My late Dad’s birthday is soon approaching, and I thought it would be a good time to publish a memorial to him. I am starting by sharing the earliest photos I have of him. I would be grateful for any additional information on the photos.
Early Life at River, St Andrew, Barbados
Clarence Fitzherbert McCarthy Davis, my father, was born in Barbados on the 25th of October, 1923. His parents were Malcolm McCarthy Davis and (Amy) Kathleen Harding. I think Malcolm was the manager of River Plantation, and Kathleen was a housewife, or home maker. Below is the earliest photo I have of Herbert.
The exact location of the photos above and below are unknown, but the hills in the background suggest the Scotland District. I have a note indicating it was River Plantation, St Andrew which was affiliated with Bawdens, mentioned later. This makes sense as Herbert’s younger brother, Harold, was born at River on 31st July 1926.
The photograph below may have been taken at Bawden’s Plantation in St Andrew, Barbados. It will be of interest to my Gill and Harding relatives, as the caption identifies Kiturah who was a Gill as well as a few Hardings. Herbert is the toddler (babe-in-arms) held by Ermine Banfield. Ermine was my first cousin, twice removed.
Standing: Malcolm and Kathleen Davis (Herbert’s parents), Kiturah (nee Gill, Malcolm’s mother), baby Herbert Davis, Ermine Banfield (dau of Elliot), Rita and Gladys Davis (Malcolm’s sisters), Lolita Davis (unknown), Edgar Welch (married Rita), Dibbon Davis (Malcolm’s sister), Leslie Harding (Kathleen’s brother), Robert Fitzherbert Davis (Malcolm’s father), Clarence Harding (Kathleen’s father)
Sitting: Edith Harding and Elise Ward (Kathleen’s sisters), _____ Bynoe, Lucy Harding and Mildred Harding (almost entirely hidden), Mary Harding, Marguerite Harding (last 3 probably all Leslie’s daughters) and Grace Harding (behind, probably Leslie’s wife, nee Bynoe)
Photo taken by Bob Ward at (I guess) Bawdens and River Plantation, St. Andrew, Barbados. My notes suggest that Bawdens was purchased by F. F. C. (Fitz) Gill on June 22, 1917 for £13,000! Fitz Gill was Granny Kathleen’s uncle.
Back row: Hilton Seale, boy of 13?, old man 65+, middle aged man, Malcolm Davis (about 40?), old man (dark tan) planter? 65+, middle aged man
Front row: Doris Seale, Herbert in lap, with two other small children, unknown 35? yr old lady with child in lap, Amy Kathleen (nee Harding) Davis, Sylvia Streat 40, husband Gordon Harding?
I am going to stick an extra photo here. It is hard to believe that my grandfather once had hair! Can anyone identify the house?
Ian in the last group picture, there is a man standing in back row under the left side of window who has a resemblance to my paternal grandfather, Gorringe ‘Sunsmelly’ Corbin. He lived at Cleland Pltn. There is also a family connection to Seales …will look to see if Hilton and Doris are in my tree. Do you approx year the picture was taken? Lynda
Lynda, the last three group photos appear to have been taken at the same time. Robert Fitzherbert Davis is in one photo. He died 06 Mar 1936 in St Joseph. Herbert was born on 25 Oct 1923, the child with the floppy hat. He looks about two, so the photo would be around 1926. Hilton Fitzwarren Seale b. 22 Nov 1908 m. Doris Marjorie Louise Harding. I may be a generation off with the IDs, but Herbert as a toddler dates this particular group of photos.
Ian – I showed this to Mum (Jean, daughter of Elise) – in the third photo down, the 3 people in the back row are Rita Davis married Welch (parents of Marguerite, Audrey and Alan), then Uncle Harry (Bob Ward’s brother) and his wife Edith Harding (Kathleen’s sister).