Ahh, yeah, thanks, Vivian. I'd already got the burial info.
I've just spent the last hour-plus trying to write notes through tears, as I discovered that Uncle Alec lost two brothers, one of them on Gallipoli, the other to meningitis at a place called Ismailia; and that uncle Alec's older brother also went and was wounded in France. Add to that, I got an email full of names that I've been trying to verify, but if accurate tells the tale what can only have been terrible grief. Of 12 children (again, I stress, IF the information is accurate), FIVE died in the same year (both of their daughters), aged between 1 year (or younger) and 12 years. Then they lost another child at age 6. Trek down a few years into the new century and at least four of their remaining children went to Australia, three of them signing up for the Great War, only for two of them to die*, the other repatriated due to shrapnel wounds. (I haven't gone through all the McConnachie names yet, but I don't believe Uncle Alec went to war.) I have yet to find how the one got the meningitis, but the email said he died "as a result of military action", which I can see being the case.
I cannot fathom what it must feel like to lose so many younglings all at once, then, when you think your sons are safe, you lose two more and almost lose another.
* One is buried Ismailia Cemetery, Grave No. 837. Buried 16th January 1916.
The other is buried POPES HILL CEMETERY, ANZAC, GALLIPOLI, 5/8 mile N. E. of ANZAC COVE.
In reading a couple of letters in his records, it seems he left a sweetheart; and maybe a child. This is tearing my heart out .. and he's been dead and gone for over 100 years.
