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Posted by Hellsgate (U15005815) on Monday, 7th November 2011
Can anyone help solve a mystery for me? On a recent trip to Kenya I visited the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Thika, Kenya, which was as always immaculately kept, then wandered around the church cemetery next door. Sadly overgrown and poorly maintained this contained mostly the graves of colonialists settlers. No burials seem to have been made for decades. One family grave , though, caught my eye. The memorials to Jane, Clara, Hamilton and Matilda Daniels stood out as they seemed to be a family party. The mother, Jane and her children all died on the same day, 4th Feb, 1951. I've done an internet search, but can find no details of this family. Does anyone know the story of this tragedy?
Sounds as if it might have been at the start of the Mau Mau uprising. Or else Mr Daniels went mad and slaughtered his family. If he had then killed himself, he would not have been buried with them.
I wondered Mau Mau as well, but I think it's a bit too early for them and so many dying at once, especially children, would have been internationally reported.
I have had a look to see if the children had any birth records in this country but unfortunately Daniels is a common name would be easier if we had the mothers maiden name.
Natural disaster? Anything happen at that time of year like monsoons or something.
Traffic accident, there are many possibilities for them all dying together. I do think it's nice though that you have taken an interest in them
, in reply to message 5.
Posted by Small Town Girl (U1483784) on Monday, 7th November 2011
This link doesn't add much, but does show that the graves were well tended in 2006:
STG
You could try contacting the Rootweb list for Kenya as someone ther would know, just click the link and send an e mail to the site saying subscribe then you can ask the knowledgable people on the list.
Edna
Don't forget to let us know when you find out! Just click on 'My discussions' on the left to find this thread.
they don't appear in the British deaths abroad register for 1951, maybe not English.
I also checked The Times online and nothing was reported, I'm sure if they were British something would have been reported about the tragedy
I was going to suggest newspapers as well. Don't suppose local ones would be online. Clearly they had surviving family members who put up the memorials. Really want to find out now.
Thanks jc (U1902680) for your interest and search. These people from the Daniels family seem to have been overcome by some tragedy, but their sad story remains elusive. I'd probably have to search the archives of the East African papers to get to the bottom of this.
Well, like I said, let us know if and when you do!
Can anyone help solve a mystery for me? On a recent trip to Kenya I visited the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Thika, Kenya, which was as always immaculately kept, then wandered around the church cemetery next door. Sadly overgrown and poorly maintained this contained mostly the graves of colonialists settlers. No burials seem to have been made for decades. One family grave , though, caught my eye. The memorials to Jane, Clara, Hamilton and Matilda Daniels stood out as they seemed to be a family party. The mother, Jane and her children all died on the same day, 4th Feb, 1951. I've done an internet search, but can find no details of this family. Does anyone know the story of this tragedy?Β
Good morning Hellsgate,
I have just read the posts and it is an intersting search you propose...I found this link just FYI
and this: the inscriptions refer to 'sister/brother/mother' I am guessing a living relative was responsible for these?
BH
Thank you BoothHunter (U14812392) for your posts. I've not read them all, all the way through, but they are interesting. I've become increasingly interested in Colonial Kenyan history. The reason for these tragic deaths remains elusive, though
, in reply to message 14.
Posted by BoothHunter (U14812392) on Sunday, 27th November 2011
Thank you BoothHunter (U14812392) for your posts. I've not read them all, all the way through, but they are interesting. I've become increasingly interested in Colonial Kenyan history. The reason for these tragic deaths remains elusive, thoughΒ
I hope you get to the bottom of your search and post and let us know...I find these mysteries really interesting and just wish I had more time to research...
Good luck with your Kenyan history search...
BH
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