Uncle Reg' was my father's older brother. I think he was the family 'Black Sheep'. He had a rakish, playboy look about him, and was eventually sent off to 'The Colonies' (Ceylon) to grow, and send back, Tea. I heard nothing of the Tea itself, but I do know that he sent back furs and jewels to my father in London, to sell on his behalf.
He was a natty dresser, took real pride in his appearance, and (I imagine) saw himself as a 'Lord of the Manor' type of character. My father said that he actually used to buy clothes just for specific photos of himself.
Here he is (below) in Ceylon on the tea estate. He is front row, second from left, with two tone shoes and nice white suit.
Sadly he contacted para-typhoid whilst out in Ceylon, and had to be repatriated. I believe that my grandfather had to send a doctor out specifically to accompany him back to England.
It's good to have at least one controversial family member. It gives us something interesting to discuss over the Port. I'm just sorry I didn't get to know him.
Bizarrely, he was named Reginald Ernest Terenzio; where on earth the 'Terenzio' came from I have no idea!!! I've tried to find if there was a famous 'Terenzio' around at the time, but I can't find anything. Perhaps my grandmother had a 'Terenzio' in her distant family. It will always remain a mystery; there's no-one left to ask.
My great grandad was called Alonzo, we have no idea were that came from because he was born in wales and bought up in Surrey
ReplyDeleteAnother mystery! There must have been a fashion for exotic sounding names.
DeleteEvery family should have a "Black Sheep"! He/she(?) is something to use as a bad example to subsequent generations (who don't actually care!).
ReplyDeleteApparently my father had two uncles - Cedric and Cecil, who were "beyond the pale" and were sent out to South Africa in the hope of redeeming their reputations. They were keen on a "little" flutter or two, a polite term for addicted gamblers. I'd never heard of them and my father never mentioned them, but one of his sisters once asked what had become of them! Seems no-one knew or cared.
C and C sound like classic 'Black Sheep'. I think you should invent some heroic tales for them.
DeleteI presume Uncle Reg never married?
ReplyDeleteHe was a very dapper chap wasn't he!
He did marry, and his widow lived here in Brighton (Hove). I saw her once crossing the road but I couldn't follow her. I later heard that she had left everything to her solicitor (she had no children), which I found a tad strange.
DeleteInteresting that there is a fellow on the front row smoking a cigarette. The height of sophistication! Just like Uncle Reg's pipe.
ReplyDeleteJust like in films from that same era; everyone was smoking.
DeleteIt's interesting knowing family history. We love to discuss our distant family when we're all together. Some know more than others so we can complete the picture. There are a few odd ball relatives
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have an interesting selection. Of course, families are much smaller these days.
DeleteEvery family should have a few fun and colorful members.
ReplyDeleteI agree; at least ONE Black Sheep!
DeleteYour Uncle Reg was very smart and must have had a tale to tell { and maybe some were tall tales !! } We had a greyish sheep in the form of Great Aunt Ethel. She was a housekeeper to a few rich families. We used to get the oddest of Christmas presents like, silver cutlery and porcelain trinkets which we now know she pinched from her employers !!! She gave my Mum a lovely cardigan once which she wore when she visited Aunt Ethel at the house where she worked. The lady of the house was there that day and introduced herself to my Mum and said " What a lovely cardigan, I used to have one like that " !!!!!!! Naughty Aunt Ethel !!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like a real character. I much prefer people like that to the usual do-gooders.
DeleteReg sounds like quite the character. He lived life his way and likely enjoyed himself throughout. Imagine the stories he could tell.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sorry I never got to hear any.
DeleteWas he on my bus ?
ReplyDeleteNo.
Delete