Other Family Histories Archives - Page 3 of 3

A.J. Montgomery: Part 3 – Baptism of Fire at the Battle of Colesberg

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 14 September 2018 0 Comment

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces outside Colesberg during January 1900 with the cavalry still using swords and lances aginst the Boers’ mausers.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears during his baptism of fire outside the dusty hamlet of Colesberg in the northernmost part of the Cape Colony.

Main picture: Painting of A.J. Montgomery of the 10th Hussars

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Sherman Family

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 18 July 2017 4 Comments

Over the past century and a half, a number of members of the Sherman family have left their mark on the Friendly City. This blog serves to record these long forgotten individuals. Finally their connection to the McCleland family is made.

Main picture: Howard Sherman 1861-1935

Gilbert Curtis Billson

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 3 June 2017 0 Comment

Gilbert Curtis Billson was born on 22 April 1884, the youngest of 7 children born to George Curtis Billson & Alice Mary (nee Quick), the previous 3 siblings all having died in infancy.

Main picture: Gilbert Curtis Billson

George Dix-Peek: Port Elizabeth’s First Architect [1839-1901]

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories, Port Elizabeth of Yore 12 August 2016 0 Comment

A lasting legacy has been left by George Dix-Peek in his adopted town of Port Elizabeth in the form of some well-known buildings. Ironically his grandson, Milton Dix-Peek, also had ambitions of becoming an architect but WW2 intruded in his studies. Sadly, after the war he did not resume his studies.

Main picture: George Dix-Peek circa 1874 in colonial military attire

Caroline Frieda Dix-Peek – Granny Dix to the Grandchildren

By Dean McCleland in Other Family Histories 22 April 2016 2 Comments

I do not really recall much about Granny Dix as I was about twelve years old when she died. Notwithstanding that, I have vivid memories of her house from the stuffed animal head and a veritable herd of animal horns on the walls of the huge back veranda to the huge loquat tree in the stony back yard.

Main picture: Granny and grandpa Dix-Peek at 37 East Bourne Road Port Elizabeth

Barry Richard Cornish – In Memoriam

By Dean McCleland in Family Histories, Other Family Histories 15 April 2015 2 Comments

1^st February 1954 to 13th February 2016

If I had to ask God just one question what would it be? “Why take Barry so young” or perhaps rather, “Why Barry?” Such were the questions that swirled in my mind when I heard that Barry had passed away from a stroke. The final question – a rhetorical one I suppose – posed to humanity in general is why we do not celebrate somebody’s achievements and their life before that person passes away. Why reserve it for the eulogies after their death? Shouldn’t we verbalise the positive that we feel about our friends and family.

So it was with Barry.

Main picture: Barry Cornish with son, Craig

The Opinion Pieces are an eclectic bunch on current affairs & history often with a human interest aspect. The Movie/DVDs reviews are mainly on documentaries with a smattering of movie reviews.

Category Archives: Other Family Histories

A.J. Montgomery: Part 3 – Baptism of Fire at the Battle of Colesberg

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces outside Colesberg during January 1900 with the cavalry still using swords and lances aginst the Boers’ mausers.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears during his baptism of fire outside the dusty hamlet of Colesberg in the northernmost part of the Cape Colony.

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Sherman Family

Gilbert Curtis Billson

Gilbert Curtis Billson was born on 22 April 1884, the youngest of 7 children born to George Curtis Billson & Alice Mary (nee Quick), the previous 3 siblings all having died in infancy.

George Dix-Peek: Port Elizabeth’s First Architect [1839-1901]

A lasting legacy has been left by George Dix-Peek in his adopted town of Port Elizabeth in the form of some well-known buildings. Ironically his grandson, Milton Dix-Peek, also had ambitions of becoming an architect but WW2 intruded in his studies. Sadly, after the war he did not resume his studies.

Caroline Frieda Dix-Peek – Granny Dix to the Grandchildren

Barry Richard Cornish – In Memoriam

1^st February 1954 to 13th February 2016

A member of the 10th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces outside Colesberg during January 1900 with the cavalry still using swords and lances aginst the Boers’ mausers.

AJ’s narrative has been edited for readability and grammar, but it still largely remains the voice of the author narrating his impressions, concerns and fears during his baptism of fire outside the dusty hamlet of Colesberg in the northernmost part of the Cape Colony.

Gilbert Curtis Billson was born on 22 April 1884, the youngest of 7 children born to George Curtis Billson & Alice Mary (nee Quick), the previous 3 siblings all having died in infancy.

1st February 1954 to 13th February 2016

A member of the 10^th Hussars and a survivor of the sinking of the SS Ismore near Paternoster, Arthur John Montgomery recounts his part in the successful routing of the Boer forces outside Colesberg during January 1900 with the cavalry still using swords and lances aginst the Boers’ mausers.

1^st February 1954 to 13th February 2016