Dean McCleland, Author at The Casual Observer

Port Elizabeth of Yore: Piet Retief as Land Speculator, Farmer & Merchant

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 5 December 2016 0 Comment

In all likelihood, school pupils who take history as a subject are made aware that Piet Retief, a descendant of French Huguenot extraction, was a renowned Voortrekker leader who was ultimately killed by the duplicitous Dingane.

What the school history books do not teach is that he owned substantial land in well-known parts of what was to become the city of Port Elizabeth. Furthermore he earned the lasting friendship of the 1820 Settlers for ther kindness that he showed them when acting as their transport contractors entrusted with their conveyance to the wilds in the Albany District.

Main picture: The Piet Retief Monument in Summerstrand

Port Elizabeth of Yore: St. Alban’s Church, Draaifontein

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 4 December 2016 0 Comment

Amongst the few things that I know about my grandmother’s upbringing, is that as a Beckley, she was raised in the family house in Draaifontein. Furthermore, Elizabeth Daisy McCleland always claimed that she was the first person to be betrothed in the St Albans Church. Only after recently receiving a photograph of the original iron & timber church from Rosemary MacGeoghan and the excellent notes by Anthony Beckley, have I been able to establish something of substance about this quaint church.

This is the story of the family church.

Main picture: Original St. Alban’s Church

Wild Fig Trees in Port Elizabeth

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 2 December 2016 5 Comments

Strangely, as a youngster in Port Elizabeth I harboured a love hate relationship with trees. The Syringa tree in my Aunt Thelma’s back yard was the best. The three of us kids – Cheryl included – would attempt to climb to the top most branches. I loved it for the challenge.

On the other hand, what I loved for its beauty was the Wild Fig, which we drove past every Sunday in 17th Avenue on our way to Granny Mac. This was just a passing acquaintance but the visit to Trinder Square was the real deal, an enchanted affair. Whenever we visited out cousins staying at 17 Pearson Street, this is where we would play. Unlike the Syringa, one could not climb it, but only admire it.

Main picture: Wild Fig trees in Trinder Square

Cecil McCleland: Memories of Meriel Burman nee McCleland

By Dean McCleland in McClelands 2 December 2016 0 Comment

Spare a thought for an extremely young girl, her parents first separated and then at the tender age of 10, her father dies. Imagine the sense of loss, the perpetual sense of emptiness. This is the personal and touching story of Meriel [Merry] Burman as she recalls her father, Cecil McCleland and recounts her life growing up almost cheek-by-jowl with other McCleland’s in Newton Park but never knowing them. Meriel is the correct spelling of Merry’s name as I have gently been scolded.

This is Meriel’s story

Main picture: Cecil & Dorothy McCleland in 1939. A serene idyllic scene of family happiness with Cecil fishing & Dorothy stroking the family dog

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Saga of the Drift Sands

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 1 December 2016 1 Comment

The fact that the whole tip of the peninsular formed by the southeastern part of Port Elizabeth comprised a huge swathe of sand dunes is now totally lost to its current inhabitants. Commencing in the late 1800’s, a scheme was instituted to prevent the further northern spread of these dunes.

This was their death knell. Today some dunes, a remnant, are still visible at its extremities of Sardinia Bay, the western extent of this dune field, and around the Cape Recife area whilst the driftsands incubator itself, lost its battle for primacy.

This is the story of their demise.

Main picture: Sardinia Bay, a remnant of a once vast sand field stretching inland through Bushy Park to Humewood

A Letter by a Grandmother to her Granddaughter on her Engagement

By Dean McCleland in McClelands 30 November 2016 0 Comment

In March 1926, the 19 year old Kathleen Mary McCleland took the momentous step of getting engaged. No one understood what attracted Kathleen to the 33 year old George Wood but whatever it was, she was smitten.

To congratulate her and offer some sound words of advice, her grandmother, Mrs Mary Ann Beckley, sent her this letter. Having been born in Ludlow, Shropshire, England on the 20th December 1847, Granny Mary was 79 years old.

Main picture: Top L-R Thelma, Mr Clements, Daisy Bottom L-R Kathleen, Maureen & Clifford

Bryce Beckley McCleland – A Second Chance at Life

By Dean McCleland in McClelands 30 November 2016 0 Comment

Bryce was the proverbial laat lammertjie. By being born on the 24^th August 1922, meant that he was the youngest of the six McCleland children of Harry andwhile Daisy McCleland of Schoenmakerskop. In what can only be described as a tumultuous few years, first his elder brother Francis accidently shot himself during an attempted break-in at his parents Tea Room, then at the age of 8 his father succumbed to Black Water Fever which he had contracted fighting in German East Africa.

Main picture: Bryce and Auret McCleland – most probably taken at their 40^th wedding anniversary in 1986 when Auret was 65 yrs old – Bryce was 68.

Francis McCleland: A Life taken too Young

By Dean McCleland in McClelands 29 November 2016 0 Comment

Francis Joseph Walker McCleland, born on 19^th September 1909, was the eldest son of Harry & Daisy McCleland of Schoenmakerskop. His life was tragically cut short on the 11^th August 1930 when he became the first but certainly not the last person to be murdered at Schoenmakerskop.

Main Picture: Francis Joseph Walker McCleland

Memories of Daisy’s Tea Room at Schoenmakerskop

By Dean McCleland in McClelands, Port Elizabeth of Yore 29 November 2016 1 Comment

This article has been written by Rosemary MacGeoghan in response to my request for an article on the life & times of the McCleland family at Schoenmakerskop.

Main picture: Schoenmakerskop on 10th December 1922 after the opening of Marine Drive outside Daisy’s Tea Room called THE HUT TEAROOM

A Mother’s Final Letter to her Daughter

By Dean McCleland in McClelands 28 November 2016 2 Comments

A letter by Mary Ann Beckley nee Waspe to her daughter Elizabeth Daisy Beckley shortly before her death on 30^th December 1931

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.

Author: Dean McCleland