Celai and Jack in the grounds of Goverment House

 

 

From Independence in 1947, Government House became Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal.

Uncle Jack, Aunt Celia and Cousin Peter - miscellaneous photos

The Mackies and their WAGs (1940s style)

The first picture shows Don's brother Jack, Jack's wife Celia, Eileen and Don. They are outside the house in Chapel Lane. I think this one was also taken prior to October 1944. The second is the only picture that has come to light of Don and Eileen's wedding. It looks like wartime austerity dictated that this was not a lavish affair. They married in June 1945. Although the war was over, there was still alot of soldiering to be done. After his marriage, Don had another tour of duty overseas, this time to Glinde near Hamburg to deal with returned ordnance. He was not finally demobbed until July 1946.

Ada and Bill's Wedding

On 13 April 1961, Ada Mackie married for a second time to become Mrs William Warden. Here are some pictures of their wedding at St. Mary's Church, Chislehurst. That's my father Don with the moustache and Aunt Celia in the role of bridesmaid. Uncle Jack was no doubt behind the camera so not actually seen here. I think the best man must be "F.J. Moran" - one of the witnesses named on the marriage certificate. The wedding was quite a low key affair. I don't now remember why, but only dad attended the wedding, not the rest of us.

Postcard from Velda and Leslie

It is apparent from the archive that Velda kept in touch with her great Aunt Ada. After Ada died, my parents and also my uncle and aunt in Canada heard from Velda. We exchanged letters and postcards, but the fact was that different sides of the family had drifted apart and none of us really knew Velda or her family. But this postcard has survived. It is signed Velda and Leslie, which taken together with the picture of Velda's sister June's wedding, helped me work out a few more relationships. This was to my mother Eileen Mackie. She mentions the death of Jack and a letter from Celia. These are my aunt and uncle. She also mentions the death of her mother's sister's husband. But Velda's mother Florence was one of six daughters, so it is not clear who she means.
*Update 25 June 2012*.  "Mother's sister's husband" must be Jack Kettle, husband of Constance, who died on 9 January 1987.

Jack, Celia and Peter "Seaforth"

This must have been taken in the late 1940s. Notice the tear down the right side. I haven't found the other half of the picture.

Aunt Celia and cousin Peter

 

Caption on the back reads "On the Lake Naini - when Jack came up on leave. July '42" This is in the foothills of the Himalayas. Peter was born in Naini, according to Wikipedia "a satellite neighborhood and a twin city of Allahabad"

Uncle Jack and Aunt Celia, 1940s

 *Updated July 2016*

I have revised this one to include a larger version of the original and add a second photo taken at the same time. Judging by their clothing, I think this would also have been taken at Chapel Lane as was this one. Of interest is the aeroplane brooch Aunt Celia is wearing. It was carved by Jack from a toothbrush handle.