LETTER FROM ALLAN GIDDY TO PETER GIDDY 29th SEPTEMBER 1980.
Written by my father (Allan Hoskins Giddy) from number 7 Killarney Park flats where the family was staying at the time. I was now married to Barbara and planning a visit to Barclay East to visit some of our family there.
Dear Pete.
As you will be visiting Neville Giddy, I thought that you would like to know about how he fits in and how the Giddy family in Barclay East is connected. I enclose a brief summary of who Reverend Richard Giddy was and a tree showing our connections.
Rev Richard Giddy was a missionary at
Thaba Nchu 1836 to 1844
Platberg near Maclear 1845 to 1859
Colesberg 1859 to 1871
Witteberg near Herschel (north of Barclay East) 1871 to 1881
In 1880 Rev Richard Giddy retired and was in process of buying Kelvin grove, a farm in B.E. where two sons were farming. And where his wife had already moved; when he died in February 1881 on his way there. His wife, Sarah Jane Sephton (Sephton's are a prominent family in the region) continued to farm at Kelvin Grove and Neville's father eventually took it over and it was later split with a cousin, Paul, getting half. He sold his half a few years ago.
Sarah Jane first lived in a small house (now gone) called Bears Den then built another which still stands. Also on that half is the family graveyard which is quite interesting to see. (Barbara and I did get to see this graveyard when we visited).
The family owned and still own a number of farms in the area including neighbouring Eagles Cragg but most have moved away. They also own farms at Maclear about 100 miles away (Neville owns three there) and, in spring, take their sheep and cattle there to graze.
I can of course go on and on about the family but I think that this is enough to be able to chat to Neville. He might take you to see the graveyard and farmhouse at Kelvin Grove. Please give them our best wishes. I hope you have a good holiday. Be careful not to overdo it with the children.
I think I forgot to mention that we plan to go to Sun City on Thursday 2nd October 1980 returning about lunch time on Friday - just to see it and have a bit of fun.
Love to Barbara and the children.
Dad.
Allan Hoskins Giddy was born 14 February 1917 Johannesburg and died at age 75 (Cancer) in Plettenbergbay 1992.
Yvonne Ena Giddy was born Dumfrieshire; Scotland
Daughter of Wilfrid Lawson Spence -- B 28.11.1867 and Died 1959 in Leaminton.
Wilfrid was married four times. His second and third marriage was to Yvonne Marie Majorell
The first marriage was in Glasgow: 19.7.1913 and divorced 1922. The second marriage was in Paris: 23.6.1927. Yvonne Majorell was born Corsica 8.11.1889 and died Johannesburg 14.2.1971.
Wilfrid and Yvonne had two children:
Wilfrid Ian Spence Born Glasgow 18.1.1915 and enjoyed his 100th Birthday in Plettenberg Bay (SA) on 18.1.2015
Yvonne Ena Giddy: Born at The Summit; Castle Douglas Road. Maxwelltown near to Dumfries.. 29.6.1916 -- 10am and Ena enjoyed her 99th Birthday in Plettenbergbay on ||Sunday 28th June 2015. The birthday lunch was held at her flat Hill House. With Peter and Barbara Giddy; Julia Giddy; Ian and Alice Spence; Edie Dore who has been a lifelong friend; Anne and Anthony De Wet. Anne -- Catered for by Ena's day companion and carer; Violet and daughter van Heerden. A few other friends as well.
Allan and Ena were married 28 September 1946 in Vereeniging; South Africa.
Peter do you have information on the other wives of Wilfrid Lawson? Do you think there was a wife between 1921 and 1927? I may have connection here
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