Alistar Douglas Calder – grave tales

CALDER Alistar Douglas, d 2 Mar 1907 at Berrigin via Black Range, Age 14 months: Father:- Neil CALDER (Mine Manager) Mother:- Mary Jane Priestly, Cause: Natural Causes. Born: Perth WA, buried Nungarra Cemetery.

Sacred to the memory of
Alistar Douglas Calder
The Beloved son of Neil and Mary Calder
Died at Birrigrin Black Range
March 2nd 1907
Aged 14 months

This grave has certainly survived the test of time. When it was first erected it must have been very imprerssive. The family indeed wished their little boy to have a lasting an beautiful memorial. What is unusual, is the heart shaped Immortelle, they are usually round and seen on many graves. Although the glass has long gone, the heart shape still remains with some of the contents. Its survival will be due mostly to its remote location.

Photo S Senior c 1990's

Alister Douglas Calder – Photo S Senior c 1990’s

 

The Roses, the dove of peace and the clasped hands.

The Roses, the dove of peace and the clasped hands.

Kalgoorlie Miner 15 March 1907, page 4

Kalgoorlie Miner 15 March 1907

Alistar’s farther was Neil Calder, who was described as the ‘erstwhile Chief of the Kalgoorlie Caledonian Society and on of the straightest and most popular of Highlanders’. He was also the manager of the 10 head battery at Birrigrin. He died in Geraldton in 1945.

Alistar’s mother, Mary Jane nee Priestly was born in in Raywood Victoria in 1875 and died in Perth WA in 1968.

The couple wen on to have several more children:
Lorna Alexandra Catherine Calder born 1908
Neil Donald Calder, born in Perth WA in 1911.
Dorothy Jean Calder born 1912.
Beatrice Victoria Lillian Calder born 1913
William Murray Scotland Calder born 1916
Marion Doris ‘Doss’ Calder born 1921
Myra Rose Calder born 1923.

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My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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