Queenstown Cemetery

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Thu 21 Aug 2014 22:57
Queenstown Cemetery
 
 
 
 
 
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Queenstown Cemetery is directly behind our campsite. Morbid, no, a reflection of social history, remembering those gone and a peaceful bimble.
 
 
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There are always stories that stand out more than others. Hugh of Walter Peak Station died around noon in a snow slip in sight of his home aged twenty one. How sad. His brother Lieutenant Walter Mackenzie, was killed in action on Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915. “He fought to the end against odds uncounted. He fell with his face to the foe.” We saw his name on the Role of Honour on the War Memorial, Queenstown Gardens. Their dad Hugh, born in Ardmore, Scotland, died on the 6th of May 1933 - “When A Great Man Dies, For Years Behind His Ken, The Sight He Leaves Behind, Shines In The Paths of Men.” Their mum, Flora, died on the 17th of December 1947 aged eighty eight.
Henry Elliott, aged twenty eight was killed in action on the 3rd of December 1917 in France, his brother Alexander, aged twenty eight died on the 18th of August 1918. We saw their names on the Role of Honour on the War Memorial, how awful for their parents and families.
Another pair of brothers, this time two months apart, an unbearable loss to their parents. The first, Leslie aged nineteen, was missing presumed dead, so not included on the Memorial Gate. His brother Stewart aged thirty was killed in action but again, not on the memorial ?????
 
 
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Each evening, through the gate at the back to our campsite.
 
 
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Mable, centre and her friends – the busiest place we have stayed because this is an ideal base for the many skiers who visit the area.
 
 
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In 1862 the provincial government favoured Frankton as the principal township of the district and built the first hospital there. The Frankton Cemetery was close to the hospital resulting in the first burials in the district taking place there in 1863. The residents of Queenstown protested that the main town should be established in Queenstown Bay and succeeded. The survey of Queenstown in 1864 marks the transition of the town from a mining town to a town with a future. It would appear that Frankton Cemetery was still being used for Queenstown residents until 1866.
 
 
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The first burial here took place on the 27th of October 1866, but but not appear on the earliest maps of the area but there was a cemetery reserve above Hallenstein Street which was never used, possibly due to the unsuitability of the site.
 
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The cemetery was fenced in 1867 and circa 1886, the stone wall was built by ‘Long’ Jack McDonald and James McNeil. Bob’s Peak is behind.
 
 
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Over to the left is the Bird House on the other side of the road.
 
 
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Some ‘residents’ here have stunning views.
 
 
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Never seen a ‘Ford’ emblem before. Youngsters.
 
 
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Older, with a friend.
 
 
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Incredible condition for 1879.
 
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Stories to ponder.
 
 
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We both very much liked this big memorial stone.
 
 
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A selection from the big stone.
 
 
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We came through one evening as the sun was still shining on the Remarkables.
 
 
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Sadly, there are always some elderly graves in a poorly condition. The first picture shows the proximity of the Skyline entrance to the cemetery so many people stop off en route to or from the cable car. So many that the cemetery is 27th of the 36 activities listed on Tripadvisor.
 
 
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“Say Not Goodnight, But in Some Brighter Clime Bid Me Good Morning”
 
 
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ALL IN ALL A MUST ‘STOP VISIT’ FOR REFLECTION
                     VERY BEAUTIFUL