To: genealogy@isleofman.com
Subject: Gerald Beesely reply to request

Hi Gerald.

My father did not in his writings tell me much about Africa.

However I think I can say he told me he was in Sierra Leone building a railway for the French. However that could have meant that he was working for a French contractor. I can’t help any further. The trick would be to find out what railway was being built at that time and who built it. I remember him mentioning Freetown.

Robert Howden Newell died at O'Mara house Traralgon in Victoria Australia on 23/4/1996 at 11.30 PM. Cremated at Traralgon Crematorium on 26/4/1996

He was 89 years of age. He died of throat Cancer. His wife, my Mother died in Pambula Hospital N.S.W. on 05/04/1983 just before she turned 70 years of age.

She was cremated at the Canberra Crematorium.

Robert Bryson Newell died 20 July 1937 at Harlaw Duncreggan Rd Derry his first wife Ann nee McCaa, my grandmother died at 11 Aberfoyle Terrace on 2 April 1926 of Meningitis.

I trust this helps you.

What is your interest?

I rode the foot plate on the Swilly engines as well as the guards vans, walked the track, Visited with the gate keepers in their homes, Stayed in the Hotel at Burton Port. They were good times and I hold the memories dearly.

Roy Newell