William (Bill) CARRUTHERS 1869-1915
Father was James 1835-1916 of Guillyburn Kirkmahoe Dumfriesshire
(6 mile South East of Closeburn)
Mother was Eliza Ann BOBBETT 1846-1921 of Shapwick Somerset England,
Grandfather was James CARRUTHERS 1791- 1848 (born in Applegarth & died in
Quarrelwood, Kirkmahoe)
Educated at Gill college, was still in Grahamstown - South Africa in 1892
suffered from a stroke or illness and was paralyzed from the waste down
returned to London accompanied by Oswald BOTTON he had an operation to
sever the tendons behind his leg his condition deteriorated after this he
was Buried at the Finchley Cemetery on the out skirts of London. where in
died of spastic paraplegia (sepsis).
Was Assistant magistrate in Simonstown, worked
for the Cape Civil service. died age 43.
References: Rhodesia herald 4/9/1915 Pg. 4 col. 3.
came to Rhodesia in 1905.
Harare Zimbabwe archives ref: D.R.17.169......JG3/3/211
may have been born in 1872? They tried to adopt Eileen from her sister
Marion CARRUTHERS who married Arthur BOTTON, Arthur would not agree. This
refusal had a disturbing effect on Eveline for the rest of there stay on
Mazeppa mine.
microfilm 1560913 Grahamstown South Africa.
Written by a cousin Oswald BOTTON & compiled by Ian CARRUTHERS
from the book "I walked Rhodesia":
Uncle William (Bill) CARRUTHERS, was out prospecting at Guyo, in the Zambezi
Valley with Uncle John (Jack) CARRUTHERS in May of 1897 when he suffered a
severe affliction that caused the loss of the use of his legs. His leg
muscles would contract and all his efforts to straighten them would fail.
Various doctors in Rhodesia and South Africa had the opinion that he had
picked up some sort of virus on his foot-slogging journeys through that
untamed country, but none of them were able to remedy his disease. Bill was
a Master of one of the Masonic Lodges. The Mason's took a great interest in
his case, suggesting that with their financial assistance he should proceed
to London and consult with specialists. Uncle Bill was bedridden and the
Union Castle Line refused to grant him passage unless he could arrange for a
personal attendant to accompany him on the voyage. This was a great
disappointment to him. Many months elapsed before the opportunity presented
itself. My brother Claude BOTTON and I (Oswald) decided to join up for
active service - W.W.1 in England. I received a letter from Uncle Bill who
was laid up at his home in Somerset East telling me all about his
contemplated trip and asking if I would act as his personal attendant on the
ship. In April 1915, all was in readiness for our departure; I said my
goodbyes to a very tearful Mom and Dad at Filabusi. Claude, Wally STUTTAFORD
and Bill were already in Cape Town upon my arrival. Within a few days we
were on our way to England.
In London several specialists were awaiting Bill at the hospital. I saw him
comfortably settled before I proceeded to my own hotel. The specialists
seemed to be in no hurry to act and after many consultations extending over
a couple of months, they decided that Bill's only chance of recovery would
be to sever the tendons behind his knees. After the operation his general
condition deteriorated, a few days later his condition was causing concern.
I was called to come as quickly as possible arriving at the hospital that
same afternoon finding him desperately ill. I remained with him until he
passed away a few hours later. Uncle Bill was buried in the Finchley
cemetery on the outskirts of London.
rgds
Ian Carruthers ......... home(a)zim.co.zw