Several photographs were taken of interesting graves during a visit to O'Neill's Cemetery, Auckland , New Zealand , about 20 years ago . One of the damaged tombstones attracted attention because of the name Coleman , which figures on the maternal side of this writer's family , although not knowingly connected .
Recent research revealed the first person on the tombstone , Charles William Coleman , who died in 1912 , aged 74, was a well known Auckland horse trainer . His wife , Jane Coleman , died January 27,1917, aged 70 .
Then details of the drowning of two sons , Charles and Alfred, in the l920s came to light . In the case of the eldest son , Charles, also involved in horse racing , with stables at Ellerslie , Auckland , he was lost overboard from the Rawara on January 1, 1926, enroute from New Plymouth to Onehunga .
Then details of the drowning of two sons , Charles and Alfred, in the l920s came to light . In the case of the eldest son , Charles, also involved in horse racing , with stables at Ellerslie , Auckland , he was lost overboard from the Rawara on January 1, 1926, enroute from New Plymouth to Onehunga .
The inscription said the other son , Alfred James , had drowned at Waga Waga (NSW) -Wagga Wagga, New South Wales , Australia, on August 23,1928. Well known in Auckland theatrical and racing circles , he was said to have been on a concert tour at the time of his death , aged 56 .
It was reported that he had been involved in the motion picture business with Messrs Cleland and Cleare in Auckland . A prominent member of the Auckland Druids Lodge, he had gone to Australia in 1916 and had lived at Double Bay , Sydney.
Australian newspapers reported "well known sporting man and theatrical proprietor" Alfred Coleman, had gone missing from his suite of rooms at the Australian Hotel in Wagga , intending to go for a walk , and had not returned.
Renowned for "living in an overcoat ," disliking cold , it had been suggested he should return to Sydney by train to escape the weather. Without a coat, he was last seen leave the hotel at 1.20pm.
There were more than 200 people described as "theatricals " in Wagga Wagga at the time, none of them had seen him . It was feared he had fallen into the Murrumbidgee River ; his snagged body was found on the side of the river days later , all his personal papers in order .
He was also described as a bookmaker and theatrical entrepreneur worth 22,000 pound , making 4000 pound from the theatre. There had been a bout of ill health and he had suffered a nervous breakdown .
At the inquest, Coleman's manager , Raymond Karmo , said he had never seen his friend so despondent as he was on the day he disappeared. An open finding on the cause of death was returned.
It was reported that he had been involved in the motion picture business with Messrs Cleland and Cleare in Auckland . A prominent member of the Auckland Druids Lodge, he had gone to Australia in 1916 and had lived at Double Bay , Sydney.
Australian newspapers reported "well known sporting man and theatrical proprietor" Alfred Coleman, had gone missing from his suite of rooms at the Australian Hotel in Wagga , intending to go for a walk , and had not returned.
Renowned for "living in an overcoat ," disliking cold , it had been suggested he should return to Sydney by train to escape the weather. Without a coat, he was last seen leave the hotel at 1.20pm.
There were more than 200 people described as "theatricals " in Wagga Wagga at the time, none of them had seen him . It was feared he had fallen into the Murrumbidgee River ; his snagged body was found on the side of the river days later , all his personal papers in order .
He was also described as a bookmaker and theatrical entrepreneur worth 22,000 pound , making 4000 pound from the theatre. There had been a bout of ill health and he had suffered a nervous breakdown .
At the inquest, Coleman's manager , Raymond Karmo , said he had never seen his friend so despondent as he was on the day he disappeared. An open finding on the cause of death was returned.
