| Title: | McIlrath, Emily A to McIlrath, William, 1915 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4542 |
| Collection | The McIlrath Letters: A family history in letters from New Zealand to Ireland (1860-1915) [Bassett, McKee et al.] |
| File | mcilrath/61 |
| Year | 1915 |
| Sender | McIlrath, Emily A |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Springfield, New Zealand |
| Destination | Killinchy, Co. Down, Northern Ireland |
| Recipient | McIlrath, William |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | niece-uncle |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 408 |
| Genre | decease, weather, war |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Thorndale Springfield 12th August 1915 My Dear Uncle, I am very sorry to have to tell you of my dear father's death which occurred on the 24th July. Father had been failing fast for several months. The cause of his break-down was a growth in his jaw, caused through neglecting having a tooth drawn. He went to four of our cleverest doctors, but none could cure him. One wanted to operate but the other doctors wouldn't allow it, and my Father wouldn't consent to it either. However one doctor gave him some wonderful medicine that eased all pains and made him sleep well, so we have some consolation in knowing he never suffered any pain. A few weeks before the end came, he became much worse and got very weak as he had no appetite and he hadn't the strength to swallow anything without choking. However, Mother and us done all we could for him but all we could do was useless and he passed away on the 24th July so peacefully, that really it would have seemed cruel to have wished him back again, after all he went through. Father was awfully patient and very hopeful of recovery till almost the last, and we used to wheel him out in an invalid chair until the last day. He always kept a beautiful garden and everyone said it was the best for miles around. A few days before he died I had him out in the garden, and he was showing me where to plant bulbs. I posted you a paper a week ago with his obituary notice. Altho' our father was of a quiet disposition, and didn't go out much among people, great respect was shown to him by the very large funeral he had. Several people came over 50 miles to it, and we received nearly 100 telegrams & letters of sympathy. We are getting a photograph printed of my Father, and if it is a success I will send you one. We have had a very dry winter - in fact we haven't had a real good storm for 12 months. Unless rain soon comes it will be very serious. Isn't the war dreadful? So far none of my brothers have gone. I know several young men who have been killed & wounded. I must now conclude hoping Auntie, yourself & all are well. With love to all, believe me your affect niece, Emily McIlrath. |
