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Excerpts taken from an unpublished, private history, put together by Clive and Pat Shepherd.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.