connection at home is like the bullock-cart in the present day scene.
There! I've managed to deal with something that's been troubling me for some time.
I would like to become a full time blogger but I guess that's impossible.
I hope you see this.
Kind regards,

George Shepherd

Kanpur trip on Sunday 18, Oct 09

My brother Keith, myself, my son Glenn, wife Audrey, elder daughter Fiona (Hopkins)

& Jason, Keith's daughter Divya. The bigger kid is Fiona's son Darren and Aden is my younger daughter Faye's son. Faye and her husband Craig (McFarland) are the photographers. Fiona's husband Warren stayed back in Lko with a cold and Keith's wife remained home i.e. two floors down.

`A grandfather we never knew'

The inscription on the grave reads: "Write me as one who loved his fellow men"

The Strachan brothers and their wives at the grave of their grandfather on Diwali day (17 Oct, 2009) They made this emotional trip, visiting the church in Mussoorie where he was married before coming to Lucknow where he died in 1923 at the early age of 42.

An extract of Andrew Strachan's letter to me in May 2009.

"I'll refer to my Grandfather as Crichton as we all know him by that name even though we never knew him.The Strachan name probably originates from a village in the North of Scotland near Aberdeen, however Crichton's father and his father were doctors in a place called Dollar just North of Stirling. There is a famous school in Dollar (Dollar Academy) and there is even a Strachan Crescent. Anyway in that part of Scotland its pronounced Strawn or actually more like Straahn without the w sounding. In many parts of Scotland it is pronounced Strackan (like bracken) Crichton was one of 13 children, his brother George was already in India working in or around Syhlet, for Findlay Muir the tea people, so in 1908 approx Crichton got a job with the B&NW Railway. The B&NW was unusual in that it was built in 1882 from private money with no Government guarantees. It was one of the first metre guage railways and was headquartered in Gorakhpor, went North to Bareilly and Dehredun and west to Lucknow. Like all the railways at that time they were owned and run from the UK and I believe that a Dollar family was behind the original investment. Anyway Crichton met my Grandmother in India, she was the daughter of tea planters and born in Shillong. Her sister was married to George. Crichton and Dorothea were married in Mussoorie in October 1909 and we shall be there 100 years later. I believe that Christ Church Mussoorie is one of the oldest Christian churches in India. Dorothea's mother, a widow by this time was living in Mussoorie. As you know Crichton died in 1923 and Dorothea and the 5 children incl my father, the oldest returned to Dollar. George's family also returned at some point although I do not know when. There was another brother Arthur, who published a book in 1933, "Mauled by a Tiger" detailing his exploits shooting tigers in Bengal for sport. Anyway one of the tigers got him back and Arthur lost one arm and part of one leg. I assume he returned to UK after that! As an Assistant traffic manager Crichton was posted in many places on the line including Samastipur and Bareilly.

We know a bit more but this is a summary. I have been in India before (Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai) but never to see any of the family history. My wife and my brother and his wife have never been, so it will be a real experience for all of us. I don't really know how I will feel at the grave. Neither I or my brother are really religious as such but it will still be strange and humbling, I am sure, to visit where he is buried. I will try and find out about Strachey! Anyway, bye for now

Andy

Guava gardens

Family

My younger daughter, Faye's husband, Craig (McFarland) and son, Aden, taken at 16 A Lawrence Terrace, Lucknow.

The Hopkins

My elder daughter Fiona and husband Warren with Darren and Jason. Its
an old pix as earlier I put up of Jason already walking around.