38

1906
Aug Sailed by Kenilworth Castle from Southampton Aug 25th for South Africa.
SeptArrived at Luipaardsvlei Transvaal Sept 17th. First few drops of rain that have fallen here since I left on 4th April when it rained in torrents.
Nov 2ndStarted work at Lancaster G[old]. M[ine]. Worked 10 days.
Nov 13thStarted sinking at the Kloof shaft Witwatersrand North G[old]. M[ine]. Co[mpany].

38

William leaves on his own to travel back to Southern Africa on the SS Kenilworth Castle.

It is interesting to speculate why his wife and son didn’t travel back with him. Did she stay behind to help her mother’s move from Leytonstone to Dawlish Drive in Leigh-on-Sea? The move occurred sometime between 1908 and 1911. Did they take a decision that the developing settlements in Transvaal were not an appropriate place to bring up a young child?

On Page 60 of the Journal William lists the mines he worked at for the Phthisis Board. He provides further information – ‘Started at Lancaster G. M. stoping with machines. Chinese helpers. Was sent for to sink Kloof shaft.’