
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
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