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- In 1910 George brought his family of three children and his wife to
South Africa to give his younger brother John an opportunity in the
family Coal business in Scotland. George started as an office boy in
Sturrocks Coal business in Johannesburg, and worked his way to the top.
He refused to continue his education in Std 6 and in later years felt
inadequate in some instances, but he still did excedingly well at
whatever he tried. He imported some of the first large machines for
digging ditches to lay pipes. He served on a dozen different boards
acting as Chairman of many. Back in Scotland he was made a Freeman of
Irvine.He owned one of the first motor cars in Johannesburg, but was a
terrible driver !! He was a fine Christian and a wonderful example to his
children and Grandchildren as well as others. He worshipped in the
Brethren Meeting and took an active part in the Services. At the age of
about 70 George had his one leg amputated below the knee as a result of a
soft corn on a toe that would not heal. He was a Diabetic and Insulin was
not readily available in those days. He also loved sweet foods and found
it difficult to refrain from eating what he liked. His family were of
great importance to him. It was a huge sorrow to George when his only son
Robert out at a Scout Camp, having just completed his education at King
Edward School, contracted Meningitis and died within a few days. I don't
think he ever got over this loss.
The following is a story written by George.
The Travels of an Exile.
Having insufficient time to make a trip to the Ancient and Royal Burgh of
Irvine, and being desirous of obtaining relief from the pressure of
business during the world depression, my thoughts centred on such men as
David Livingstone, John MacKay, Frederick Stanley Arnet, Charles Swan,
the real pioneers of Central Africa, and brought me to decide on a trip
by road, and rail and sea, to view the countries these great men opened
to civilization. My trip I would like to place before my townspeople,
which,like Scottish history, may enthral the youth and cause them to see
beyond the Burgh boundaries and catch a glimpse of this vast land.
On 3rd July 1932, with the depression at it's worst, I left Johannesburg,
Transvaal, and after travelling in comfort by train for twenty hours,
arrived at the Portuguese Port of Delagoa Bay. Here the East meets the
West, Aborigines, European, Chinese and Indian, all mingle together, each
vying to outdo the other, and by the way, finance has here met the
highest order and Wall Street is not in it. Take a sovereign to the Bank
and you will be handed in exchange, 100 escudoes! Hand an Indian your
next sovereign and he returns 120 escudoes ! Then with a third one, call
on Mr. Chinaman and here you will receive 130 escudoes ! And each are
satisfied that they have madesomething out of a simple " Scot ".
After three days here resting and sight-seeing, I turnedmy steps to the
Harbour, one of the finest and best equipped in Africa, and found
steamers there from and for all parts, yes, and some built in the old
Burg of Irvine ! The ship which was to convey me abont fifteen hundred
miles North, was almost ready for sailing. This was the s.s." Kandala "
owned by the British Indian Steam Ship Co. whose original owners belong
to Campbelltown. In case you do not know, it was Sir John Mac Kinnon, of
Campbelltown, who secured for Britian, the vast country once known as
British East Africa, but now as Kenya.
At 8pm on the 26th June, the s.s. " Kandala " left Delagoa Bay, and our
first port of call should have been at Beira, but a wireless message
ordered us on to Mocambique. There were no regrets at leaving Beira out
as previous experience did not tempt one to return.It is sufficient to
know that it is built on a sand hill, and abounds with mosquitoes,
therefore malaria fever is unavoidable. It's inhabitants do not differ
from the people of Delagoa Bay, but it is the principal Port for Southern
and Northern Rhodesia, and was for the Southern Congo also until the
Lobito Bay Railway was opened in 1931.
On the afternoon of the 29th June, we arrived at Mocambique and anchored
about a mile away. After enquiring what there was to be seen ashore and
being told there was nothing but a long-service Prisoner's abode, I
decided to remain on board. This is one of the oldest Portuguese stations
but has only grown into a village consisting of about twenty houses,
besides the Prison. Here there are about two thousand natives from the
Islands of St. Thome, on the West African Coast, many of whom will never
see their home again.
At 7pm we weighed anchor and proceeded to the Port of Dar-es-salem. This
Port which was the " pearl " of the defunct German West African Colony,
is one of the most beautiful ports to be seen. Being tropical, the
vegitation and flora is prolific and adorns even the waters edge. The
inner Harbour shows the German at his best, and the loss of this Port,
not mentioning the Hinterland, must have been a bitter blow for the "
Vaderland ". The Harbour is situated just inside the Rufergi River which
is navigable for a long distance inland. A native boat was employed for
an inspection of the place, and here we viewed the last of the German
East African fleet. No.1 was the cruiser " Tabora " lying on her side
along the river bank. A mile furthur on No.2, the cruiser " Koning " ,
and behind her in a bend of the river, still on even keel but riddled
with shot and shell, No.3 lay. Time did not permit a furthur search, and
with a fair wind, we were soon back at the " Kandala ". The time occupied
for this trip was two hours, at the cost of one shilling sterling !
At sunset, we weighed anchor and proceeded to Zanzibar.This famous Island
was reached on the 1st July, and what memories were brought back of
school days ! This place, beautiful as it is, might well be named the
"Island of Tears" because for centuries it was the emporium of East
Africa and it's principal line of commerce was Slave trading. Thanks to
British rule, this business is past and gone, we trust for ever ! But the
Island has happy associations also, for it was often the home and resting
place of David Livingstone, and his house still stands near the landing
stage. After viewing the town which lines the fore-shore, an inspection
of the whole Island was arranged. The Sultan's palace was of much
interest, but here where despots ruled quiet now reigns, for the Sultan
must abide by British principals and thereby a good government is
administered. Motoring along, we passed through groves of Cloves which
grow on trees resembling our apple trees, but the fruit is somewhat like
honey-suckle. The aroma is very sweet and reminded me of the Pine tree
woods in the Homeland. Besides cloves, the cocca trees are very abundant,
but they must be seen for their beauty to be fully realised.
Our journey round the Island extended until darkness fell, and on
regaining the Harbour, there was just time to be on board for dinner. We
sailed about midnight, but the charm of the place kept one on deck until
the Island had receded below the horizon.
July 2nd had now dawned and we were due in the afternoon at Mombasa. This
Port and Dar-es-salem are almost alike, both being built on islands, the
former known to many as Kilindini. It is the Naval Station for East
Africa and handles all the products and imports for the vast Hinterland,
even extending into the Eastern Congo. Having enjoyed a night's rest at
the Mombasa Hotel, such as is obtained under tropical conditions, a visit
to the town and suburbs was next planned. The suburbs are most pleasantly
situated, one surrounding the inner harbour, another along the river
side, and a third facing the Indian Ocean. The population of this place
must be about 30,000 all colours included. Here the natives are housed
under the best conditions seen in Africa. They live in large villages,
quite separate from the Europeans, and with a fertile country, they can
with ease support themselves from the land. The earlier settlers made
things easy for them by sinking wells all around their abodes. The most
prolific race met with here, is the Indian. They were imported to build
the Railways, and apparently decided to remain and take the good of them,
for now they almost run the country, for with the exception of the
executive Administrators, they fill all the public positions, and one
must admit in these tropical districts, they adapt to the conditions
better than Europeans.
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