Monday, January 7, 2013

In memory: Arthur Reginald Mckenzie

Arthur, the 8th child of John and May McKenzie, was born in June 1911 and died 19 January 1920, at the age of 9 years. To our knowledge, he was the only child born to John and May, who died as a young child. We do not know much about Arthur, although Auntie Mary spoke affectionately of him.

Various Obituaries are in my possession but I found the following the most detailed, as it also describes a little of his character:

"Our Dundee correspondent writes: it is with deep regret that I have to chronicle the death of Arthur Reginald McKenzie, son of Mr. and Mrs. John McKenzie, the May and Mayoress of Dundee. The sad event took place at 7 o’clock on Monday evening at the Cottage Hospital. The lad complained of feeling unwell some weeks ago, and developed a high temperature. Feeling uneasy, his parents consulted the doctor, who advised his immediate removal to the hospital, pronouncing the case to be one of enteric – a disease fairly prevalent in this district during the summer season. The lad’s temperature, however, continued to cause great anxiety, running up everyday about noon, so much so that Doctors Lloyd and Fisher held a consultation. The medical men decided it was enteric. Arthur was of a active and spirited disposition, and this may have been responsible for the regrettable complication which set in on Saturday afternoon, when brain trouble began to be clearly indicated. The lad began to gradually sink, unconsciousness sinking in early Monday morning, and he passed away the same evening. The death proved a great shock to his parents, brothers and sisters, as up to Monday morning they never doubted his recovery.

The Rev. W.H.P. Clulow conducted an impressive funeral service in the Wesleyan Church at 4 o’clock, before a full and representative congregation, which included the Magistrate, Assistant Magistrate, Town Clerk and Councilors, leading business men, friends, Boy Scouts (of which Arthur was a member), and the officers and teachers of the Wesleyan Sunday School, where he was a scholar, and members of S.A.M.R. As a mark of sympathy and respect, the stores closed at 4’clock.

The preacher, in the course of his address, said that Arthur was one of the brightest, best, and most popular lads in the Sunday School. He was intelligent beyond the boys of his own age, and gave every promise of a successful future. The service concluded with the “Dead March” from “Saul”. Six of the Boy Scouts acted as pall-bearers and the troop headed the funeral procession, the Sunday School and W.C.T.U following next, then came the family and friends. The short service at the graveside was conducted by Mr. Clulow, assisted by the Rev. M.W. Davies, of the Church of England. The bereaved family have received every token of sympathy, the wreaths especially being most numerous, numbering nearly 100. "

Hereafter followed a list of people who sent letters and wreaths of sympathy…..

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