KGF, Kolar Gold Fields, India, Last of the Anglo-Indian Colony

Ronnie, I have collected a few photographs of Kolar which you are welcome to use it want to. They are attached. I may also have one or two of people from Kolar in early 20th century which I will look for. I am trying to trace records of my wife's mother's family who came from Kolar. My wife's grandfather was killed in a mining accident at Walker's Shaft, Tank Mine, Kolar in 1909. Do you know anything about the registers from Our Lady of Victories Church in Kolar. I see some baptisms, marriages and burials in the records kept by the OIOC in London but nowhere near as many as I would expect. Do you know if there is a complete record at the church? ( Dave has sent 2 photographs, one of "Edgars Shaft", and another one which I could not download fully, will have to request Dave to resend)

(Does anyone from KGF know about the status of the Church Records in KGF, or have access to them? I am assuming that Dr. Dias maybe able to help us on this, as he is the person incharge of the Anglo-Indian registers, and did promise to send me a list, for which I am anxiously waiting! Ronnie )

Subject: Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 19:15:23 -0400 From: " Grahame T. Arnott " To: October 10, 1999
Dear Ronnie,
I was very pleased to see your Kolar Gold Fields page under preparation. I lived there from 1937 to 1946. My father, John Arnott, was an electrical engineer with the Electrical Dept until the 1950's. I, therefore, hope your page will allow me to locate names and places from the past. Some day I hope to visit the K.G.F. Yes, I am well aware the place has changed from my days. Again, I look forward to your finished page. If I can help with any information - please contact me. Good luck!
Yours sincerely, Grahame T. Arnott
E-Mail: grayam@sprint.ca
20 Birchpark Drive GRIMSBY, Ontario L3M 4N1 Canada
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From: "johnnicholson" To: INDIA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Genealogy Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 21:36:51 +0100
Does anyone remember the Long or Paul families who lived in Bangalore and the Kolar Gold Field areas up until the early 1950's?
Sidney Long was born in India and served in the British Army there during WW2.
He then worked on the railways. He married Alice Paul and they had four children, Peter, Valerie, and the twins, Daphne and Joyce.
Alice's family ran an Ice Cream shop in Bangalore.
The Long's and Paul's moved to the UK in the mid 1950's, settling in Canvey Island, Essex and in North London.
Alice and Sidney have both passed away and their grandchildren are hoping to contact anyone who may have known them.
Valerie has also died and her children intend to visit Bangalore and KGF in 2001 to see where their decendants used to live. They would love to meet up with anyone who might have memories of the family, although they know it's a long shot after the passage of time.
The family are also related to the Scott's and D'Lima's. The Scott''s settled in the UK, too. The D'Lima's moved to Adelaide, Australia.
Please e-mail me or write to: Christine Nicholson, 118 River View, Chadwell St. Mary, Essex, England, RM16 4BA if you have any information
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To: xbk14@dial.pipex.com CC: Hello Etienne, You may be aware by now of the passing away of Carlisle Bartley? a few months ago. See http://geocities.datacellar.net/Athens/2960/anglo.htm for details. What was your wife's maiden name and does she recall any other names as we are trying to get together a correspondence of all KGF people so that someone can supply us with a proper foundation to start the page
cheers
ronnie
From: "ETIENNE HOFFLAND" >Reply-To: " ETIENNE HOFFLAND " To: "Ronnie Johnson" Subject: Re:>Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 11:34:49 -0000 From: Ronnie Johnson To: rygardltd@dial.pipex.com Date: 04 February 1999 03:55 HI Etienne Hoffland
Thanks for your mail. The Lovejoy rings a bell and I must have met them. Do you happen to know a Christopher and Norma Hoffland? they were in Bangalore some years ago in Richmond town? Cheers Ronnie
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Subject: Blues Bass Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 14:25:06 -0500 From: Dan Hickman To: Hello Ronnie,
Please do excuse the delay in replying. Aside from the usual busy-ness, I've just gotten over 5 days of the damned 'flu.
None the less. I have a fair collection of blues cd's amongst which these are a some favourites: 1. Finis Tasby - "Jump Children" - Larry Taylor, Fender & Upright bass. 2. John Mayall - "Jazz Blues Fusion" - Larry Taylor. 3. Duke Robillard - "Duke's Blues" - Marty Ballou, Upright bass. 4. Snooks Eaglin - "Live in Japan" - George Porter Jr. 5. Tony Z - "Get down with the Blues" - Johnny B. Gayden.
Now aside from the above selection, which may be somewhat esoteric, I do enjoy the standard Chicago stuff, plus the classics i.e. - BB King, Freddie King, Albert King, Little Walter, and the great Willie Dixon (bass).
Well Ronnie, if you are not averse to giving me your mailing address, I'd be more than happy to send you a compilation cassette (which I'd thoroughly enjoy putting together), of the above and some other things as well. Perhaps in time for Christmas.
In the meantime, how can I help with the search for a J-bass?
I would certainly appreciate if you could put me in touch with anybody interested in KGF.
Feel free to give them my e-mail address. Also Quilon/Cochin. (Seems that I have not captured Dan's email!)
That's it for now. Til the next time, stay well. Think nice thoughts. Regards,
Dan.
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Subject: KGF Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 10:25:21 -0000 From: "Len Ryder"
Dear Ronnie,
Joseph Fernandes sent me a copy of your e-mail to him re KGF. I'm from KGF - born and brought up there before leaving for the UK back in 1973. Consequently, I know most of the people who lived there during that generation (50's, 60's, 70's) and have many fond memories. Would like to go back for a visit but am yet to find the time or the opportunity. However, I would love to establish contact with KGF folk. Please include me in that circle of e-mails. (I follow the Anglo-Indian page on the web and am looking forward to the KGF page. Some of my relatives have been back - as recently as 2 months ago - and they tell me it has deteriorated considerably - nothing like it was in the A-I hey-days!)
Thanks.
Regards
Len Ryder
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From: "Jonathan W. Manley " Reply-To: "Jonathan W. Manley" To: "Ronnie Johnson"
Subject: KGF web-site. Date: Fri, 2 Jul 1999 12:06:02 +1000

Ronnie, Very sorry to hear about your having lost your job and the virus attack on your hard drive. From here on in everything is going to be just great for you, wait and see.
All us old KGF folk are looking forward to your web- site opening up, and I am sure some can help with content on the subject. At Orgasm "spelling!" Club, an old bastion of the mah-jong and billiard set, there is a collection of photos in what used to be the shop, in a room behind the bar, of all the gentry who lived there in the 30's to late 50's. I visited the club in around 1986 and saw them. I would love to see them on the web as I am sure many others would. Another source of information would be Mother Miriam at Saint Joseph's Convent, Fraser Town, Bangalore, who taught all the children of the KGF expatriate residents. I have a few of the old folk from there primed to contact you by mail as they don't understand this medium! Do you have some time-frame during which we could expect to view KGF on the net.
The KGF as it is today would be most interesting; don't forget the lake where we had a sailing club. Also Ronnie, how about some information on yourself, and a photo.
Kind regards Jonathan Manley
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 99 09:03AM IST From: "Ganapathy Ramesh" To: Subject: About KGF Ronnie,
I am not an Anglo Indian. But I am from KGF and my name is Ramesh. My Dad's name is G.V.Ragavan and M.A.Valentine worked for my Dad sometine in the late 60s and early 70s before leaving for Ghana. He was highly regarded by my Dad and was considered by him as a top notch draughtsman. I remember him as a kid coming home to bid good bye to us after he got his job in Ashanti Gold Mines in Ghana. My father worked in the Kolar Gold Mines from 1941 to 1981. My Dad's close Anglo-Indian friend was a gentleman by name Noel Hughes and Mr Hughes's son by name Lindsay continues to be a close friend of mine. Mr Noel Hughes also worked and retired as a high ranking official from Ashanti and definitely knows "Mac" Valentine.

My parents are settled in Madras after Dad retired in 1981. I am writing this email from Houston, TX. Some of the British names that come to mind are Mr B.T.Hoskins, Mr Miller and Mr Tragay who left KGF in the 1960s. My Dad worked for Mr RGK Morrison in the early and late 40s.

Convey my regards to "Mac" and tell him that I vividly remember his rendering of the "Automatic Contrivance" for high speed mine winders which he helped Dad design in the early 70s. Apart from drafting, I remember his precise isometric drawings. Please pass on my e-mail address to hin and ask hin whether he remembers my Dad and me.
Thanking you, Ramesh
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Date: Mon, 08 May 00 21:29PM IST From: Doug Thomas
To: Subject: The Good Old Days in K.G.F.

Hi Ronnie,
Had a few spare moments today and was surprised to see your web page on K.G.F. I was delighted to find an email from Len Ryder in the U.K. whom I have not heard about or from since I left India in 1970. I have sent off an email to him and hope to make contact. I was born and brought-up in Mysore Mine. My Dad, Sydney (long shanks) Thomas and Mother Maisie lived there all of their lives. I have a pretty vivid memory of most of the Europeans and Anglo-Indians from K.G.F. of the 50’s and 60’s. Here’s a short list of the ones that come to mind. Would love to hear about any of them.

Mysore Mine: Creswell Paul and family - Ryans - Kelmans - Clarksons - Frank Fernandez and family - McKillops - Kolbs - Texeiras - Philips - Edmonds - H.J.Thomas and family - Frank Gibson and family - Monisses - Whittles - Freddy Newing and family - Ignatius - Boesingers - Bill and Eleanor Richards - Chapmans - Wardens - Sharpes - Bashyams - Morlinis -- Eric Rolfe - Brian Fisher and his band-Edwards.
Champion Reefs: Ronnie and Charlotte McCosh - Murdochs - Kings - Dr. Krishnamurthy - Mother Miriam - Mother Marguerite - Mother Anne
Electric Department: Thallis’- Ozzie and Doris Davids - Coltrips - Albert and Boodie Paul - Colin and Philo Davids.
Nundydroog Mine: Tapps - Prices - Bertys - Carrs - Ryders - Halges - Morrises - Whites - Appachoos - Bopiahs - Dawes - Goodines - Afzal Ahmed and family Some of the boys that went off to the Ashanti Mines in Ghana: Jinky Fisher - Anthony Whittle - Joe Fernandes - Ernie Morlini

I was back in K.G.F. a few years ago, visited all the old haunts and was able to get into the Mysore Mine officers club. The watchman allowed me to take some old bar tallies from the 50’s. I can tell you how much each of the members had to drink each time they visited the club. The bartender Agambaram kept great records, the monthly charges then being deducted from the officers pay. Pretty interesting stuff!!! If there is anything I can do to help with putting together the K.G.F. pages. May be able to fill in the gaps on info needed. Best regards
Doug Thomas
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Edwin Carr (ex-KGF) passed away on 16 Jan 2001, mourned by his wife and children (Ph: 080 5712742)
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Date: Sun, 11 Feb 01 20:38PM IST From:"Jane Naylor"
To: (Old) Subject:KGF
"My dad was known as Mick Naylor although his name was Arnold and he was the Superintendant of the Mill at Mysore Mine. I remember the name Sydney Thomas. I seem to remember Edgars Block, I think it was opposite the Mysore Hall and we lived there.

Names I remember : Creswell Paul who had a shop "Creswels Shop", Noel Kelman, Noel Fernandez, Louise and Terence Texeira, H J Thomas, Celine Monisse, Whittle, Ignatius, Eric Boesinger, Tony and Ernie Morlini - Ernie was my best friend while at KGF school, also his sisters, Kate, Mary and Pina. Colin Manion, Kitty Copper, Ronnie Rebeiro, Anthony? Whittle, Brian and Theo Duckett, Collen, Desmon Padua - their cousin Molly Padua, Donald Weidel, Stanley Bell, Hazel D'Lima, Dupert D'Lima, Noel Hancock. I hope these names bring back memories. - if you know where I can contact any of them, I'd be glad to hear. (If anyone knows how to contact the above people, please inform Charlie, thanks Ronnie)

I went to KGF High School and then to Baldwin Boys High School in Bangalore. I left KGF in 1947 and came to the UK.
All the best
Charlie Naylor"
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From: AnnFanakapan@aol.com To: ronniejohnson@hotmail.com
Subject : Kolar Gold Fields Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2002 12:11:12 EST

Dear Ronnie, Came across your web page with articles about KGF by chance the other day ,and recognised quite a few names sent in by Doug Thomas. I was at KGF school Nundydroog , till 1950 when I went up to Nagpur on the Railways,(could nt get on at the mines ) but I went back every year till I left for the UK in 1962.
We lived in Robertsonpet and my eldest brother Tony worked at the Stamp mill at Nundydroog.Just recently heard that he had passed away.

Some of the names I recall: Brian and Jinky Fischer, Ernest Morlini,Noel Fernandes, and quite a few others including B.T.Hoskins who also worked at the Stamp mill. Some of the boys in school in those days were Desmond Adams , Ronald Padua, Leonard Lewis, Pat Texeira, Lionel Carter, Brian Cooper to mention but a few.

Went on a holiday with my wife in 1995 and 1998 went to Bangalore and to KGF for a day, couldnt believe how things had changed, old familiar landmarks seemed just a dream. Visited St Teresas church, got in touch with my brothers son . Wife was very impressed with Agra Delhi Jaipur Mysore Madras Bangalore.and Nagpur.
Yes browsing through your article brought back some good memories of the good times we used to have. So many memories come in waves. Cant think of much more at the moment. Ishall be delighted to hear from you. Havent been on the net very long. Bye the way my name is Henry Gallyot . Shall end now with kind regards and take this opportunity of wishing you all a very happy New Year. Henry.
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From: Joyce Westrip To: ronniejohnson@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: [India-L] K.G.F Date: Thu, 02 Jan 2003 15:50:53 +0800
Dear Ronnie....My father Alec Cave was the last European Superintendent of KGF retired in 1964. My Uncle Charles McCosh was with the Electricity Dept for many years.. and he used to do quite a bit of photography albeit with a little camera.I have some photos but have to wait until my grandson returns from holidays before I can put them on to my computer. What is your postal address I can send you some extracts and cuttings from my files. Were you at KGF- why the interest? [Many may wonder 'whats my angle', I must say that even I don't really know, but it's someting to do with remembering people and places 'the way they were', and an example is found on http://geocities.datacellar.net/ronnie.johnson or http://geocities.datacellar.net/photosofindia as an answer to your question].
(Hey KGF Wallas!, we can expect some great stuff to be added to the page once this comes in!! Must thank Joyce in advance, cheers Ronnie)
Best wishes, Joyce Westrip
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From:"Lynette Mendes" < lynmendes@optushome.com.au > To: "Ronnie Johnson" <ronniejohnson@hotmail.com>
Sub: Kolar Gold Fields Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2002 08:41:03 +1100
Dear Ronnie, How kind of you to send me an email message re KGF...I really appreciate that. Well, my grandfather Peter Daniel Waters once worked in one of the mines there and we are looking at a period between 1880 onwards. If you could find out anything about any of the Waters family I would be very grateful. Have a wonderful celebration at the New Year's Eve Dance, we too will be going to the A.I. show here. Like all our community I am sure we will have a very enjoyable time. Also wishing you and your family a very special New Year with all the trimmings. Bye for now and God bless you! Lynette

(Page is being updated all the time, but I need inputs and photographs from people of KGF to make it happen, can you help?, We need photographs of various mines, group photos, cemetery photos, events, weddings etc, lets make it a 'family' page, even those of you around the world who would like to 'update' others on your appearances and families, most welcome to send photos, news .. [max file size of each photo should be around 40K at 72dpi format .jpg for best viewing and downloading, number of photos not a problem]. If anyone can give me a good contact at KGF where I can collect inputs, and be able to stay a day or two, with someone local to take me around the place, I will make an effort to gather as much as I can and perhaps make a new site if space is required) Ronnie

Thought for the Day:" Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, Fon in the manner their fathers did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did they fathers to the false prophets." Holy Bible: Luke 6:20-26