Gallery Samples Stories of our Ancestors | Page 60

There was one great passion that Uncle Bertie lived for in his youth and that was his Motor
Cycle. When he grew old and weak from the early stages of emphysema, all he wanted to do
was buy a Harley Davidson again. His longing was so great that he indeed bought his Harley. He
immediately drove up to Maritzburg from Durban at a snail’s pace. Hours later he arrived,
shining with joy and excitement but so exhausted he could barely breathe. The machine was
very big and powerful and he, always thin, was so very frail, he could barely hold it up. For a
short while Bertie lived his dream again.

A

LMA: 1893 – 1981

Alma, the second daughter, was born after little Freddie’s death and perhaps gave
the family some reasons to smile again. Alma was a happy, smiling child who
laughed easily and no matter her later circumstances, always had a smile for
everyone. As a child Ellen was dreadfully jealous of her more attractive and wellliked younger sister and she delighted in getting Alma into trouble. Alma was already fifteen
when Les was born and she especially loved him, perhaps to some extent making up for the
attention and love from Rebecca that Bertie’s needs took away from him. In any case it was a
love that continued throughout their life time and in old age Les and Alma cared deeply for
each other.
Alma married George Whitehead and they had six children, who I will mention presently. I
have happy memories of visiting Aunty Alma and