Letter to Peter Shepherd

This picture of Edward Thomas Shepherd 1858-1936, was taken in 1988 by Peter Shepherd at a cemetery 3 km downhill from Nainital towards Bhimtal that I visited on Tuesday May 15, 2012. )The pic that I uploaded a few days back tells a different story. Today the grave is buried with only half the inscribed stone remaining. Even the grave and stone steps seen in this pic behind Peter's wife (kneeling) have been carried away. People here do not know what history is nor do they care. There are thousands of instances where roads, and in some cases monuments, in India have been renamed by politicians, little realising that they are dishonouring the people whom the think they are honouring. A good example is the Ochterlony monument in Calcutta which was renamed martyrs memorial whereas it was in commemoration of a victory. What is past cannot be changed. Why do people feel guilty about what happened hundreds of years ago, of the mistakes and weaknesses of people far greater than they can ever be.


Sunday May 27, 2012..


Dear Peter,
Our family history has always interested me going back to the earliest times when I'd visit my grandfather's grave. Just one grave beyond the footside is buried his son, Herbert, who was drowned, I think, within two years of his death. Herbert was Ivy's twin. Robert met Irene and Gladys' friend, Isabelle. Aunty Ivy's second name was Gladys. I must check the out on her tombstone. In 1991 when Nana Mabel passed away, as requested, her remains were interred in her husband's grave. Uncle Harold, my brother Keith and myself watched the grave being opened. After uncle left, being eager to see what was inside, I removed the stone slab from the head side and peeped in. Needless to say there wasnt anything, though I didn't disturb anything. I did, however, pick up the flat, metal 'shield' on which his name was written. The shape of decayed leaves and earth covered most with just the 'd' from Shepherd clearly visible. I then place it as I found it. Nana was buried there a few hours later.
I was posted in Banaras for twenty months from October 1984. While there Keith reminded me that our great grandmother was buried there in 1904 (?). So off I went, and, was really moved by the type of graves there because they were different from the ones I was used to seeing, except of course, those in the Residency. I went over the cemetery grave by grave but didn't find it. This graveyard was divided by a busy road. If it wasn't here and what if it wasn't across the road. That part of the cemetery remained shut as there wasn't any space left. As luck would have it. After searching for a while I found the grave of Amelia Martha Shepherd nee Hand. I always regretted not owning a camera then. Some years ago Keith went in search of the grave but couldn't find it. Maybe it's not there anymore

.Later, while still at Banaras I visited Chunar which was 40-50 km away to search for grandfather's sisters graves. I had no luck here. It was the height of summer and this area having barren and rocky hills. it was killingly hot. I visited one small cemetery on a hill just below the Chunar Fort. I was,an older burial ground with most of the tombstones smashed. I left Chunar within hours, exhausted, but hoping to return. This I never managed.
The Naini Tal visit was important because we visited the only cemetery and it was the right one. You might have tired of my emails coming in without even waiting for a reply!
Best Regard.
George

William James & Robert Archibald Shepherd

This photo is of the present visit (24 Oct 2014) and taken from the opposite side.

 

Nainital Cemetery (Photo taken summer 2012)

The nearest grave holds the mortal remains of Robert Archibald Shepherd, born 1896

 died 1946 and the farthest grave is of his elder brother William James Shepherd, 

born 1892, died 1948.

We lit a few candles on several graves,
candles I had carried here from Lucknow. The last time none of the shops on the way had them. At my bidding 
my grandson kneels
 at the grave of  William James Shepherd. A little over two years
have passed and one can see the decay
if one compares the present photo with
the one above!

Sergt Instructor W.T.Birch

Nainital Cemetery
I have been left incapacitated by the loss of my notebook in which I entered details from the gravestones.

From: <georgeshepherdlkw@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 16, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Subject: WTBirch

Edward Thomas Shepherd 1858-1936

Peter Shepherd and his wife, Barbara at 

the grave of his grandmother, Agnes Louisa 

Shepherd nee Bonnar, wife of
Edward Thomas Shepherd, died 

at Bareilly in 1948.

SACRED TO THE MEMORY
OF
EDWARD THOMAS SHEPHERD
BORN ON THE 23RD JUNE 1858
AND PASSED TO HIS ETERNAL REST
ON THE 15TH APRL 1936

Barbara by the graveside in 1988. In the
background are what look like stairs and
a grave which had vanished by 2012
when I visited.

The gateway seen from outside

In 1988 when Peter Shepherd, a grandson of Edward Thomas Shepherd visited the grave it was in better condition. Peter writes: 'If my memory serves me right, in our time it was known as Kala Chate of Kala Khan Cemetery and not Naini Tal Cemetery'. Actually I gave it that name because there was no board at the ruined gateway. In May 2012 half  the stone had vanished as can be seen in the two pictures. Edward was the elder brother of George Herbert Shepherd 
who lived in Lucknow till his death in 1928.

Graves in the Naini Tal Cemetery of Edward Thomas Shepherd, (son of James Thomas Shepherd 1820-1887 and Amelia Martha nee Hand died at Banaras 1904), son Robert Archibald Shepherd 1896-1946 (Bareilly Rly stationmaster) and William James 1892-1948. 
Robert had lost a daughter, Mercia,17 months old, while he was posted in Lucknow.

Excerpts taken from an unpublished, private history, put together by Clive and Pat Shepherd. The acknowledgements reads: We are grateful to Jean and David Carlson and Naomi Shepherd for their assistance with the writing of the chapers on William James Shepherd and Robert Shepherd, and we thank our many family members of their support and encouragement. In particular, we acknowledge the work of Peter Shepherd who, because of his strong 'sense of family', became the torchbearer in this project.
Edward Thomas Shepherd, our grandfather, was born at the Agra Fort on the 23rd of June, 1858, a year after the Mutiny started. He had one brother, George Herbert Shepherd (died at Lucknow, 1928) and two sisters, Alice Shepherd and Ethel Shepherd (both died in Chunar, near Banaras, 1945).
guava gardens adds in bold type details as and when necessary.
Edward studiedengineering at Roorkee, and joined the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway as an engineer. This railway operated in the northern part of the United Provinces of India.
Edward met Agnes Bonnar, the daughter of a Dr William Bonnar, who came to India from Scotland, and his wife Amelia (Walker). After a formal courtship Edward married Agnes. They they had seven children...
William James Shepherd 1892-1948
William was the eldest son of Edward Thomas Shepherd. He was born at Barabunki (United Provinces, India) on 22nd October 1892 and educated at Philander Smith College at Naini Tal.
William inherited his father's interest in shooting and developed it to the extent that it became the central interest in his life. As a young man he became friendly with the Rajah of Kalakunker who was also a very keen hunter. The two went on many shooting trips.
The railways on India were being developed during William's youth and there were plenty of opportunities for young men willing to work in remote areas. William grabbed this opportunity and joined the East India Railway Company. He gained experience in many remote places, and was eventually promoted to Permanent Way Inspector, with responsibility for maintenance of the railway track over an extensive area.
Robert Archibald Shepherd 1896-1946
Robert was the third son of Edward Thomas Shepherd. He was born on 27th December 1896 at Barabanki. He enjoyed the same idyllic childhood as his brothers and sister, Doris... Robert enjoyed playing 'big brother' to Doris and Frank, but he was glad to join his elder brothers as a boarder at Philander Smith College in Naini Tal...
When Robert left school he managed his father's Royal Oak Hotel for a while, but found it uinteresing...
Summarised version follows: Subsequently, Robert left Bhowali and went to stay with his Uncle George Herbert Shepherd and family where he met 16-year-old Isabelle Edith Gardener, a friend of the Shepherd girls Irene (later Mckenzie) and (Ivy) Gladys (later Hourigan). When Robert met Isabelle's mother later it turns out that Mrs Gardener and Agnes Bonnar Shepherd were in school together.
The 1914-1918 war was coming to an end, but recruits ere still required. Robert volunteered and served in Mesopotamia. (guava gardens adds: Interestingly I found a grave in this cemetery of another volunteer to Mesopotamia who succumbed to his wounds)
On his return for a short while went back to the hotel business. He later joined the R and K Railway (?) with the help of Isabelle's uncle, George Gardener who was at the time Bareilly stationmaster. Robert married Isabelle in Feburary 1922. He was soon promoted and posted as stationmaster of Aishbagh, near Lucknow. They had a daughter, Mercia, but unfortunately she died aged one year and three months. In January 1935 their daughter Naomi, was born. Robert later became stationmaster of Bareilly where he remained till his untimely death, from a leg infection, on September 3, 1946.

Edward Thomas Shepherd as a PWI of the
Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway.
His younger brother, George Herbert Shepherd
who lived and is buried in Lucknow,
was also a PWI. His son Robert
retired as railway

MERCIA
DAUGHTER OF ROBERT
AND ISABELLA SHEPHERD
DIED 1930 IN LUCKNOW

stationmaster of Bareilly.

Cynthia Cline died Dec 2011

Archie and Cynthia Cline, spent much of their early life in Lucknow, India before moving to Australia about 40 years ago. Archie died in the 1980. They are survived by a son, John, two daughters Mildred and Maxine and several grand and greatgrand children.

Archie and Cynthia : I took the liberty of
 using this pic their son  John had  maybe
 used on Facebook

(These pictures were sent to be shown to a dear neighbour in the colony, Lawrence Terrace, where they spent a greater part of their lives in India. Aunt Ruby Murphy, died 1958, was the last of the relatives in India)

Hi George  hope you don't mind but I am sending  just a few pictures for Mrs Gopal at 5B so she can say goodbye to Mum

 Like she was here... She was very upset when we phoned her... ..hope she is ok. 

Just had family and a few close friends at the burial which was this morning  and it was  beautiful

 Sunny day. The service was held on Saturday Morning  and the church was filled  to overflowing. Will send a DVD that we made about

 Mum's  life that we showed  at the church.

 Thank a ton

 Millie

Mildred Cline Rowe

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rowe Family gypsie@cobweb.com.au;
Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Subject:
To: georgeshepherdlkw@gmail.com
Cc: cwgypsie@sa.chariot.net.au

Harry Sealy 1919-1987

Harry Leslie Sealy Born  26th December 1919
 Died 26th August 1987. The husband of Mona Sealy and
uncle of the Anglo-Indian prize-winning
 author, I Allan Sealy.