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Showing posts with label WW1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WW1. Show all posts

19 November 2019

The Unwanted Letter

The worst news possible. This type of War Office correspondence was not welcome during WW1.



This is the original letter that T.A. Stephen's new bride Lydia received after he had died of wounds in Belgium in 1917. They had only been married two years.

Thomas Alexander Stephen, son of Armenians from Calcutta Stephen Simon Stephen and Catherine his wife. They had died prior to his joining the war effort.

Placed for sale as war memorabilia, I purchased it to save another small piece of Armenian history from being lost. Note the crunched up creases on the paper. Could this have been Lydia's reaction to the terrible news? The agony of her loss, the cast aside letter screwed up into a ball and thrown away in disbelief.

And then retrieved.

Carefully and lovingly smoothed out and fixed to a piece of cardboard and stored. A focus for her grief.

T.A. Stephen's grandfather, Simon Stephens was the first recorded marriage in the register of the Armenian Church Singapore and he was also co-founder of Apcar & Stephens.

To read a detailed account of Armenians in Singapore and Malaysia, Nadia Wright's book 'Respected Citizens' is a must. You may also find her other book 'Armenians in Singapore: A Short History' also of interest. Obtainable on the same link.

31 October 2018

John Arakelian D.C.M. Public Service Beyond Question - Dignity in the Face of Adversity

Last year I was fortunate to work with CAIA, the Centre for Armenian Information and Advice in London on their UK Armenians and WW1 project.

One of the stories I uncovered was about John Arakelian, his work with the British Intelligence in the Middle East and how he came to save 380 orphaned Armenian boys and girls in Baghdad. The original post can be found on CAIA's website above.

Following the project's completion I reproduce the story here on my blog because there is a Armenian Calcutta connection. (Please note the hyperlinks in [square brackets] do not work in this blog, please go to the end of the story to see the appropriate link.)

John Haig Arakelian D.C.M., M.M.

“…How?
How did I end up here?
In a jail in Wales.
How?...” 

On a cold November morning in 1914, John Arakelian found himself being detained by the Chief Constable of Newport Police as an ‘unregistered alien’, the underlying accusation being that he was a German spy[1]. Held for several days in a local gaol pending further enquiries, one can only imagine how he must have felt. He could be forgiven for allowing his mind to drift off and think about home; the warm breezes blowing across his land, the golden hues of a setting sun reflecting on the surrounding hills and mountains and the beautiful sweet smells hanging in the air, gently wafting up from the successful family farm growing 84,000 fruit trees. And yet as he lay in his cell, he had faith. Protesting he was not Turkish but Armenian, recounting his already extraordinary military service in the British Army, that faith was, eventually proved.

After exhaustive enquiries by the Chief Constable into John’s life which revealed nothing untoward, John was released without charge[2] and allowed to return to what he did best. Serving in the British Army. He was in Wales with his regiment, the 3rd Dragoon Guards, going about his military business and following orders. It was his background, accent, looks and his ability to speak six languages that made authorities twitchy. Yet, his future military actions would prove unequivocally that he was loyal, trustworthy and dedicated to the Crown. It’s just a shame the British Government took so long to recognise this extraordinarily unique, fearless yet humble Armenian when it came to his application for citizenship of the country he had served for 17 years.

Born on the 1st April 1886 in Broussa near Constantinople, one of 10 children[3] (he had two brothers and seven sisters), this staunchly Armenian family owned considerable property and land. A large warehouse was used for the manufacture of silk and the Arakelian’s ensured their workers had sufficient housing, dedicating one large house, four smaller houses, eleven other houses and a large bath house solely for their use. The family also grew several thousand grape vines and fruit trees. It was a long establish and profitable farm, and they helped the local community by employing as many people as they could between their fruit and silk businesses.

John’s father, Onig but also known as John, passed away when he was seven years of age in 1892. The property and assets became the sole responsibility of his mother Pilazou neĆ© Andonian but the family soon fragmented and split up. His two brothers Bedros and Vahram and two of his sisters as well as an aunt went to England to live in 1894. John remained behind and attended the local protestant school. Four years later his brother, Bedros returned to the family farm from England and made arrangements for John to go and live there with him. By 1900 both John and Vaham were in London, and with the guidance of their brother Bedros, John was quickly enrolled at Professor  Garabed[4]   Thoumaian’s School, completing his education at  Clarence School at Weston-Super-Mare. He took an apprenticeship in 1904 with an established and well respected firm of builders, Foster & Sons of Bath to learn machinery. He stayed for a year and moved to Glasgow finding employment within the engineering department of a large company. He quickly realised this was not the path he wanted to follow and boldly set about joining the Scottish military by applying to the Royal Scots Greys. His first posting was to the depot in Edinburgh. For the sake of clarity, he ensured the military authorities were aware of his nationality and that he wasn’t a British Subject. This wasn’t something they were particularly concerned about and being impressed by his physique as well as having the correct credentials, John was posted to Tidworth Camp near Salisbury. Whilst there he caught the eye of a General who complimented him on his “smart appearance and good horsemanship[5].”  

By 1908 John was sent to India to serve and transferred to the 1st Royal Dragoons at Muttra in Agra, his multitude of languages made him stand out from other soldiers and he was able to converse locally in Hindustani. One day, the Regiment Sergeant foolishly bet that if he could ride a particularly wilful and stubborn horse without being thrown off he would be given a month’s leave. John accepted the challenge with relish and, needless to say, accomplished the ride with ease. He was soon planning his month’s leave to Calcutta.

John Arakelian and the Calcutta Armenians



In Calcutta John would no doubt have gravitated toward the Armenian Church and the thriving Armenian community of the city.  It wasn’t long before he was approached by a well known local Armenian coal mine owner, C.L. Phillips[6] of Kusunda Nayadih Colliery, near Dhanbad.[7] Phillips was impressed by John and offered to purchase his discharge from the Army. John agreed and went to work for another Armenian coal firm Martin & Co in the Asansol/Dhanbad area, where he stayed until 1912. The Regiment Sergeant must have been kicking himself at the loss of such a versatile and talented soldier. But India was never going to be his last destination and after four years there, John was keen to return to Broussa and to the family farm so that he could take it over.  He requested six months’ leave from Martin & Co and sailed from Calcutta at the earliest opportunity.

Constantinople – A Strong Bond


John felt the pull of home more than ever and, rather than returning to India as he had planned, he found a position in Constantinople as a PT instructor at the American College. He wanted and needed to be close to home.

In 1912 John purchased the shares and assets of his mother and siblings and became the sole owner of the family farm, property and lands in Broussa. (Later, during WW1, whilst he was serving in the British Army, the whole of the family property was destroyed by the Turks because the Turkish authorities discovered he was serving with the British forces.)

In November 1912 the Balkan War brought him to the attention of British born barrister Sir Edwin Pears in Constantinople via Major Graves The Times correspondent of that city. Sir Edwin enquired of John as to whether he would be willing to obtain information concerning the Balkan War for English newspaper correspondents. John agreed and having met with the newspaper representatives at the Pera Palace Hotel in Constantinople he was, in John’s words:

“immediately arrested by the Turkish authorities (at the instigation of a Greek spy), and after five days confinement, was brought before the Turkish authorities War Minister, Nazim Pasha, who was rather partial to Armenians.  After questioning me as to my dealings with the English, he said that was it not for the high esteem they had for my late father he would have me shot. However, he admonished me and advised me to devote my abilities with the sword in instructing the Turkish officers.  On my release I was followed by two detectives, but after outwitting them, I went to the British Consul who arranged for me to be sent immediately to Egypt.”

It is remarkable that John survived that close shave with the authorities, it is even more remarkable that once in Egypt, his desire was still so strong he continued to want to help the British where possible. With his Secret Service work in Constantinople behind him and holding an introduction to the British Consul at Alexandria, he was quickly appointed to the Egyptian Police Force. Once again he made a good impression, this time of the Chief of Police and received praise for his work. John spent only a year in Egypt, he was anxious to return to Constantinople and he did just that in December 1913. With the assistance of Sir Edwin Pears by way of another introduction, this time to the Standard Oil Company, John was given the position of Assistant Engineer with the firm based at the Dardanelles. He was responsible for a workforce of 200 men in road-making that needed to be sufficiently well built to withstand heavy machinery for the company. On one occasion and ever the observant professional, he spotted Turkish forces in the distance moving heavy guns and military equipment. He immediately informed Standard Oil Company and he was instructed to close down the operation and return to Constantinople. He immediately relayed this important piece of surveillance to the British.

A Second Period in the British Army


At the outbreak of War in 1914 John was strongly advised by an English friend in Constantinople to re-join the British Army. He registered at the British Consul and was sent to England with a number of others also wishing to join.  After reporting to Whitehall he was sent to Newport in Wales where he joined the 3rd Dragoon Guards. He had only been in Newport for a fortnight when he was suspected of being a German spy and arrested. Three Court appearances and 22 days later he was cleared and released. Remarkably, he chose to continue to serve in the Army and was sent to Canterbury in Kent soon after this episode. Whilst in Canterbury he, and a number of others, went before the town Mayor to swear and sign a declaration. John believed this to be a naturalisation process, and little did he know that this misunderstanding would once again cause him no end of trouble 10 years hence.

Extracted from his Naturalisation application, a recount of some of his military career.

On the 3rd April 1916 an attack was made on the first two front trenches at HANNAH position.  We advanced about 3 miles the same day and captured FULAHYAH Redoubt and a communication trench.  I was responsible for taking the communication trench, and seven prisoners who I handed over to General O’Dowda. After this engagement I was promoted Sergeant. After the engagement at SANAIYAT on the 9th April 1916 I was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry to attending to, and bringing in wounded under rifle fire in front of the enemy’s trenches. (See London Gazette, 14th November 1916).

At SHOOMRA BEND, I was in charge of the snipers and listening posts in no man’s land, where I was successful killing one of the enemy snipers – a Sergeant. Near this position, the late General Maude came to see me in the front trenches, and complimented me for the good services I had rendered. At SHOOMRA BEND I was asked by my Commanding Officer (Lt. Col. B. Macnaughten) if I would signal the advance of the battalion from the parapet of the trenches when the attach was launched. I volunteered to undertake this duty, and I stood in full view of the enemy’s position for about six minutes to give the pre-arranged three signals for the battalion to advance.

The late General Maude was kind enough to give permission for me to search the villages for any Armenian children held in captivity by the Mohommedans.  By this means I collected about 380 Armenian boys and girls at BAGHDAD, where an orphanage was formed by the Americans for their welfare.

On one occasion when in BAGHDAD assisting the Intelligence Department, and collecting Armenian children, I discovered a large quantity of machine guns, ammunition, explosives, searchlights etc., hidden by the Germans and Turks in one of the houses.

I volunteered to go to KUT and get into communication with General Townsend to receive information and return to the British lines, but General Beach, Chief of the Intelligence Staff considered the undertaking was too hazardous and would not consent.

On another occasion in BAGHDAD some 150 persons were collected together contrary to orders, trying to create a riot.  When I arrived on the scene, I found an interpreter and British Military Police with fixed bayonets endeavouring to arrest the offenders.  Intervened and suggested to the officer in charge that the police be ordered to unfix their bayonets and return to their quarters.  I then coerced 75 of the principal offenders to accompany me to the Police Headquarters.  They were eventually tried, five of the leaders being sentenced to 18 months hard labour, and the remainder to one month’s hard labour, and deported from the country.

Again in BAGHDAD I collected about 40 Turkish officers and Turkish government employees, who by proclamation should have surrendered.  I brought them to the Military Police headquarters, where they were transferred to the Prisoners of War Camp in India. 

Courtesy of the Imperial War Museum London. Men of John's regiment, the 6th King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment bathing in a creek near Basra during the summer of 1916

John recalls:

I joined the British Army in 1914 and was demobilised 5th October 1920 at Constantinople. From here I was sent to Armenia and served under the Armenian government. On the 11th June 1921 I arrived at Baghdad and reported to the British Headquarters where I was employed on intelligence duties under Major W.J. Bovill and transferred later to S.M. Section under British government for supplying electric power and water to Baghdad. On 5th November 1921 I went to Calcutta (India) and was a student at the French Motor Company Calcutta until March 1922.  I returned to Baghdad 23rd April 1922 as motor engineer but was unsuccessful in business. On the recommendation of Colonel W. Dent I was employed by Iraq Aircraft Dept Royal Air Force where I served until 1924. I was then transferred to Navy Army and Air Force institute and resigned my position in August 1924 to return to England but unfortunately I fell and broke my arm and owing to financial difficulties I was compelled to remain in Baghdad until I left for England in May 1925. I have now nearly completed 12 months in London since May 1925 but in all as my history shows I have been about 17 years in England and in the British Army and with British companies. 48 Cornwall Road, Harrow – May to June 1925. 134 Fellings Road, Goodmayes – June 1925 to March 1926.

I have served under the British since I completed my education in England in all, about 17 years, therefore I feel more British and my record in the British Army is not in vain, I hope.

Naturalisation, Compensation, Honour, Acceptance - Disappointment


Initially, at the time of John’s application for naturalisation in 1925, he hadn’t lived in England for the minimum qualifying period of five years, and his application was put back. However, because his “public services were beyond question” it was suggested by a reviewing officer that he should wait a year and apply again. John’s urgency for a successful application was compounded by the fact that his personal circumstances were now desperately dire. With a wife and young baby he was barely scraping a living as a window cleaner at the Savoy Hotel in London. He couldn’t apply for his War Compensation because he wasn’t a British citizen.  Even the reviewing officer felt John was a most deserving case


“I am sorry for this man, who has deserved well of this country, and would be reluctant to stigmatise him for all time as a “window cleaner”. He was an engineer, but in hard times he is not ashamed to do any work he can get.”



John was finally granted naturalisation in August 1926 at which time he applied for his War Compensation. Unfortunately he was notified that it was too late and his application was rejected. This would have been a bitter blow.

He and his wife Angel, whose first child was born in Baghdad in 1925, went on to have at least 2 more children who were born in London.

Following the death of his wife Angel in London in 1933, John spent some time living with his son and daughter-in-law in Hertfordshire. In 1959 he made one last voyage to the Middle East. No further trace of him can be found.

He was a man of great loyalty, dedication, commitment and dignity in the face of adversity and, in his own words…..


Medals

Recommended for a Victoria Cross which is the highest award in the UK honours system. He ended being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the second highest award in the honours systems. He was also awarded the Military Medal As well as the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1920 and the Victory Medal 1914-1919.


Sources used for this blog entry:

AGBU on Flickr
Ancestry.com
Archive.org
BillionGraves.com
British Library
California Digital Newspaper Collection
Digital Library of India
Families in British India Society
Find A Will, Government Website
Findmypast.co.uk
Forces War Records
Hathi Trust Digital Library
Imperial War Museum
London Gazette
National Archives Kew
Newspaperarchive.com
Newspapers.com
British Newspaper Archive
Wellcome Trust Library

My thanks to Diane John for assisting with document acquisition.


[1] Western Mail, 3 November 1914, P.3
[2] Western Mail, 17 November 1914, P.3
[3] British Army WW1 Service Records, 1914-1920 for John Haig Arakelian – Personal Statement
[4] In June 1893 Professor Toumaian, who was also an Armenian Pastor was teaching at the American-Armenian Christian College, “Anatolia College”  in Marsovan. He and a number of other Armenian intellectuals were detained by the Turks who believed there was an “insurrectionary movement among the Armenian Christians”. During the trial, it has been expected that Professor Toumaian and fellow teacher at the college Mr. Kayayan, would be quickly released. Even with little or no evidence to suggest they were involved, both men were in fact condemned to death. On hearing the news the Professor’s wife, Madame Toumaian vigorously lobbied in the Houses of Parliament trying to get assistance from the members for their release. Perhaps bowing to external pressure, by August 1893 the Turkish authorities pardoned Professors Toumaian and Kayayan and expelled them from the country. Toumaian returned to England and settled in Essex with his wife and children. During WW1 Toumaian’s son, Armen signed up and fought in France against the Germans for the British.
[5] British Army WW1 Service Records, 1914-1920 for John Haig Arakelian – Personal Statement
[6] Armenian Settlements in India by Anne Basil, P.85.
[7] Indian Engineering Vol. 31 by Patrick Doyle 1902.

23 February 2015

Manuk: From the Killing Fields of France to the Diamond Fields of Africa


Geoffrey Manuk’s Extraordinarily Short Life.

His Armenian pedigree stretches back several centuries with ancestors such as Khojah Phanoos Kalandar, Coja Sultan David Shameer, Astur Sarkies de Agavally, Ter Johannes Sarkies, Phanoos Bagram and Kevork ter Simon to name just a few, it is surprising to find that he was in fact baptised in a Scottish church in Calcutta, his parents clearly shunning the family history that was in his DNA.


Born in London 5th January 1894 to Percy and Nellie Manuk he was baptised in St. Andrew’s Church Calcutta a year later[1]. 

Birth certificate of Geoffrey Chater Manuk

Baptism record of Geoffrey Manuk at
St. Andrew's Church, Calcutta



A 2 x great grand nephew of Sir Paul Chater a philanthropist from Calcutta, Geoffrey’s own father Percy was a renown barrister and art collector who lived in Patna, India where he practised law. An only child he spent his early years in Calcutta. Like many young men in India, Geoffrey applied to join the Indian Army, something that would give him a footing for the future. When the First World War broke out he sailed for England to sign up.

He was assigned to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and by the end of October 1914 had been appointed with a temporary commission as Lieutenant. Just a month later he was again promoted this time to temporary Captain and by January 1916 he had been posted to the 7th Battalion in France. He fought, marched, fought some more, saw many friends die in the killing field and spent a year in the godforsaken trenches before returning to England in February 1917. By May 1917 he was back in France.  Extracts from the battalion war diary[2] for October 1917 give a snapshot of the life, conditions and routine that Geoffrey would have encountered on the front line.


War Diary of the 7th Battalion
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Extract for October 1917




Place, Date, Hour



PROVEN, 1.X.17

In camp (P5) preparing for move.



On Route PROVEN TO BAPAUNE

2.X.17

Battn. Marched from camp to PROVEN RAILHEAD and entrained 11am for BAPAUME, arriving midnight.



BAPAUME-YTRES

3.X.17

Marched with transport to YTRES via ORCQUINEY arriving about 6am. Remainder of day resting and changing camp.



YTRES-HAUT ALLAINES

4.X.17. 12.50p.m

Bn (with transport) left camp at 12.50 and marched to HAUT ALLAINES via ETRICOURT, MANANCOURT & MOISLAINES, arriving at 2.30pm.



HAUT ALLAINES

5.X.17-7.X.17



Refitting and reorganising. Weather very wet. MAJOR LP STOOR 12th KINGS, attached to Bn as Sec-in-Command to A/Lt-Col J.T. Jenson 6/10.17.



HAUT ALLAINES0SOREL LE GRAND

8.X.17. 9am.



Embussed at MOISLAINES & debussed near FINS, marching thence to Nisson Huts at SOREL, arriving noon.



SOREL-VILLERS GURSLAIN

9.X.17. 9pm



Relieved 21st Middlesex Regt. (40th Divsn. 121st. Infy Bde) A B & HQRS at GUISLAIN (x2B9) & C+ D Coys behind GONNELIEU (R26 c +d).



Continued to SUPPORT LINE 7 days, providing garrison; also working parties for 7 SOM L.I. (right front coy) and 7 D.C.L.I. (left front coy).



16.X.17. 8pm

A/Lt.Col J.T. JANSON left for 30 days special leave in UK. Major LP STORR assumed command with Capt. R.G. ROYLE as Sec-in-Command.



GONNELIEU 16.X.17-22.X.17 Relieved 7 D.C.L.I. in left front sector, with companies distributed as follows: Right Front B, Left Front D, Right Support A, Left Support C. On the 19th there was an inter-company relief, the support coys moving into front lines and the front line coys into support.



17.X.17.



2/Lt. W. Short appointed ADJUTANT vice 2/LT R.C.W. SMITHERS (killed in action Aug 16/17) from Aug 17th.



18.X.17



2/LT C. Ellis with a patrol of 18 D.R. lost direction and entered a German trench. The party effected its escape leaving the officer behind.



20.X.17. 10am



Court of Enquiry convened by MAJOR LP STORR assembled at BN. HQRS. Members. CAPT. R.G. ROYAL (President), LT. N.D. GYE & 2/LT H.R. PRUST. Instructions: to record opinion on “(I) Whether Sec.Lt. ELLIS is missing, killed, prisoner of war or wounded and prisoner of war.



(II) Circumstances attending loss of Lewis Gun & Three Rifles and culpability of men in charge of same”. After examining nine witnesses, the Court found that 2/LT ELLIS must be wounded and a prisoner of war. A qualified culpability was brought against men who abandoned Lewis Gun & rifles.



VAUELLETTE FARM & RAILTON

22.X.17 – 29.X.17



Relieved in left front sub-section by 7 D.C.L.I. & proceeded into RESERVE: hqr COY & a*c TO Vaucellette fm & b&d Coys to RAILTON. Intensive training in musketry, bombing, PT & close order drill was carried out with good results.



23.X.17

Bn took baths at HEAUDECOURT. Also on 27th.



26.X.17

Concer at HEUDECOURT arranged by Pdre. Rev. F.M. WINDLEY (C of E).



27.X.17



Football match at MOUSLAINES. 62 field ambulance V. 7. K.O.Y.L.I result Amb.4 K.O.Y.L.I. 1



28.X.17



Voluntary Church parades and working parties.



GONNELIEU. 29.X.17



Relieved 7 D.C.L.I. (less 1 Co) in left front sub-Sector with Companies disposed as follows: right front “A”, Right Support “B”, Left Front “C”. “D£ Co was at Fins assisting R.E.s.



30.X.17. 6am

“D£ Co relieved “C” Co. D.C.L.I. in Left Support.



31.X.17

Battalion extended its front to the left. Right support co took over No. 1 Post R. Front Co. Right Front Co took over posts 1 & 2 L.F. co. Left Front Co took over posts from 10th K.R.R. bringing his left to the GOUZEAUCOURT-CAMBRAI RD.


Due to illness Captain Manuk left the unit on 30th October 1917 and headed for Rouen from where he sailed for England arriving on the 16th November 1917. He was one of many to suffer P.U.O. commonly known as trench fever, something that plagued hundreds of soldiers in France.


“Medical Officers during World War 1 tended to put trench fever down as PUO - pyrexia (ie fever) of unknown origin. Often they would take a stern view and prescribe "M&D" - medicine and duty. The unfortunate soldier would be returned to duty with some medicine, often the notorious Pill No. 9 (see right). Pill No. 9 was a laxative beloved of the British Army doctor; it's doubtful that it did much to help a man suffering with a fever.

Not all men suffering with trench fever could return to duty, they were simply too ill. In those cases, they would be evacuated to a hospital for rest and recuperation. It's likely that many of them were in no rush to recover and rejoin their unit. Trench fever, though unpleasant, was undoubtedly a welcome relief from being shelled on the front line.[3]


By January 1918 Geoffrey Manuk had been placed in a convalescing home at Osborne on the Isle of Wight. In February of that year he wrote a desperate letter to the War Office stating that he was still too unwell and not fit for service. In April a report from  Maudsley Neurological Hospital in London recommended no further hospital treatment for Capt Manuk but perhaps another 4 months spell at a convalescing home and suggested he “may again be fit for sedentary duties at home”. However, that was not to be and he relinquished his commission on account of his ill-health on the 19th June 1918.  He was granted the honorary rank of Captain.

He was awarded the British War and Victory medals on the 21st December 1921.

Geoffrey was awarded the British and Victory war medals

After the end of the war he can be found living in Iverna Court, London in 1919, ironically not far from the Armenian Church.

Geoffrey was living close to the Armenian Church in London

In the early 1920’s having recovered from the illnesses that had cut his war service unexpectedly short and perhaps yearning for some warmth on his body and maybe a safer adventure for his heart, he can be found in South Africa as a diamond digger. A bachelor with no commitments, he might have thought it would be a good way to make some money. It was in fact a brutal way to earn a living, the searing heat and basic conditions of the mines were not for the faint hearted. He didn’t last long and on the 19th October 1924 at Droogveld, Sydney-on-Vaal in Barkly West he died aged 30 years and 9 months. Having been through the very harrowing and bitter times of WW1 in Flanders, he met his death in the harsh scrub land of the South African desert panning for diamonds.  His debts amounted to £100 (sterling) which were paid by his father, P.C. Manuk. The list of possessions as noted in his estate inventory show the very bare minimum he had with him[4].

Geoffrey's Estate Papers are held at the
Cape Town National Archives

1 silver wristlet watch
1 pocket compass
1 wood and canvas stretcher bed
1 box kitchen utensils, Beatrice and primus stoves
1 cabin trunk containing clothing
1 leather suitcase, containing clothing
1 bundle of clothing, etc. & helmet
1 leather writing satchel and contents
1 box boots (3 pairs)
1 box sundries (shaving and toilet requisites etc)
1 square tank (wood and iron) 6' x 4'
1 house (since smashed by the wind) 8' x 9'
1 single bebe
1 overcoat (gents)

He is buried at the Old Mine Cemetery, Sydney on Vaal, Delportshoop, Barkly West District, Northern Cape, South Africa.[5]


Buried in the Old Mining Cemetery at
Sydney on Vaal, South Africa
Photo courtesy of: Gansie Coetzee, South Africa
Via website: The Genealogical Society of South Africa  eGSSA branch


My thanks and acknowledgments go to Gansie Coetzee and the Genealogical Society of South Africa for photographing and recording the graves at the Old Cemetery, Sydney on Vaal (rural farm cemeteries) where Geoffrey Chater Manuk is buried. A simple tombstone and taking into account the harsh sun and dusty conditions in the African veld, it has a remarkably readable inscription.

There are no Armenians in Sydney on Vaal and it is likely that his grave has never been visited by family or friends - maybe one day someone will.






[1] British Library: N1-241-43
[2] King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry War Diaries: National Archives, Kew WO 95/2127/2
[3] Trench Fever and Lice in WW1.  http://hubpages.com/hub/Trench-Fever-in-World-War-1
[4] Estate papers of Geoffrey Chater Manuk: Cape Town National Archives, South Africa
[5] The Genealogical Society of South Africa  eGSSA branch http://www.eggsa.org/welcome_e.htm